"PR Tips: Online Press Releases Can Increase Your Page Ranking "
There are several components to the standard Press Release format that you must follow whether you submit it online or by conventional methods. Make it easy for your reader to take in your information quickly.Follow this format structure:
* Headline - Be sure to include keywords or phrases in your headlines for online Press Releases. Grab the attention of journalists and quickly summarize the story.
* Dateline -give the reader the date and location of the story.
* Introduction - this paragraph gives basic answers to the questions of who, what, when, where and why. It outlines the interest point for your reader.
* Body - further explanation, statistics, background, or other details relevant to the news.
* Boilerplate - this is usually the credibility info on your company.
* Close - usually a symbol that shows the journalist that the PR part of the release is over. It usually looks like the following symbol - ###.
* Media Contact Information - this section covers the name, phone, email or other contact information needed for follow up.
Create a compelling press release that highlights the major newsworthy points of your story. Remember that your story must be interesting to become newsworthy. Story editors are often swamped with press releases so they aren't going to spend a lot of time going through your unless they find something interesting.
So there you have it. It can be that easy if you follow the process from start to finish. Be sure to create an online Press Release at least once or twice a month to keep your company name in the news.
Dennis Morales Francis is a small business coach and the author of "Double My Revenues In 12 Months or Less" and "Push Button Profits! A 30 Day Program For Making $120,000 A Year On Auto Pilot" Head over to the site sign up for your free course now before it's too late!
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Media Relations - Submitting Your New Press Release
Wondering where to submit your press release? Well, in my never ending quest to find the laziest methods of marketing (Is it weird to work your butt off trying to be lazy?) I have FINALLY become converted to press releases.Why? Because last week I met with Steve A (name is abbreviated to protect the innocent) a great SEO guy, and he told me how he convinced a client to submit press releases on a weekly basis, like article distribution. I always thought press releases were for "special occasions" like product launches and big announcements. Not so, says Steve. You get great link love, the Press Release services WANT tons of content anyway, so if you're going to create content why not leverage it everywhere you can?
Well, I can't argue with that logic, so I spent some time figuring out the list I'm going to submit to, and now I'll share it with you, my esteemed readers. And remember, I'm not just lazy, I'm cheap, so these places all allow you to submit your press release free!
PRWeb Pagerank: 7 Alexa: 9,053
PRLog.com Pagerank: 5 Alexa: 14,220
PRLeap Pagerank: 5 Alexa: 49,934
1888Pressreleases Pagerank: 4 Alexa: 59,949
PressAbout Pagerank: 4 Alexa: 95,355
Ereleases Pagerank: 6 Alexa: 101,200
URLWire Pagerank: 5 Alexa: 163,894
There you have it! And if you are wondering, "Where will I find the time to submit all this stuff!?" I have three recommendations:
1. Only submit to PRweb.com, probably the most respected and best of the bunch.
2. Hire an executive assistant! If you paid a student or other part timer to do a lot of the online "grunt work" it would pay for itself within weeks if you know what you're doing!
3. Have your kids do it!
Dave Sherwin is a Network Marketer who won the "Rookie of the Year"award in a large international network marketing company in 2006. He is the co-author of "Lighthouse Marketing", The Art And Science Of Attracting People Into your Network Marketing Organization. Learn the Lighthouse Marketing secrets at this web
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Strategies of Press Release - Are You Doing These 5 Objectives Correctly?
Press releases let you use the media to draw attention to your business, which makes it more credible in the eyes of the public. Consider five easy tips on how to make your press release great.Proper Format: All of your press releases should be written in the proper format. Your goal should be to give you and your business a professional air. You will need to review your press release, checking spelling, grammar, and punctuation before sending it to any media source.
Writing Clearly and Pointedly: Since most media outlets receive a steady stream of press releases, they do not have time to read long ones. No press release should be more than two pages in length. In order to keep your press release at this size, your writing needs to be clear and pointed, answering the most important questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Emphasize Benefits to the Reader: Your press release should encourage readers to do something. Depending on the situation, you might tell them to check out your website, visit the grand opening of your new store, or attend your special event. Your writing should emphasize the benefits that your reader will receive by taking part in whatever it is that your press release is promoting. Instead of just writing a straightforward advertisement, make potential customers see what's in it for them.
For example, a press release about a new food processor needs to tell readers more than the simple facts that the new product is more compact than older models. Make customers see the benefits they will derive from purchasing it by wording it differently. You could say, "The compact size of our new food processor will let customers maximize counter space while chopping up foods with just as much power as previous models." This tells your reader why they need to buy your product.
Keep the Mood Interesting: You need to write in a style that will make readers excited about your product. Dress up the facts in an effort to keep things interesting for your readers. With the above food processor example, you can tell customers that "the new compact, counter-saving model will be in stores this spring, just when you'll need it to chop up fresh veggies to make the perfect summer salad" instead of simply stating "the new food processor will be available in the spring."
Keep Your Target Customer in Mind: Always remember who your target customers are while you write and submit your press releases. This will also help you to determine what information should be in your press release and which media sources you should submit it to.
You wouldn't, for example, submit a press release about a children's health event to a newspaper's travel editor, since this will not help you get your information to your target audience.
Are you searching for a way to make money on eBay? Find out how to start a thriving eBay business on the Online Auction Advisor website. Visit this website for a copy of my ebook "101 eBay Tips" - a $47 value absolutely free!
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Studying 8 Free Or Low Cost Business Success Public Relations Ideas to Help Your Business
PR, the common term for Public Relations is usually referring to the efforts of a company to obtain a favorable or increasingly positive view in the public's eye. It normally applies to big business but as a small business owner, I think it concerns small businesses too. I want my customers to have a good feeling about my company and me. This obviously could result in more business and more profits.I have put together some ideas of which many may be considered "free" or "low cost" types of marketing to gain good PR. Most are not anything new; some are as old as the hills, just based on good principles and real concern for other people. I am not an expert at these, but it's a goal. I see them as obvious time-tested principles that are just no-brainers. High cost conventional marketing and advertising does not take the place of most of these concepts and ideas. They are compatible. There may be sweat and effort involved, but that's business if it makes you a better business. Maybe one or more of these ideas will put you and your business on the map?
1. Contribute to the community. It could be something you do or produce already
in your business and for little or no charge. Do some volunteer work.
2. Give a little extra when doing business; make sure they remember you in a good
way. "Go the extra mile," they say. People will remember if they think they got charged too
much. They will also remember if they think they got a great deal!
3. Be friendly (and smile once in a while). It makes a difference even when
you're on the phone!
4. Have great service.
5. Have a great product.
6. Be honest, even when no one is looking.
7. Be a part of a group or organization or two so people can get to shake your
hand, see your great smile, and know you exist! It may be around town or it may be on the
Web.
8. Make some calls, or send out some nice letters or emails to your current
customers. Thank them for their business. Ask if there is anything they might need and to
give you a call if so. (They might be flattered!) One business sent me what looked like the
nicest greeting card I had ever seen! I was impressed! (Even though it was an
advertisement.)
When you look at a lot of these you may think, "Oh yeah, I should've thought of that!" (That is if you don't use them already!) That is because they are simple, honest and basic ideas that can naturally be a part of everyone's business with a little practice and implementation. So, good luck on your success!
Note: You may publish this article at no charge as long as you have included the signature box below. Thank you.
Randall Street is a multi-talented artist working in fine and graphic arts. He has worked in the design and production of digital and web graphics, printing and sign media for over 25 years. Get 5000 business cards free with your order of 5000 brochures! Visit this site.
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Successful Strategies To Get Free Publicity
The more free publicity you can get, the wider your marketing message can reach and the greater your results are likely to be. The internet has made getting free publicity so much easier and today there are a number of ways that you can get free publicity.Go Online for Free Publicity
The first step towards getting more free publicity is to take your marketing message online, if you have not done so already. There are a number of excellent free publicity resources available online such as social media, article directories, press release directories and other tools.
Create a Referral Program
Another great way to get more free publicity is to create a referral program. Although you may choose to give your referral partners a commission when they refer people to you, this will usually be after you have already made a sale and so the cost will come from the sale instead of paying upfront.
Form Joint Ventures
Joint ventures are another way of cutting your advertising costs by partnering with another business owner and using resources you already have to help gain you more publicity. You could, for example, exchange mailing lists, thus getting publicity from their mailing list and not needing to pay anything for it.
Can You Get a Free Press Release?
