7 Myths About Getting Free Publicity


There is a lot of misunderstanding about the nature of publicity and how to go about getting it. Here are 7 myths that may keep you from getting the free publicity you deserve.




Myth 1. Publicity and advertising are the same.

Advertising is exposure that you pay for. You control the exact message and, if you're willing to pay extra, the placement of the ad. Publicity is free, unless you are working with a publicist. Even so, the cost of hiring one is much less than the cost of advertising, yet it has more value because it is treated as news. It has much more credibility than advertising. The downside is, you don't control the placement or size of a story.  Also, you don't have control over the exact spin that a journalist will give the story. But if you initiated the process, by contacting the media with a news release, the story will usually be favorable.




Myth 2. You have to know someone.

Like anything else in life, it helps if you have contacts on the inside. But they are not necessary. Every day thousands of people without contacts get free publicity in the media. They are able to do it because they have a real story to tell, not a bunch of hype or disguised advertising, and they sent the media a well-crafted release.




Myth 3. You have to be one of the big guys to get any media attention.

Wrong. See Myth 2 above.




Myth 4. You should send your release everywhere.

Doing this is counterproductive. You should target your release to the right outlets and the right journalists. For example, say your company has just released new [service]. Don't buy a giant media list and send it to everyone on it. Select the business publications and talk shows and the editors of the business sections of newspapers and magazines, as well as business websites, and send your release to them only. If you have a list that is detailed enough to give you the contact info for individual business reporters, select those who write about [interior design].

Warning: only send the release to one person at a media outlet at a time. If that person turns you down, then it is okay to contact another one.




Myth 5. You should send out lots of press releases.

Don't pester journalists with releases about every little thing that happens at your business or organization. They find it annoying and time consuming. It's like the boy who cried wolf. Send them too many trivial releases and they will stop paying attention. Wait until you have something reasonably important to share with the public.




Myth 6. Bigger is better.

Don't write long press releases. Journalists have too many to read. The ideal length is 400 - 600 words. If you have more to say, you can provide additional items such as a bio (biography), company history or fact sheet. If the release interests journalists, they will then read your supporting material for more information.




Myth 7. You can get publicity if you buy an ad.

Except with smaller media outlets and some trade publications, buying an ad will not influence the decision to do a story on you. With most journalists, telling them that you will buy an ad if they do a story is a turn off and it may make them decide not to do anything at all. Don't drop your advertising if it is working, but don't try to tie it to getting free publicity.

By Danek S. Kaus
Photography by © Sandra Dragojlovic

Danek S. Kaus is a veteran journalist and publicist. He is the author of "You Can Be Famous! Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity." Learn more at about his publicity services at http://getfreepublicitynow.com.


 

+++









10 Quick Recession-Proof Strategies to Sell More in a Down Economy

Interior Designers - 10 Quick Recession-Proof Strategies to Sell More in a Down Economy

As an interior designer, no doubt things don't look great for your interior design business. But you don't have to throw your hands up in despair. Below are 10 quick steps you can take to sell more in a down economy.


1. Reactivate Dormant Accounts - Contact previous clients and suggest ideas for areas you talked about with them, but didn't get around to doing, last time you worked with them. Don't spend too much time, but it could muster up memories of more work that you want to do.


2. Reactivate Old Leads - Although they may not have ordered in the past, don't give up. Get back in touch and see if there's anything they'd like or need today.


3. Give superior Service - With the clients you do have, spend the time to give them exceptional service and attention. Go over the top. Send a special thank you gift, handwritten note, etc.


4. Create Packages - Group items or services together to create a package 'deal'. A window treatment, coordinating pillows and a matching headboard for a bedroom.


5. Break Things Down - Offer to do larger projects in manageable phases. This creates smaller budgets and more phases for your client. Sometimes doing projects in smaller increments helps clients make the commitment to move forward. Think of it as a payment plan. Sometimes it comes down to the fact that people will buy if there's a payment plan, and they won't if there's not.


6. Use Low Cost Add-Ons to Increase Sales - Suggest coordinating pillows, a table skirt or seat cushions, trim on draperies, a remote control for window treatments, an upgraded finish on cabinets, etc.


7. No Prima Donna's - It's tempting to get a swelled head when things are busy and you're in demand. But when things are slow, your clients have choices as to who they want to work with. And you may not be their first choice.


