September 17, 2008
Media Savvy 101, PR in Action
No Comments
This blog post comes to you from my trusty team member Sharon Baker, and its a good one.
She writes:
Enterprising do-it-yourselfers playing in the technology arena will want to take note of a surprising change at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Microsoft reporter Todd Bishop and venture and startup reporter John Cook left the PI Friday to create a new online technology venture in conjunction with the Puget Sound Business Journal. The news was first reported by Brier Dudley at The Seattle Times.
Their departure wipes out the technology coverage at the PI, and opens a window of opportunity for publicity seekers with news tips and story ideas. If you have a technology story to tell and would like to see it appear in the PI, send your pitches to Business Editor Margaret Santjer at MargaretSantjer@seattlepi.com.
The new PSBJ tech site won’t be up for a few weeks, according to information posted on a temporary holding page, which provides a form to sign up to receive updates on the new venture. Visit it here: www.pugetsoundbusinessjournal.com/tech.
It is interesting to note that Bishop and Cook have co-founder titles, a good sign that the new venture is going to be controlled locally. With their years of experience, professional blogging credentials and large following, the new site will be a good place to learn about start-ups, financing and entrepreneurship. While the focus will be on technology, the venture will offer plenty of tips that are useful to all industries so wise do-it-yourselfers will want to tune in.
Enterprising DIY publicists wishing to get in touch will Cook and Bishop can do so at johnharoldcook@gmail.com and toddbishop@gmail.com.
July 15, 2008
PR Beyond the Backyard, PR in Action
No Comments
Temperatures are rising all over the nation, giving people everywhere good reason to head for the pool, the hot tub, or the beach to relax and enjoy. Steve Greenberg, the author of Gadget Nation, was so taken with the Aqua Reader from the e-store at Olympic Hot Tub Company that he elected to make it the first pool gadget he highlighted on this “Cool Pool Gadget” segment of Better.TV. And, he was good enough to include it in a special segment last week on CBS This Morning. And, the Aqua Reader was included in another video segment that aired in 20 markets across the USA. We are still waiting for the 
rush of orders for Aqua Reader at the Olympic Hot Tub e-Store, though we are delighted with the media coverage that is helping to spread the good news. Now that you know about this amazing gadget that holds your book and your drink and keeps both dry while you soak, perhaps you’ll be among the many to soon enjoy it in the comfort of your own backyard hot tub! Operators are standing by… By the way, I learned about Steve and his TV segments as a result of receiving a media query via a service I use called ProfNet. The media leads flow to my in box, and I reply with brief, compelling replies by the stated deadline. You can subscribe to this service or another very similar service called PR Leads. It’s well worth the investment for the results you enjoy by responding in a timely way to stories in progress right now. Jump right in and give this service a try so your products, services, and expertise can reach much wider audiences with ease — and you can spend more time relaxing.
July 9, 2008
PR in Action
1 Comment
I love that my clients are ideally suited to be featured in the magazines I love to read. There was a time a few years ago when I was reading trade journals like Disaster Recovery Today to source media opportunities for a very fine client. Of course, I did a fine job for the client, but I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be reading about mainframe computer disaster recovery in my off hours. Today, my clients are well suited to be featured in magazines I love to read — magazines like O, More, and Pink. That’s a joy.
Over the weekend, I picked up the latest issue of Pink magazine to look for media opportunities for one of my clients. I found a feature called “My Time” that highlights the busy schedule, success tips, and personalty of a prominent business executive. It occurred to me that this would be a perfect placement for Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson. I visited the magazine’s website to identify to perfect person to pitch in the “Contact Us” section, and I made my pitch. Later that afternoon, I received a cordial and very interested reply from the editor, indicating that my client was perfect and she would be seeking an avenue to feature her within the magazine. I just love that.
Why let any more grass grow under your own feet. Get into action to earn media placements in the media venues that are perfect for your story. When you ask for what you want, demonstrate that your pitch is perfect for the magazine and its readers, and give just the right content to enlist interest, great rewards are waiting. It may be a few months before you see your story within the pages of your top choice magazine, but I can assure you that it will be well worth the wait.
