Here's a good free publicity tip. Let's talk about the right and wrong way to follow-up. You don't need to follow-up with every editor who receives your stuff. But the follow-up might get you another assignment. Don't call an editor to whom you have sent a brief and ask, "Did you get my brief on six tips for traveling with pets, and if so, do you know when it's going to be published?" Many people call and ask, and that annoys editors. A much better way to follow up is to just tell the editor that you sent in a brief or a news release and ask if they need additional information.

While you have the editor on the phone, you might use that time to pitch another idea or two, or invite the editor to call on you when they need expert commentary on a particular topic, or if they need story ideas, or background. Invite them to put your name and telephone number into their Rolodex file. That's a great way to do it. If you're going to get editors on the phone, if you're going to follow up, make sure it's quick. Make sure it's brief, and be sure you are offering to help them. That's real important.

For more free publicity ideas, read Briefs, Fillers and Quizzes: How To Write Them and Why Editors LOVE Them