8. Don't Raise Your Fees - Clients that might not usually be price conscious are much more so now. So keep your fees at a minimum and you're more likely to keep the money coming in.


9. Get More Aggressive with Your Marketing - When things are slow, take advantage of the lull and increase the amount of time you spend on marketing. Update your website, negotiate better rates with newspaper or magazine advertising, spend more time networking and establishing relationships.


10. Start Moving Your Offline Marketing to Online - Online marketing is nearly free. A printed newsletter costs a bundle to send every month, but an online newsletter can cost $15 - $30 per month, depending on the size of your list.

Being affected by an economy that is not doing too good is not reason to give up. There are a lot of strategies on how to boost your business even if the economy is down. It might be really discouraging to go on especially if your business isn't doing as well as it used to be. This is why we came up with this list of strategies. Why prolong your agony when you can do something about it? You just have to take a look at the strategies we gave, step it up and you'll be on your way to success in no time.



Barbara Deckmeyer works with Interior Designers in business for over 5 years who want more clients or are ready for more big-budget clients. Visit http://www.HighDollarDesigner.com for FREE Marketing Tools or for More Information Today! (c) Copyright - Barbara Deckmeyer. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.



+++


Phillips de Pury & Company Design Auction

KOIKE SHOKO
Monumental shell vessel, ca. 1997
Stoneware, glaze.
17 1/2 x 21 x 20 in (44.5 x 53.3 x 50.8 cm)
ESTIMATE $15,000-20,000

LITERATURE
Louise Allison Cort and Hiroko Miura, Soaring Voices-Contemporary Japanese Women Ceramic Artists, exh. cat., The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, 2007, Kôka, p. 53 for a similar example

Conditions of Sale


The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation.

Certificate of TitleA certificate of title may be necessary in order for the purchaser to acquire marketable title to the property and would be required if the property were to be used as a motor vehicle within the United States of America. Phillips makes no warranties or representations in connection with any existing vehicle regulation or certificate of title or with the issuance of any new certificate of title by any state of the United States or any foreign government. The purchaser of any property who intends to use such property on the road is solely responsible for complying with all applicable Federal and state regulations regarding title, registration, insurance, licensing, emission control, safety equipment and roadworthiness. Please contact a specialist for more information.

Extent of Phillips' LiabilityNeither the seller nor we, nor any of our officers, employees or agents, are responsible for the correctness of any statement of whatever kind concerning any lot, whether written or oral, nor for any other errors or omissions in the description of, or for any faults or defects in, any lot. Neither the seller, ourselves, our officers, employees or agents, give any representation, warranty or guarantee or assume any liability of any kind in respect of any lot with regard to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, condition, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, or historical relevance. Phillips has to rely on information as to date, condition and authenticity provided by the seller, and cannot undertake a level of inspection of the vehicle to establish whether or not the vehicle corresponds to any relative description of condition in the catalogue. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to carry out such inspection as the purchaser thinks necessary. Phillips is not liable for any loss caused by a misdescription or misrepresentation. Except as required by local law, any warranty of any kind whatsoever is excluded by this paragraph. In any case, the purchaser’s sole remedy with respect to any purchase shall be a refund of the purchase price paid upon the return of the lot in the same condition as at the time of the sale.

No WarrantyAll property is sold “as is” and neither Phillips nor the consignor makes any explicit or implied warranty or representations of any kind or nature with respect to the property. In no event shall Phillips or the consignor be responsible for the correctness of, or be deemed to have made, any representations or warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, historical relevance or condition concerning the property or any warranty that any lot complies with any applicable Federal or state laws, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever, and no statement set forth in this catalogue or made at the sale or in the bill of sale or invoice or elsewhere, whether oral or written, shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability.