July 4, 2008
PR in Action
No Comments
Susan Schreter’s column in today’s Seattle PI is a must-read for those engaged with PR firms who are wondering how patient they really need to be to earn the big placements. Lorne Richmond, president of Richmond Public Relations, offers some good tips to help business owners decide if it is time to cut their ties with their PR firms of record. Whether you operate as your own publicist, following the DIY publicity tips such as those provided in this blog, or you engage a firm to tell your stories, Richmond’s tips are right on the money. Read on at this link.
May 5, 2008
Media Savvy 101, PR in Action
2 Comments
I often recommend that do-it-yourself publicists subscribe to PR Leads so they can respond readily to media queries from reporters who are seeking experts. Some are reluctant to commit to the monthly fee. While I can certainly understand that, I can tell you the fee is well worth it, based on my own experience with ProfNet. I love that service, and I don’t know how I ran my PR agency before without it.
Still, if you are a beginner at the media relations game, you may be sitting on the sidelines waiting for proof that services such as these really can pay off for you. Or perhaps you just want to dip your big toe in the media lead response waters before you dive right in to incur the expense, however modest.
If that is the case, there is a relatively new and free service that does much the same thing, and I want to encourage you to give it a try. Peter Shankman created a free service called Help a Reporter Out, or HARO. And it’s really pretty cool. You sign up, and then you receive a nice variety of media leads direct to your inbox that might be right on target for your expertise.
Your task is to reply in a concise, compelling, specific way to the query to be of service to the reporter seeking information. If you do this often enough, your storytelling and pitching skills will become sharp, and you’ll start earning the “ink and the air.”
Here is a link to make it easy for you to read more about it and sign up. I signed up a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve already enlisted the interest of a number of reporters to consider the expertise of my clients for stories in development. If you are the least bit curious, what do you have to lose? More importantly, what do you have to gain? Have fun, and keep me up to date on your do-it-yourself publicity success so I can spread the word here at the blog.
April 21, 2008
Local Publicity, PR in Action
No Comments
These Publici-Tea™ events keep getting better and better. Last Friday’s event was a sell out, and the event attracted an amazing contingent of inspired, generous business owners eager to support each other’s success through the power of publicity. Here is what my guests had to say:
“Quick start your publicity with this program that Publici-Tea™ offers. Whether you are a solo business or a marketing guru…the system and resources will help get you going and save you money.”
Rachael Costner,Women’s Resource Directory,Tacoma,www.sandscostner.com
“I loved the intimacy of this event. Each guest could have his/her issues addressed. I learned three things that I can immediately implement to become a known expert in purposeful profitability.”
Audrey Godwin, CPA,, The Godwin Group, PLLC,www.thegodwingroup.net
“As a new business owner, Nancy Juetten has given me the inspiration and confidence I need to launch my business with a ‘walk then run’ approach…I’ll be skipping the ‘crawl first’ phase.’”
Cheryl Michaels, The Color Coach,www.thecolorcoach.com
“We knew tea was good for our health. Now those lucky enough to spend time with Nancy know Publici-Tea™ is good for our business.”
Regina Glenn,Pacific Communication Consultants Inc.,www.pccus.com
“It’s about time someone realized that small businesses need exposure, but can’t afford it through traditional means. You have armed us with some nuts and bolts to make a difference in our businesses. This is very useful to all business owners. Many are in their first years, when marketing is vital, but money is tight.”
Lisa Pike,ScribeRight Transcription Agency,www.ScribeRight.com
“Nancy gave me the opportunity to get my arms around my media and public relations strategy going forward.”
Debbie Whitlock,Sound Financial Partners,www.soundfinancialpartners.com
“The information presented introduced new ideas and reignited many dusty recommendations from past forays into the publicity arena. You managed to corral some wonderful simple and common sense approaches to getting results. Your presentation helped clarify, inspire and gave us the tools to create our individual plan for the results we desire.”
Craig Weindling,Smiley Dog,www.smileydog.com
This time, I asked all of my guests how they learned about this event, and I learned some valuable information.
- One of my guests saw publicity tips I posted to www.biznik.com and was curious enough to register.
- Another saw an article written about me in the Bellevue Reporter last July and decided now was the time to register.
- One person heard me speak about the power of publicity at a presentation I made last summer for the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.
- One person attended at the recommendation of one of my most powerful advocates.