There are a number of places online that you can post free press releases about your company, but you may also be able to submit a press release to an offline newspaper for free and get greater exposure in this way. Press releases often open up many other opportunities for more publicity.
There are many free publicity tools available online but you may also choose to create an offline referral program or a joint venture partnership (online or offline) to increase your publicity without increasing your costs.
Mitch Carson is an award-winning direct marketer, consultant, author and columnist who has consulted for the BEST of the BEST in marketing including, Legendary marketer Dan Kennedy, Jay Conrad Levinson author of "Guerilla Marketing", Joe Vitale, Ron LeGrand #1 How to Get Rich in Real Estate, Ted Thomas, Internet Marketing Guru Yanik Silver, Mark Victor Hansen, Co-author #1 Best Selling Series, "Chicken Soup for the Soul", and other marketing experts on advanced direct marketing techniques. He has had been written up in over 140 newspapers worldwide (including the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Washington Post and more), over 600 radio stations, and has been featured in over 200 spots on QVC, Home Shopping Network, Fox News, and Reuters Worldwide. He can be reached at this site and this site
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Public Relations VS. Advertising
Most everyone has heard the "Want free publicity, write a press release" spiel. Yet, too many small business owners still neglect this excellent source of exposure for their company and products."I'll just run an ad. It's easier," they say.
Yet, if they really understood the impact of a press release compared to an advertisement, I don't think they'd hesitate to make the most of this marketing strategy.
Let me share an exercise that I conducted in a networking meeting awhile back that should help you better understand the difference between a press release and an ad. This will also help you determine for yourself which is a better marketing strategy for your business.
Before the meeting, where I was the presenter, I cut several articles and news clippings from our local paper. None of the articles had bylines ("by Author's Name"). The stories were published on various pages of the paper. Each was about a different topic.
As I began the presentation, I asked the group of about 20 small business owners to look briefly at each clipping and tell me what was significant about these stories.
Various items were mentioned -- the subjects of the articles, the locations, the lengths. Yet no one touched on the one similarity. Almost without a doubt, each of these news stories were generated through a press release.
(Now, you may ask how I know that. In another town, I might not have, but I was personally familiar with this particular newspaper and knew their specific policy and format for printing news stories. Because there was no byline, and because the stories were not part of their regular columns, I was relatively sure that each of the stories I had chosen had been generated by a press release and written by a junior staff member.)
The purpose in this exercise was to point out that while some people (like me with personal knowledge of this paper and a journalism background) would know these were press releases, the majority of people wouldn't. Most people, even well-educated ones like these business owners, would perceive these stories to be simply news stories written by the newspaper's staff.
And that can be VERY significant to your business. Let's consider...
If you read an article in the paper, what do you think? Usually, that it's true. At least most of the time.
While we've learned that "you can't believe everything you read," to a certain extent, we still tend to believe that if a notable newspaper publishes a story, it's true. Period.
On the other hand, how many advertisements that you read do you believe without question? Probably very few.
Reading an ad does not necessarily make you believe in that product. You know that someone paid to run that ad. You know the advertiser has an ulterior motive -- profit. You know the purpose of an ad is to sell you something. So you don't believe what an ad says just because you read it... EVEN IF YOU READ IT IN THE SAME NEWSPAPER.
That's the significance!
We believe a news story because, in our minds, a news story is impartial. Its purpose is to educate and inform, not to earn a profit. A news story is, in effect, the opposite of an ad. And because we believe a news story, we are MUCH more likely to act on it... to purchase the product it recommends, to do business with the company it describes. We TRUST a news story... therefore we TRUST the subject of that story.
And that's the whole purpose of advertising -- to build trust in our customers and prospects.
-----
Article copyright © 2008 by Darlene 'Dee' Bishop. All rights reserved worldwide.
Darlene 'Dee' Bishop is a professional writer with over 25 years experience writing and editing ezines and newsletters, press releases, website content, magazine features and more. Visit her online to discover how she can help you build your business one word at a time™.
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Public Relations Pros Suggest This Be One of Your Publicity Tools
Last week on the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" show, Kathie Lee Gifford announced survey results that stated two out of three Americans would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet over their partner or spouse. Disturbing (or inspiring!) as the results may be, the survey was sponsored by a major pet insurance carrier. Because of the "shock" value to the survey, it garnered national news coverage, and earned the insurance company an on-air mention of its brand.Throughout my career, we have utilized surveys as a publicity tactic for various products and brands. Because you want the survey to be statistically accurate, it's best to have it fielded by a professional company. There are a number of ones that specialize in this, and a common term for it is "Omnibus" survey. Typically, the surveys will be fielded to about 1,000 participants, and can have either open or closed-ended questions. In fact, you may have unknowingly participated in one in the past. Have you ever had a random company call you and ask if you have five minutes to answer some survey questions? This may have been a compilation for various companies, the results which were then leveraged for various product development and marketing purposes, including being released in survey form for publicity purposes.
Most survey fielding companies will work with you to help you formulate the questions and parameters for the participants so you have the best possible results to match your objectives. However, some things you should think about before you begin:
# Who am I trying to reach? For example, if you want moms, you can limit the screening process so the survey company only asks the questions to moms. Or if you want to show consumers the misperception men have about "X" factor in raising kids, you can screen only dads.
# What sort of "shock" or "interest" value can I try to determine that will make my product or brand more interesting?
# Is there something already in the news on which I can capitalize, i.e., elections, holidays, etc.?
Overall, identifying that nugget of information that is quirky enough to make your survey results interesting can yield big publicity results.
Visit here for more resources on how to handle your do-it-yourself publicity campaigns. Regina Novickis is co-founder of Media Tonic and Publicity411.com. A seasoned public relations executive with more than twelve years of experience managing brand positioning, public relations and media relations efforts on behalf of consumer/entertainment clients, she has secured coverage for clients in every genre of national press ranging from USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Time and Newsweek, to Self, Marie Claire, GQ and Maxim, to "Entertainment Tonight," "The View" and NBC's "Today" show.
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Public Relations - Training on How to Do a Press Release
Over the years, various companies and organizations have recognized the benefit of using media channels to gain credibility with their potential customers. Whether it be in publications online and offline or on media like TV and radio, you can always find a way to use the media to establish a lasting presence in the market or the industry that you are in.
While advertising is usually the first thing that comes to mind when the subject of promotions is being tackled, it is not usually something that you can completely rely on especially if you want to gain the trust of the media and if your budget is limited. In fact, there is another way that you can reach out to the hearts of media professionals while making sure that you are able to build credibility in the eyes of society. This can be done by writing press releases.
What makes you special?
Compared to advertisements, the press release is written to attract the attention of the media. More commonly now it can also appeal over the heads of the media and engage directly with your potential buyers. As a public relations tool, it is structured to benefit you, your business, or your products and services. It is designed to emphasize what makes you stand out from the rest of other similar businesses and individuals that are offering the same goods to the masses. In order to do this, your press release should mention what makes your business newsworthy: what sets it aside from others and what significant role can it play in society?
Watch how you write your content
The right content is the key to creating a press release that can have the media, or your customers, knocking at your door. As mentioned earlier, your press release should be newsworthy so do not sound like you are selling something. Instead, sound like a professional discussing the answers to who, what, when, where, how, and why by providing simple but interesting information. The press release should also sound interesting from the start. This means that your headline or title should already be able to attract the attention of your reader. Finally, construct your press release to keep the reader hooked.
Be factual
Press releases are not meant for advertising so avoid flowery words, jargon, and exaggerations. Keep everything short, simple, and to the point. Writing your press release in the active voice is also advisable rather than discussing everything in passive form. Remember that your aim here is to write something that can make you credible and trustworthy in the eyes of whoever reads it so that your target audience will recognize you as the expert in your field. And while you are being factual, do not forget to make sure that your press release is actually current and timely.
Present it nicely
Content that is well-written on a press release but is formatted wrongly can put it at risk of not being published at all. Therefore, make sure that you are able to present it correctly by using the right format. Traditionally, press releases are formatted with an indication of when it is going to be released followed by the headline, the lead, the main paragraph that explains the lead, some company background, and your contact details. Correctly formatting your press release can help the reader to immediately tell that what they are reading is not merely an advertisement.
You can learn more on how to write your press release at sites such as Quality Press Releaser and Press Release Home. You can also post a unique press release on one of these sites if it has not been published on the Web before.