The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation. No warranties are or will be made that any of the property is roadworthy or complies with any applicable governmental rules, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever. The benefits of these Conditions of Sale are not assignable and shall be applicable only to the original purchaser of the lots and not subsequent assigns, purchasers, heirs, owners or others who have or may acquire an interest in the purchased lot. Prospective purchasers should carefully inspect the property before bidding in order to identify any issues relating to condition or description that may have not been described in the catalogue, including repairs and restorations. Phillips makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of “mileage” or odometer readings.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the purchaser’s role and exclusive remedy against Phillips and the seller, in place of any other remedy which might be available, is the cancellation of the sale and the refund of the original purchase price paid for the lot. Neither Phillips nor the seller will be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages including, without limitation, loss of profits, nor for interest.
COLLECTION OF NANCY AND ARNOLD SMOLLER, NEW YORK
EDWIN AND MARY SCHEIER
Monumental lidded pot, ca. 1958
Stoneware, glaze.
Underside incised with ‘Scheier’ and with hand-written label with ‘127.’
21 1/2 (54.6 cm) high, 10 3/4 in (27.3 cm) diameter
ESTIMATE $12,000-16,000

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artists
The Estate of Emmanuel and Esther Josephs, Boston, thence by descent

EXHIBITED
‘Edwin Scheier: Ceramics, Drawings, Prints, Rugs’, The Currier Gallery of Art, Manchester, N.H. September 30 - October 30, 1966; Hopkins Art Center Galleries, Dartmouth College, November 5 - November 27, 1966

LITERATURE
Michael Komanecky, American Potters: Mary and Edwin Scheier, exh. cat., The Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1993, pp. 21 for a similar example

Conditions of Sale


The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation.

Certificate of TitleA certificate of title may be necessary in order for the purchaser to acquire marketable title to the property and would be required if the property were to be used as a motor vehicle within the United States of America. Phillips makes no warranties or representations in connection with any existing vehicle regulation or certificate of title or with the issuance of any new certificate of title by any state of the United States or any foreign government. The purchaser of any property who intends to use such property on the road is solely responsible for complying with all applicable Federal and state regulations regarding title, registration, insurance, licensing, emission control, safety equipment and roadworthiness. Please contact a specialist for more information.

Extent of Phillips' LiabilityNeither the seller nor we, nor any of our officers, employees or agents, are responsible for the correctness of any statement of whatever kind concerning any lot, whether written or oral, nor for any other errors or omissions in the description of, or for any faults or defects in, any lot. Neither the seller, ourselves, our officers, employees or agents, give any representation, warranty or guarantee or assume any liability of any kind in respect of any lot with regard to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, condition, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, or historical relevance. Phillips has to rely on information as to date, condition and authenticity provided by the seller, and cannot undertake a level of inspection of the vehicle to establish whether or not the vehicle corresponds to any relative description of condition in the catalogue. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to carry out such inspection as the purchaser thinks necessary. Phillips is not liable for any loss caused by a misdescription or misrepresentation. Except as required by local law, any warranty of any kind whatsoever is excluded by this paragraph. In any case, the purchaser’s sole remedy with respect to any purchase shall be a refund of the purchase price paid upon the return of the lot in the same condition as at the time of the sale.

No WarrantyAll property is sold “as is” and neither Phillips nor the consignor makes any explicit or implied warranty or representations of any kind or nature with respect to the property. In no event shall Phillips or the consignor be responsible for the correctness of, or be deemed to have made, any representations or warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, historical relevance or condition concerning the property or any warranty that any lot complies with any applicable Federal or state laws, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever, and no statement set forth in this catalogue or made at the sale or in the bill of sale or invoice or elsewhere, whether oral or written, shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability.

The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation. No warranties are or will be made that any of the property is roadworthy or complies with any applicable governmental rules, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever. The benefits of these Conditions of Sale are not assignable and shall be applicable only to the original purchaser of the lots and not subsequent assigns, purchasers, heirs, owners or others who have or may acquire an interest in the purchased lot. Prospective purchasers should carefully inspect the property before bidding in order to identify any issues relating to condition or description that may have not been described in the catalogue, including repairs and restorations. Phillips makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of “mileage” or odometer readings.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the purchaser’s role and exclusive remedy against Phillips and the seller, in place of any other remedy which might be available, is the cancellation of the sale and the refund of the original purchase price paid for the lot. Neither Phillips nor the seller will be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages including, without limitation, loss of profits, nor for interest.
JEAN ROYÈRE
‘Croisillon’ armchair, ca. 1947
Painted tubular metal, fabric.
32 x 28 x 33 in (81.3 x 71.1 x 83.8 cm)
ESTIMATE $40,000-60,000

