I guess that would be dependant on the type of product. “Cince-ease” (i hope I spelled the right) sent out samples to related media outlets.
Others have licensed their product, others have set up a website to go it alone. You can present your product to a firm or outlet for exclusive sales rights (every outlet loves to say “Available only at insert store name here”).
Sales and Marketing is a multi-billion dollar industry. It depends on your product and how much you are willing to take on, personally and financially.

So funny Chris…I read your post, decided to answer, then I saw your name. I know you!

You’ll laugh, my answer as intended was if you are going a way besides Edison Nation or a licensing agent or just to a large corporation to try and license; pursue free publicity.

Medias, magazines do like to cover new things, bring something new to readers instead of the same old stuff.

Going right into advertising can be too costly as it takes a while to catch. FREE publicity is usually in the form of an editorial so it caries MUCH more weight.

Doing this you have started to brand which is the name of the game. Also, keep in mind, most times a company you wish to license to will ask if you have a sales history. A sales history may be the difference in a deal or not.

If you have media coverage to show it all looks that much sweeter and shows you are not a pushover too. You are trekking along.

You can try yourself to obtain free publicity but it is hard and if you can hire a publicist then it will save you headaches and time, if you can afford.

I started with all free publicity. Calling, mailing editors postcards, product sheets, letters and if I did not do that I would be absolutely nowhere.

Now I have built leverage to pull in partners, license if I wish or as my choice, keep going at it alone. The big companies started small just like me one day.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

mark, just to clarify, i sent Press Releases to local parenting magazines across the country offering free samples to their readers…5 magazines picked up on this and that’s when things started moving for me….but keep in mind, i had a product that was affordable for me to send out….cheaper than using a PR firm….for me it was all about getting my product into the hands of moms, because if moms like a product, the word spreads really fast, and it did for my product….then i couldn’t handle the demand….but as ron mentions, marketing, pr, sales, licensing,—-all of it depends on your product and how much you are willing to put behind it….

Yes Eva…remember, not everyone wishes or wants to do what you and I are doing. It seems we are doing the same thing, same strategy.

This is where Edison Nation comes in and other ways of licensing your idea. Maybe it’s the best way for some because most inventors don’t want to be answering phones for sales or counting boxes or doing shows and saying the same pitch 1000 times over and maybe no one even listens to you because you are too small.

Here is the perfect analogy; do you like to play football with all the risk of injury, risk of losing the whole game, are you willing to expend that kind of energy and still call it fun?

Or, would you rather watch or maybe coach a little, or own the team and collect the profits.

You latch on with Edison Nation and you watch them run their asses off for you. Which I am sure they try that hard. Maybe you will have to split “a pot of gold”, but as you know, if you go alone you may only get a pot of dirt and sorrow.

Eva…I spent over 2 years pretty much begging for publicity. I now know a great publicist that can accomodate people like you and me and do what we did and much more in a month or two for $4000 or so. They are Orca Communications. They much more specialize in products like yours than mine. I will be using them for a run as soon as the economy starts looking up a little. I’m tired of pushing every single day. They must know TV shows and magazines like Time which they get some “not so spectacular” products in there. Don’t know how they do it. I got a couple covers of magazines and a nice story in Popular Mechanics, Inventors Digest treated me like I was family which I will never forget, but I can’t crack the bigger ones, well, maybe with alot more headaches!

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

i know alot of people who use ORCA right now…..they have always been very satisfied…however, even $4000/month is 2 mortgage payments…but from what I undestand about ORCA, there are different packages you can go with that are more affordable, but then you are in a group of products vs being a solo product…but all in all, they are a good group…

Yeah Eva…things are tough right now. $4000 is alot these days. I think $4000 is the group of products rate. I know for a fact Orca has friends like at the Big Idea TV show and other places. Sometimes, unfortunately, that is what it takes.

I also know one good placement can give 10 times that amount in profit to an inventor in the short term plus the fact of the product talking on the streets for future sales. Happened to me. Popular Mechanics kicked it all off worldwide for me and I will use their editorial in ways for years to come. I did get the Popular Mechanics placement myself but I assume that was with a “blessed” postcard.

I’m just so tired of pushing, I am sure you are too…ya know?

