You’re Not Alone in the Desert - Promoting Tourism
As the publicists for the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce in Northern California, we have developed specialized email distribution lists of local (Mendocino and two surrounding counties) media and travel and feature editors at major newspapers and magazines across the U.S.
Sometimes this just isn’t enough. Since we have no budget for national PRNewswire or BusinessWire releases, we look to bigger tourism partners for help.
All of our releases go to the California Travel and Tourism Commission, whose PR team issues news releases, special interest packages and pitches stories to media all over the world. It is a synergistic relationship that has paid big dividends in expanded coverage and more tourism for our area. Since we compete with tourist giants and neighbors, Sonoma and Napa Counties, we need all the help we can get.
Another powerful partner: California State Parks News Office. Since we have more than a dozen state parks, state beaches and state preserves in our 100 miles of coastline paradise, we look for every opportunity to package local events that include activities in local state parks. The result: the State Parks News Office sends our releases to more than 300 media who have asked to be on their news distribution list.
Lesson: if money and staff resources are tight, look for promotion partners who can help you spread your message. You don’t have to feel alone in the desert.