February 1, 2008
Local Publicity
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Oh how sweet it is. When you are the CEO and owner of Seattle Chocolate Company, getting seen, heard, and celebrated in your hometown newspaper — The Seattle Times — for your winning ways in anticipation of Valentine’s Day is a pretty sweet deal.
Check out this story that ran in the Seattle Times blog on January 28 and will also appear in this Sunday’s paper.
A few weeks ago, I called Michelle Goodman, who writes the “how did I get that cool job” feature. I said something like this:
Wouldn’t it be delightful to highlight a local CEO who owns one of Seattle’s finest chocolate companies to learn the road she traveled to earn the top spot at the company, just in time for Valentine’s Day?
In one quick sentence, I covered the ‘timely, newsworthy, relevant’ recipe to invite her interest. Michelle was thrilled to have the opportunity to tell this story, and I suspect the readers will be captivated to read it.
I invite you to read the story and let me know what YOU think about it. And, as you make plans to celebrate everyone you love this Valentine’s Day, consider putting Seattle Chocolates at the top of your gift list!
January 7, 2008
Local Publicity
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The start of the new year is when the job market sections of newspapers get more readership than ever. Folks who have resolved to find a better place to land are engaged in the search. That can be good news for do-it-yourself publicists who want to tell their stories, if they know who to call.
For example, the Seattle Times has a feature within the job market section that highlights someone with a really cool job. Sunday’s feature profiled a certified financial planner™ professional who shared what he loves about his work, what a typical day is, and the value of CFP training and certification. This article was well timed, especially for those starting the new year with plans to get their financial houses in order.
If you have a cool job in Seattle and want to share it, first “Google” freelance writer Michelle Goodman to read some of the prior stories she has written along these lines. Then, you can send an email pitch to suggest why YOUR cool job is a perfect fit for this feature.
Michelle divides her stories somewhat equally between employees and business owners. If your job really is cool, why not make a pitch and see what happens? Your story could be profiled on a Sunday morning for readers all across the Puget Sound region as they enjoy their morning coffee. If you live in other parts of the country, check out the avenues that exist within your hometown newspaper to tell stories along similar lines.
And, if you are one of those readers eager to start the new year by getting your financial house in order, register for the Retirement Readiness Seminar taking place January 12 at the Avikai Spa in Issaquah. Steve Juetten, CFP™ (yes, he is my husband) is leading a workshop that does exactly that. Read the rest…
January 5, 2008
Local Publicity, PR in Action
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It’s a brand new year and the perfect time to get organized. That’s why my hat is off to Meagan Farrell, owner of Clear the Clutter, a professional organizing services company operating in Snohomish County. She submitted her 150-word story about the circumstances in her life that led to the creation of her company to the Snohomish County Business Journal. Her story ran in the January edition of the paper to ride on the organization excitement associated with turning the page on a new year.
This brief feature invites readers to share turning points in their business lives or careers. If you work or operate a business in Snohomish County, you can submit your story for editorial consideration, too. Just prepare 150 words that capture your story in an engaging way and submit them — with your digital headshot — to hilden@heraldnet.com. You just might find your story within the pages of this local business journal in perfect timing to fuel new inquiries to engage your products or services.
The deadline for the February issue is January 15. If anyone out there has a Valentine’s Day-related story to tell that would be of interest to business readers in Snohomish County, now would be the perfect time to tell it.
Speaking of organization, I’ll share do-it-yourself publicity tips with the members and guests of the Seattle National Association of Professional Organizers on January 8, 2008. The event takes place at the Bellevue California Closet Company from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. You can read all about it and register online by visiting this link. The event is free to NAPO members and just $25 for non-members. And, everyone who attends will receive their very own copies of the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Tips Booklets as a gift from NAPO Seattle. How timely is that for turning the page on business visibility for the new year? I hope you can attend and acquire timely and valuable organization and publicity tips to enhance your success in 2008.
January 4, 2008
Local Publicity
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Reading yesterday’s Seattle Times, I smiled as I read the headline for a page two story from the Associated Press. Aunt’s undies make brief work of blaze. In London, a British woman’s underwear saved the day, doubling as an emergency fire blanket when her kitchen caught fire. When the fire broke out, one of the cooks grabbed the nearest thing from a pile of laundry to put out the fire — his aunt’s billowing, powder-blue, size XL underwear.