I wish you the best of luck Eva, I know what you are going through. I believe right now is the toughest time since the Great Depression to launch a product.

If you get a chance, give me your website or ssomething..PM me…it seems I do make lots of contacts. If ever get a chance to bring recognition to your product I will mention it.

I am sure it is a good product. You seem very smart and diligent; I am sure you know what you are doing and have something good.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

ron, it’s funny…i never got tired of PR & marketing, in fact the company i am forming will help parent innovators market their products…..what i got tired of was sewing 2000 CEWs….it was a waste of my time…instead of sewing i could have been out there selling and marketing…and this is another reason i went the licensing route, to focus on what i am good at and like to do, vs getting dragged down doing things i don’t like to do…operations..

what type of products does ORCA promote,I couldn’t find anything on the internet? Mine is in the sporting goods industry..kinda..

Hello Lisa,

Orca seems to me to promote mostly women’s inventions which means most of the products are household or parenting related but they were very excited with me as they are trying to more diversify the types of products. www.orcacommunications.com

They do have a varied potfolio but I think a woman inventor will feel very comfortable especially since most of the employees/publicists are women.

I know they get alot of products in Redbook, Good Housekeeping but also the Wall Street Journal.

I was ready to go with them until the economy took the last ugly turn 4 weeks ago. I decided to wait until either Fall or Spring but that is depending on your product.

In fairness and respect to Edison Nation, this route is not favorable to most actually. I think most inventors are better of licensing and figure Edison Nation as your ally and agent so you don’t get beat up and ripped off in the licensing attempt. don’t forget a licensing deal is a ticket for you into the executives of a big corporation!!! Who knows? You could end up VP out of your new relationship with them!

I believe many companies “steal” your idea as a matter of business the way it is sometimes. Going to court to settle a licensing deal might be easier and many licensing deals can’t be “pounded out” until there is a judge to “ref” the deal.

I can’t promote a disrespectful alternative to Edison Nation. All here are their customers or priviledged to be here like me which I appreciate.

On the other hand, some may need an option if they are turned down in the contests. There could be many reasons and not because your product is not good.

Just if you use a company like Orca Communications, surely you will be thrilled when you get write-ups with your name with medias and maybe even TV appearances, but this is not for everyone. Remember, the whole world will then know your product and many may figure how to knock you off if you are not solid enough. I do know Edison Nation has some SHARP, SHARP business people to represent you and protect you. I want to run an idea with Edison Nation one of these days for the wonderful experience.

I don’t think there is anything that says a person like me who has tried out there can’t go crawling to Edison Nation crying “there’s monsters out there help me” I think you might still be able to team up with Edison Nation. Who knows…that might be me. I take lots of lumps out there. Not fun sometimes.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Thanks for the link Ron…I am just hoping that since I haven’t heard anything from EE I am still in the running.

Lisa…good luck with the contest, I hope you are still in the running too.

Just realize, I consider bringing a good product to market by yourself like like walking through the jungle with just a stick to protect yourself.

It could be a wild adventure if you are up to that type of challenge or you can get chewed up and spit out. I have people looking at my website many times a day from all over the world including plenty from China. I am sure they have started to knock me off.

This is why we are so lucky for the opportunity with Edison Nation. A good way to start in the inventing business is to get one under your belt with an alliance such as Edison Nation and then try one on your own maybe if you have built yourself a reputation.

The pressure on me right now to storm forward and establish markets, somehow, is terribly immense. Do or die really.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Chris! i saw that you work for ORCA communications in New Business Development….i was just reading about it…and i saw your picture….you want to tell us more about ORCA…i think there were some questions people had about ORCA….

Great eye Eva… I caught that also, after Ron gave me site!

Orca Communications Unlimited LLC is a full service PR agency that specializes in inventors and entrepreneurs in 19 different industries. If you look at our website, www.orcaccommunications.com you’ll see a lot of products that are centered around Moms, Parents, and Pets, however we also specialize in tons of different industries including sportswear, fashion, hardware, innovations, and many many more.

The important thing to remember is that with Orca we proudly say that we aren’t a Madison Ave firm. We have basically three different options that we offer: Media Guides, Shared Spotlights, and Full Service campaigns.

The Media Guide is where we take 10-15 products in similar but not competing industries and put them together in one great national PR campaign.