PROVENANCE Private collection, France



COLLECTION OF NANCY AND ARNOLD SMOLLER, NEW YORK
EDWIN AND MARY SCHEIER
Large bowl, ca. 1955-60
Stoneware, glaze.
Underside incised with ‘ScheIeR’, painted with ‘90’/’90’ and with hand-written label ‘B123’.
9 3/8 in (23.8 cm) high, 10 9/16 in (26.8 cm) diameter
ESTIMATE $6,000-9,000

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artists
The Estate of Emmanuel and Esther Josephs, Boston, thence by descent


LITERATURE
Michael Komanecky, American Potters: Mary and Edwin Scheier, exh. cat., The Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1993, p. 28 for a similar example

MATHIAS BENGTSSON
Prototype ‘Spun Carbon’ chaise longue, ca. 2002
Carbon fiber.
34 x 33 1/8 x 78 1/2 in (86.4 x 84.1 x 199.4 cm)
ESTIMATE $22,000-24,000

PROVENANCE
Phillips de Pury & Company, ‘Design’, New York, December 14, 2004, lot 245


EXHIBITED
‘Somewhere Totally Else: The European Design Show’, Design Museum, London, September 27, 2003 – January 4, 2004


LITERATURE
Katherine E. Nelson, ‘Against the grain: Mathias Bengtsson and Louise Campbell revise Danish Design traditions in two very different ways’, I.D MAGAZINE, September/October 2003, illustrated p. 63
Anders Hammarstrand, Mathias Bengtsson, exh. cat., Röhsska Museet, Gothenburg, 2005, n.p.
Gareth Williams, The Furniture Machine: Furniture since 1990, London, 2006, p. 99
Robert Klanten, et al., Desire: The Shape of Things to Come, Berlin, 2008, p. 115 fig. 2



PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE NEW JERSEY COLLECTION
GEORGE NAKASHIMA
‘Minguren II’ coffee table, 1983
American black walnut, two East Indian rosewood butterfly keys, two American black walnut butterfly keys.
Underside inscribed in ink with owner’s last name. Together with the original drawing by Mira Nakashima.
13 1/4 x 47 x 41 in (33.7 x 119.4 x 104.1 cm)
ESTIMATE $18,000-22,000

LITERATURE

George Nakashima, The Soul of a Tree, A Woodworker’s Reflections, Tokyo, 1981, p. 182 for a drawing of a similar example
Derek E. Ostergard, George Nakashima, Full Circle, exh. cat., American Craft Museum, New York, 1989, p. 131, fig. 11 for a ‘Minguren II’ end table
Mira Nakashima, Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima, New York, 2003, p. 202 for a drawing and p. 203 for a ‘Minguren II’ coffee table

Conditions of Sale


The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation.

Certificate of TitleA certificate of title may be necessary in order for the purchaser to acquire marketable title to the property and would be required if the property were to be used as a motor vehicle within the United States of America. Phillips makes no warranties or representations in connection with any existing vehicle regulation or certificate of title or with the issuance of any new certificate of title by any state of the United States or any foreign government. The purchaser of any property who intends to use such property on the road is solely responsible for complying with all applicable Federal and state regulations regarding title, registration, insurance, licensing, emission control, safety equipment and roadworthiness. Please contact a specialist for more information.

Extent of Phillips' LiabilityNeither the seller nor we, nor any of our officers, employees or agents, are responsible for the correctness of any statement of whatever kind concerning any lot, whether written or oral, nor for any other errors or omissions in the description of, or for any faults or defects in, any lot. Neither the seller, ourselves, our officers, employees or agents, give any representation, warranty or guarantee or assume any liability of any kind in respect of any lot with regard to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, condition, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, or historical relevance. Phillips has to rely on information as to date, condition and authenticity provided by the seller, and cannot undertake a level of inspection of the vehicle to establish whether or not the vehicle corresponds to any relative description of condition in the catalogue. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to carry out such inspection as the purchaser thinks necessary. Phillips is not liable for any loss caused by a misdescription or misrepresentation. Except as required by local law, any warranty of any kind whatsoever is excluded by this paragraph. In any case, the purchaser’s sole remedy with respect to any purchase shall be a refund of the purchase price paid upon the return of the lot in the same condition as at the time of the sale.