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PR Tips for Mediums Other Than Online: Radio and TV

One of the most daunting aspects of PR work is appearing on television. And yet for many businessmen and women, there comes a time when making a TV appearance becomes essential, either to counter negative publicity or to take advantage of the massive publicity benefits appearing on TV can bring.
In this article I will therefore reveal some basic principles of dressing for television, to ensure that you create a good first impression with both interviewers and the TV audience.
When undertaking TV interviews the way you are dressed and your composure are extremely important. Radio interviews are obviously a lot less concerned about the way you look, but it is still a good idea to look your best, both for your own self-confidence and to make a good impression on your interviewer.
While your self-employed daily life may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, a TV interview is not the place to do this. With very few unusual exceptions, sandals and sweatshirts are out. Oxfords and business suits are still in.
Unfortunately, most interviewees are woefully under-prepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can 'get by' with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually not. Dress for the world of broadcasting is quite different from the daily business scene. Remember that stylish is not conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first interview and beyond. Then, when you are appearing regularly (and have a chance to see what the standard 'uniform' is for the modern TV interviewee), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.
One final note on interview dress: while it goes without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and clean, very few interviewees give the same time and attention to their shoes. Shoes? Yes, shoes. There is at least one famous TV interviewer who forms first impressions based solely (pardon the pun) on shoes. This person does not have a shoe fetish - he subjectively judges that those who pay attention to details like their shoes are also likely to be diligent in other areas of life. And it is not just that person's opinion. Many have said that you can judge a person by their shoes. You will find that many ex-military officers are especially aware of a person's footwear. It is not enough to be clean, pressed, and ironed. Make sure that your shoes are conservative, clean, and polished.
Follow the above guidelines and you may be sure that interviewers and (more importantly) the TV viewers will take you seriously and listen carefully to what you say, even if they disagree with you.
You can make very good money as a self-employed public relations consultant. Maple Academy (UK) runs a highly successful public relations training course for anyone hoping to set up in this field. For full details, see this Site
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In this article I will therefore reveal some basic principles of dressing for television, to ensure that you create a good first impression with both interviewers and the TV audience.
When undertaking TV interviews the way you are dressed and your composure are extremely important. Radio interviews are obviously a lot less concerned about the way you look, but it is still a good idea to look your best, both for your own self-confidence and to make a good impression on your interviewer.
While your self-employed daily life may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, a TV interview is not the place to do this. With very few unusual exceptions, sandals and sweatshirts are out. Oxfords and business suits are still in.
Unfortunately, most interviewees are woefully under-prepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can 'get by' with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually not. Dress for the world of broadcasting is quite different from the daily business scene. Remember that stylish is not conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first interview and beyond. Then, when you are appearing regularly (and have a chance to see what the standard 'uniform' is for the modern TV interviewee), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.
One final note on interview dress: while it goes without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and clean, very few interviewees give the same time and attention to their shoes. Shoes? Yes, shoes. There is at least one famous TV interviewer who forms first impressions based solely (pardon the pun) on shoes. This person does not have a shoe fetish - he subjectively judges that those who pay attention to details like their shoes are also likely to be diligent in other areas of life. And it is not just that person's opinion. Many have said that you can judge a person by their shoes. You will find that many ex-military officers are especially aware of a person's footwear. It is not enough to be clean, pressed, and ironed. Make sure that your shoes are conservative, clean, and polished.
Follow the above guidelines and you may be sure that interviewers and (more importantly) the TV viewers will take you seriously and listen carefully to what you say, even if they disagree with you.
You can make very good money as a self-employed public relations consultant. Maple Academy (UK) runs a highly successful public relations training course for anyone hoping to set up in this field. For full details, see this Site
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Online PR - Use Press Release Marketing and Improve Your Traffic
Writing and distributing press releases is another way to give your ebusiness the kind of exposure it needs. Unlike articles that are usually written with specific areas interest in mind, press releases talk about straight facts and hard news. They can be about the launching of new products, the specific achievements or milestones reached by the company, or partnerships with other business owners.Here's how you can excel with press release marketing:
1. Kick-start your press releases with intriguing titles. You need to know how to capture the attention of your audience so you can get them to open and read your content. Your titles must be direct to the point, answer the who, what, why, when, and how questions of your readers, and they must be relatively short and concise. They must also be keyword-rich so you can easily make them fare well on relevant searches.
2. Use inverted pyramid technique. You need to make your press releases compelling and "punchy". They must keep your readers interested so you can get these people to read your content in its entirety. Ensure that you post the most important information on the first paragraph of your press releases. Your readers must know the gist of your whole content by just reading the first 100 words of the written material. Don't forget to support your most important information with specific details on the succeeding paragraphs so you can help your readers better understand your content.
3. Deliver timely content. Press releases are meant to deliver time-sensitive information. You need to write about new issues that have direct impact on your business. You cannot simply write anything that has already happened in the past as this will not generate the kind of attention you need online.
4. Add human element to your story. Tell your readers how your news can affect or benefit them. If your company was able to figure out solutions to their pressing issues or was able to discover new products that can bring huge difference to their lives, make sure that you emphasize that. People are most likely to pay attention if they know that they are getting something positive from your content.
5. Keep it short. Fillers, flowery words, lengthy introductions, and beating around the bush do not go well with press release writing. Remember, you're supposed to deliver hard, straight news so you better stick with the information you have at hand.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article writing success, 'Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide'
Download it free here: Secrets of Article Writing
Do you want to learn how to build a big online subscriber list fast? Click here: Secrets of List Building
Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 9034 articles in print and 14 published ebooks.
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PR Tips: Five Ways to Get Into Online Or Print Media
Advertising agencies may not like what I have to say, but in most cases, getting an article published gets more credibility from readers than paid advertisements. Construction and real estate executives who can get articles published in magazines, newsletters, or online publications will be perceived better than those who pay to be in those same publications. Here are five tips on how to get published in print or online.Make comments on other people's blogs. This is an excellent brand building strategy. Find blogs relevant to your client's interests using search engines like Google or Yahoo and share your thoughts and opinions by making comments on these blogs. Include your contact information and see how fast you start showing up on Google. Journalists also read these blogs and don't be surprised if they start contacting you when they need sources for their stories. It's happened to me on several occasions all because I made comments on other blogs.
Write informational articles and publish them on a web site or blog. Make sure you're not writing a sales pitch. Offer information that your prospective readers will find valuable like things to consider in the preconstruction processs, etc. Then let people know about the articles. Include a link in your email signature and let your clients and friends know about this information source.
Survey your prospective clients and send a news release of the results. This helps position you as an expert and encourages journalists to contact you.
Build a list of client trade publications along with the journalists who write for them and start the relationship building process. Many of these publications now have blogs. Start the relationship building process by commenting on their blogs. Then pick up the phone once in a while and ask them how you can help them. Ask them what type of articles they are interested in writing about. If you can't provide the information they need, offer them access to colleagues who can.
Interview industry experts and publish them on the news page of your web site or blog. Featuring industry leaders in the news section of your web site or blog is a great way to build good will. Video and/or podcast interviews are also effective ways to get media attention and PR for your company.
Finally, it's important to take a stance. Too many people are afraid to state opinions for fear of alienating others. Show me a group of 10 people and I'll show you a group that often has differences in opinion. That's ok. Disagreements promote dialog and make articles much more interesting. The goal should be to create interest, not consensus.
John P. Kreiss
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10 Public Relations Tactics For Agencies & Consultants
Many small businesses, consultancies and agencies are great at what they do for a living, but when it comes to getting new business, they often struggle. Without an ongoing focus on customers and growing their customer base, businesses will always struggle to grow.There are some key lessons we have learnt working with agencies over the years that can be applied to any agency, consultancy or small business to help take their business to the next level of growth.
If you responsible for getting new business for your agency or company?
Try out some of our top tips for getting new business:
* Save money
* Save time
* Get more clients
1. You are marketing a service which is intangible, so you have to take steps to compensate for this intangibility.
2. Organisational buyers regard purchases which are high cost or novel (or both) as high risk so develop strategies to reduce this perceived risk.
3. Regard the new business process as a funnel or pipeline with potential clients at all stages of the pipeline.
4. The pipeline is fed by a 'community' of people and organisations who are potential clients and need to be continually cultivated.
5. There are a variety of ways of building your consultancy's community, ranging from recommendations and referrals, to networking.
6. Remember that existing clients are an important source of new business: it is easier and cheaper to sell more to existing clients than to find new clients.
7. Pitching is a time-consuming and artificial process; consider alternatives which are less expensive and more realistic.