Shared Spotlights campaigns are smaller groups of 3-6 businesses with a more tailored and specialized attention

And finally full service is our individualized campaign that gets you all over the country in specific markets that you want.

Basically, we will take your story and product(s) and get them in front of the media and get them to write, talk, feature, or review your product in their outlet.

With our relationships with literally thousands of outlets across the country we can break through that glass ceiling that you may have encountered when sending out samples throughout the country.

So what’s the difference between what we do and Ad firms? We are not limited to having to buy ad space in a magazine so that means that you have the potential to be seen by millions more people for a fraction of the cost.

Chris…I really think you should take out a paid advertisement in Inventors Digest. The magazine sure could use the help as an inventor’s magazine is tough to run.

You will pretty much “hit” everyone here as gold members get the magazine and the magazine is also owned by the owner of this operation, Edison Nation.

I do think Orca is necessary for people bringing products to market themselves.

I try and will continue trying to get Inventors Digest advertisers after all they did for me, plus I believe the magazine is a necessity for all of us in this field including you who is looking to meet inventors.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

I must say I feel a little put-off by what just happened here. Until Eva’s post above I fell for Chris’s original post as an honest question to inventors instead of a set-up for an advertisement.
Orca may be a fine company, but I doubt I’ll ever consider them after this.

I’m sorry Mark…that would be my fault. I really like these guys Orca as they have been trying to help me and I am undergoing a PR campaign with them shortly.

I was excited to see Chris here. My big mouth strikes again. I believe Orca can be the answer for many here.

I fully expect them to make me very happy shortly and they seem like they will be just as happy to help me succeed.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

I don’t blame you Ron. But be careful. These are shark infested waters. Re-reading Chris’s first post knowing who he is, makes him a shark.
It may say the same for his company.

I would also caution the average Inventor that is looking to license a product that you do not need a PR firm. The company licensing it will do that. Alos before yo buy a package you need to look at all the venues they target. If yo have a fishing product youdon’t need to pay for them sending out your flyer to a baby magazine.
I would also point out that you can get good free press by contacting your local newspaper, T.V. News station, and online blogs. They are all looking for stories to fill space. National Public Radio is a great place for interviews and they rerun them often to fill empty slots. I did a spot interview on NPR and they ran it for 7 months at different times of the day and week. If possible with doing interviews don’t mention dates unless you really have to. When you have no dates mentioned it is easier for them to rerun them because no one knows you did it months earlier. I did an interview with about.com http://toys.about.com/od/hotnewtoyreleases/a/toyinventor.htm?terms=interview+with+a+toy+inventor+roger+brown four years ago and am still getting emails from people who just saw it this week. You can write an article like this one at http://ezinearticles.com/?Inventors—-Do-You-Really-Need-To-Patent-Your-Invention-Before-Submitting-To-Companies-For-Licensing&id=782118

All the things I mentioned above are free. Most PR firms I have talked to start at about $2,000 and go up from there. Try the free things first. Who knows you may have a knack for PR and do it yourself and save a lot of money.

Roger,

I have DRILLED newspapers, TV shows/news shows, magazines etc. myself. Handi-Straps is magical. It doubles a person’s strength and you just can’t hurt your upper body lifting…really. That should be headline news.

I got maybe 10 good stories in all medias combined. I might have sent out 2000 pieces of literature to these contacts. I am totally frustrated.

People say all the time that medias are just looking for your story to fill space. This is not true with a product because they say to themselves why don’t this cheapo just take an ad out with us. If we give this guy free PR do we do it for all our advertisers?

It is very difficult and you really need friends in the business and I know this is what Orca has. Unfortunately that is the way it is.

Proof. I sat a very important Star Ledger reporter (NJ newspaper) for two hours. She won the prize for top newspaper science writer in the country and planned on a front page story. The editors turned the story down. I have continued to try to get a story in this paper.

Orca is in Arizona. They get people in this paper all the time with their products and I must say, some of these products are not that sparkling to say the least.

So why is this? I’m a smart guy with passion. Got every name of TV show producers/reporters with phone#‘s (Found a good list) Why can’t I pull it off myself?

The sad reason is you can’t say “hey look at me” It needs to be a third party that says you gotta check this guy/product out and second, you need to know the right people so they will even look.