No WarrantyAll property is sold “as is” and neither Phillips nor the consignor makes any explicit or implied warranty or representations of any kind or nature with respect to the property. In no event shall Phillips or the consignor be responsible for the correctness of, or be deemed to have made, any representations or warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, genuineness, rarity, importance, provenance, historical relevance or condition concerning the property or any warranty that any lot complies with any applicable Federal or state laws, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever, and no statement set forth in this catalogue or made at the sale or in the bill of sale or invoice or elsewhere, whether oral or written, shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability.

The property is being sold as a collector’s item to be displayed only. It has been partially deconstructed and therefore its physical integrity may be compromised. It is not intended for road use and is not being sold as a means of transportation. No warranties are or will be made that any of the property is roadworthy or complies with any applicable governmental rules, regulations or ordinances of any kind or nature whatsoever. The benefits of these Conditions of Sale are not assignable and shall be applicable only to the original purchaser of the lots and not subsequent assigns, purchasers, heirs, owners or others who have or may acquire an interest in the purchased lot. Prospective purchasers should carefully inspect the property before bidding in order to identify any issues relating to condition or description that may have not been described in the catalogue, including repairs and restorations. Phillips makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of “mileage” or odometer readings.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the purchaser’s role and exclusive remedy against Phillips and the seller, in place of any other remedy which might be available, is the cancellation of the sale and the refund of the original purchase price paid for the lot. Neither Phillips nor the seller will be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages including, without limitation, loss of profits, nor for interest.
FERNANDO AND HUMBERTO CAMPANA
Unique and important ‘Casulo’ cabinet, from the Orgânicos series, 1989
Iron, aluminum, jabuticabeira branch.
Produced by Estudio Campana, Brazil. Bottom shelf incised with artists’s monogram. Together with a certificate of authenticity from Estudio Campana.
70 in (177.8 cm) high, 24 in (61 cm) diameter
ESTIMATE $40,000-60,000

PROVENANCE
Eliana Santos Thomeau, São Paulo, Brazil

EXHIBITED
‘Orgânicos’, Nucleon 8, São Paulo, Brazil, 1990
‘Entre o Design e a Arte’, Museu de Arte Moderna, São Paulo, Brazil, 2000
‘Zest for Life – Fernando + Humberto Campana’, Design Museum, London, June 19 – September 19, 2004

LITERATURE
Zest for Life: Humberto and Fernando Campana, exh. cat, London Design Museum, 2004, pl. 2 for a drawing
Mathias Schwartz – Clauss et al., Antibodies: Fernando & Humberto Campana 1989-2009, exh. cat., Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 2009, illustrated p. 24
Darren Alfred, Deyan Sudjic et al., Campana Brothers: Complete Works (So Far), New York, 2010, illustrated pp. 79 and 245




PROPERTY OF A CALIFORNIA COLLECTOR
EMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN
Pair of ‘Redhead’ beds, model no. AR504/NR801, for Margaret Hunam Harmsworth (‘Miss Redhead’), ca. 1925
Amboyna-veneered wood, ivory.
Inside of each headboard branded with ‘Ruhlmann’ and an encircled ‘A’ (2).
Each: 37 1/2 x 84 x 43 1/2 in (95.3 x 213.4 x 110.5 cm)
ESTIMATE $60,000-80,000

PROVENANCE Margaret Hunam Harmsworth, née Redhead, 154 avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris
The Estate of Ellen L. Parkinson, Medfield, Massachusetts
Christie’s, ‘Important 20th Century Decorative Arts,’ New York, March 16, 1991, lot 128
Christie’s, ‘Important 20th Century Decorative Arts,’ New York, December 9, 1995, lot 375
Acquired from the above
LITERATURE Florence Camard, Jacques Émile Ruhlmann, New York, 2011, Catalogue Raisonné CD-ROM for a drawing







LINE VAUTRIN
‘Soleil Torsadé’ mirror, ca. 1958
Mirrored glass, talosel resin, colored glass.
Reverse incised with ‘LINE VAUTRIN’.
21 1/2 in (54.6 cm) diameter
ESTIMATE $25,000-35,000

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist
Private collection, Paris

LITERATURE
Patrick Mauriès, Line Vautrin: Miroirs, exh. cat., Galerie Chastel Maréchal, Paris, 2004, p. 40





+++