One of the rules by Peter Shankman in his book, “Can We Do That? Outrageous PR Stunts That Work and Why Your Company Needs Them” hit home with me.
“Always take the meeting. You never know where the next client, next big project, next crazy idea, next new job, next promotion, raise or shot at glory is going to come from. Always take the meeting.”
I am currently the publicist for Marni Matyus who owns The Sling Station, Peppermint.com and Peppermint Baby Boutique.
About a year ago, she put out a notice on the DFW Babywearing Yahoo group that she needed models (moms and babies) for a photo shoot for her advertising. I agreed to help out.
But the day of the event, I debated on going. My daughter was about 5 months old at the time and a mama’s girl. I knew she wasn’t going to let Marni hold her to take babywearing photos. My husband encouraged me to go since I gave my word.
True to my gut feeling, my daughter screamed her head off whenever we placed her in a baby sling Marni was wearing.
Afterwards, when I was nursing my daughter to calm her down, I got to talking to Marni about her business. I really enjoyed wearing my daughter in a sling and so her business was very intriguing. I asked her about her PR/marketing efforts. She wasn’t doing much in terms of PR and was very interested that I was a PR freelancer. We exchanged cards. Had a lunch a few days later and now Marni is one of my most favorite clients!
Always take the meeting – or in my case, attend the photo shoot!
Showing posts with label the sling station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the sling station. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I'm Published!
I am officially a published author. A professional writer!
Chesapeake Family Magazine published my babywearing article in their March, 2008 issue.
I have been querying regional parenting publications for my client, The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. The query proposes a feature article will teach readers about the benefits of babywearing and will guide them in choosing a carrier. I tell each editor that I will interview local parents who have successful babywearing experiences and will provide a list of local babywearing resources.
Well, the editor of Chesapeake Family Magazine accepted my query! I had a lot of fun interviewing local Maryland moms. I love reading babywearing success stories!
My client is listed in the resources and provides expert commentary throughout the article.
A few other goodies:
The cover of the magazine teases the story inside: The Benefits of Babywearing
In the “From the Editor” section: “And anyone who can’t figure out how they’re going to get anything done when their newborn insists on being carried everywhere needs to read Lori Bittenbender’s great piece on babywearing.” Ha! Yeah! That’s me, Lori Bittenbender.
You can click here to read “The Benefits of Babywearing” by Lori Bittenbender.
Chesapeake Family Magazine published my babywearing article in their March, 2008 issue.
I have been querying regional parenting publications for my client, The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. The query proposes a feature article will teach readers about the benefits of babywearing and will guide them in choosing a carrier. I tell each editor that I will interview local parents who have successful babywearing experiences and will provide a list of local babywearing resources.
Well, the editor of Chesapeake Family Magazine accepted my query! I had a lot of fun interviewing local Maryland moms. I love reading babywearing success stories!
My client is listed in the resources and provides expert commentary throughout the article.
A few other goodies:
The cover of the magazine teases the story inside: The Benefits of Babywearing
In the “From the Editor” section: “And anyone who can’t figure out how they’re going to get anything done when their newborn insists on being carried everywhere needs to read Lori Bittenbender’s great piece on babywearing.” Ha! Yeah! That’s me, Lori Bittenbender.
You can click here to read “The Benefits of Babywearing” by Lori Bittenbender.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Contests for Publicity
I am finishing up a successful campaign using a contest to generate publicity.
For The Sling Station, I came up with the idea to host a "Beautiful Babywearing" photo contest. We chose four categories:
Most Artistic
Best Baby Smile (see the winning photo - isn't she cute?)
Most Creative Location
Cutest Child Wearer
For the contest announcement, one newspaper and four bloggers announced the contest.
We received more than 40 entries!
When the winners were selected, I sent all of their hometown papers a press release and the winning photo. Three of the four hometown papers ran the winning photo and press release! Papers from all over the country: North Carolina, Illinois and Hawaii! All three papers ran my client's websites.
I'm very thankful this was a successful publicity campaign!
For The Sling Station, I came up with the idea to host a "Beautiful Babywearing" photo contest. We chose four categories:
Most Artistic
Best Baby Smile (see the winning photo - isn't she cute?)
Most Creative Location
Cutest Child Wearer
For the contest announcement, one newspaper and four bloggers announced the contest.
We received more than 40 entries!
When the winners were selected, I sent all of their hometown papers a press release and the winning photo. Three of the four hometown papers ran the winning photo and press release! Papers from all over the country: North Carolina, Illinois and Hawaii! All three papers ran my client's websites.
I'm very thankful this was a successful publicity campaign!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Media Worthy Grand Opening
I love brainstorming publicity ideas for clients.
My client who owns The Sling Station and Peppermint.com is opening a retail location here in Dallas.
Instead of just doing a boring ribbon cutting grand opening celebration, I came up with something media worthy and fun!