Publicity can help with licensing. For instance, Popular Mechanics wants to run a story on my next invention which you know about. I use that as a pitch and I will shortly as I approach a major company for licensing.

This shows something to the licensee. It shows if they rip me off I know very well how to get the publicity about being ripped off and I will surely seek and the scheduled publicity gives the product some approval. My publicity on Handi-Straps will get me everywhere if I give up and decide to license.

Roger, know what really pisses me off, these media outlets better start helping American made products more too for this country’s own good.

Handi-Straps should be demonstrated on all kinds of TV shows. They will not listen to me. Unfortunately I now need a publicist who knows people.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

all right, i must intervene….i don’t think there is just one right way to do things…..every inventor comes to certain phases of the inventing journey right?…and each inventor is completely different right?…..each inventor’s needs are different right?….some people’s goals are to become millionaires, some are ok with being a thousand-aire…..some people treat their inventions like their babies and are emmotionally attached, some inventors treat their invention just like a commoditiy…some inventors tried to market their own product…..some inventors try to go straight to licensing….some inventors do their own PR….some inventors don’t have the ability or desire to do PR….some inventors love operations of a business….some don’t…some inventors are ok splitting royalities with an agent…some inventors would turn their nose on that possibility…folks, there is not just one day of doing it…that’s what makes it such an exciting process, finding your way of doing things and making it work for you….

Any good media company will also tell you your story has to have a hook that they find appealing. I agree the doubling your strength and no back injury SHOULD be enough, but in todays media that may not be what they want to get people attention. If you were a 14 year old kid that made this invention and demonstrated it then you have the hook of a 14 year old. I have found that no matter how many inventions I have they are not interested until I tell them I did it for under $100. That’s the hook they like. They know all the stories of people spending thousands and getting nothing for it. So, when I say this one cost me $10 to get to market they listen. If I spent thousands and got it to market that isn’t a story to them even though you look at the odds of getting a patented item to market is 3% of all those patented. I have beat the odds seven times. You would think that would be a story. It isn’t.
If I were blind and did it then that is a story. It is all about SPIN and how you can get their attention that gets you the media buzz.
I know you have tried really hard in many venues to get the world to know about your invention. Hopefully the PR firm will find that HOOK that makes it take off.

ditto

I completely agree with Roger. The media landscape is a constantly changing evolving beast a lot of what is successful and interesting today may not be interesting or newsworthy tomorrow.

The key is to keep evolving and keep moving forward with new hooks and ideas.

Eva….you always make so much sense when you talk. I really think you have it all together and I think you will accomplish whatever you set your mind to do. I enjoy listening to you.

Hanging around here you can really get an improved outlook on things to take you to the next level.

My bottom line numbers now are disgusting with this economy, but hanging around here I know I will learn things that will help or maybe change my tactics from just listening.

A private lesson from Roger helped me too!

Chris….ya know what gets me…and how do you deal with it? Amy Winehouse made headline news again today. She had a reaction to medication. she does not even live in this country. So she sings ok. I actually sing better. I am a singer.

She reached success and does nothing about it but party til almost death. It makes me sick! Why does the media cover this garbage when there are people with so much good news trying to make this place better don’t get a look.

How do you deal with the media mentality? Makes me wanna throw a brick through their window with one of my brochures so they just look.

I know about the “hook” Isn’t EMTs and even emergency medics in Kuwait using my product to get victims to the hospital faster to save lives enough of a hook? How about how we know people with MS and stroke or severely injured are being helped so they can lift a few things for themselves. Isn’t that enough of a “hook”?

I know what you are going to say…what I said…the story can’t come from me the inventor, it has to be from someone else like a publicist.

I just couldn’t deal with the idiot reporter that continues to cover Britney Spears or Amy Winehouse’s mistakes which are nobody’s business in the first place and surely NOT news.

Edison Nation here deserves a good spot in the news. What the hell?

Chris,
I would have to echo Mark’s comments. In hindsight, this thread sure looks misleading.

If you wish to participate as an independent inventor, please join in.

However, this is not the right place for a grass roots PR campaign for a company under the guise of an individual inventor seeking advice from others.