8. Put yourself in the shoes of potential clients: what is important to them (eg client conflict) may not seem important to you.
9. New clients probably select you because they like you, they think they can work with you, and they are convinced of your communications expertise.
10. To potential clients with limited experience or understanding of public relations, you will have to sell the concept of PR rather than the benefits of your consultancy.
For further advice on PR performance ideas, visit our top tips here.
Watermill Training are a Public Relations Training Company who work with PR agencies and in-house PR departments. Watermill's focus is to help agencies to not only improve the PR specific activities but also the performace of their businesses, helping with management development, securing new business, managing staff etc. Watermill deliver their training through in-house PR training sessions to work with teams in a structured way to improve their performance as a collective.
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Using PR Marketing Strategies For Your Brand During A Slow Economy
The economic downturn is having a dramatic impact on the economy and no one is left untouched. We are seeing small to big businesses closing their doors and calling it quits. Even celebrities and their luxury brands are affected.Most businesses are wondering how to increase profit earnings when people are simply not spending. The solution to get people to spend money is to get people excited about a brand, product, or service. This involves putting together a PR campaign that offers consumers something of value.
How you communicate with your target audience will determine the success factors of your brand's image. When consumers are strapped for cash perception of a brand plays a vital role when making selections or even recommendations. People will not make wasteful purchases and you have to give them a reason to spend their hard earned money.
Public relations are how you communicate with the public. A brand's image is received by public opinion and concept. Using media outlets such as radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc helps to strengthen brand awareness. Using PR, also known as public relations can help to influence perception.
Here are some tips to help you get some free publicity by using PR, public relations practices to make your brand hot during slow economic times.
1. Press Release Promotions - Offer specials through press release announcements.
2. Word of Mouth Promotions - Give promotional bonuses for referrals.
3. Give-A-Way Promotions - Attract attention through free offerings.
4. Article Branding Promotions - Provide offerings through article promotions.
The key point to consider is that consumers are looking for a cost break when funds are limited. It will be very necessary to use media resources that are a direct fit with the target audience you would like to connect with. This will allow your brand awareness to increase and for you to receive free publicity for your promotions.
Receive FREE Public Relations Tips, check on this site.
"CR" Cataunya Ransom is the Co-founder of Mosnar Communications, INC. She developed a niche for Luxury PR & Global Marketing. Guiding clients on how to brand, market, and promote luxury products, events, and services. Check this site.
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Public Relations - Are Publicity and Advertising The Same Thing?

Are advertising and publicity the same thing? Twelve years ago, I asked my then-college-roommate that very question. She had just started an internship at an advertising agency, and I truly did not understand the difference. Little did I know at the time that I would go on to build a long-standing career in public relations.
The answer is, they are very different. But it's easy to understand why publicity remains elusive to so many people. Advertising makes sense. A company comes up with a campaign, buys the space or air time, and you see an ad on television or in your magazine.
Publicity, on the other hand, remains more elusive to the uninitiated. Growing up, we're presented with images of the media which portray journalists investigating criminal activity, reporting in war zones, and following political campaigns. While these are all realistic functions for certain types of journalists, there is a world of opportunity with others who are looking for products and information from experts to include in their stories. This is where your publicity efforts come into play.
This bears repeating. You can call a journalist and secure a news item about a company, event or yourself as an expert. Publicity appears as a news item or feature story in the mass media, and is not done in exchange for money. Material is submitted to the news department at a TV station, or an editor at a magazine or newspaper, by someone who wants to get the word out about their company. The journalist then determines whether the material can be utilized as a stand-alone news story, or incorporated into an existing news story.
Because it's unpaid, and contingent upon your newsworthiness to a particular media outlet, publicity can take a longer time to secure results, and unlike in advertising, you do not entirely control the messages. However, studies have shown that consumers hold more trust in what they read or see as editorial coverage, versus what they are told in advertising.
Visit this site for more resources on how to handle your do-it-yourself publicity campaigns. Regina Novickis is co-founder of Media Tonic and Publicity411.com. A seasoned public relations executive with more than twelve years of experience managing brand positioning, public relations and media relations efforts on behalf of consumer/entertainment clients, she has secured coverage for clients in every genre of national press ranging from USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Time and Newsweek, to Self, Marie Claire, GQ and Maxim, to "Entertainment Tonight," "The View" and NBC's "Today" show.
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The answer is, they are very different. But it's easy to understand why publicity remains elusive to so many people. Advertising makes sense. A company comes up with a campaign, buys the space or air time, and you see an ad on television or in your magazine.
Publicity, on the other hand, remains more elusive to the uninitiated. Growing up, we're presented with images of the media which portray journalists investigating criminal activity, reporting in war zones, and following political campaigns. While these are all realistic functions for certain types of journalists, there is a world of opportunity with others who are looking for products and information from experts to include in their stories. This is where your publicity efforts come into play.
This bears repeating. You can call a journalist and secure a news item about a company, event or yourself as an expert. Publicity appears as a news item or feature story in the mass media, and is not done in exchange for money. Material is submitted to the news department at a TV station, or an editor at a magazine or newspaper, by someone who wants to get the word out about their company. The journalist then determines whether the material can be utilized as a stand-alone news story, or incorporated into an existing news story.
Because it's unpaid, and contingent upon your newsworthiness to a particular media outlet, publicity can take a longer time to secure results, and unlike in advertising, you do not entirely control the messages. However, studies have shown that consumers hold more trust in what they read or see as editorial coverage, versus what they are told in advertising.
Visit this site for more resources on how to handle your do-it-yourself publicity campaigns. Regina Novickis is co-founder of Media Tonic and Publicity411.com. A seasoned public relations executive with more than twelve years of experience managing brand positioning, public relations and media relations efforts on behalf of consumer/entertainment clients, she has secured coverage for clients in every genre of national press ranging from USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Time and Newsweek, to Self, Marie Claire, GQ and Maxim, to "Entertainment Tonight," "The View" and NBC's "Today" show.
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The Value of PR
Why PR?Public Relations is all about building your brand.
A brand can now be defined as the sum of all the conversations going on around you. Print, radio, television and the internet are all constantly buzzing with messages and new ideas - what would you like to contribute to these conversations?
Becoming a part of the media and press is a way of defining and managing your message - controlling that content in a most effective, trusted, valued and lasting way.
One of the most effective tools in marketing - the media - is often overlooked. The reason Public Relations Strategies are replacing advertising more and more is because consumers are savvier than ever. We are all VERY skeptical of what we read in advertisements often ignoring them all together.
The truth is we are all experts at what we do - but we need to convey that to those around us. PR is the subtle, strategic way to respectfully influence an audience. When you read or hear about a company in an authentic story or interview as opposed to an advertisement or commercial, you're much more inclined to pay attention. Now with the birth of "Social Marketing & Media," a completely new and immeasurably powerful outlet for PR on-line, we have unlimited opportunities to bring credibility, knowledge and understanding to you and your product.
Third party "Earned Media" means you earn the media's attention through newsworthy stories and articles, ezines, blogs and many other public communication opportunities. You earn the trust of the reader by being placed there. This will actually support and increase your future advertising and marketing efforts. Media has a word-of-mouth like effect that bridges the credibility gap in advertising - and that means publicity. Using media as a public relations tool works because consumers pay more attention to features and stories and put much more trust in them.
Advertising cannot start a fire. It can only fan a fire after it has been started. To get something going from nothing, you need the validity that only third-party endorsement can bring. Consider it like a personal recommendation from a good friend about a hot business tip or fabulous new restaurant. Recent marketing successes have been built on public relations and not advertising successes.
The Body Shop, eBay, Google, Harry Potter, Botox and RedBull have all been built on the premise of publicity first, advertising second. The first stage of any new campaign ought to be public relations.
Jenny Kaplan and her company JKaplan Communications creates powerful PR and media campaigns that help businesses communicate their message. She has had much success in this realm. You can learn more about her work at this site.
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Public Relations Definition - What Are Public Relations
The unofficial definition of Public Relations (PR) is the public maintenance of the positive image of your company, and the steps you take to add value to your brand and continuously improve your client relations. These can include donations, sponsorship, alliances, events, volunteering and other acts that are considered to be more about the benefit to the public than the increase of your sales.Public Relations are about creating and maintaining positive relationships.
