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PR Pitching During the Holiday Season

Share the goods.

We know it’s still November, but we are already “rocking around the Christmas Tree” and “spreading cheer by singing loud for all to hear.” Why? Because we LOVE the holidays – the cookies, music, gift-giving, decorations and everything in between. While the holidays may be a few weeks away, at 8THIRTYFOUR we believe it is never too early to start preparing. After all, the hustle and bustle of the season means that turning your PR pitch into news can be more difficult. It’s best to start planning and pitching now. Buckle down with a plate of cookies, because we are going to share our public relations knowledge and drop way too many holiday references as we do. Keep up.

Be Early

The first lesson for PR holiday pitching is to be early. Just like with everything you do around the holidays, waiting until the last minute is the equivalent to sticking your tongue to a poll in the middle of winter (a.k.a. a terrible idea). Let’s put it this way: you wouldn’t wait to buy your grandma a present until the last minute for a couple of reasons. One, that’s super stressful. Two, the stores will have been picked over by then, and three, your grandma deserves better than some last minute gift. These same lessons apply to pitching a story. Pushing it off creates more stress, leaves you with fewer opportunities for successful earned media, and puts tension on your relationship with your media contracts. So, “‘twas NOT the night before” when you started your holiday pitching. The sooner you can get your brand and your ideas to a reporter, the better off you will be, and the media will thank you.

Be Relevant

Everyone knows the holiday season is the busy season. Between the holiday shopping, work events, and the obscene number of emails everyone’s getting, it’s important to be kind to the media. Hold off on the pitches that aren’t relevant to the holidays. After all, nobody wants a Nightmare Before Christmas. In all honesty, waiting until the new year is a win-win for you both. The media gets fewer emails while they are trying to enjoy the holiday, and that leads to a higher chance of securing earned media for you. Be mindful of their schedules. After all, your contacts have families and plans, too.

Be Kind

“It comes without ribbons. It comes without tags. It comes without packages, boxes or bags.” Right? Right. The holidays aren’t about the flash, sparkle and presents. They’re about showing appreciation, and there is nothing wrong with small acts of gratitude. We encourage you to send a hand written note or maybe a small gift when following up with the media. Spread the cheer and the love of the holiday season with your media contacts. Trust us, little actions go a long way. And just remember, “the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”

And to All a Good Night

Don’t become a PR Grinch this holiday season. Just follow our tips, and you just might even find your heart growing a few sizes this year. If you’re still nervous, contact us, and we’ll do it for you. After all, if Santa can rely on elves to get toys made, you can definitely rely on us for successful PR.

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FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973.
Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store.

Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17898983202545176
FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973. Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store. Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch. @crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary

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If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves.

This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18112263326023209
Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet? If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves. This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore. Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk. Listen now at the link in bio.

National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up.

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We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation.

When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared.
Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan
Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later).

Register at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18132641716644887
National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up. We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly. We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation. When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared. Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later). Register at the link in bio.

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Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18089775152664042
You asked, we delivered. Introducing the Women's Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership. Whether you've got a team of 10 or it's just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it. Six months of leadership, finance, operations, capital access, paired with real support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning your own business. You'll have your own board of directors in your corner, including @bodespeaks plus a group of mentors, instructors, and coaches who've been exactly where you are. Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.
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