I don’t know Orca or anything about their reputation. But how good could they be if:
1) they have to stoop so low as to pull scams in furums?
2) they are so inept as to insult and upset every potential client who reads this thread?
3) they are not honest enough to come right out and say who they are.

If they had done one shred if investigation beforehand, Orca would have known that the inventors here are sick and tired of scams. Chris should have known we would be insulted. Is this the kind of PR work you want representing you and your product if you should succeed? No thanks!

DITTO – DITTO – DITTO

Matt,
I am so glad that you [EN] keeps an eye on all these posts. It makes us skeptics feel so much better.
Thanks Matt!

Everyone, thanks for backing me up on this.
Matt, thanks for watching.
Chris e-mailed me and apologized politely, stating [paraphrazing] that it was a missunderstanding and he is not a shark.
Ron seems to like Orca so I hope it’s true.

I was always thought Orca was a whale? ;)

Blame me…I’m sorry guys. It is my fault. I am the one that mentioned Orca and I am the one that told Chris about this site after he did get an advertisement in Inventors Digest.

I have become quite friendly with the company and some of the employees and I know they can be a great asset to an inventor or entrepreneur.

I will be using them and they will put me and my product in mainstream news. Trust me, I know they will.

I thought maybe people should know about them just like they know about prototypers, manufacturers, legit marketing firms for inventors…just another part to help the inventor’s journey.

Sorry Matt and everyone else….my fault. Put the blame where it belongs. As I do understand though, Orca did mention Edison Nation to the Big Idea TV show for a favor for someone who asked. that would be nice and well deserved, so don’t think they are so bad.

Ron

Everybody loves a train wreck. If you use your product while carrying Amy Winehouse to the hospital, you’ll get the press, heck, if you use your product during a trainwreck, you’ll get the press.

As far as Chris is concerned, his post is missleading. Ideally he should have disclosed his occupation before fishing. I think the group would welcome the views of a PR firm, but since he came in “under the radar”, there will be some scepticism. Of course I’m from a state that we just indicted our 7th legislator, 5 of which are already in jail.

That’s funny Mark, about your legislators!

Ya know Mark, I met with the top directors in FDNY for testing. They loved my product and agreed about the ability to save lives getting patients into the ambulance faster at a time when seconds count.

The director of medical equipment said to me (don’t know if it was just a unprepared statement) How much for 5000 pieces?

One FDNY vet said to me after trying, “Where were you 10 years ago before my bad back”?

I live close to NYC. I had other pitches to tell them like preventing injury, seniors using, helping handicapped, reducing insurance and medical costs eventually….really nice stuff.

I got the yeah yeah yeahs…we’ll call you and some brush offs too from the news stations.

One news station just brushed me off, maybe I talked to the wrong person. I was in the grand lobby and said pretty loud so it would echo…“But you’ll be interested if someone gets shot wearing Handi-Straps”

Maybe the media is half the problem with the country today? Misguiding all the citizens? I bet China and India would put their inventors on their shoulder to promote them within the country. I bet they don’t have this fantasy hype we have with celebrities and sports players and supply more real news.

I guess the media is a mystery and how to crack it. Trust me, VERY frustrating. I am proud of all the coverage I got on my own and wanted to do myself, but I realize it’s all about who you know.

Ron

Hi Everyone,

I truly do apologize for starting this post in a misleading manner. It was not that I was fishing nor looking to mislead any of you as individual inventors into thinking that I was looking for anything more than your views on the subject.

I apologize if that is what was the result and truly should I participate in the future will be much more clear about who I work for.

That being said, I think as a PR firm, I think that it is essential that we simply talk to those out there that are getting the word out by themselves. It keeps us on our toes and is consistently educational.

Thank you for those of you who contributed to this forum. This will now be the last posting

Sincerely
Chris Schirm

Hey Ron,
You better hope that Orca has a writer on staff…and that it is not Chris!

Here is a newsletter I get 3 times a day that lists Reporters/Journalists nationwide looking for experts or people that fit the topic they are writing about.
It is a fantastic way to get FREE PR and the newsletter is FREE! As I said you don’t always need to pay a PR firm to get good PR. Here is the first one I got today. Check it out and sign up for it.

This morning’s HARO is brought to you by the new social network for
female entrepreneurs, Savor the Success – www.savorthesuccess.com -
They’ve got workshops on everything from “PR for the Savvy” to “How
to get on Oprah,” and have even roped me into speaking on Sept.
15th at their “It’s all about PR” event. If I were female, I’d join.

