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PR Tagged Articles

The Importance of Differentiating
When you differentiate yourself, your product or service, you lose a lot of concern over competition. Why? Because when you do it right and define how your company or product is different, and the value that's perceived about you, you have a strength you can build on. You're different.

Where's your Media Kit?
I'm sure you've heard the term "media kit" before. It's something the big companies all seem to have. And it seems that it's something only they need. Not so!

Marketing in Tough Economic Times
Marketing And PR Are Often The First To Go When Times Get Tough; Does This Make Sense?

Public Relations Is Not Just For PR Pros
Good public relations involves the participation of everyone in an organization – from the guard downstairs to the CEO. Instilling a sense of public relations consciousness in employees’ should be a primary goal of all organizations. Today many firms train all their employees in public relations basics to make the entire organization PR savvy.

The Magic and Mystique of Branding
Think your company or organization is too small to establish and promote your brand? Think again. Even small companies, that serve narrow audiences, can benefit from creating and promoting a brand identity.

Advertising, Marketing and PR: What's the Difference?
Sure, They Are Related ... But Each Serves a Different Function

Good Public Relations is More Than A Good News Release
People too often believe that public relations is only for a mass audience. Not so. Good public relations starts with one-on-one relationships.

In Praise of Press Releases - A Frank Discussion on Form And Function
There is no disputing the power of a well-written, newsworthy press release. In fact, it is one of the single best things you can do for your business.

News is a Four-Letter Word
Press release writing can be a bit daunting at first, but it is certainly a skill that can be mastered. Armed with the proper tools and a bit of patience, you can be crafting your own killer press releases in relatively short order.

Making Headlines: Passing the Publicity Litmus Test
You think your press release is perfection…but you may be a bit biased. At this point you essentially have two options: send it blindly, or give it what I like to call the “publicity litmus test.” And don’t worry, there is no chemistry involved!

What is Your PR IQ- Part 1
Most people assume they understand the inner workings of launching a successful PR campaign. In fact, few do. With that in mind, the following are some tips that can hopefully increase your P.R. IQ.

Can you do PR without talking to Journalists?
For me, PR always has been (and probably still is) the hardest part of marketing Exceptional Thinking. Why? Because it involves picking up the phone and talking to journalists. Now, I’m sure they’re lovely people, but in my head, they’ve got three heads, sharp fangs and would happily eat me for breakfast. And that’s why I personally don’t like calling them.

How to Propel Your Invention, Startup or New Business with Publicity
There’s ONE thing that propels most business. What is it? Publicity-PR! It’s the one common theme that runs through the history of all great companies. Publicist Scott Lorenz says, “If you want to get your company on the radar then put PR in your plan.”

A Customer Centric Marketing Budget!
Take your marketing dollars and define what you are willing to spend to get a customer to know you, like you, trust you, etc. The easiest way to start is to use your past six months. I think it might be quite alarming to see where the money has been spent.

How to create an Online Press Room for Your Business

Your Press Room site should be an important component of your PR, sales and marketing plans. Unlike your staff, your online press room is open and working for you 24/7. Editors and writers often work late at night, on the weekends and holidays when your PR and marketing teams are not available. Your web site and its press room have to be able to provide all the info needed. Over my 25-year career as a journalist and PR consultant, I have seen many sites that just did not work for the press. Wearing my writer hat, I have experienced too many sites that made me turn away in frustration, unable to find the information that I needed.

Secrets of Marketing - Three Reasons to Use News Announcements to Promote Your Business

Three Great Reasons to Use Press releases to Promote Your Business and Web Site Press releases and news announcements serve many different functions in addition to being source material for journalists to write about. Yes, it is good to have BIG news that will motivate a writer, editor or journalist to write about your company, product or service, but that is no longer the only reason to create a press release. You don't need big news just a good hook.

10 rules for writing an effective press release
How to write an effective press release.

Social Media, Marketing and the ROI Dilemma

Unlike Google, which serves as a basic search engine, Facbook, Twitter and other social media sites have markedly different formats and face very different marketing challenges. Originally developed for friends and acquaintances to interact, the posting and images on social media sites can often be confrontational, controversial and at times obscene. The very quality that makes social media sites so attractive, the free flow of content, is precisely what makes advertisers so very cautious.

The Secret to Successful Inbound Marketing
Unlike traditional marketing that uses an advertising outreach; inbound marketing has to do with creating content, building trust, relationships and credibility. According to studies customers are five times more likely to purchase a product they found via an organic search then they are from a banner advertisement. But there is one vital ingredient that most inbound marketing campaigns miss.

Get the LinkedIn advantage

Unlike Facebook and Twitter where you can mix personal with professional, LinkedIn is specifically for business and professionals. There are over 25 million registered users from virtually every industry and profession. LinkedIn is a non intrusive way of staying in touch with business contacts. And even better, it's an easy entry point for small businesses looking to get into social media because doesn't take much time and it's pretty easy to use.

So what is PR anyway
Public Relations is all about effective communication. It helps establish and maintain mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance and cooperation between an organisation and its target audience.

November 2009 Google Page Rank and Algorithm Update
Google’s latest algorithm and Page Rank update for November 2009 has major changes in store for webmasters. Fresh, original, updated website content is a key factor to increasing page rank and search engine rankings.

Social marketing is no replacement for creative, strategic marketing
Marketing and public relations is all about getting attention. But how do you get the attention you deserve when there are so many others competing for air time, print and internet space? Technology can be both the problem and the solution. It's a matter of getting back to basics.

Social marketing is no replacement for creative, strategic marketing
Marketing and public relations is all about getting attention. But how do you get the attention you deserve when there are so many others competing for air time, print and internet space? Technology can be both the problem and the solution. It's a matter of getting back to basics.

Your Public Relations is Showing
PR is more than sending out your messages through the media. It entails every contact you have with the public, and many you might not even realize.

Why You Should Enter Awards

Winning a business or industry award provides independent recognition of your expertise and success. And if promoted well, it allows you to stand out from your competitors. Reasons why organisations should enter awards include the opportunity to raise the profile of the company, demonstrate you are well-run and successful, attract media coverage, increase the company's appeal to potential investors and be seen as a good employer, which can help attract top flight staff. Winning is also a fantastic morale booster for everyone and sometimes provides a valuable prize.

