The Accidental Publicist

08/22/2025

🚨 New from Accidental Publicist 🚨
Can you be your own publicist without looking like a fool? I’ve been on both sides of the pitch—publicist and client—and I’m here to tell you… maybe.
In my latest piece, I share what it was like to promote my own books in the 90s (back when MCI Mail let you email Peter Norton and fax from your keyboard) and whether today’s creators can successfully DIY their PR.
🖥️ Yes, I was talking cybersex on TV before most people had email.
📚 Yes, book publicity has changed.
🧠 Yes, you can learn to pitch yourself.
Read it here:
👉 https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com/p/diy-publicity-smart-move-or-hot-mess

08/16/2025

💡 𝐏𝐑 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬 — 𝐀𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

In 𝟏𝟎 𝐀𝐈 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐑 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, I share my go-to formulas for writing faster, sounding sharper, and landing better media stories — without hours of wordsmithing.

Get it free today and start pitching smarter.

https://theaccidentalpublicist.com/free-ebook-1

08/15/2025

I’ve been in PR for over three decades, and I’ve seen how one strong idea — or one weak pitch — can make or break a story.
My 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 guide, 𝟏𝟎 𝐀𝐈 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐑 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, shows you exactly how to get unstuck, write faster, and grab a journalist’s attention.

Download it now and never start from scratch again.

https://theaccidentalpublicist.com/free-ebook-1

08/15/2025

Press Placements Are Not Pringles.
Great press isn’t instant. It isn’t automatic.
It’s strategic, time-consuming, and relationship-based.
So why do some clients treat publicists like vending machines?
In my August 15 Substack, Accidental Publicist shares a cautionary tale:
— How I secured national press every single month for a NYC real estate firm
— The moment I realized I was over-delivering for a thankless client
— Why setting expectations (and boundaries) is non-negotiable in PR
🎯 Because credibility takes more than snacks.
It takes respect.
📬 Subscribe here: https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com/

08/08/2025

🧠 AI can build a media list in seconds... but is it any good?
In this week’s issue of The Accidental Publicist, I asked real pros how they’re navigating the rise of “smart” PR tools—and whether these AI-generated lists are helping or just creating more noise. Spoiler: most are still hand-curating 👀

Featuring wisdom from PR luminaries from PR Marketing & Czars and yours truly.

📰 Read the full story on Substack:
https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com/p/can-ai-really-build-a-better-media

08/08/2025

Hey, it’s Friday! 🚨 Don’t be the last to know! Refer friends to The Accidental Publicist on Substack, earn rewards, and join the insiders who are already in on it.

📣https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com?r=2sfg0

From classical violist to media whisperer—tales, tips, and truth bombs from a PR pro who never planned on PR. Grit, glamour, and the grind behind real media wins. Click to read The Accidental Publicist, by Nancy Thompson, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

07/30/2025

Sign up for free Substack newsletter The Accidental Publicist❣️

https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com

07/25/2025

In today's The Accidental Publicist, I’m breaking down:
— The difference between paid and earned media (and why it matters)
— Red flags to spot a “vanity PR” scheme
— Why credibility isn't something you can buy off a rate card
🎯 If you've ever wondered whether that shiny press hit was worth the price tag... this one's for you.
📬 Subscribe here: https://theaccidentalpublicist.substack.com/

07/25/2025

Thanks to Hayek Global College for featuring my article, titled, "The Accidental Publicist: My Unexpected Path from Music to Marketing" which inspired The Accidental Publicist Meta and Substack pages.

https://hayekcollege.com/node/352

I never intended to have a career in public relations.

07/25/2025

Thank you Hayek Global College for featuring my article titled, "The Accidental Publicist: My Unexpected Path from Music to Marketing" which inspired the creation of The Accidental Publicist Facebook and Substack pages.

I never intended to have a career in public relations.

07/23/2025

If your email pitch, press release or marketing materials include any of the toxic words below, The Accidental Publicist advises to delete and start over.

🛑 Disruptive – Unless it breaks laws or bones, it’s not.

🚫 Innovative – If you have to say it, you aren’t.

❌ Authentic – Saying it makes it untrue.

✨ Bonus cringe words: Game-changing, proprietary, synergy.

What jargon belongs in your editorial trash bin? Drop yours below. Vorticom Inc.