6 Steps to Free Publicity: For Corporate Publicists or Solo Professionals, Including...Publishers, Consultants, Conference Planners, Politicians, [Paperback]

Marcia Yudkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

Publicity lets the world know who you are, what your company offers, or the urgency of your cause. Whether you want to draw in new business, establish yourself as an expert, or introduce a new concept to the community, free publicity is the cheapest, most credible way to do it. This newly updated edition of a classic guide to obtaining media coverage includes tips for using email and the Web to reach publicity gatekeepers, along with the basics of earning ink or airtime. It also covers: o Getting started-how to overcome fears, feel comfortable, and think like a publicity hound. o How to write tip sheets, pitch letters, and press releases that roll out your message and keep you in people's minds and files. o Performing on radio, TV, or the Web like a pro. o How to be easily found through the search engines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Career Press; Revised edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564146758
• ISBN-13: 978-1564146755
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of 16 books, Marcia Yudkin has been turning words into money since 1981, when her first freelance article appeared in the New York Times. She is the author of 6 Steps to Free Publicity and Web Site Marketing Makeover, among others. She has landed publicity in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Women in Business, USBanker, and dozens of newspapers around the world. Marcia lives part of the year on Maui and the rest of the time in the woods of Western Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 6 days and I already have the media's attention, July 3, 2004

By 

Tim Swierczek (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 6 Steps to Free Publicity: For Corporate Publicists or Solo Professionals, Including...Publishers, Consultants, Conference Planners, Politicians, (Paperback)

I recently purchased "6 Steps to Free Publicity". I had not finished more than 60% of the book before I noticed my first opportunity for free media attention, an article in the largest newspaper in our state. The article hit a hot button in my industry, and I saw an opportunity to expand on the article and be a resource for the media. I wrote a response letter using Marcia's suggestions in "6 Steps to Free Publicity," I suggested a follow up article that I would like the paper to write, and received a detailed and enthusiastic reply from the journalist, which included an offer to use me in the article. I know that without "6 Steps," I would not have seized this opportunity. Nor, would I have known the proper format to offer my suggestions.

"6 Steps" is an easy read that offers practical tips that will help eliminate your fears of contacting the media. In addition, it offers a wide range of ideas, examples, and stories to apply to all situations of publicity and all personality types. If you have a desire to get the word out about your product, service, organization, or yourself you owe it to yourself to purchase this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marcia Yudkin's Advice on Press Releases Works - and Fast!, January 21, 2006

By 

Jennifer C. Michelle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 6 Steps to Free Publicity: For Corporate Publicists or Solo Professionals, Including...Publishers, Consultants, Conference Planners, Politicians, (Paperback)

I bought "6 Steps to Free Publicity" to help my website (www.ALittleLingerieCompany.com) get better known. Within one week of following the book's advice, a local women's newspaper called to interview me for one of their columns. Within a month, the largest newspaper in my state contacted me for an article, and both of these write-ups will appear in time for Valentine's Day - my biggest season. Better still, one reporter told me that her editor loved my press releases - they were so creative! That's all thanks to Marcia Yudkin's tips.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Ideas and Tips, March 12, 2004

By 

Lynellen Perry "lynellenDOTcom" (Dumfries, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 6 Steps to Free Publicity: For Corporate Publicists or Solo Professionals, Including...Publishers, Consultants, Conference Planners, Politicians, (Paperback)

This is a revised edition from the original publication of 1994. The book is in five parts: getting started; writing; speaking and acting; polishing skills; and keeping the momentum going. In the first section (getting started), Marcia addresses your mindset with chapters called "Thinking Like a Publicity Hound," and "The Comfort Factor: Exposure without Feeling Exposed." In the next section, you learn about news releases, media kits, pitch letters, tip sheets, articles, and "advertorials". Part 3 gives ideas about staging events, speaking, broadcasting, and "Schmoozing". Part 4 helps bone up your skills in dealing with reporters, radio/tv interviews, and phone pitches. Marcia presents "10 Pitfalls in Publicity Writing -- And How to Avoid Them", 77 ways to defeat writer's block, how to work with search engines, and "Getting Sizzling, Forceful Testimonials." Finally, Marcia presents a directory of resources related to publicity campaigns.

I found extra value in the sections on pitch letters, query letters, getting testimonials, "10 Ways to be Timely", and "23 Ways to be Newsworthy"!