How to be a Talking Head
The media has transformed from a one-way communications mechanism to a forum for multiple-way conversations. Those who participate in the conversation are viewed as leaders in their industry, but how do you get involved in the conversation?

Three Techniques for Generating Publicity for Your Business
The key to getting publicity for your company is to develop and implement a sound public relations plan that focuses on activities designed to attract positive media attention to the activities of your business. Learn how to spread the word without breaking the bank.

Style, Grammar, Spelling and All That Other Fun Stuff
Remember, content is just one part of your release. The form, look, and style is every bit as important.

How to Find Your Customer Base & Successfully Market to Them

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a business owner is to not clearly define your target market. You may indeed have the best product or service out there, but if you're pitching the wrong target audience, it's not going to work. Define your market and develop a marketing plan to effectively reach your customers or prospects. Once you’ve successfully accomplished those two steps, you’re in the business of growing your business. Here are tips to find your competition.

Creating a Marketing Success Strategy for Your Book

Whether you’re a self-published, first-time author or a writer who’s landed multi-book deals with a major publisher, the truth is your job’s just starting. Whether you’re self publishing or going with a traditional publisher, assume that all of the responsibility for securing media coverage for your book rests firmly on your shoulders. The good news is if you utilize traditional PR, and various forms of online media including blogging and social media, you can create interest, start a buzz and develop a fan base and – sell books!

How to Use PR to Launch Your Independent Film

The film world has been going through seismic changes. The studios are creating urgency through marketing that all but forces the public to consume. So, why not take a page from their playbook? You can’t compete with them budget-wise, but you can jump into the game with creativity, savvy and some marketing know-how. PR can help build an audience, attract investors, interest distributors and position you and your film to succeed.

7 Concepts the Media Loves
Even if your media attempts have been less than desirable, don’t despair, there are several proven ways to catch the media’s eye and undivided attention.

10 Public Relation No-No’s
If you are going to get involved with Public Relations, then it’s smart to understand some of the rules surrounding the industry.

YOU INVENTED IT. NOW WHAT?
Here is a how to turn an invention into a successful business. In this case, I invented a way train and encourage over eaters to slow down, smell the flowers and eat less, which could make a big dent in America's growing obesity problem and (Mr. Obama, are the listening?) might even help to reduce the cost of healthcare.

Finding the Right PR/Marketing Firm
Not all PR/marketing firms are created equal. Certainly, not all are a good fit for your organization. That's why sometimes it makes sense to get professional help when doing an agency search.

Beware of Hidden Costs of Hiring a PR Firm
Public relations firms bill in many different ways. However, the billing practices of some are not as transparent as they should be.

The Truth About Social Media
Social Media -- what is it and what role does it play in the marketing mix? Is it the future of marketing or a fad? How is it used and why is everyone talking about it?

How To Pick A PR Firm
Okay so you're good at what you do. Your business is ready for prime time exposure. So how do you pick the right PR firm? What questions should you ask? And what are the right answers you should be hearing? Here's a method you can use to go about the process of finding and then retaining the right PR firm.

Are You Ready For Prime Time TV?

While today the Internet has opened many new pathways for entrepreneus to get their story out, television is still one of the most powerful and particularly national TV the most influential of all media. So here's how you can be at your best when the TV opportunity presents itself. Follow these media training tips from some of the country's leading authorities and you'll not only do well, but you might even be invited back.

Do Publicity Stunts Work? As Sarah would say, 'You Betcha!'
Publicists have long put a human face on a story. Hollywood celebrities promote causes. Victims flee hurricanes. President Roosevelt once dispatched photographers to take compelling pictures of victims of the dust bowl of the 1930's to evoke sympathy for them. When orchestrated right, stunts can be powerful media exposure generators.

Want a career in PR?
Five points to consider if you want to develop a successful career in public relations (PR).

WHEN ECONOMY GETS TOUGH, PR GETS GOING
Getting a message out through PR is a lot more cost effective brand building than advertising, but sometimes it takes a recession to prove it. Today PR firms are out maneuvering, out-gunning ad agencies by doing more for less.

For Something To Change, You Need to Change!
Have you heard the expression: “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting!”? To expect different results is the definition of insanity. For our business to grow, there are times when we must stop, review, assess and make some changes.

Are Entrepreneurs Trading When They Should Be Investing In PR?
Pulling the Plug After Only 30 Days! How About 24 Hours?

How to Make Your Special Event Truly Special
Whether a nonprofit trying to raise funds or a commercial enterprise that wants to impress clients and customers, there is a right and a wrong way to put on a special event. If you're going to the trouble and expense of a special event, make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

PR Starts with a PR Plan
When embarking on a PR/marketing campaign, it is critical that you first start with a plan. Achieving goals and objectives is what PR is all about, and you need to clarify what your goals and objectives are so you know the plan is working. Here is how to do a PR plan.

Airline Media Publicity: Don’t Get Scammed

Getting publicity in the airlines magazines can be a great way to reach an affluent audience of business leaders, sales executives and professionals. Unfortunately, several companies prey on unsuspecting small businesses by offering them pie-in-the-sky offers for publicity that rarely yield tangible results. This article will show you how to separate the wheat from the chaff so you get the best publicity you can for your investment.

Get the Most Attention from Your Publicity
What Are You Doing With Your Great Publicity? If an article is printed in a newspaper or blog and no one reads it, does it make any noise? Yes, that is a hypothetical question based on the age-old line of “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it…” but there is a lot of similarity between the two ideas.

Customer Service Tips: How Not to Provide Service

Imagine my surprise when I read the flyer in my mailbox from the US Postal Service that suggested I install a new mailbox, at my expense, at the end of the cul de sac so “we can serve you better.” As far as I can tell, the only one who benefits from this is the USPS because they can batch process 10 houses (if my neighbors do this) in less time than it takes for them to drive to each house. While I can see the benefit to the USPS – faster time, less travel and less gas, I fail to see how this helps me.