Why are Public Relations hard to define? People often confuse Public Relations with marketing. While PR is a form of marketing, it generally consists of focused attention from third-party sources that create indirect advertising or promotion of you or your company. If a newspaper does a piece about your community practices, or your commitment to a cause, that is focused attention. Your audience will pay more attention to you because it is not a direct advertising campaign crafted my your sales department. An outside source has recommended you or your services as trustworthy and valuable. Through your public practices, you've created human interest by being recognized for your ethical practices or charitable efforts.
Public Relations are about creating a company people want to do business with.
The public loves a great story, and good PR is creating and telling a great story in the most compelling way. The better and more positive the story, the more likely you will be accepted and the more valuable your public relations will become. The best Public Relations coverage is spontaneous, but it's also possible to create a well-structured PR plan and follow it.
When you start your Public Relations campaign, keep in mind the marketing side of your strategy. Your story has to be appealing to your potential clients otherwise all the PR in the world won't help you sell your products. Keep the public informed, and don't hide anything from them. Make them feel as though they are a part of your organization, and take them seriously. They are your investors. Don't make them regret their choice to invest in your company.
Stick to one mission, and stand by one message.
Public relations are an attempt at improvement. Whether you have decided to improve your internal functioning, customer services, brand image, or public identity, ensure that your goals are clear and attainable. Take a stand on issues that affect your audience, and make sure that your efforts are recognized. Send Press Releases and contact journalists to see if they are interested in your story.
Good PR reinforces your reputation as a company that makes good decisions, protects their customers, and gives back to the community. To maintain positive PR, protect your reputation and evaluate all of your actions carefully. Don't participate in anything that your public may consider questionable or controversial. Evaluate the possible outcomes of your PR decisions, and make sure they align with your mission and preferred public image.
Public Relations are a valuable investment. A commitment to invest your time and resources to create a positive experience for your customers will solidify your relationships, and provide unmeasured benefits for you both.
Pamela Weir - Marketing Consultant, Public Relations Specialist and Copywriter, Owner of Market to the Moment, a Small Business Marketing company dedicated to helping you establish and maintain your brand through public relations, sales copywriting and effective communication.
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Using PR Marketing Strategies For Your Branding During A Slow Economy
The economic downturn is having a dramatic impact on the economy and no one is left untouched. We are seeing small to big businesses closing their doors and calling it quits. Even celebrities and their luxury brands are affected.Most businesses are wondering how to increase profit earnings when people are simply not spending. The solution to get people to spend money is to get people excited about a brand, product, or service. This involves putting together a PR campaign that offers consumers something of value.
How you communicate with your target audience will determine the success factors of your brand's image. When consumers are strapped for cash perception of a brand plays a vital role when making selections or even recommendations. People will not make wasteful purchases and you have to give them a reason to spend their hard earned money.
Public relations are how you communicate with the public. A brand's image is received by public opinion and concept. Using media outlets such as radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc helps to strengthen brand awareness. Using PR, also known as public relations can help to influence perception.
Here are some tips to help you get some free publicity by using PR, public relations practices to make your brand hot during slow economic times.
1. Press Release Promotions - Offer specials through press release announcements.
2. Word of Mouth Promotions - Give promotional bonuses for referrals.
3. Give-A-Way Promotions - Attract attention through free offerings.
4. Article Branding Promotions - Provide offerings through article promotions.
The key point to consider is that consumers are looking for a cost break when funds are limited. It will be very necessary to use media resources that are a direct fit with the target audience you would like to connect with. This will allow your brand awareness to increase and for you to receive free publicity for your promotions.
Receive FREE Public Relations Tips
"CR" Cataunya Ransom is the Co-founder of Mosnar Communications, INC. She developed a niche for Luxury PR & Global Marketing. Guiding clients on how to brand, market, and promote luxury products, events, and services. Please visit this site
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Tags: marketing, strategy, economy, brand, pr
PR on the Right Track: Writing Optimized Press Releases

Press releases: from the newspaper page to the Web page
Writing a good press release is not exactly a talent that was born as a result of the Internet. Marketers and business owners have long since been submitting press releases to editors, reporters and other journalists in the hopes that the news story may get published in the newspaper, or better yet, may inspire reporters to write related stories. Now that the Internet has taken over as the one and only information super highway, it only makes sense that today's advertisers are battling for online space, instead of a spot in their local newspapers.
Why write an optimized press release
Even if you have managed to get a couple of your press releases published in your local newspaper, you can still benefit from the fruits of your efforts if you write an Internet-friendly press release. One of the biggest reasons why you should target the Internet is the fact that you will be reaching a much bigger audience. More and more people today are turning to the World Wide Web for their latest dose of news. Logging online and searching for the news items that they are interested in is much easier and more convenient rather than waiting for the news report on BBC or CNN. Even these giant news corporations are maintaining and promoting their own websites to keep up with the online world. Imagine how many people you will reach if you become featured in a popular news website or engine.
Another advantage of writing optimized press releases is that it lets you track how much readership your news story is receiving. This is virtually impossible with newspapers. Even if you keep track of how many people purchase newspapers, there's a huge possibility that they're buying for the comics, the classified ads or even just to have a shelter from the rain!
The power of keywords
Just like in the optimization of any online content, keywords will play a major role in the optimization of your press release. You need to research which keywords are the most relevant to your business or news story. These keywords can range from single words to whole phrases. Once you have decided on the most relevant keyword for you, be sure to use this in the title of the press release. You can also use related phrases in the subtitle and throughout the entire body of the article as long as the text reads well. Never overdo this tactic as quality content matters more than artificially trying to trick the search engines.
Target human readership
Even though you are vying for a top position in the search engine results, this doesn't mean that you have to put all your effort into pleasing the spiders or other software that handles the positioning of the search results. Remember that you are, first and foremost, appealing to your readers. Create a press release that is newsworthy, informative and interesting and you can rest assured that your news story will gain online popularity in due course.
At PR Friend, you can learn all about how to promote your organization in a digital age. We offer a free press release posting service and other promotional advice. You can also sign up for our newsletter.
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Tags: press release, optimize, write, news, publicity
Writing a good press release is not exactly a talent that was born as a result of the Internet. Marketers and business owners have long since been submitting press releases to editors, reporters and other journalists in the hopes that the news story may get published in the newspaper, or better yet, may inspire reporters to write related stories. Now that the Internet has taken over as the one and only information super highway, it only makes sense that today's advertisers are battling for online space, instead of a spot in their local newspapers.
Why write an optimized press release
Even if you have managed to get a couple of your press releases published in your local newspaper, you can still benefit from the fruits of your efforts if you write an Internet-friendly press release. One of the biggest reasons why you should target the Internet is the fact that you will be reaching a much bigger audience. More and more people today are turning to the World Wide Web for their latest dose of news. Logging online and searching for the news items that they are interested in is much easier and more convenient rather than waiting for the news report on BBC or CNN. Even these giant news corporations are maintaining and promoting their own websites to keep up with the online world. Imagine how many people you will reach if you become featured in a popular news website or engine.
Another advantage of writing optimized press releases is that it lets you track how much readership your news story is receiving. This is virtually impossible with newspapers. Even if you keep track of how many people purchase newspapers, there's a huge possibility that they're buying for the comics, the classified ads or even just to have a shelter from the rain!
The power of keywords
Just like in the optimization of any online content, keywords will play a major role in the optimization of your press release. You need to research which keywords are the most relevant to your business or news story. These keywords can range from single words to whole phrases. Once you have decided on the most relevant keyword for you, be sure to use this in the title of the press release. You can also use related phrases in the subtitle and throughout the entire body of the article as long as the text reads well. Never overdo this tactic as quality content matters more than artificially trying to trick the search engines.
Target human readership
Even though you are vying for a top position in the search engine results, this doesn't mean that you have to put all your effort into pleasing the spiders or other software that handles the positioning of the search results. Remember that you are, first and foremost, appealing to your readers. Create a press release that is newsworthy, informative and interesting and you can rest assured that your news story will gain online popularity in due course.
At PR Friend, you can learn all about how to promote your organization in a digital age. We offer a free press release posting service and other promotional advice. You can also sign up for our newsletter.
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Public Relations - Managing Your Business Reputation with PR

Whether you own a long-established business, one with a track record of growth and success, or you're just starting your first venture, your reputation within the community you operate - whether it's Main Street or in the e-commerce sphere - is a valuable asset. Building a reputation for quality takes time, but there's lots you can do to hasten the process and ensure that your hard-earned reputation is kept tarnish-free.
