Life's A Pitch
Published by Susan Young
Professional Speaker, Author, Media Advisor
& Award-Winning Entrepreneur
Winner of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from
The Edison Chamber of Commerce
Copyright 2006, all rights reserved. May not be reprinted without permission.
Summer News Slow-Down
News tends to come to an almost screeching halt over the summer. In most states, the legislature/government is out of session, people are on vacations and the lazy, hazy days of summer prevail. This is an ideal time to develop and pitch stories. Even though business and government may be slower than usual, the newspapers still have pages to fill, and the TV and radio stations still have on-air programming spots to fill.

You can help.

Consider this. Many stories that may seem weak or tough to pitch during a busy news cycle could get the attention of a reporter during the slower summertime news cycle. Take advantage of this time period and create some new angles and new stories for your organizations and clients.

After spending 10 years in a busy radio newsroom, the summer months always had the same stories. Do they sound familiar? Gas prices, family vacations, camp for the kids, skin care and sunburn, family barbecues, fireworks safety, pool safety, ideal bathing suits for not-so-ideal bodies and shapes, heat waves, and on and on.

Cause related marketing is always good this time of year. Most groups hustle for holiday food drives in November and December yet there are plenty of hungry people in July. Why not launch a food drive with your local United Way or soup kitchen? How about a summer mentoring program with local kids who can connect with businesses or volunteer programs? Human interest stories are always fun this time of year too. If you like to surf or go kayaking, invite a brave reporter to come along for a first time adventure.

July 4th weekend is a terrific window of opportunity with four or five good days of news filler. If you write some “undated” stories that can hold up through the entire holiday weekend, you have a good chance of getting your story covered. Send your releases out on Thursday or Friday and the likelihood that they will get picked up will significantly increase.
Communication Quote

“Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much.”

- Robert Greenleaf, management & leadership expert/author
One of My Favorite Quotes

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that’s your own self.”

– Aldous Huxley, writer

Need a guest speaker or keynote address? Did your speaker cancel at the last minute? Susan Young can pinch-hit! Select a customized presentation on topics including:
How to Leverage the Media
Proactive Public Relations
The Pulse of PR
Communicating with Confidence
Attitude Adjustment 101

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“Life’s A Pitch” includes media and public relations tips, story and press release ideas, and information on upcoming events. It will preview brand-new offerings such as teleclasses and seminars that are open to the public.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - MEET SUSAN YOUNG!

Tues. July 18, 2006- Breakfast meeting on Networking-Women’s Executive Leadership Forum-Organized by JH Cohn, LLP. Private Presentation.

Sat. Sept. 30, 2006- Workshop - “Unraveling The Media Mystery: How to Manage Reporters and Influence the News”- Organized by the NJ Self-Help Clearinghouse, Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch, NJ. Open to the Public. Registration information will be available soon.

Thurs. Oct. 12, 2006- Two Workshop Presentations – “How to Move from Mediocre to Magnificent”-17th Annual Enterprising Women’s Conference organized by the San Antonio TX Chamber of Commerce. Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, San Antonio, TX. Visit www.sachamber.org. Open to the public.

Thurs. Nov. 16, 2006- Workshop -“Communicating with Confidence”- Organized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Brandywine Chapter. Chase Center at the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE. 10:30 a.m. Open to the public.

Susan Young successfully helps businesses, non-profits and professional trade associations to increase their publicity, name recognition and revenues. Call 210.375.6422 or visit www.getinfrontcommunications.com.

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