While we are in the midst of summer, now is the time to be pitching long lead-time publications for the fall holidays, and that includes Halloween. Many years ago our top travel PR firm based in NYC was doing publicity for Hilton International, we sent out a release about this time regarding a hotel in London, the Langham, and how a specific room was where a guest in the 1800s jumped to his death at the hotel.
While this may seem strange, we garnered widespread coverage including the travel section of the NY Times and NY Post. It also got picked up by Associated Press and Reuters. By the way, too many people overlook the wires, and be sure to check them out. There is actually a paid service you can use on AP.
A few months back, a study revealed magazines have grown tremendously in the past five years, and are read very closely by their subscribers. In fact, people spend an average of 45 minutes with their magazines of interest. So for example, now would be the time to issue recipes on fall entertaining, and holidays such a Halloween.
Our current client Gogobot is a great resource for press looking to offer insider tips on great experiences in major cities around the country. Their fun and interactive destination guides offer insight into great places to stay, eat and play that are personalized to you. GoGo This Week is another distinguishing feature of the site and is currently available in 15 cities. Each week Gogobot’s editors in each of the GoGo This Week cities offer insight into great experiences, openings and events happening in each city. Certainly around Halloween, there will be no shortage of costume contests, haunted houses and pumpkin carving events, so be sure to check it out.
Research Editorial Calendars
Our hotel and travel PR agency is currently researching editorial calendars for our clients. We are finding many opportunities and will be pitching stories to the press in the upcoming weeks.
Editorial calendars are available if you contact the publication’s advertising department directly, or subscribing to Bacon’s, Ciscion/Vocus, or another media directory source. We currently use My Media, but these are all good resources. Most public libraries carry Bacon’s directories, so take a few hours and go check them out.
Magazines have a lead time of four to six months – so soon they will be looking for materials for the December holidays. That’s why we plan a roadmap for our clients which helps us with long-term tactics.
So, look ahead to the fall, and come up with ideas for stories for the fall and holiday season now. While it does feel weird to thinking about snow on the ground, you can be sure editors will be soon, and are also coming up with stories on how best to carve your pumpkin and toast the pumpkin seeds with some salt sprinkled on top!
We are always here as a resource on planning editorial outreach, so feel free to contact us. Visit our website at www.AbelowPR.com