Oh, it’s Friday. The heavens rejoice… The angels sing… The
flux-capacitor… fluxes…

This afternoon will find the usual level of gift bag product
requests, so if you’ve got a cool product to show off… Now’s the
time.

Happy August 1, happy Friday morning, happy “everyone’s going away
for the weekend, light on the queries this morning.”

PS: Note #7 is an urgent query.

#BUSINESS AND FINANCE

1) Are you Anti-Mandatory Sick-Leave? (Nightly Business Report)

2) Meltdowns at Work (CareerBuilder.com)

3) Credit Card Reform and Small Business (California Executive)

4) Healthcare Purchasing Co-Ops for Small Businesses (California
Executive)

#GENERAL

5) Microphone Mishaps and Tips

6) Olympics – Darfur – Politics

7) URGENT: Parents and Playdates (National Parenting Magzine)

#LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT

8) Toronto International Film Festival

1) Summary: Are you ANTI manditory paid sick leave?

Category: Business & Finance

Name: Erika Miller

Email: erika_miller@nbr.com

Title: Correspondent

Media Outlet/Publication: Nightly Business Report

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? Yes (See below)

Region: New York Metro

Deadline: 12:00 PM EASTERN – August 1

Query:

“National Business Television Program seeks business in the New
York metro area that is AGAINST requiring companies to provide paid
sick leave, vacation days, maternity days etc.

We are looking for a business that can make the case AGAINST
requiring companies to provide these benefits to workers. Maybe it
would hurt your ability to hire? Or lead to abuses? Hamper
flexibility in awarding benefits?

We would like to come to your business and interview you on camera
one day next week to explain the potential downsides of requiring
benefits like these.

If interested, please contact us ASAP."
_________________________
2) Summary: Meltdowns at work

Category: Business & Finance

Name: Patrick Erwin

Email: patrick.erwin@careerbuilder.com

Title: Writer/Blogger

Media Outlet/Publication: CareerBuilder,com

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? Yes (See below)

Region: North America

Deadline: 10:00 AM CENTRAL – August 4

Query:

“Looking for notable anecdotes from workers about on-the-job
meltdowns. It can be about YOUR meltdown, or a co-worker’s meltdown
that you witnessed. Looking for a brief, concise description that
lets us know (1) what precipitated the meltdown, (2) the details of
the meltdown, and (3) what happened afterwards.

This will be featured in an article that will be posted on several
national media websites. Because of the nature of the query we are
willing to “cloak” the source’s identity, but we need anyone who
responds to be willing to provide their first name, state and
industry for print. "

3) Summary: Credit Card Reform & Small Business

Category: Business & Finance

Name: Steve Tanner

Email: stanner@provpubs.com

Title: editor

Media Outlet/Publication: California Executive

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 5:00 PM PACIFIC – August 4

Query:

“Small biz owners no doubt rely heavily on credit cards for quick,
informal loans and for purchases, but often get dinged by hidden
fees, retroactive rate increases and other problems that seemingly
come out of nowhere. Congress is being urged to draft reform
measures that would provide more transparency to the process, so
users at least know what’s going on.

I’m interested in hearing the specific concerns, with concrete
examples, small business owners have with credit cards.
_________________________
4) Summary: Healthcare Purchasing Coops for Sm Biz

Category: Business & Finance

Name: Steve Tanner

Email: stanner@provpubs.com

Title: editor

Media Outlet/Publication: California Executive

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? Yes (See below)

Region: California

Deadline: 5:00 PM PACIFIC – August 6

Query:

“The House last week introduced a bill that would allow small
businesses to form cooperatives for the purpose of buying health
insurance at more reasonable rates (through volume, on par with
options available to large corporations). It’s called the CHOICE
Act.

I would like to find out what business owners and HR managers think
about this, whether it will work and whether they would jump on
board such a scheme.