Business Transparency People (especially customers) don't like to be fooled. It makes them mad. And that means your reputation around town is going to suffer as clients or customers spread the bad word about your hidden fees or last-minute charge on the client's invoice. Be transparent in all activities - fee structure, services provided, statement of work (SOW), delivery dates - everything. And if a problem or setback does occur, be transparent with your client, explain the problem and how you plan to fix it.
Corporate Citizenship Your business is part of a community - a real community or a virtual, on-line community. Your reputation is tied strongly to how good a corporate citizen you are in all commercial spheres. There are lots of ways to demonstrate your corporate citizenship:
* sponsor a sports team in your community;
* donate time and money to local charities;
* maintain your storefront or office - even if it isn't your job!
* Contribute your thoughts and ideas. Write a column for the local newspaper on your area of expertise.
* Join the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.
All of these show prospects that you're a proud member of the local business community.
Warranties, Guarantees and Kept Promises Do you provide a guarantee for the services your company delivers? A guarantee of complete customer satisfaction? This one is a no brainer. Guarantees, warranties and such cost very little because few consumers ever take advantage of these promises.
One publisher in Colorado offered a 30-day, complete money-back guarantee. Each buyer could try a product before buying it - even if it was a book, a book that could be read in less than 30 days and returned for a full refund. This on-line business owner reports a less than 3% return rate and his guarantee keeps those orders coming in to more than offset that 3% rate.
Client Satisfaction After 40 years as an independent businessperson, I believe that client satisfaction is the number one key to business growth and long-term success - even if it costs you money.
If you're a retailer (I am) you know that all client requests are...well, let's say legitimate. I've had customers try to return items I don't even sell! So, yes, there are times when you just have to live with a dissatisfied client - one who's trying to rip you off.
However, these are the exceptions. Most customers don't want to fuss and hassle to have a satisfying buying experience so if there's a problem, in most cases it deserves to be fixed at your expense. Why?
Even if you lose a few dollars on the transaction, that happy customer will talk you up to neighbors and friends in the area, so maybe it cost you $40, but you better believe you'll get more than that in good word of mouth (WOM) advertising - the best advertising there is.
Conversely, if one of your customers or clients has a legitimate gripe that you opt to ignore, that one person becomes toxic, spreading bad reviews of your company's service - and that's the kind of reputation management you need to control.
The Business of Business Ethics If you run an ethical business, one that goes out of its way to provide services or goods to people at reasonable prices and on time, your reputation will grow both on Main Street and within the commercial realm of the web. News spreads fast today. How do you think Amazon.com keeps growing? Ethical, responsive customer service and complete transparency, down to offering lower-cost shipping options at Amazon's recommendation! That's business ethics.
Run your business honestly and fairly. Become a member of your town's business and public community. Offer and honor your warranties and absolutely ensure client satisfaction.
The Small Business Administration reports that 50% of all new business launches fail within five years. The record is even worse on-line with only 6% of new site launches delivering success to the owner after 12 months. The odds are NOT stacked in your favor.
However, don't let that stop you. If you run your business with client care and business reputation foremost in your daily activities, you can sure you'll be one of the success stories.
John M. Adams III is the owner of this site and has built many successful businesses both on- and off-line.
Article source.
Tags: reputation, pr, manage, business, public relations
Business Transparency People (especially customers) don't like to be fooled. It makes them mad. And that means your reputation around town is going to suffer as clients or customers spread the bad word about your hidden fees or last-minute charge on the client's invoice. Be transparent in all activities - fee structure, services provided, statement of work (SOW), delivery dates - everything. And if a problem or setback does occur, be transparent with your client, explain the problem and how you plan to fix it.
Corporate Citizenship Your business is part of a community - a real community or a virtual, on-line community. Your reputation is tied strongly to how good a corporate citizen you are in all commercial spheres. There are lots of ways to demonstrate your corporate citizenship:
* sponsor a sports team in your community;
* donate time and money to local charities;
* maintain your storefront or office - even if it isn't your job!
* Contribute your thoughts and ideas. Write a column for the local newspaper on your area of expertise.
* Join the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.
All of these show prospects that you're a proud member of the local business community.
Warranties, Guarantees and Kept Promises Do you provide a guarantee for the services your company delivers? A guarantee of complete customer satisfaction? This one is a no brainer. Guarantees, warranties and such cost very little because few consumers ever take advantage of these promises.
One publisher in Colorado offered a 30-day, complete money-back guarantee. Each buyer could try a product before buying it - even if it was a book, a book that could be read in less than 30 days and returned for a full refund. This on-line business owner reports a less than 3% return rate and his guarantee keeps those orders coming in to more than offset that 3% rate.
Client Satisfaction After 40 years as an independent businessperson, I believe that client satisfaction is the number one key to business growth and long-term success - even if it costs you money.
If you're a retailer (I am) you know that all client requests are...well, let's say legitimate. I've had customers try to return items I don't even sell! So, yes, there are times when you just have to live with a dissatisfied client - one who's trying to rip you off.
However, these are the exceptions. Most customers don't want to fuss and hassle to have a satisfying buying experience so if there's a problem, in most cases it deserves to be fixed at your expense. Why?
Even if you lose a few dollars on the transaction, that happy customer will talk you up to neighbors and friends in the area, so maybe it cost you $40, but you better believe you'll get more than that in good word of mouth (WOM) advertising - the best advertising there is.
Conversely, if one of your customers or clients has a legitimate gripe that you opt to ignore, that one person becomes toxic, spreading bad reviews of your company's service - and that's the kind of reputation management you need to control.
The Business of Business Ethics If you run an ethical business, one that goes out of its way to provide services or goods to people at reasonable prices and on time, your reputation will grow both on Main Street and within the commercial realm of the web. News spreads fast today. How do you think Amazon.com keeps growing? Ethical, responsive customer service and complete transparency, down to offering lower-cost shipping options at Amazon's recommendation! That's business ethics.
Run your business honestly and fairly. Become a member of your town's business and public community. Offer and honor your warranties and absolutely ensure client satisfaction.
The Small Business Administration reports that 50% of all new business launches fail within five years. The record is even worse on-line with only 6% of new site launches delivering success to the owner after 12 months. The odds are NOT stacked in your favor.
However, don't let that stop you. If you run your business with client care and business reputation foremost in your daily activities, you can sure you'll be one of the success stories.
John M. Adams III is the owner of this site and has built many successful businesses both on- and off-line.
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PR Tips: 35 Ways To Leverage Your Next Media Appearance
PICTURE THIS: you just secured an interview on the local news station. Or in your town's daily paper. Or on CNN. Or in a trade publication. Or on the local morning radio show.Congratulations!
Now all you have to do is remember ONE word.
L-E-V-E-R-A-G-E!!
See, without leverage, your interview may as well have never happened.
Because being That Guy is about repeated impressions.
It's about credibility.
It's about staying in front of people.
It's about getting the maximum mileage out of your media appearances.
Otherwise, you may as well just be winking in the dark!
For example, let's say you did a three-minute interview on your local radio station.
You'd want to ask yourself three questions:
1. How many people tuned it?
2. How many people missed it?
3. What can I do to keep that appearance alive?
And that's the challenge: keeping it alive. Leveraging your interview in as many ways as possible.
Now, how do I know all of this?
Because I've done hundreds of them.
Big AND small.
CNN, 20/20, COSMO, WSJ, USA TODAY, The Today Show...
Local news, Internet radio stations, random TV shows watched by 13 viewers...
I've done them all. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's how to leverage a media appearance.
Here's a list offers 39 ways to do so.
(NOTE: not all of these ideas are applicable to every type of appearance. Some are more conducive to TV, radio, print and the like. Pick the ones that work best for you...)
BEFORE YOUR APPEARANCE
1. Ezine. At least a week in advance, tell everyone on your mailing list to tune in. To keep their eyes open. Remind them to set their Tivos, check the magazine racks and (not) to change that dial!
2. Text. Most cell phones have a feature that enables you to send a mass-text. This is a great way to save time AND contact a large group of people whose emails you might not have.
3. Call. When I was on 20/20, I physically called every single person in my cell phone. Probably about 150 numbers. (It took about two days. Mostly, I just left messages.) This technique is a great way to spread the word to your closest friends, who will gladly help build buzz around your appearance.
4. Email. Personally email clients, prospects, friends, family members and other people with big mouths. If you have a link ahead of time, send that for their reference. Make it SUPER easy for them to tune in so they don't miss anything.