Get Quoted in Major Media Sites with Surveys
Surveys are a great way for consultants and small businesses to get publicity. Why? Because reporters love numbers!

Is Old Media Relevant?
Is Old Media still relevant in today’s social media world in terms of getting publicity that helps you make sales? You bet. While it is great to get mentioned on blogs and social media sites, Old Media or Mainstream Media is still the place to be to get results. Here are 5 reasons to include Old Media in your publicity and marketing campaigns:

THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
Inventors provide the stuff that makes news, creates jobs, grows our economy, keeps America strong and makes publists like me happy and in business.

The Road to Good PR
Good PR is such an elusive process that many organizations have either a limited understanding or a total misunderstanding of what it is and how to get it. How can you get something, when you don’t know what you are trying to get? Hopefully this article will help clear the air as to what good PR is and how to get there.

Se Habla Espanol is One of the Most Powerful Marketing Statements You Can Make
If you don't speak Spanish today, it's impossible to fully serve your clients. And if you're in Florida or New York, some Portuguese will help too.

Is Having Your Ad Agency Also Doing Your PR a Good Idea?
Some companies today are looking to save budget by combining advertising and PR at one agency, but while it can save money, it often doesn't work as effectively and might even backfire.

THAT SLOW-ECONOMY-PROOF BUSINESS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
While economy is in the doldrums,PR may be the perfect business to be in.

You Think Editors Have Time To Read?
Even though you may be sending your release to a magazine editor, the ironic truth is that editor has no time to read. If you send a four-or-five-page release, no matter how impeccable it looks or how perfect the grammar or form is - no one's going to want, or have the time, to read it.

Why Physicians Need PR

Physicians, more than most professionals, need to be aware of how they are perceived by the public. A personâ€™s health is his or her most valuable asset, and to most there is nothing more important than picking the right healthcare practitioner. No one wants to put their health in the hands of someone they donâ€™t trust. This is one reason why (in the health and medical world) although advertising and direct mail promotions can be successful, they can also backfire. A prospective patient does not chose a physician, healthcare provider, or a hospital, the same way he or she chooses a new Smartphone or a new set of tires. Patients want to see someone they trust, someone they feel is the best in the field, and thatâ€™s why a well planned public relations campaign is so very important to building a medical practice.

Social Media Small Business Crash Course: Part 1

The trouble is that although most business owners and entrepreneurs know that blogging and social media are essential marketing tools, thatâ€™s often where things stop. In this and upcoming articles, Iâ€™ll be doing a quick overview of points to consider when implementing a social media campaign. The first thing to keep in mind is that any social media campaign is greatly enhanced with the addition of a strategic, well targeted public relations effort. Appearing in the media gives you, your business, and/or your product and validation and credibility of being featured in the news, and gives you interesting topics to post, Tweet and share. Each site is different and has a unique focus and audience. For now letâ€™s look at Twitter.

Developing A Successful Social Media Approach

Facebook hit the 500 million mark in July, 2010. If Facebook were a country, it would rank third, behind the Peopleâ€™s Republic of China and India and around 190 million ahead of the United States. Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube are growing at a steady pace. So, whereas itâ€™s clear that social media is a major force in the world of marketing and communications, it still can be a daunting task to figure out exactly how to effectively utilize these various sites. Itâ€™s often the case that a company spends more time working on a social media campaign than benefitting from it.

Writing a Book? Here Are Some Things To Consider About Marketing It
You thought writing a book was hard? Wait, the much harder part comes when it's time to market it, so you want to make sure you've got a good book publicist who knows what to do. Here are some marketing tips for making your book a best seller.

Can PR Produce Miracles? Maybe!
It's a question Christians ask themselves every Christmas: How to keep Christ in Christmas? And some have turned to PR for answers.

DNA BRANDS INC., F/K/A/ DNA Beverage Corporation Fires up 'Start Your Engines' Publicity Program
When 'great tast' is in your DNA, you want to blast that message out to the beverage world

Piudali, an Organic Skin Care Line From the Amazon, expands to the U.S.
Entrepreneurship from the Amazon? Here comes Piudale.

Why So Many PR Consultants Fail
Some organizations dispose of PR consultants like they dispose used plastic bags. And who can blame them? Too many PR consultants fail in their representation of organizations because they simply won’t take the time or invest the energy to learn their industry. However, understanding a client’s industry is the key to successful PR.

5 Ways to Know if Your Marketing/PR Firm is Doing its Job
Creating and implementing a marketing/PR campaign is not that difficult. Creating and implementing one that actually achieve results is another matter. But how do you assess and evaluate how effective your marketing campaign is? Here are some tips to help you measure effectiveness.

It's not about who you know...

For years smart people have been saying "It's not about what you know, it's about WHO you know!" Well, I'm here to disagree. I know lots of people that have absolutely no value to my business. How much is my favorite grocery clerk going to help my business? What about the lawn service that cuts my grass, or the staff at the local Kinko's? Yeah, I know, they MIGHT be able to make a referral some day. And the worlds is going to be destroyed by a global nuclear war. And I'm not waiting around for either. Personally, I don't think who you know is nearly as important as who knows you. If you want to make change happen and move mountains of bureaucratic crap that make us all a bit crazy, making sure others know you is where you need to focus.

The World Wide Web doesn’t shut down for a Christmas break so should you?

Everybody who celebrates Christmas likes to have a rest and many companies shut down for a few days, giving staff a well earned break. Certain industries, such as retail, have never been able to afford that luxury and with the advent of the digital age, online PR, social media engagement and search engine optimisation, a leading UK agency suggests no business should cease all communication for days on end, even if it is a holiday. If staff are able to spare just fifteen minutes per day during their time off it could make a big difference to your business - here are some scheduling tips to follow.

Using PR to Build a Beauty Business

Even in a down economy beauty sells. The cosmetic industry was born in the Great Depression. This is one industry where it pays to promote when things are good, but pays even more to market aggressively when times are tough. As in the fields of entertainment and fashion, a strong public relations campaign is critical when it comes to establishing a beauty product or cosmetic brand. If you develop a good marketing and PR strategy, it will pay off for you in a big way. Not only will it sell products and grow your customer base, it will establish your products, build your brand and grow your company.