5) Summary: Microphone Mishaps & Tips

Category: General

Name: Lisa B. Marshall

Email: lisabmarshall@gmail.com

Title: Author/Speaker

Media Outlet/Publication: Macmillan

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 6:00 PM EASTERN – August 1

Query:

“Please put “Mic Mishaps/Tips” in the subject. Looking for
entertainers/podcasters/professional speakers to describe funny
microphone mishaps and creative or unusual microphone tips.
_________________________
6) Summary: Olympics – Darfur – Politics

Category: General

Name: Elizabeth Blackney

Email: eliz@medializzy.com

Title: Political Director / Anchor

Media Outlet/Publication: BlogTalkRadio – Heading Right Channel

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 12:00 PM EASTERN – August 6

Query:

“Looking for political or dip
_________________________
7) Summary: parents and playdates

Category: Lifestyle & Entertainment

Name: Mary Jo DiLonardo

Email: mjdilo1@yahoo.com

Title: Freelance Writer

Media Outlet/Publication: national parenting magazine

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 1:00 PM EASTERN – August 1

Query:

“I’m looking for parents who might be able to give me ideas and/or
quotes on the following:

• very cool, unique snacks for toddlers/preschoolers for playdates.
  I’m looking for really original ideas (not cheese and crackers or
  yogurt cups.) Help!

• any unusual outdoor playdate activities for preschoolers/toddlers
  (along the lines of scavenger hunts…) other than just playing in
  the backyard or riding bikes…

• Finally, I need a parent or two who just has something incredibly
  witty to say about playdates! (about the number of kids you should
  invite, how long the playdate should last, where it should be held,
  etc.)

HELP!
_________________________
8) Summary: Toronto International Film Festival +

Category: Lifestyle & Entertainment

Name: Katherine

Email: katherine@random-minds.com

Title: Freelance Writer

Media Outlet/Publication: Various mags/newspapers/online

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 12:00 PM PACIFIC – August 30

Query:

“I’m a freelance journalist looking for anything related to the
Toronto International Film Festival, including interview
opportunities, screenings, premieres, parties/events/receptions
etc. Please put TIFF HARO query in the subject line.

Please feel free to also pitch me on anything interesting related
to film, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion and travel, but be sure
to put Unrelated query via HARO in the subject line.

Thank you!

###
__________
Peter Shankman
Tell a friend: www.helpareporter.com
http://www.shankman.com
http://www.twitter.com/skydiver for urgent queries
Copyright 2008 Peter Shankman. All Rights Reserved.
601 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019, USA

Does anyone have a newsletter like the one above that they can share?

I have one Mr. Brown. www.bachelormedia.com They list all news medias by state and give all the different editors, reporters, producers name and phone number plus addresses.

Pretty cool. They also have a PR service but I just use the names and addresses and I have piles of post cards that I made CHEAP at www.vistaprint.com and I send to hopefully get some free publicity.

This is how I pulled off my whole story. Sending postcards to news and magazines. I need to get my product demonstrated on a TV show by the end of ’08. That is my next goal to reach the masses.

Also Roger…I am working the hell out of that lead you gave above already. I sent a couple emails out already. Good list because those email addresses are hard to find.

There is also a freelance journalist site I found with home addresses. Search the net and you can find. Send some info. Could work!

How important is free publicity? Put it this way. Popular Mechanics wants $50,000 for a half page ad. They raved about my product after testing in a 1/3 of a page spot. What is that worth? A testing endorsement like that? An ad people might say…yeah sure….and turn the page.

A full page ad in a trade magazine, cooking, gardening magazine costs about $10,000. A free PR placement averages about a half page. That is how much PR is worth.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Ron,

Glad you liked the newsletter and that it is useful to you. I hope others will take advantage of that free info.
I know what you mean about the cost of ads. I had John Boy and Billy talk about my website for 5 minutes on their syndicated show, heard by 10 million listeners. I got tons of hits and all for sending them two of my t-shirts.

Yes Roger, very important stuff. You really need a sales history or a publicity history from magazines or something that you can show articles to make it to the big time level sometimes.

You know exactly what I am talking about. People think I will sell out eventually to a big company but that big company started small like me so why don’t I just hold on and become a bigger company than them?

Also, for Edison Nation contestants, nothing says you can’t get a little publicity and then hand the whole package to Edison Nation and see what they can do after where you left off.

Remember though, free publicity is very hard to get. Don’t listen when people say the reporters and shows need to fill spots and are just looking for stuff to fill in. True in theory but go try it…see how easy it is to get free PR…DIFFICULT!!!

