Monday, August 24, 2009
Cassera Communications Featured in Art Print Issues
Cassera Communications was recently featured on Art Print Marketing Expert Barney Davey's Blog - check out the post here! http://www.artprintissues.com/2009/08/publicity-is-a-big-deal-for-visual-artists-and-all-small-businesses.html
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fox 29 News Segment - Eat Healthy at the Ballpark
Check out Melissa Cassera on Fox 29 discussing 'How to Eat Healthy at the Ballpark!'
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Holiday Gift Guide Pitching
I've been getting a lot of inquiries about Holiday Gift Guide submissions. Here are some common FAQs:
1. Some holiday gift guides close in July. Major magazines such as Family Circle, O Magazine and Glamour are all working on this issue now.
2. Put together a special pitch just for Holiday Gift Guide submissions. It should state why your 'gift' is perfect for that particular outlet and include all of the necessary information such as pricing and where to buy. Popular themes this year seem to be budget gifts (under $50 or under $100) and eco-friendly gifts.
3. Realize that gift guide editors are sometimes a special contributor and not your normal contact at the publication. You'll need to do some legwork to find out the right contact. Or you can hire a publicist with access to the information to do your gift guide pitching for you.
4. Be ready to send samples. If you are limited to the number of samples you can send, reserve them for your most-wanted spots and then divide the rest among other placements. Don't blindly mail samples to a bunch of outlets.
5. Don't ignore newspapers. I know we all want to be featured in O Magazine's guide or on the Today Show - and I don't blame you! But don't forget the Top 250 newspapers and also your local papers. Magazine editors read them. TV producers read them to find segment ideas. I had a client that made all of his holiday sales last year strictly from newspaper coverage. Another client was recently featured in a local NYC newspaper and landed a feature in More Magazine. Newspapers work!
1. Some holiday gift guides close in July. Major magazines such as Family Circle, O Magazine and Glamour are all working on this issue now.
2. Put together a special pitch just for Holiday Gift Guide submissions. It should state why your 'gift' is perfect for that particular outlet and include all of the necessary information such as pricing and where to buy. Popular themes this year seem to be budget gifts (under $50 or under $100) and eco-friendly gifts.
3. Realize that gift guide editors are sometimes a special contributor and not your normal contact at the publication. You'll need to do some legwork to find out the right contact. Or you can hire a publicist with access to the information to do your gift guide pitching for you.
4. Be ready to send samples. If you are limited to the number of samples you can send, reserve them for your most-wanted spots and then divide the rest among other placements. Don't blindly mail samples to a bunch of outlets.
5. Don't ignore newspapers. I know we all want to be featured in O Magazine's guide or on the Today Show - and I don't blame you! But don't forget the Top 250 newspapers and also your local papers. Magazine editors read them. TV producers read them to find segment ideas. I had a client that made all of his holiday sales last year strictly from newspaper coverage. Another client was recently featured in a local NYC newspaper and landed a feature in More Magazine. Newspapers work!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Read 55 Ways How To Find Your Hidden Talent
I am excited to be featured in the amazing Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz's blog today. Mike has compiled 55 ways to find your hidden talent from a slew of amazing entrepreneurs. If you're looking to start a business or maybe switch directions - this is the post for you!
Also - if you haven't read Mike's book yet, you MUST pick it up. It's chock full of great information that you can implement immediately - no fluff! I don't get commission from Mike - I just really believe in what he offers!
Blog Post (My tip is #43!)
http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/how-to-find-your-hidden-talent
Also - if you haven't read Mike's book yet, you MUST pick it up. It's chock full of great information that you can implement immediately - no fluff! I don't get commission from Mike - I just really believe in what he offers!
Blog Post (My tip is #43!)
http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/how-to-find-your-hidden-talent
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Heart Adventure Fitness on ABC6
Cassera Communications client and Fitness Expert Scott Lance of HEART Adventure Fitness was recently profiled on ABC6 consumer reports with Nydia Han. Check out the segment below and stay tuned for some more amazing news from Scott and his budget-friendly, yet effective program.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/consumer/save_with_6abc&id=6838986
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/consumer/save_with_6abc&id=6838986
Friday, May 15, 2009
How To Get on Television: Part II
Part I focused on identifying appropriate pitch topics for television shows. Part II is focused on pitching a segment that will WORK within the format of the show.
1. You need to know if the show is taped in-studio or if they create segments on location. Your pitch should be tailored to this type of segment.
2. Realize that in some in-studio segments you are working within limited space. Some studios are unable to hold models or guest participants, so if you're demonstrating items, they will need to sit out on a table.
3. Create the entire segment in your head prior to pitching. The easiest way to do this is to watch prior segments to determine length and style. If they are demonstrating something, like exercises, how many do they do and how much time is devoted to each one?
4. Make sure if you're pitching a segment where you need participants or models that you can get those participants/models yourself.
5. If this is an on-location segment, make sure you have permission to use that location. Don't assume that a particular store will allow you to film there. If you're doing a shopping segment, you may want to shoot before the store opens to the public unless the news station wants to film customers shopping.
6. On-location segments often have several parts. For example, they may want to film a particular place of business, interview the owner, interview a customer and then film the customer going through the shopping experience. You will need to coordinate all of these elements.
Part III will focus on finding the appropriate contact to pitch!
1. You need to know if the show is taped in-studio or if they create segments on location. Your pitch should be tailored to this type of segment.
2. Realize that in some in-studio segments you are working within limited space. Some studios are unable to hold models or guest participants, so if you're demonstrating items, they will need to sit out on a table.
3. Create the entire segment in your head prior to pitching. The easiest way to do this is to watch prior segments to determine length and style. If they are demonstrating something, like exercises, how many do they do and how much time is devoted to each one?
4. Make sure if you're pitching a segment where you need participants or models that you can get those participants/models yourself.
5. If this is an on-location segment, make sure you have permission to use that location. Don't assume that a particular store will allow you to film there. If you're doing a shopping segment, you may want to shoot before the store opens to the public unless the news station wants to film customers shopping.
6. On-location segments often have several parts. For example, they may want to film a particular place of business, interview the owner, interview a customer and then film the customer going through the shopping experience. You will need to coordinate all of these elements.
Part III will focus on finding the appropriate contact to pitch!
Quick Pitch Tip: Pay Attention to Segment Titles and Magazine Headlines
Feeling stumped when forming your pitches for the press? Pay attention to how segment titles and magazine cover 'teasers' are written. Here are some samples from The Today Show website:
14 Habits that Can Hurt Your Health
Prepare Your Skin for Summer
Jewelry for a Cause
Teach Kids the Value of a Dollar
Catch a producers/editors attention by writing headlines like these for your pitches (use as your subject line of your email pitch letter or the headline of your press release). Taking 5 minutes a day to check out headlines from shows you dream of getting coverage on or magazines you want to be featured in will go a long way!
14 Habits that Can Hurt Your Health
Prepare Your Skin for Summer
Jewelry for a Cause
Teach Kids the Value of a Dollar
Catch a producers/editors attention by writing headlines like these for your pitches (use as your subject line of your email pitch letter or the headline of your press release). Taking 5 minutes a day to check out headlines from shows you dream of getting coverage on or magazines you want to be featured in will go a long way!
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