You Never Know Whos Watching Listening or Reading
What makes media relations so fascinating is the unexpected. It can result in totally surprising and unanticipated benefits.

Yes You Do Need more Media Training
Studies show that 93 percent of what an audience reacts to has to do with the messenger, and only 7 percent has to do with the message itself.

Working With Your Media Relations Firm Realistic Expectations and Avoiding Misconceptions
You've hired a firm and are excited, but anxious. You've paid them the first month's retainer fee in advance. You've signed a letter of agreement, and now you're committed. What if they don't do their job? What if they're just smoke and mirrors? What if it doesn't work? What the heck have you done?

Working With A Media Relations Firm - The Greatest Misconceptions II
This may be the biggest misconception of them all. Don't think that you have to work with a company that specializes in your field. Although that can have its upsides, it can also be a huge disadvantage.

Will The Last Newspaper Be Printed In 2043?
In “The Vanishing Newspaper” (2004), Philip Meyer, predicts that in 2043, someone will be receiving the final copy of the final newspaper. It will then be done, over. Those types of specific predictions are a bit silly, but this one does make a point.

PR: Healthcare’s #1 Educational Marketing Tool
An effective public relations campaign is essential not only because it effectively reaches the public and helps build a practice, but also because it is medicine’s most powerful educational tool.

What Should Hiring a PR Firm Cost?
When searching for a PR firm, one of the obvious criteria is whether you can afford them. You can find the best PR firm in the world, but if you can’t afford them, then you’re wasting your time. That’s why it is important to understand how PR firms charge and get an understanding of what the total costs may be.

Internal PR to Motivate Your Business Team
Good public relations applies as much to your employees as it does to your customers. Paying attention to motivating your employees always pays off handsomely.

"Proof, Confirmation and Marketing Success"
Let’s face it. We’re slammed each day with so many marketing messages that we stop believing most of them. It’s easy to become anesthetized to the onslaught of infomercials, email blasts, and radio spots from corporations and entrepreneurs alike.

Advertising PR Whats the Difference
They are distinctly separate disciplines, each with its own inherent advantages and disadvantage. Learn what they are.

Success with PR
By following a few useful tips, you can go a long way toward gaining the valuable visibility you’ll need to be successful.

Don’t Read the News, Be the News!
Publicity is a powerful tool. How can Public Relations professionals help you get publicity?

The Charlie Sheen Media Saga: Is Violence Against Women Really Okay?

Perhaps the strangest aspect of the whole Charlie Sheen media storm, at least from my perspective, is that the furor has been about his drug use and his tirades against his producer. Don’t get me wrong, those aren’t good things, but physically and verbally abusing women seem like activities that should be a bit higher on the outrage meter. Yet Sheen always appears to get a pass when it comes to those behaviors.

PR Brainstorming Tips
This article features tips to brainstorm your own PR campaign. When it comes to PR brainstorming, your goal is to come up with a list of the most important story ideas including new business concepts, the unique value you offer, important information you can give, and anecdotal stories.

PR for Fashion Designers

Public relations is an important marketing component for nearly any company or product, but when it comes to fashion, beauty or style, an effective PR campaign is not an option, it’s a necessity. The approach I suggest focusing on is to have a number of media pitches, stories and hooks that you can present to various media outlets that don’t have a thing to do with celebrities. Using this approach, you and your fashions are the stars. Then, after you’ve made your splash and established yourself through the media as a hot designer, maybe, just maybe you’ll let one of those celebrities wear them.

Controlling Your Media Image: Why Many Celebrities Fail

Generally those who have the most trouble trying to utilize the media are those that have no real idea how it works. Simply because someone is a celebrity or head of state and has been continually highlighted in the media doesn’t mean he or she truly understands the inner workings of the press. Interacting with the media isn’t something that should be taken lightly. There are inherent dangers in carelessly playing the media game, and being a celebrity or a “star” does not immune you. In fact, the bull’s-eye on your back is all the bigger.

PR and the Overworked Journalist
Journalists are overworked, and yet we rely on them for publicity. PR is the best vehicle to building relationships with these busy professionals.

PR and the Overworked Journalist
Journalists are overworked, and yet we rely on them for publicity. PR is the best vehicle to building relationships with these busy professionals.

Top Tips On Approaching A Journalist With A Story

Over the years it has become increasingly difficult to catch the eye of national journalists and those reporters working on busy consumer and trade magazines, mainly due to the pressures placed upon their time and the growing amount of press releases they are sent. If you do manage to contact them on the phone, you have just a few moments to grab their attention with your story and even then they will often tell you to email them the details. Here are a few top tips from leading UK PR company, Punch Communications, for the next time you want to sell your business to the media.

Broadening Your PR and Media Bull's-eye

We all have different expressions, different moods, and different topics we enjoy discussing. None of us have one-note personalities, but so many people try to launch one-note media campaigns. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pitch your main ideas, but that you expand them, come up with new angles, think beyond the obvious. Remember, your job is to meet the media’s needs. Broadening your scope will help ensure your success.

Success Secret: Sell Your Value, Not Your Service or Product

The clients are out there, you just need to reach them. And the best way to get them to take notice is to sell your value not your product or service. But, before you can present your value, you have to understand exactly what it is. What is the value or effect that your product or service offers your customer? Focus on that. Sell your value not your product. Once you’ve defined your value, find the media mix that best fits your business or company.

Communication isn’t a One-Way Street
To be an effective communicator, it is important to realize that communication is a two-way interaction.

Breaking Out the Ruler: A Guide to Measuring PR Efforts
Key Messages. Strategies. Tactics. These are the first things that pop into our minds when generating a communications plan. We get so caught up in the creative ideas and unique twists that we forget to ask, "What did we achieve?" We would say the most critical part of a PR campaign is measurement.

Going Viral
Everybody knows the phrase “going viral” but what does it really mean and how do you get your video to go viral? The key is to understand what the phrase really means.

The PR Success Connection
Effective media placement isn’t about wanting to be a star or wanting to appear on the media – it’s about success. It truly is about the bottom line. It’s about establishing yourself as an expert in your field and zooming beyond your competition.