We will host Dallas' Largest Baby Shower! There are three components:
1. A donation drive to support The Network of Community Ministries. We'll collect baby items including diapers, wipes, toiletries and baby food to support local infants in need. Peppermint will be located in Richardson and this is the social services agency for that city.
2. A baby fair with demonstration classes such as infant massage, baby sign language and sling demonstrations. Guests can also meet local pediatric health care professionals.
3. Peppermint Baby Mascot Contest – Guests are encouraged to get creative with dolls and/or craft supplies to create the Peppermint Baby. The top three most creative entries will win a $100 gift certificate.
This last one is going to be a lot of fun! Can't you just see a photo of homemade dolls making it into the local paper? Plus the donation drive ties it into the community which the media also love.
Of course my client has started to blog about these events. We'll use traditional media as well as social media to market this grand opening. Wish us luck!
My client who owns The Sling Station and Peppermint.com is opening a retail location here in Dallas.
Instead of just doing a boring ribbon cutting grand opening celebration, I came up with something media worthy and fun!
We will host Dallas' Largest Baby Shower! There are three components:
1. A donation drive to support The Network of Community Ministries. We'll collect baby items including diapers, wipes, toiletries and baby food to support local infants in need. Peppermint will be located in Richardson and this is the social services agency for that city.
2. A baby fair with demonstration classes such as infant massage, baby sign language and sling demonstrations. Guests can also meet local pediatric health care professionals.
3. Peppermint Baby Mascot Contest – Guests are encouraged to get creative with dolls and/or craft supplies to create the Peppermint Baby. The top three most creative entries will win a $100 gift certificate.
This last one is going to be a lot of fun! Can't you just see a photo of homemade dolls making it into the local paper? Plus the donation drive ties it into the community which the media also love.
Of course my client has started to blog about these events. We'll use traditional media as well as social media to market this grand opening. Wish us luck!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Helping Clients on Live TV
There have been several occasions during my PR career that I’ve had to step in and help a client during a media event.
The most recent happened last Monday on Good Morning Texas. Kate and I had to help my babywearing client, Marni Matyus of The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. She was on the “Not So Perfect Parent” segment to provide tips for “Traveling with Children.” I wore Kate on my back in an Ergo Baby Carrier. My sister even helped us out too and wore her daughter in a Didymos Wrap.
I was so nervous. I woke up at 1 a.m. the night before and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was nervous because I didn’t want Kate to freak out on live TV and ruin the segment.
Everything turned out great! My sister’s baby slept peacefully the whole time and Kate was happy and smiling, hanging out on my back.
Click here to see the episode!
Here are two other situations where I had to help a client during a media event. When have you had to help a client? I’d love to hear your story!
Client: Deepak Chopra Center for Well Being
Media Event: Health Magazine was doing a photo shoot of Cheryl Tiegs, age 50, to showcase how well she has taken care of herself.
How I Helped: They needed an extra body to sit in on the food scene. I volunteered and photos were taken of us “pretending to eat.” It was really hard for me to pretend to eat. Cheryl did it like a pro – smiling and smelling the food as she passed the dishes along. One photo of me smelling some seasoning really did make it into the magazine!
Client: Kokopelli’s Wellness Spa and Yoga Center
Media Event: Fitness Expert Leisa Hart (Buns of Steel Workout Star) was doing a New Year’s fitness segment live from the spa.
How I Helped: While Leisa was reporting, a group of us was doing exercises in the background. I even had to do some Pilates moves while Leisa “helped me” during a tease prior to the segment.
The most recent happened last Monday on Good Morning Texas. Kate and I had to help my babywearing client, Marni Matyus of The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. She was on the “Not So Perfect Parent” segment to provide tips for “Traveling with Children.” I wore Kate on my back in an Ergo Baby Carrier. My sister even helped us out too and wore her daughter in a Didymos Wrap.
I was so nervous. I woke up at 1 a.m. the night before and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was nervous because I didn’t want Kate to freak out on live TV and ruin the segment.
Everything turned out great! My sister’s baby slept peacefully the whole time and Kate was happy and smiling, hanging out on my back.
Click here to see the episode!
Here are two other situations where I had to help a client during a media event. When have you had to help a client? I’d love to hear your story!
Client: Deepak Chopra Center for Well Being
Media Event: Health Magazine was doing a photo shoot of Cheryl Tiegs, age 50, to showcase how well she has taken care of herself.
How I Helped: They needed an extra body to sit in on the food scene. I volunteered and photos were taken of us “pretending to eat.” It was really hard for me to pretend to eat. Cheryl did it like a pro – smiling and smelling the food as she passed the dishes along. One photo of me smelling some seasoning really did make it into the magazine!
Client: Kokopelli’s Wellness Spa and Yoga Center
Media Event: Fitness Expert Leisa Hart (Buns of Steel Workout Star) was doing a New Year’s fitness segment live from the spa.
How I Helped: While Leisa was reporting, a group of us was doing exercises in the background. I even had to do some Pilates moves while Leisa “helped me” during a tease prior to the segment.
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