Valley PR Blog

If I Can Help a Reporter Out…

By Len Gutman on April 9th, 2008 In Social Media

From the “great idea” file…if you’re doing media relations you really must join HelpAReporter.com.

What started out as a Facebook group to connect journalists with sources has turned into a cool Web venture for self-described “CEO, Entrepreneur, Adventurist” Peter Shankman. Today Shankman reported that he is closing in on 4,000 subscribers to his free service, which is essentially a homegrown version of ProfNet.

Shankman is also the author of Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work and Why Your Company Needs Them (Wiley and Sons 2006) and a frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conferences, shows, marketing summits, corporate events, and public relations and marketing industry meetings.

When you join Help A Reporter, you’ll receive at least three e-mails per day from Shankman with information from reporters looking for sources on a wide variety of topics. Even if you don’t have a client to pitch, reading Shankman’s e-mails are entertaining as hell.

Here’s a sample of his useful commentary from one of his e-mails this morning:

“So I spoke to a class at NYU last night, talking about marketing
and creativity. I suggested that they do one thing every day that
scares them. I suggest the same to you. Today, do one thing that
scares you. Doesn’t even have to be anything major. Perhaps present
an idea you think will get shot down. Or maybe instead of basic
jogging on the treadmill, do some interval sprints. Just do
something you’ve never done before, and produce a nice hit of
Dopamine for yourself. You deserve it! ”

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