Thank goodness it wasn’t a thong, or else perhaps the story would have had a much different ending.
This brings to mind the value of a fun headline to grab attention. Word play can be a fun and engaging way to tell a story. Tying together the ideas of “undies” and “brief” work is a kick in the pants from my perspective. It certainly compelled me to read to learn more.
The lesson here is to have some fun when writing subject lines for your emails and headlines for your press releases. Steer clear of “blah, blah, blah” and boring headlines that put readers to sleep before they can get to the good stuff. Start with the good stuff, and find a way to make it sing, sting, or set your own story ablaze. Your story might end up on page two of the main news section of your local newspaper, just like this one did.
December 26, 2007
Local Publicity
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When you figure out how you want to be known in the world, you get some lofty ideas. For example, when I created the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Toolkit in July of 2006, I sought to earn the #1 ranking by “Google” for Do-It-Yourself Publicity Tools.
On Christmas Day 2007, I did a “Google” search for Do-It-Yourself Publicity Tools, and my blog came up first in the search. That’s a big deal. It shows that you can achieve what you are seeking if you keep your intentions clear and your actions focused. My intention is to empower business owners all across the nation with useful, proven, and easy-to-apply information that brings to them more publicity success with greater ease.
It’s a huge thrill when business owners call, email, or blog about their do-it-yourself publicity success earned as a result of following my advice. Speaking of which, if “local PR for me” is on your priority list for 2008, click here for cool tools to bring about more publicity success for you with greater ease. There are still a few days in this tax year to acquire useful tools to support your success. What fabulous publicity buzz might you gain by getting into the media relations game today? Act now by purchasing a Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Toolkit of your own or purchasing just the Media-Savvy-to-Go Tips Booklets for $10. And be sure to share your fabulous tales of do-it-yourself publicity success on this blog.
December 22, 2007
Local Publicity, Media Savvy 101
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When everyone else is on vacation and making merry, it can be a great time to earn the ink and the air through the power of free publicity. Here is a last-minute PR pitch I made to ride on the recommendation of The Today Show to offer holiday gifts that make great financial sense. We’ll see what magic flows from this effort and remain optimistic that big ink and air will be coming to a local newspaper or radio or television broadcast soon. And, if this timely advice is well timed for your needs or those you know, thanks in advance for spreading the good news.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy S. Juetten, 425-641-5214, nancy@nsjmktg.com
Local Certified Financial Planners Prepare for a Flurry of Orders for Fee-Only Planning Services,
Thanks to THE TODAY SHOW Suggestion for a Great Last Minute Gift That Keeps on Giving
(Bellevue, WA - December 22, 2007) — The weather outside is frightful, and Christmas is just three days away. That’s why the TODAY SHOW suggestion of gift certificates for fee-only financial planning services on the website yesterday (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/22361389/) and the nationally televised TV morning show on Monday has local certified financial planners bracing for action.
Certified Financial Planner™ Steve Juetten has already experienced a rush for appointments as 2007 fast comes to a close. “This week, I’ve had back-to-back appointments with potential clients eager to get their problems solved. They have even demanded appointments. Getting the financial house in order is definitely something that locals are craving this holiday and into the New Year,” Juetten said. Read the rest…
December 12, 2007
Local Publicity, Media Savvy 101
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Trends gathering speed are always a great hook to earn free publicity. I’ve been pouring through my copy of “Microtrends” by Mark J. Penn with E. Kinney Zalesne with great interest. They organize the trends in sassy categories such as love, sex and relationships; work life; race and religion; health and wellness; money and class; and looks and fashion, among many others. It’s a fascinating read. When writing about money and class, he offers six categories:
Deal Masters - think Gordon Gekko of the movie Wall Street
Altruistic Achievers - think Bruce Wayne, the public face of Batman
Secret Succeeders - like “Citizen” Charles Foster Kane
Status Chasers - Scarlet O’Hara
Satisfied Savers - Oliver Wendell Douglas of Green Acres
Disengaged Inheritors - Dudley Moore’s Arthur
Don’t you want to know more? And, if you can find your product or service at the center of these microtrends gathering speed, you have the start of a story angle that could help you earn free publicity. Add this book to your holiday gift list if you are serious about earning the “ink and the air” in the New Year. You’ll be glad that you did.