How to Use the (New & Old) Media to Build Your Business and Land More Clients
Internet marketing and social media are important, but those avenues do not offer the validation and legitimacy of appearing in the traditional media. You need a comprehensive, inclusive marketing strategy that includes the new and the old media in order to build your business, land more customers and make more money.

A Little Known Media Exposure Tip: 2nd Quarter = Prime Time PR
If you are planning to implement your PR/media exposure campaign for your business or product in the coming weeks – congratulations. Your timing is ideal.

Inside Job: The Key to Internal Communications
You've heard it before, "you're only as strong as your weakest link." Sounds cliché, but based on multiple studies and various fields of research, this saying can ring true. Your business - no matter how small or large - is made by its employees. Trust us when we say, a little internal communications goes a long way.

The YouTube Star Making Machine

More than 13 million hours of video were uploaded during 2010 and 35 hours of video are uploaded every minute. Whereas YouTube used to be primarily a site to visit to watch goofy, crazy videos, it is now the new engine for launching talent and careers. It is a community where viewers go to find news, sports, science, music and how-to information. Like a social network it also allows viewers to subscribe to different channels, friends, etc. The Justin Bieber story signaled a new phenomenon – a combination of digital/viral social media and a crossover of digital/ analog/ print phenomenon.

John Jacobson & the Double Dream Hands YouTube / Social Media Phenomena

It’s pretty amazing what a video on YouTube can do. For example when a video of John Jacobson’s educational choreography “Planet Rock” was posted on YouTube, and renamed “Double Dream Hands” (DDH), no one could have foreseen the phenomena that would ensue. In a short three-month period, the video garnered over 2.39 million hits on YouTube, and spanned countless remakes, one of them set to a Bollywood song. The video has now spawned an industry - including appearances in the national media, a phone app, a book, and a DVD.

How to Avoid SEO Rip-Offs
Here are three hot tips to avoid getting ripped off by SEO services and obtaining the best results possible

Have A Pulse

We've all seen the medical shows where the ER docs grab the defibrillator paddles and shout, "Clear!" ZAP! Checking Google analytics for website activity can be a lot like that. Without all the drama, of course. We review Google Analytics for hundreds of websites. This gives us insight into what to look for and how to read the numbers - what's good, what's bad. It's like looking at an EKG. Is the site healthy?

How to Communicate with Traditional Media Effectively

The first order of business when beginning a PR campaign is to figure out your stories. Study the media and what kinds of stories they cover, especially when it is a specific topic in which they interview an expert in that field to bring more credibility to the story. For example, if the media is discussing a top athlete’s recent injury and they need a doctor or pain specialist to comment on this, you could be that doctor.

Illuminative Marketing: Creating Business By Offering Benefits And Solutions

How do you respond to cold calls, ads, direct marketing pieces, email spam? Exactly. Now why would you expect your prospects to react differently? It’s time to change your marketing, branding and public relations approaches. Shift your focus from selling a prospect, to attracting a client. How? The trick is to shift from a traditional marketing approach to one that focuses on your value. Shine a light on problems and offer solutions. Illumination equals attraction.

Making Money on YouTube

Although considering the number of YouTube videos posted, few are getting rich, some have quit their day jobs and are full time YouTubers, still others have hit the big time. For videos and YouTube channels that generate a real buzz and drive traffic, the rewards can be amazing. Not only do these YouTube stars generate a following and various money streams, many establish themselves as personalities. By passing the traditional star making machine these trailblazers have been able to create their own opportunities.

Press Release: Time Tested Method for Being Recognized
Event Announcements, Building your Brand or Reputation, Getting Recognized, or Just A Getting Promoted at Work? The Press Release is a time tested method for getting your message out.

Write, right – is good grammar so important these days?
A staple requirement of any PR professional is strong writing skills and excellent grammar – but as the lines between traditional media and social media blur, are we both as an industry and nation becoming sloppy with our use of language?

The Future of Advertising, Social Media & PR
Alex Poulos at LaunchPad Media, wrote an op-ed in the Boston Globe that discussed the future of advertising, "‘Mad Men’ of the future: The world of advertising - consumer, beware." This post looks at the future of "new media."

Nailing A TV Interview

Print interviews are usually the easiest in terms of how you look and carry yourself. Those interviews are generally done over the phone. You could be in bed in your pajamas for all the interviewer knows. The same is often the case with radio. If you’re calling into the show, the interviewer has no idea what you look like, what you’re wearing, and if you’re in your living room or by the pool. Another upside of those types of interviews is that you can write out cheat sheets that you can refer to. But TV is a whole different animal. The following is your TV media appearance drill.

Preparing for A Media Interview

Don’t launch your public relations outreach until you’ve had some media training and have prepared yourself to handle media interviews. If you’re going to go through the work of launching a PR campaign, you owe it to yourself and your business to be prepared to fully maximize your media opportunities. Whether it’s a TV, print, or radio interview, don’t assume you can just wing it and hit a media home-run. With that in mind, the following are some interview tips to review before.

The 15 Most Important PR Questions

Time to launch your PR campaign? Make sure you’ve asked yourself the right questions to prepare yourself for success. Create a media relations checklist. Better yet, read this article and review the 15 most important public relations questions you can ask. Keep reviewing your questions and refining your answers. Once you’ve written out your responses, you’re set to launch; use this as your roadmap.

Obama’s “Birther” PR Mistake

If there was a video that showed President Obama being born in Hawaii and that video was released to the media, it wouldn’t matter a bit. The Birther movement revolves around accusations and diversions and you do not (and more importantly you cannot) battle that type of attack, at least via the media, with facts. The Birthers are akin to a religious cult; you are not going to weaken their faith with something as cumbersome as reality. Obama’s strategic PR mistake was that he began to take them too seriously. He then took them on by trying to put out fire with gasoline.

Is Social Media Marketing Overrated?
Social media is all the rage in today's marketing mix. Companies no longer drive traffic to their websites, but rather to their Facebook pages. But what is the true ROI (return on investment) for social media? And, what about all the smaller organizations that have full social media campaigns but find it simply doesn't add value to their marketing campaigns?