- One person attended as my special invited guest because having a talented freelance writer in the room is a fabulous value to offer to guests and a great way to serve a writer seeking quality assignments.
-Seven guests are people I have met at local business networking events.
This is proof positive that the actions we all take to build the buzz about our expertise DO make a difference over time. Everyone differs in their readiness to get into action, but people do most definitely take notice of information that offers the potential to help their businesses grow.
Speaking of which, the next Publici-Tea™ is set for Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at my lovely Bellevue home. Zita Gustin, social networking expert, will be my special guest with insights to share to empower buzz building via social networking. And, Betsy Talbot’s “Blogging from Start to Finish” special report will be included among the day’s powerful materials to lend even more fuel to your buzz and publicity building efforts. Register at this link to secure your place. Why not attend with your mastermind partner, best colleague, business coach or CPA? Then, you can serve as accountability partners, long after the Publici-Tea™ concludes. Only seven spots remain before this event sells out, so act today.
April 9, 2008
PR in Action
No Comments
Tips on how to write better always catch my attention. WordWise was created to offer writing tips for public relations professionals – and for people everywhere and is written by Dan Santow, a former journalist who now works for one of the largest private PR firms, Edleman. In his words, “The tips, which are about grammar, usage and style, have a dual purpose – to remind my colleagues in public relations of the power of the written word (I’m lucky to work for a company that not only prizes, but expects, expert communications skills), and — more generally — to support and perpetuate clear, concise, creative, honest, lively, stylish, compelling writing everywhere.” Enough said!
Thanks to Sharon Baker for sharing still another great tip to support DIY pubilcity success.
April 4, 2008
PR in Action
No Comments
Kristen Marie Schuerlein, founder of Affirmagy, continues to find new ways to inspire people through the power of words. Her latest venture — Positively Fundraising — makes it easy for youth groups to raise funds for causes close to their hearts.
As we discussed all the different angles to highlight in connection with this launch, I did my own little jump for joy at the prospect of supporting kids without having to buy a pantry full of sugary snacks. I know a bit about this since I have a ten-year-old son who has asked me to buy cookie dough on more than one occasion.
We had some fun creating headlines that got to the meat of this matter. Two of the favorites are:
Parents everywhere delight in buying a new product for youth group fund raisers that warms hearts without widening waists.
Parents everywhere delight in buying a new product for youth group fund raisers that isn’t cause for more cookie dough.
We were having fun finding a way to ease pain among parents and still deliver a compelling and memorable message. Word is spreading fast, and hopes are high that hundreds of youth groups across the nation will flock to PositivelyFundraising.com to launch their most successful fundraisers ever with the power of words leading the way. Read the press release at this link.
April 1, 2008
PR in Action
No Comments
The folks at Olympic Hot Tub Company are doing a happy dance today, thanks to a report by Chris Plummer of Market Watch. In his March 24 column about recession therapy, he offers ten purchases to boost spirits dampened by economic anxiety. Number eight on his list is a suggestion to purchase a sauna or hot tub. He writes, “If you’re sweating the state of the economy, really sweat the angst out of your system by installing a portable sauna or hot tub on your back porch or deck…
Puget Sound customers already were feeling the heat over last weekend. Olympic Hot Tub Company Co-Owner Alice Cunningham was delighted to learn that 25 hot tubs were sold between Friday, March 28 through today.
Could that column and the boost of sales activity at Olympic Hot Tub Company be related? Seems like serendipity to me.
March 9, 2008
PR in Action
No Comments
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that employees are spending an hour or more watching videos on the internet. While this is bad news for employers seeking optimal productivity from their team members, it does make me consider the power of video to capture attention, tell a story, and be of service. Employees and others are spending plenty of time on the social networking sites, as well. This gives me pause to consider how I can contribute in those venues to offer value and invite interest in how I serve others.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I am a powerful advocate for covering the basics of publicity. That means telling a good story, getting it to the right people in a targeted way, earning an ongoing pattern of “ink and air,” and so on. I appreciate that it can be overwhelming to stay consistent with the basics, especially when the media world is changing so quickly and print media in particular struggle to stay relevant in the internet age. Plus, it is hard to ignore the pundits who compel us to wonder about the next big things — social media and video — as they take center stage. Read the rest…
« Previous Entries Next Entries »