December 5, 2007
Local Publicity, Media Savvy 101
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Great news! The Publici-Tea™ half-day training events in November and December have proven so popular that I’ve decided to offer them once a month for much of 2008. Save Friday, January 18 for the next Publici-Tea™ to take place at the lovely Avikai Spa in Issaquah from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Each Publici-Tea™ offers a half-day of in-person training to empower your do-it-yourself (DIY) publicity success.
- We’ll enjoy delicious pastries and tea in the morning, a tasty lunch, and tea and chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company for dessert.
- I will offer great ideas, resources, and access to my media contact rolodex to make your publicity success flow with ease.
- And, I’ll do my best to offer answers to all the local publicity questions guest share with me in advance of the session.
- While we are together, we’ll enjoy plenty of time to connect authentically with everyone in the group. Personal attention is my intention, and results for you in the media are my goal.
- And, parking is free and plentiful.
Your $297 fee to participate includes an abundance of print, audio, and electronic materials — including your own printed version of the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Toolkit, refreshments, and all the great ideas we can collectively share to catapult your business from the darkness to the spotlight. What a great way to set the publicity foundation to build more buzz and greater success for your business in the New Year. What a great gift idea for all the buzz seeking business owners on your holiday list — including yourself!
Business owners raved about the first session, and you can read the specifics at this link. This is an energizing, fun, and productive half-day of training that packs a powerful punch for your do-it-yourself publicity success. I can’t wait to meet you, learn more about your business, and support your quest to get seen, heard, and celebrated in your own backyard … and beyond with the power of free publicity.
Register today to assure your place so you can jump-start your 2008 with the publicity tips, resources, and tools you need to catapult your business to a more visible and more fabulous place in your own backyard … and beyond. The first two events sold out within hours, so act now to reserve your place!
December 3, 2007
Local Publicity, Media Savvy 101
No Comments
Many of my clients and Publici-Tea™ event guests tell me that they would love their businesses to be featured within the pages of the Puget Sound Business Journal. This is one of the most widely read business journals in the region with 67,000 business decision makers reading its pages every Friday. If you are serious about earning free publicity within the pages of this publication, you first must make a habit of reading it so you have familiarity with the newspaper and the work of the reporters who write about your business and industry. And, I’ve got a special offer to extend to you to invite you into action to activate your subscription.
Just in time for the holidays, subscribe to the Puget Sound Business Journal and save 20%. If you’ve been meaning to subscribe and just haven’t found the time, today is your lucky day. Subscribe to the PSBJ by December 21st for just $69.95. To ensure timely delivery of your 2008 Book of Lists, subscribe by Friday, December 7th. Contact Elizabeth Case in circulation at 206-876-5418 or ecase@bizjournals.com to subscribe today. Make sure to ask for the Main Street Media Savvy rate to make sure you take advantage of this fantastic deal. Read and succeed with your DIY publicity efforts with the PSBJ. Great results are waiting.
November 26, 2007
Local PR Success, Local Publicity
No Comments
Every year, Olympic Hot Tub Company invites the children of its customers to draw original art to serve as the company’s annual holiday card and offers the winner a $100 prize and a box of custom cards to share with family and friends. This year, the company decided to alert the local media about the winner’s clever creation, and big ink resulted.
It was the story behind the winning entry helped the 9-year-old artist earn front page coverage in her hometown newspaper. Here is the text to the November 21 Arlington Times story:
“Why Santa Leaves Hot Tubs on Decks” by Amy Cedarholm has been selected by the Olympic Hot Tub Company for its holiday card this year. A 9-year-old fourth-grader at Cascade Elementary School in Marysville, Cedarholm portrayed Santa scratching his head, trying to figure out how to bring the hot tub — complete with rubber duckie — down the chimney. Each year Olympic Hot Tub invites the children of its customers to create an illustration for the company to use on its holiday card. Amy’s mother, Susan Cedarholm, said that Amy loves art and designs clothing for fun and she really enjoys the hot tub, too. Her teacher is Theresa Randall. Amy told her mother that she was inspired to enter the contest by her older brother who also won the contest, five years ago when he was 10. He is now in the culinary arts tract at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Along with receiving 50 copies of the holiday card, Amy also won $100. Amy has another older brother at M-PHS named Tim. The family received notice of the award soon after Amy’s father died of complications due to pneumonia, and it cheered them all up a little, said Susan Cedarholm.
This story offered a powerful visual, a local and very heart-warming story, and a timely hook. That’s a powerful recipe for local publicity success.
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