Useful PR tips for start-ups

For most start-up businesses the outlay of external costs need to be kept to a minimum to safeguard the finances of the company during this embryonic stage, but it is also crucial that externally promoting a business should not be forgotten even if budget isn’t available. With this in mind, below is a step-by-step guide of PR tips businesses can utilise internally to promote their brand or company launch.

Crisis Communications in a Transparent World
We live in a world of transparency. High profile individuals and corporations can expect their every move to be recorded some place on the internet for all to read and view. And, the internet never forgets and certainly is not very forgiving. How do those in the public eye deal with a world of continual documentation, especially when the internet is the ultimate free-for-all?

What Should A PR Consultant Cost?
Consultants don’t come cheap, especially if you’re talking about legal or financial representation. However, understanding how a public relations consultant charges, or should charge, can make the process of retaining one extremely cost-effective.

Appearing on a Talk Show Post-Oprah
Times are changing; Oprah is gone, as are many of the daytime soap operas. TV’s 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daytime slots are shifting dramatically. If you’re looking to pitch yourself as a guest on a talk show, never fear, although Oprah is gone, there are a myriad shows out there and more are on the way.

Ethics is good business
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is great for developing a company's brand, but it is up to PR to demonstrate bottom line value.

The Small Business Marketing Success Secret

The biggest problem that most small business owners have with PR is that they don’t fully understand the process or how it can help build their business or establish their brand. Most think that public relations is only for large corporations or those in the entertainment world and that it has to do with stunts and smoke and mirrors. None of those perceptions are correct. Why should entrepreneurs and small business owners use PR? Because it can build a business and establish a company’s brand. Because it works!

Why You Absolutely Do Need PR To Succeed

Whether you want to launch a PR campaign for your company or not, you owe it to your business, so do it. If you’re going to spend time, money, blood, sweat and tears launching your service or your product, it makes no sense not to do everything you can to effectively market your company and reach your target market. If you’re running a small business, you don’t have the marketing arm of an Apple, or IBM or GM to do your promotional work for you. You’re either trying to handle your marketing in house, or you’ve brought on a PR firm or media relations consultant to handle your marketing for you. However you’re approaching it, you need to be truly media savvy to be effective and reach your customers, prospects and clients.

The PR How-to Bible

Synopsis: It’s said that you can’t find the right answers until you ask the right questions. So with that in mind if you are thinking of hiring a public relations firm or of launching a media relations campaign for yourself, the following is a list of how to points to ask yourself before moving forward. Done correctly a PR campaign can establish your brand and build your business and establish you as an expert in your field. It’s the most powerful marketing tool out there, so give it a shot, but first do your homework and review the checklist.

Engage: The Word of the Year
One can't talk about social media marketing without using the word "engage." Everybody knows that the objective of social media is to "engage" your community. Experts warn against a hard sell or just putting information out there with the hope that people will respond. But what does "engage" really mean and how do you do it?

Budgeting for publicity and keeping within limits
Wallace Baker Public Relations is giving free advice about specifying publicity services, allowing for variables, estimating costs, controlling budgets and evaluating benefits.

Successfully handling crisis communications
When it comes to crisis communications, I’ve handled media enquiries covering pretty much everything including faulty car parts, congestion charging and noisy neighbours, so I’ve learnt a trick or two about resolving the situation and keeping the media disruption to a minimum.

To Phone or not to Phone (pitch) The Media

You’ve come up with your story ideas and pitch angles, you’ve written your press release, you’ve sent out the email pitches and you’ve placed your release on one of the paid wire services and… nothing! Not a single editor or producer has called to interview you or write a feature on you. You’ve done everything right and everything’s gone wrong. What now? How about picking up the phone? There’s a start!

Pitching Lessons

To have yourself, your service or your product featured in the media, you need to effectively pitch the media. It’s an art. By appearing in the media you create a bridge between your company and your clients or customers. You also build your brand by establishing credibility that only comes with being featured as a news story. Your best bet is to hire a public relations firm or PR consultant to develop, launch and implement your media relations campaign for you. It can be a tricky business and you can often do yourself more harm than good by trying it on your own. But, if money is tight and you’re not in a position to retain a firm, you don’t have to wait to get started. There are some PR tips and secrets you can try. With that in mind, the following is a pitching overview.

The Multidimensional PR Approach
Whereas traditional media is still as important as ever, you can now utilize it in a variety of ways. For example, as opposed to focusing solely on traditional media, you can target some specific media outlets and use those validating mainstream media hits to enhance your online media campaign.

Why You Don't Know That- You Need PR
Many people still feel that Public Relations is for celebrities, politicians and professional athletes; those people are missing a huge marketing opportunity to build their business. Do you need to sign more clients, sell more products, increase your cash flow, establish your brand, interest more prospects, or broaden your target market? Then read on.

Does a picture really tell a thousand stories?
When it comes to PR the importance of having a good image to support your story is often underestimated so when gauging what’s needed and how it should look, how do you decide when to blow the budget on a professional or instead settle for a DIY job?

Taking Your Business' Marketing In Your Own Hands – and Winning

At a time when Washington and Wall Street seem to have little or no connection with Main Street Wall Street seems to do fine no matter how much of the rest of the country is suffering, but it’s the rest of the country that matters when it comes to growing the economy. It’s more important than ever for you to reach your target market and build a bridge between you and your customers. While those around you are trying to figure out what to do, or are looking at Washington or Wall Street for answers, you can take your business’s marketing matters in your own hands – and soar!

Jumping on the bandwagon – how being reactive can help profile your business (part one)
For most business owners and employees reading a newspaper whether online or in hard copy format, is not only a source of entertainment but a valuable business resource. For a PR person it is an essential asset particularly when keeping abreast of the news agenda and unearthing reactive commentary opportunities.

Jumping on the bandwagon – how being reactive can help profile your business (part two)
Last week, I outlined how valuable a resource a newspaper or trade magazine can be for businesses, as piggybacking onto articles and announcements of interest is a great way of securing press coverage and positioning a company or individual as an expert commentator.

