It’s only a few days since we celebrated Mother’s Day but, believe it or not, now is the time to be planning your Father’s Day PR efforts for long lead media.
What media? Long-lead media refers to magazines that produce their content months in advance.
For example, some glossy magazines like Qantas’ inflight and AFR magazine will be looking for September content now.
Father’s Day is a perfect opportunity to promote your product whether it’s a gadget, a piece of exercise equipment, clothing or an accessory. It’s a chance to promote experiences and travel too. For example, you might want to organise reader giveaway prizes…
So get your PR planning into gear. Hold off on contacting TV, newspapers and radio though. These outlets have shorter lead times and only look for content around 1 – 4 weeks out.
Here are PR Guru’s 6 tips to get publicity around Father’s Day:
- think outside the square – consumers and the media are tired of the same-old gift-ideas like after-shave, ties, tools and BBQ accessories. If you are trying to get the media’s attention you really need to highlight what’s new, novel and exciting about your product
- get professional photography and include a sample of images in your media kit or media release – best to have your product shot on a white background from a few different angles
- include product information with a quick reference guide telling the media in a snap-shot all the need-to-knows such as price, stockists, features, colour, availability etc
- do you have access to new insights into trends, issues or statistics relating to fathers and their behaviours or attitudes? Consider doing a survey.
- pitch a personal story – is your father an inspiration?
- hold a Father’s Day event and raise money for charity – secure publicity through event listings and photos and help a good cause: two great outcomes in one hit!
- promote your Father’s Day stories and gift-ideas through Facebook and Twitter. Journalists have been known to find stories through these channels, and if yours sparks an interest, you could very well get some publicity.
Want more insider tips on doing your own PR? Get PR Guru’s DIY Publicity Guide.
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Tags: DIY PR, Fathers Day, marketing, Mother's Day, press release