Keeping Your Eye on the Ball When Creating a PR Plan
Creator:
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The biggest mistake people make when seeking publicity is focusing too much on their own needs and not enough on their audience.Often our first response when we have news to share is to send out a new release in a shotgun fashion. But if we focus only on our need for publicity, our eyes are off the target.Its like in baseball where coaches teach players to focus on the ball they are getting ready to hit. Or dance teachers who tell ballerinas to look at a focus point when they are twirling.To get effective publicity for your product, service or organization,...
A Love Potion for Media Attraction
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Ive worked at building relationships with the media for more than 20 years and over that time Ive come to realize there are no shortcuts. What works with journalists are the same basic rules we all learned in kindergarten. To open the media floodgates and become a sought-after expert, follow those same rules for building relationships. Here are a few simple tips to get you started:Make media friends One of the best places to connect with reporters seeking interviews is PitchRate.com (http://www.pitchrate.com). Go there to sign up as a source in your area of expertise.Know what youre talking about ...
The Magic of Free PR
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Getting free publicity is not magic, although the best PR firms make it seem that way!Ive been doing PR for 20 years, from typewriters to Twitter. I love my job because I enjoy serving the media and making a difference by getting positive stories in the news.I conduct free teleseminars through my company, Wasabi Publicity Inc., which can be listened to on our Web site, www.PublicityResults.com. I recently coached Michelle Gast, a full-time mom, part-time entrepreneur and creator of One Trip Tote (www.onetriptote.com) on free PR.As a busy mom, Michelle got tired of making trips to her car. So she invented...
Serenading National Media In Perfect Pitch
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
I know a national TV producer who gets 500 emails an hour, every day.With the media besieged by attention-seekers, how can you rise to the top of their overstuffed in-boxes to grab their attention? Here are some steps to increase chances for yourself or a client.When our company, Wasabi Publicity Inc., got a brand new client booked on Dr. Phil within eight hours, it was a tightly worded pitch with an eye-catching subject line that delivered. Coverage on CNN Weekend News, major syndicated radio and national magazines quickly followed.The client, Dr. Jill Murray, specializes in relationships that turn violent. She has...
Working With the Media: It's Not Just Who You Know but Who Knows About You
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
I was talking with a reporter the other day about what works and what doesnt work to attract the medias attention.When I asked him what he most needed from a source to cover a story, his answer was surprisingly simple: Lead time.He said: You wouldnt believe the number of times people have called me and said, weve got this really great story or photo for youit starts in 25 minutes.The amount of lead time reporters need to plan to cover events varies by media. Most newspaper and radio reporters and TV talk shows would like two to four weeks notice.TV news...
Do You Have What it Takes? Not everyone is cut out to be their own boss
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
I recently saw on the news that the recession has prompted more and more people to go into business for themselves.In the automotive, newspaper, banking industries and many others, the story is the same. The jobs Americans thought would always be there no longer seem so secure.The end result is that many employees feel working for themselves may provide a more secure financial future in the long run than staying with their long-time employers.Not everyone, however, is cut out to be in business for themselves. Ive identified some common attributes of successful entrepreneurs as Ive started several companies of my own...
Keep a Personal Touch in the Digital World: Social Networking Tips for Businesses
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Have you ever had someone in a business relationship tell you they were slammed with work only to find their Facebook page full of frequent frivolous activity?Or maybe you have been on Twitter and been surprised by a rude, off-the-cuff remark.Those are a couple of problems to watch out for in the world of social networking etiquette.Sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook offer boundless potential for companies to promote and build their businesses online. But savvy business people should remember that social is just as important as networking on these sites and avoid some common pitfalls. While the new social networking...
Using Your Blog to Build a Platform
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Writing a book is hard work, and even more difficult is finding an audience for it. These days, publishers and literary agents are often finding new talent and signing book deals with bloggers people who already have a large following and are consistently sharing their ideas and thoughts with the world. (It makes sense: If a blogger has 2,000 daily readers, then he or she probably has 2,000 people interested in reading/buying their book.) As an author, you probably have brilliant ideas and unique takes on issues every day you can share. But if youre not delivering your messages...
Increase Awareness and Boost Exposure Online
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Its no secret that the PR and marketing game is ever changing and that positioning yourself to be found online is becoming more and more important. Ninety percent of journalists are finding all their information and sources online, and your potential clients are doing the same thing. No one flips through the Yellow Pages anymore. If they have a problem they need solved, they're searching the web for a solution. So building a foundation online should be at the top of your priority list.Heres how to start:Online Press Kits These are key to positioning yourself as the media's go-to expert....
Media Relations Tips for Landing a Television Placement
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Landing a television interview is an exciting achievement for anyone doing his or her own PR. Many times people believe landing a segment is out of their grasp or they dont know how to go about getting this type of coverage. But just like scoring any other media coverage, whether radio, print or online, the secret lies in the pitch.Remember, national or local, TV is always looking for real people to illustrate the stories and trends in their reports. But before you pitch you have to be able to answer the questions: Why should the media care? And why should the...
Make It Your Business to Listen: Companies thrive when they respond to customers
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
To stay ahead of your competition in todays business world you practically need a Ouija Board. Successfully navigating a business takes a delicate mix of reading signs, being sensitive to the cultural zeitgeist, and good intuition. It seems an impossible task until you realize theres a single source that can act as your map, compass and oracle, all wrapped into one: Your market.All you have to do is look at recent business headlines to see what I mean. Giants like General Motors and Blockbuster Video are stumbling because they were too slow to hear and respond to consumers. Nimble companies like...
How PR Works: What You May Not Realize When Measuring PR Success
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Any publicist in the midst of a PR campaign for a client has probably asked him- or herself this question: Is my PR working? And for a client whos invested their money in your services, theyre probably asking the same question. Sometimes as publicists, we forget how PR works.Evaluating a PR campaign based on sales or rate of return is all too typical. But heres the thing: PR doesnt work like that; its a long-term investment. As a publicist you know this already, but does your client? Sometimes you have to paint a picture for the client about what to expect....
Using PitchRate.com to Maximize Free Publicity
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
PitchRate.com, which connects journalists with expert sources, is getting more traffic than ever these days as more reporters discover the free service.Less than 10 months after we launched it in February, PitchRate.com passed a major milestone with more than 100 active requests from journalists on the site. There is now a request at PitchRate for almost anyone to pitch, says Shannon Nicholson, vice-president of sales for Blue Kangaroo, Inc., our web products company.At the same time, our new Publicity Results Web site has been drawing massive traffic since we launched it Oct. 20 as the products site for our PR firm,...
Creative and Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Marketing your small or home-based business should be a fun endeavor, but most importantly it needs to be cost-effective. When you use the Internet as your platform, the possibilities are endless. Increasing your customer base is all about getting the word out. Awareness is key and all you have to do is pick up the megaphone! Here are a few tips you can use:Free media leadsFree services such as http://www.PitchRate.com can help you get valuable media coverage. This is a great way to find the media and build relationships with them. Experts and small business owners who have signed on with...
Creative and Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Ideas for Authors
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Marketing your book should be a fun endeavor, but most importantly it needs to be cost-effective. When you use the Internet as your platform, the possibilities are endless. Increasing your customer base and book sales is all about getting the word out. Awareness is key and all you have to do is pick up the megaphone! Here are a few tips you can use:Free media leadsFree services such as http://www.PitchRate.com can help you get valuable media coverage. This is a great way to find the media and build relationships with them. Experts and authors who have signed on with PitchRate have...