How to Maximize Local PR

Whereas I’m a big believer in going national if you have a strong story, there is a lot to be said for regional and local PR coverage. If you have a personal story that has a local slant to it, use it. Maybe a story as to how you built your business, or a story about how your product, service or company helped transform the life of someone else who lives in the community. The media loves transformational stories, so offer them one with a strong local hook. Always give your pitch a local slant. Remember you’re drilling down, pitching narrow, not wide.

Is All Publicity Good Publicity – Well, Maybe If You’re Lady Gaga

There is perhaps no bigger a myth than the one that states all publicity is good publicity. Sure, Lady Gaga would not be where she is without pushing the envelope. But there is press that she wouldn’t want. And how many business owners and professionals want to foster that particular image? If you do, great, take off the gloves and go for it. But if you’re looking to build a different type of image and create a strong lasting brand, perhaps consider a different approach. When it comes to traditional media, think long and hard about your stories and how you want you and your company to be perceived.

Uniqueness Can Add Tremendous Value to You and Your Business
Adding value, from a business standpoint, is supposed to be all about giving more to your customers, putting more into your products, and increasing and/or improving your services. Done properly you would think a well-tooled business should be able to beat the competition, increase market share, and increase profits. But, that is not always the case...

How Important Is Traditional PR In The Age Of Social Media?

Although we’re in the age of blogging and social media, being featured in the traditional media (TV, print and radio) is still tremendously important. In many ways it’s even more important than it was a decade ago. The recognition factor that traditional media offers is immense. Most consumers will be able to recognize and identify popular newspapers, magazines or TV station much more readily than then will the most popular blogs. The traditional media have built credible brands that carry weight, influence and credibility.

Why You Should Launch Next Year’s PR Campaign this November

You want the fourth quarter to end on a strong note, which is why it’s so important to launch a media relations campaign for the holidays, but even if your end of year plans are set and you’re looking to launch in a big way for the upcoming year, you need to start your PR and marketing no later than November. If by launching an effective public relations campaign you can illustrate how your business has positively affected the life of others, people who see read or hear your story will want to know if you can do the same for them. And your phone will start ringing.

Just like a good recipe, marketing is all about the MIX!
Promoting your business, your book, even yourself, takes time to plan. All the time I hear comments like “I tried using a publicist, he didn’t do a thing for me!” Or “I’ve tried advertising it just doesn’t work.” Most people consider one marketing tool at a time.

Just like a good recipe, marketing is all about the MIX!
Promoting your business, your book, even yourself, takes time to plan. All the time I hear comments like “I tried using a publicist, he didn’t do a thing for me!” Or “I’ve tried advertising it just doesn’t work.” Most people consider one marketing tool at a time.

The PR Power of Statistics and Numbers

People love statistics and so do the media. Statistics (percentages and numbers) seem real, whether they are or not. Stats are great to offer to producers, writers, editors, bloggers & media outlets. It gives them a hook, something to work with. They can use your stats and then your quotes to come up with interesting, off beat and fun sound-bites, articles, and segments. Using statistics in your pitches is an excellent way to give an editor or producer a good media hook, and garner media coverage for you and your company.

PR Strategy: Are You Sabotaging Your Publicity Campaign?
Many small businesses aren’t getting publicity for the oddest reason: They talk themselves out of it! Here are 10 common problems I’ve seen with entrepreneurs who want publicity.

PR Tactics: What Are the Best Days to Send Press Releases?
“What is the best day to send a press release?” is a question I get every time I talk to a new client. It’s a fair question. All things being equal, why not send the press release to reporters when they are most likely to read it and when prospects are most likely to want to be looking for information?

PR is undergoing a revolution
The PR industry globally is undergoing one of its biggest changes since social media boomed across the web – it’s called content strategy. In this article, Craig Badings, a 22 year veteran of the PR industry, explores how this is impacting the industry and how marketers and PR professionals will need to adapt.

You Don’t Have to Be in a Major Media Market to Benefit from PR

If you’re looking to promote your business company or product and you’re not in one of the major markets such as Los Angeles or New York, PR should be high on your marketing to do list. The upside is that a public relations campaign offers you an affordable option to take your message directly to your target market. If you’re in a smaller media market, and you professionally present your story to the local media your chances of landing a story are maximized.

You Don’t Have to Be in a Major Media Market to Benefit from Public Relations

Considered and planned PR equals better results
Over the past nine years of working in the PR industry I have seen a massive shift change in not only the way that the media operates, but also what makes a good story. Today, good PR is definitely about quality not quantity and as such I have outlined the steps and some tips that should be considered before releasing a story to the media.

Generating Publicity & Media Exposure in 2012
EVERY business, inventor or entrepreneur can increase the chances of media exposure by following a few technological tips.

Why PR is a smart bet in any start-up budget
Attention entrepreneurs: if you only have room for one item in your marketing plan, don’t just think about inserting a public relations strategy. Do it!

Is Branding Enough?

For the past decade, the premier marketing term has been "branding." Every company and organization believed that it had to "brand" itself to achieve successful marketing results. Branding has its place, but in today's rapidly changing world, where buying power is shifting to the consumer, is good branding enough? Further, does "branding" even mean today what it meant just a few years ago? Let's take a look.

Biggest Mistakes When Pitching a Story
Pitching stories to the media is a skill that takes practice. Most PR courses don't teach pitching skills. It takes an understanding of the media, knowledge of the industry category your product or services is in, and some common sense. Here are the biggest mistakes PR people make when trying to get media coverage for their company or product.

The John Lewis effect – eat, sleep and breathe your brand values

In a recent speech on resolving the UK’s economic crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg referenced national department store, John Lewis, as an exemplary example of a share scheme which its staff enjoy and as a blueprint the UK would do well in copying. This got me to thinking about the often referenced John Lewis, as not only a fair employer, but also a trusted retail brand and innovator in sales and marketing. Below I have outlined a number of observations that if followed, brands could implement for better internal and external communications.

Five Simple and Free Ways to Promote Special Events
Find out how to effectively promote special events easily without spending any money.

Three Free Websites for Effective Event Promotion
Looking for free online event marketing options to use for the purpose of promoting a special event? Here are three free websites to try!