5. Blog. Make an official announcement on your blog. Think of it as a press release. Make your headline pithy, catchy and detailed enough so that 6 months from now, a total stranger could read your headline and know EXACTLY what to expect.
6. Teaser. At the end of every blog post up until the day your piece airs, include a teaser or a countdown as your signature line. For example, "Watch Sandy on Channel 9 News Next Week!" or "Only 17 more days until Mark's Oprah Appearance!" Get people excited! REMEMBER: you're kind of a big deal.
7. Schedule. If you have a tour or appearance schedule on your website, include your media spot as one of the dates. For example, "January 13th, 2007: Hear Mark's Spot on K-ROCK FM!"
DAY OF YOUR APPEARANCE
8. Blog. When your spot airs (or the publication issue hits the racks), tell everyone! Encourage people not only to tune in, but also to do so with friends. Tell them to have listening parties! In fact, if you're going to appear on a major media outlet, have a party yourself!
9. Media Accessibility. Whether or not you do your interview LIVE, be sure to be accessible on the day of. Media outlets LOVE to tune into each other. Springboard interviews often come about; as do emails, phone calls, instant messages and the like. Be ready! Leverage is about being able to answer the phone five minutes after your TV spot and say, "Sure, Oprah, let me just check my calendar."
10. Customer Accessibility. In addition to the media, potential customers will (hopefully) be calling and emailing soon after they hear about you. Be ready! Leverage is about being able to answer the phone five minutes after your TV spot and say, "Yes, that was me you saw on the news! Sure, I'd love to take an order. 20,000 units? No problem!"
DAY AFTER YOUR MEDIA APPEARANCE
11. Web. On your blog or website, post a screen shot of the website you were on. Scan a copy of the article. Take an actual picture of the television screen with your mug on it. PROVE to people that you were, in fact, in the news. People need proof.
12. Accessibility. Although #9 and #10 already addressed this issue, it's worth repeating. Be accessible the day after for the people who might not have seen, heard or read your interview the day of. (Same goes for interviews on weekends: be ready the WEEK after too. Patience, grasshopper. They'll call.)
ANY TIME AFTER YOUR APPEARANCE FOR THE REST OF YOUR CAREER
13. Images. The pictures you captured from #9 can be used as slides in your PowerPoint presentation. Builds credibility with your audience.
14. Signature. At the end of every blog post (for the next month or so), link to your original "day of" blog post. Include an image of the media outlet's logo or a screen shot to offer proof and get readers excited. (See the bottom of this blog post for a great example.)
15. Schedule. Be sure to keep your announcement on the "Past Events" or "Past Appearances" page of your website. Five years from now, somebody could accidentally come across it and say, "Wow! Randy was on Fox News? Cool! I think I'll hire him now."
16. Cross Sell. In future interviews, speeches, conversations and writings, reference it. Causally say, "When I did a spot on Channel 5," or "During my interview with Oprah, I learned..." Don't be shy. You deserve it.
17. Intro. Next time you give a speech, mention your appearance in your introduction.
18. Bio. Add the appearance to your bio sheet.
19. About. Add the appearance to the "About" page on your website. If you did a TV or radio spot, be sure to have your clip viewable, listenable and downloadable.
20. Author. If you're an author, include your media appearances in the "About the Author" page of your books.
21. Materials. Add the appearance to your brochure, one-sheet or other marketing materials.
22. Article. Add the appearance to the bio box or byline at the end of your articles. (You DO write articles regularly, don't you?)
23. Post. If you did a spot on TV, call a clipping service, pay $70 and get a copy of your interview THE NEXT DAY. First, post the video on YouTube. Then, use the tags to embed that video on every other website/blog you have.
24. Mass Email. In your next ezine or newsletter, tell people they can watch/read/listen to your recent spot on your website.
25. Personal Email. Send personal emails to clients and especially hot prospects. For example, "Hey Cheri! Not sure if you read the article in the business journal, but here's the link just in case. Enjoy!" Don't sell. Just send the article, let them read it, then wait for them to buy. It works.
26. Tear Sheet. If you did a print piece, get a reprint or really nice copy of it and make it into its own marketing piece. Add it to your media page and press kit.
27. Trade Shows. Take your tear sheet to your next trade show. Give copies to everyone! Make a cardboard cutout of the article. If it's video, make sure every single person who passes by your booth watches it.
28. Direct Mail. Turn that tear sheet into a one-page direct mail sheet. Send it to prospects, friends, colleagues and other people who know you.
29. Enshrine. Frame the clip or picture of your appearance. Post it in the lobby of your office or on the front door of your store. Make sure every single person who walks in the door sees it. YOUR GOAL: by the time a potential customers comes to your office, she's already seen proof from a third-party that your company ROCKS. Think Zagat.
30. TV. If you have several clips of video from various appearances, create a montage and make it part of your inner-company closed circuit or lobby TV.
31. Walls. Get a copy of the magazine cover or newspaper article, frame it and stick it on the wall of your office. Every time you look at it, it will serve as a reminder to stay in the media regularly AND to leverage those appearances.
32. Sticker. It's all about the sticker. On your website, book covers and storefronts, you MUST enshrine. Read how to do this here.
33. Reference. Write subsequent articles and blog posts that expand on the topic you addressed in your interview. Reference the interview during the piece. Include link to actual interview at the end.
34. Card. Turn your appearance into a Holiday Card.
35. WOM. Have your girlfriend tell everyone she knows. Then tell everyone in your family. Best word of mouth ever.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
Are you leveraging that interview?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
For the list called, "46 Marketing Mistakes Your Company Is (Probably) Making," send an email to me, and I'll send you the list for free!
© 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg, aka "The Nametag Guy," is an author, speaker, award-winning blogger and entrepreneur. As the creator of NametagTV.com, he teaches people how to GET noticed, GET remembered and GET business.
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Tags: pr, leverage, media, appearance, publicity
Music Public Relations PR
Music PR and Public Relations Guide - Coming Spring 2009Links to this post |
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Private Equity Public Relations PR
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Beauty Public Relations
Beauty Public Relations - 1 Page GuideLinks to this post |
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Public Relations Campaigns
Public Relations Campaigns - A 1 Page Guide to Managing One coming in Spring of 2009Effective Public Relations
Effective Public Relations - What makes public relations efforts effective vs. a waste of time? The answer coming in Spring of 2009.Internet Public Relations
Internet Public Relations DefinitionLinks to this post |
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Hotel Public Relations
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Non Profit Public Relations
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Non-Profit Public Relations
Online PR - Using Press Release Sites
Press releases are designed to provide exposure for a company or organization. They are written either for the media to adapt or to interest your potential customers directly. It helps if they are already crafted in such a way that they are ready for publication. In many instances, the press will run press releases without making any modifications on the original content, so you want to make sure that your material already contains all the information that you want to relay and in a format ready for publication.If you're a novice at writing press releases, looking up examples of press releases will help you with how to craft your own release. Try to keep your content interesting but impartial. You want to come across as an authority in your field.
You can find samples of press releases all over the Internet. There are websites that were created mainly to help users learn how to write these materials properly so they usually contain templates and formatting instructions that you can follow. Take note that a press release has to follow a standard format so you need to take the time to learn about this pattern before you go about writing your first press release.
Press release submission sites usually also offer you sample press releases which you can use as a basis for your own material. It's best if you study press releases that were produced by companies or organizations that are somehow related or similar to your own. This way, you'll have a good idea of how to go about relaying your information to your readers. But your press release should be unique, of course.
PS If your press release is contains original content, you can post it at Fast Press Releaser or Quality Press Releaser
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Tags: online, pr, press, sites, press release
You can find samples of press releases all over the Internet. There are websites that were created mainly to help users learn how to write these materials properly so they usually contain templates and formatting instructions that you can follow. Take note that a press release has to follow a standard format so you need to take the time to learn about this pattern before you go about writing your first press release.
Press release submission sites usually also offer you sample press releases which you can use as a basis for your own material. It's best if you study press releases that were produced by companies or organizations that are somehow related or similar to your own. This way, you'll have a good idea of how to go about relaying your information to your readers. But your press release should be unique, of course.