First off…you look like a cheapskate looking for free advertising and that is what you really are…and they know it.

Ron

Ron you wrote “First off…you look like a cheapskate looking for free advertising and that is what you really are…and they know it.”

That is why I tell people to find the HOOK for their invention. It has to be more about the story than the product. As the example I gave of if you were 14 and invented the handi-Straps. They would jump on the 14 angle. Your product would be secondary, but still get mentioned. If you can find that type of HOOK then you don’t look like you are just trying to get free advertising for your product.

Roger…we all know how damaging the media is. A major problem in this country.

Here is my hook Roger; the first thing I did was head to FDNY. FDNY has two divisions. One is EMTs.

Wouldn’t it be nice if those guys don’t get hurt anymore lifting and they save lives getting a guy with a heart attack in the ambulance faster saving his life because of the added assistance with Handi-Straps?

It is true too. The original cop that helped me test for EMTs lost a guy who had a heart attack because he was very heavy and they took too long to get him down the stairs. He told me Handi-Straps may very well have saved his life if they used it. His statement is on my website but not that the guy died. We found out after he gave the statement. He died for the second time on the ambulance ride and that time they couldn’t bring him back.

There are so many other hooks. Ohio State University Mechanical Engineering Dept took it upon themselves to do a study of how to get handicapped and injured back in the workplace for I guess manual labor. They said Handi-Straps was the best solution they found.

I didn’t know they did this study until I found it on the net. I could go on and on with instances like this.

I think the truth is one, they are very careful about an endorsement, two they don’t want to make me a multi millionaire by telling all and three, I am convinced the news can’t come from me, it must be a third party.

I have received alot of magazine coverage, but the breakthrough deserves and needs much more. But I will get there Roger…you know I will. So I have to change my tactics for this Fall.

Watch the news Roger…I just might climb up the side of a NYC skyscraper with my Handi-Straps like that guy that just climbed.

Or how about this…will you help me? We could jump on the field during a Yankees game bare assed wearing just Handi-Straps. Help me buddy…you in?

Ron

I have seen my butt and don’t wish that sight on a large crowd. I could get sued for emotional distress. LOL

One thing that I just thought of that might be hampering your efforts with the media. I know you have gotten a lot of press on the handi-straps. Most reporters will do a Google search to see what is out there. If they see a lot of previous press they will not do a story figuring it has already gotten enough attention, no matter how benefical the story might be.

Yes Roger, I have figured that. There are many different stories to cover though, like how we know Handi-Straps will help people with MS and who had strokes or just about cutting medical/insurance costs. There are many “hooks”

I stay off QVC and other distributors right now for the purpose of trying to get more PR for just the same reason you said, but then again, when good success comes, that is reason for the most publicity yet.

Thank you so much for your concern and input. I NEED the help!!!

Ron

A few years back, somebody decided that each firestation needed a heat sensing device so the firemen could see where the people and fire was before entering the building. Every news station was covering the story, and were asking for community contribution to help pay for them. They raised enough money to buy them all, and the media coverage was interesting because it showed everybody how they worked. If you get a firestation that wants them but can’t afford them, see if they are willing to do the same thing… you can set up the media, and you can have that delicate little reporter pick up something really heavy. You get massive coverage, all the firestations get the straps, everybody is happy. They can do their reports about workplace injuries, comminuity spirit, and everybody loves a fireman. The hook is the donation campaign, not the straps. Once you have a successful campaign, you can can send out a flyer to every FD in the U.S. on how they can get their straps for “free”.

Mark…your ideas are brilliant! THANK YOU. I’m going to think about this…maybe twist it up.

Your post did give me a different idea. I could call the EMT users and ask them to tell the medias about how good Handi-Straps works (which I am sure they will) and offer some free sets for doing so.

We are not ready to prove Handi-Straps for use in fires yet although some firemen thought it was great for certain uses like rescuing other firemen, but some firemen also do EMT work and they can use for response to disasters.

I am sure it will all catch. Everyone should and will have Handi-Straps. Many seniors are even using. I have to use around the house or on the job periodically and it works almost like magic for me. People will finally get it but with this economy people are only buying toilet paper and hot dogs or so it seems.

Ron