9 things you should consider when choosing a new PR
Thinking about hiring a public relations professional for your business. Maybe you're replacing the one you have now. Here's a list of things to consider while pondering this important business decision.

Acing Media Interviews
With a little preparation, anyone can do great with press interviews

Five Steps to More Effective Press Releases
Take these five steps to make sure your news releases get noticed

Getting the Most Bang for Your PR Buck With an Outsourced Pro
How to profitably outsource your PR functions

Awards – an invaluable weapon in any PR armoury

This week I was overjoyed to hear not one, but three, of my clients had learnt recent submissions they had entered into their industry-specific awards had been successfully shortlisted. As I had played a role in identifying and helping to draft these submissions it reaffirmed how important a tactic awards are in any strategic PR plan. Below I have outlined some top tips for identifying and entering awards.

IS BIGGER BETTER IN PR?
Is it smart to hire the biggest PR firm you can find to promote your company or should you look at smaller fims as well. A veteran public relations professionals offers some insizeful advice.

Is there still a use for case studies in PR?
PRs have continually expressed the importance of case studies in PR, especially one that is well written and impactful. But as media is constantly evolving, is there still a need for case studies in the PR mix?

Social media integration - essential to boost bottom line sales
As more and more brands look to specific online marketing disciplines to positively impact bottom lines sales, such as PPC, display advertising and affiliate marketing, the PR’s role in integrating effective social media interaction strategies in the wider PR planning process is an integral one to enhance direct sales opportunities.

Branding Your Company Using PR
PR and media relations are not only effective ways to garner coverage in print, TV or radio. Innovative companies and entrepreneurs are utilizing the basic PR methodology to build their brands. A company builds a successful brand by making a deep powerful connection with its market. Branding is about communicating on a basic human level, which is what PR is all about.

“Bully” and the MPAA PR Dilemma
“Bully” opened in a limited release on Friday, leaving theaters to decide whether they should let underage teens in or not. Harvey Weinstein chose to release the film without a rating after loudly and repeatedly objecting to a controversial decision by the Motion Picture Association of America to give the film an R, which means anyone 17 and under needs an adult with them to get in.

“Bully” and the MPAA Public Relations Dilemma
“Bully” opened in a limited release on Friday, leaving theaters to decide whether they should let underage teens in or not. Harvey Weinstein chose to release the film without a rating after loudly and repeatedly objecting to a controversial decision by the Motion Picture Association of America to give the film an R, which means anyone 17 and under needs an adult with them to get in.

Being An Invisible Business Isn't An Option-Gain Huge Visiblity For Your Business
Marketing and Advertising is one way to gain visibility if you have a big budget but what about free publicity through the media, social networking and guest blogging.

Why Are You Losing Blog and Website Visitors?
Stop listening to the so-called experts on what your website or blog should look like and how to make it sticky. Meaning, keep visitors on your site longer and better yet, how to get people to buy. Most experts are just copying what other experts are saying instead of "testing" what they're saying. Let's cut the "BS" and get real about what works.

How to Get The Media News They Can Use: Mastering the Art of Press Releases

HOW TO GET THE MEDIA NEWS THEY CAN USE MASTERING THE ART OF PRESS RELEASES Why is public relations important for my salon or spa? According to Public Relations News, "Public relations is the management function which evaluates public attitudes, identifies the policies and procedures of an individual or an organization with the public interest, and plans and executes a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance."

The truth about PR: A Q&A with a senior PR consultant

As a consultancy that offers services to small-medium businesses, we are continually exposed to business owners’ opinions and perceptions regarding public relations (PR). It still amazes us that many small businesses don’t fully understand what PR is and how they can use a PR strategy to their advantage – so we’ve made it our mission to get to the bottom of some of the most common misconceptions when it comes to small business PR.

10 Free Publicity Tips for Building Media Relations from Publicity Consultant Dan Janal

10 Free Publicity Tips for Building Media Relations When you pitch a reporter with your great story idea, remember that reporters aren’t looking to find a new best friend. Reporters are looking for expert and sources who can give them information they need to write their stories. Too many PR people try to become reporters’ friends by asking about their weekend activities, their families and the like. Stop. They don’t want a new BFF. Publicity coach Dan Janal offers10 free publicity tips to build a strong relationship with any reporter and improve your media relations.

Employee communication
Within an organisation there are usually three management categories responsible for employee communication: HR, PR and the supervision or management of the person in his or her specific role. In fact, all managers should be effective communicators.

Producing a newsletter
Before you think about producing a newsletter (for external audiences), you need to determine what its purpose is and whether the effort will justify the reward.

The Importance of Web Content
How often do you visit a website and find out of date material? Frequently, in my experience. When you do, it makes you less likely to rely on that site for the information you are looking for, or to pick up the phone and call them.

PR versus Advertising
The PR versus advertising debate will never end, just as new techniques and ways to use both continue to evolve.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
What is CSR and how can you implement it in your business.

5 Topics You Probably Didn’t Realize Can Be in a Press Release
Many people mistakenly think a press release can only contain news, such as announcing a new product, hiring a new CEO, announcing earnings results or winning an award. True, those are the bread and butter of press releases, but press releases can contain so many more interesting topics that can help you get free publicity.

Press Releases: Examples of Common Formatting Mistakes
Have you ever written a press release and nothing happened? One reason might be that you didn’t follow the special rules for writing and formatting a press release. Reporters can be picky and they will quickly hit the delete key on any press release that violates the basic rules.

How to Measure the Effect of Press Releases
Here are two sets of metrics you can use to see if you are getting a good response on your publicity campaign.

PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
A brief overview of Public Relations (PR), some common techniques, and advice on hiring and managing a PR consultancy.

Is Your Communications Policy Mired In The Past?
In today's instant on, instant access environment; corporate managers have to look well beyond the normal and overused press release to reach, influence its target media and markets. This article gives you a whack in the side of the head to look at new, creative, economic ideas.

PR Planning - back to basics
Clients always look for creative ideas but many relationships falter on the rocks of bad campaign planning. Veronica Hannon of Beyond Public Relations (www.beyondpublicrelations.com) examines how the basics of good PR planning will deliver happy clients and successful campaigns.

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