Coming soon!

A one-day DIY publicity intensive in Atlanta, GA taught by two high-level editors who love helping brands learn to pitch effectively and to find more success. 

TOP PITCH TIPS

10 Reasons Why Editors Might Reject Your Pitch

It’s easy to land press when you connect your product to the pages you want to be a part of. But certain mistakes, often even made by PR professionals, will send your pitch straight to the poubelle. Here’s what sends an editor reaching for the “delete” button. Avoid these and you’ll be that much closer to seeing your product or story in print!

1. Your pitch doesn’t fit on one page. In fact, the pitch is shrinking by the day. If you can’t get our attention in two paragraphs, then you need to work on it a little longer.

2. You don’t address the writer by their name (or you misspell her or his name).

3. You call the editor instead of emailing a proper pitch.

4. You attach the pitch as a Word or PDF document, instead of pasting it in the body of the email.

5. You attach high-resolution images and your company logo for the editor (instead of embedding a low-res image directly into the email). Most editors won’t open attachments.

6. You fail to include a link to your website, your email address AND your phone number. If we call, we’re ready for business and on deadline.

7. You CC other media contacts in the same pitch or you BC other media contacts and leave the intro vague (even though we know you just emailed every other editor in your address book).

8. You didn’t read the publication or blog before you pitched. We have a spider-sense for this!

9. You use a number of different texts, emoticons and italics to get your point across.

10. You tell us how you think it would be a perfect fit for our pages.

The Makerie in Boulder with THESE women! You're on!

Next week this time I'll be hanging with these huge talents who are all giving classes at The Makerie in Boulder, Colorado. This is an incredible retreat held at Chautauqua, a national (and sacred!) historic landmark, and there is still time to sign up for a few classes! Do it! How rare to be a part of intimate workshops with instructors willing to share their talent, time, experience and love of the craft. I have the honor of speaking during lunch on Friday and Saturday and I can't wait!

Scenes from the Student Designer Showcase, USC Fashion Week 2013

Last night I served as a judge for the Student Designer Showcase for the University of South Carolina's Fashion Week! Tonight I'll deliver the keynote for the universities 5th annual fashion week. Great job, students and congratulations, Paul Williams, on winning the showcase.

xobruno....Made in Oregon

My friends at xobruno make beautiful bags, by hand and in leather, canvas and a new-to-xobruno material, Hazara Kilim textiles. Important to the brand is sharing where the bags are produced, hence their Made in Oregon tags/logo. Is the next iteration of the Made in America movement, economic localization?

Talking about Athens, Georgia on Alternative Apparel's Community Thread

I was a magazine writer, editor and article's producer for almost two decades and there are days I miss working with talented stylists and photographers (though this service is one I will soon extend to my clients!) When I do, I collaborate with friends, like for this article and fashion spread that I produced and wrote for Alternative Apparel's blog, Community Thread. Read more about my hometown project here!