PS If your press release is contains original content, you can post it at Fast Press Releaser or Quality Press Releaser
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Tags: online, pr, press, sites, press release
Online PR: Another Google Service to Enhance Your PR Services
I wanted to share another affordable (free) tool that I use that rivals the services used by major networks and corporations. Google Documents has a Spreadsheet feature that also allows you to create a form which can be hosted online. Prior to this discovery, I had to use paid services to create online forms for a variety of purposes, including online media credential processing.Google's Spreadsheet function can provide almost all of the items needed to create and manage an online media credential system. Having worked with major networks during awards season, I've had the opportunity to see how seamless this process can be if you cut down on the paper trail by managing as much as possible online. Seriously, who wants to be bothered with retrieval credential applications over faxes when you can receive email notifications and have an online management system in place. Another pro for this type of system is that a publicist doesn't have to decipher the chicken scratch of the media on an application if they are required to complete a media application by hand writing their request. An online process eliminates spelling errors in email addresses and properly identifies the media outlets.
How it works...
1) When you open the Google Documents Spreadsheet function, select Create a form.
2) When the new window opens, begin entering all of the questions that you would have on your traditional media credential application, then save it under a file name.
3) Once you have completed all of the questions and saved the name, you'll have the option to either embed the html code somewhere for online hosting or you can use the link to email to those that should be completing the application.
4) Then as press complete the online form, the information will be exported in to an online spreadsheet hosted under your Google Documents account. And if you set up the spreadsheet to send you (and people that you've selected) a notification, each time a new form is completed, an email notification will be sent to the proper recipients with a link to view the spreadsheet online. Also notifications will be sent via email anytime you make changes directly to the spreadsheet.
The only thing that this feature doesn't provide (yet) that most of the expensive online form processing (credential processing) services provide is the ability to upload files. For example, if you have an event that you require the credentials request to submit photos or files like stories or media kits, they would have to email those items to you separately. However, considering how the form feature (offered by Google) is free, I'm not too terribly sad about not having the file uploading feature.
Try it out yourself, and leave a comment letting us know what you think.
Sure, there are blogs about PR, then there are blogs FOR the pros in PR. Flack Me is where the best of the best in Public Relations come to get their read on. Visit this site
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Tags: online, google, service, pr, enhance
PR - The Reach of Online Press Releases Service

The Modern Press Release Goes Beyond Geographical Boundaries
Press releases were originally for the sole purpose of relaying updates and other pertinent information to the media about a company or organization. They served as some sort of personal correspondence between the media and a company. In the perfect world, the press release is designed to be publicized through the media so that people would learn about your product or service if the media chose to run your story.
But in the not-so-perfect world, the traditional press release has a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the paper shredder in various news organizations. It all depends on the editor's judgement and his or her idea of newsworthy information. So in the past, releasing these materials to the press was always likely to result in no take-up of the message that you were trying to convey.
These days, however, the press release takes on another purpose and is redefined by the increased accessibility of online media. In recent years, the press release has gone online - just like other marketing tools - and is now made open for mass readership. They are no longer limited to the people in the media. Anyone who is interested in a company or industry can access your press release directly through distribution sites and news release sites.
But what has defined the newfound role of the press release is the fact that it rides on the pervasiveness of the Internet, the medium through which it is distributed. Over the past decade, cyberspace has continued to accommodate more users. People are starting to appreciate the convenience of getting everything that they need with just a click of the mouse. You don't go to the newspaper to find out what is new about a company but to blogs and other resources. Under Web 2.0, everyone can have their say about a product or service, not just journalists. Going online is your first port of call nowadays and you start by searching for what you are looking for. And how convenient if the first thing you read is a nicely constructed press release leading back to the organizations website!
This is a practice that is common to many internet users. The medium is an information resource so a person in Hongkong looking for information on X Company may end up looking at the same page as somebody else located in Paris. Unlike its traditional counterpart, the online press release is capable of disseminating information beyond the boundaries of the company's geographical location.
Online press releases have greatly benefited from the wider reach of the Internet. They are not anymore limited to providing information for people within the organization's locality. They are now designed to cater to mass audiences located in any part of the world. So long as these people share the same interest, the online press release is accessible regardless of where they are in the world. This makes it easier for various companies to offer their products and services to a wider clientele as well. You don't need to be based in the United States to tap into that market. All you need to do is start on your press release marketing campaign.
Submit your unique press release on sites such as Fast Press Releaser or Press Release Home. An informative and unique press release placed on a reputable site will enhance your reputation in your area of expertise.
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Tags: pr, online, press, release, service, publicity
Press releases were originally for the sole purpose of relaying updates and other pertinent information to the media about a company or organization. They served as some sort of personal correspondence between the media and a company. In the perfect world, the press release is designed to be publicized through the media so that people would learn about your product or service if the media chose to run your story.
But in the not-so-perfect world, the traditional press release has a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the paper shredder in various news organizations. It all depends on the editor's judgement and his or her idea of newsworthy information. So in the past, releasing these materials to the press was always likely to result in no take-up of the message that you were trying to convey.
These days, however, the press release takes on another purpose and is redefined by the increased accessibility of online media. In recent years, the press release has gone online - just like other marketing tools - and is now made open for mass readership. They are no longer limited to the people in the media. Anyone who is interested in a company or industry can access your press release directly through distribution sites and news release sites.
But what has defined the newfound role of the press release is the fact that it rides on the pervasiveness of the Internet, the medium through which it is distributed. Over the past decade, cyberspace has continued to accommodate more users. People are starting to appreciate the convenience of getting everything that they need with just a click of the mouse. You don't go to the newspaper to find out what is new about a company but to blogs and other resources. Under Web 2.0, everyone can have their say about a product or service, not just journalists. Going online is your first port of call nowadays and you start by searching for what you are looking for. And how convenient if the first thing you read is a nicely constructed press release leading back to the organizations website!
This is a practice that is common to many internet users. The medium is an information resource so a person in Hongkong looking for information on X Company may end up looking at the same page as somebody else located in Paris. Unlike its traditional counterpart, the online press release is capable of disseminating information beyond the boundaries of the company's geographical location.
Online press releases have greatly benefited from the wider reach of the Internet. They are not anymore limited to providing information for people within the organization's locality. They are now designed to cater to mass audiences located in any part of the world. So long as these people share the same interest, the online press release is accessible regardless of where they are in the world. This makes it easier for various companies to offer their products and services to a wider clientele as well. You don't need to be based in the United States to tap into that market. All you need to do is start on your press release marketing campaign.
Submit your unique press release on sites such as Fast Press Releaser or Press Release Home. An informative and unique press release placed on a reputable site will enhance your reputation in your area of expertise.
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Tags: pr, online, press, release, service, publicity
Online Campaign - Using PR To Save A Child
In Africa, 3,000 children a day die from Malaria. This is a terrible crisis! If there were a way you, the average person could do something to help make a difference, would you chose to do so? Well, there is such a way. One health and wellness company, in partnership with the Save A Child campaign is doing something wonderful. In numerous clinical tests, Colloidal Silver Solution has proven to be effective against the parasite that causes this deadly disease. It has been tested in clinics in Ghana, West Africa and it works. Children are being cured and lives are being saved!This company has decided to take a proactive stance in the fight for the lives and the health of these children, to work to bring an end to the death toll caused by this maleficent killer. For every 4 ounce bottle of Colloidal Silver Solution purchased to be sent to Africa to treat the children, the company will match it with an additional bottle, so that two bottles are sent with each order. I'm proud to support any organization that truly has a heart for people, especially children. Malaria is not only a crisis in Africa, but in much of the world. All nations within 40 degrees north and south of the equator are now at risk. This Save A Child campaign will be expanded to other nations as well, in the near future.
Anyone reading this article can become part of this life saving work. All you have to do is click on the Save A Child link below in my signature file. Next click on the products tab, then click on the Save A Child link there, and place your order. It will cost you $15.00 if you want a T-Shirt and $10.00 if you don't. This company makes zero profit from any Save A Child order. Their only motive is to fight for the lives of innocent children who have done nothing to deserve such a terrible fate. Will you join them in this fight? I hope you will.
Mitch Hayes is a successful home business Entrepreneur. Additionally, Mr. Hayes has more than 30 years experience as a Critical Care Pediatric Respiratory Therapist. He has a heart for the health and well being of children everywhere. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of these children, please click this link to Save A Child and follow the instructions in the article above. About Mitch Hayes
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Tags: online, campaign, pr, save, public relations
Public Relations Book
Public Relations BookLinks to this post |
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PR Book,
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Top Public Relations Firms
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Public Relations Chicago, IL | Illinois PR | One Page Guide
One page guide to Public Relations in Chicago, ILLinks to this post |
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Importance of Public Relations
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