Press Releases | Jodiweitz

Managers: You Know Your Job, but What About Public Relations?

Sure, youre a business, non-profit, association or
government agency manager specializing in activities like
sales, human resources, distribution, finance, program
management or any of many other operating functions.

So you know what youre doing.

But what about the money youre hopefully spending
on public relations, which happens NOT to be your managerial
specialty!?

Are you doing the action planning you need to alter
individual perception leading to changed behaviors
among your most important outside audiences? Are you
trying to persuade those key folks to your way of thinking,
then move them to take actions that lets your department,
group, division or subsidiary succeed?

Or are you narrowly focused on tactics instead of that
core PR strategy? Tactics like brochures, broadcast plugs
and press releases which are simple devices public
relations calls upon from time to time to move a message
from here to there.

When you adopt the core PR strategy discussed in this
article, you are then free to move beyond tactics and pay
closer attention to the perceptions and behaviors of your
most important external audiences, the very people who
could hold your professional success as a manager in
their hands.

Which means that you have little choice about doing
something positive about the behaviors of those key
external groups of people whose behaviors most affect
your operation.

Energizing such an effort is the reality that people act
on their own perception of the facts before them,
which leads to predictable behaviors about which
something can be done. When we create, change or
reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and
moving-to-desired-action the very people whose
behaviors affect the organization the most, the public
relations mission is usually accomplished.

Happily, results can come quickly when business,
non-profit or association managers use public
relations to alter individual perception among their
target publics, leading to changed behaviors which
helps achieve their managerial objectives.

But please keep in mind that your PR effort really
must demand more than special events, brochures
and press releases if you are to achieve the quality
public relations results youre counting on.

Fortunately, those results can happen right away.
For example, capital givers or specifying sources
begin to look your way; fresh proposals for strategic
alliances and joint ventures appear; politicians and
legislators begin to view you as a key member of
the business, non-profit, association or government
communities; customers start to make repeat purchases;
membership applications rise as do welcome bounces
in show room visits, and even prospects starting to do
business with you or community leaders beginning
to seek you out.

Another bonus is that your PR people are already
in the perception and behavior business, and can be
of real use for your new opinion monitoring
project. But be certain that the PR staff really
accepts why its SO important to know how your
most important outside audiences perceive your
operations, products or services. And the reason
why: perceptions almost always result in behaviors
that can help or hurt your operation.

Sit down with your PR staff and go over your
plans for monitoring and gathering perceptions by
questioning members of your most important outside
audiences. Questions along these lines: how much
do you know about our organization? Have you had
prior contact with us and were you pleased with the
interchange? Are you familiar with our services or
products and employees? Have you experienced
problems with our people or procedures?

Do a comparison using your PR people in the
monitoring job versus the cost of using professional
survey firms to do the opinion gathering work. You
may find that using your public relations people is
the better choice. But, whether its your people or a
survey firm asking the questions, the objective
is the same: identify untruths, false assumptions,
unfounded rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions
and any other negative perception that might
translate into hurtful behaviors.

Here, youll need to establish a goal calling for
action on the most serious problem areas you
uncovered during your key audience perception
monitoring. Will it be to straighten out that
dangerous misconception? Correct that gross
inaccuracy? Or, quickly stop that potentially
painful rumor?

Of course you cant move forward without a
supporting strategy to show you HOW to reach that
goal. Truth is, there are just three strategic options
available to you when it comes to doing something
about perception and opinion. Change existing
perception, create perception where there may be
none, or reinforce it. The wrong strategy pick will
taste like sun-dried tomatoes on your Lemon Meringue
pie. So be sure your new strategy fits well with your
new public relations goal. You wouldnt want to
select change when the facts say reinforce.

It is here that you have the opportunity to write a
persuasive message that will help move your key
audience to your way of thinking. It must be a
carefully-written message targeted directly at your
key external audience. Your very best writer will
be needed because s/he must produce really
corrective language. Words that are not merely
compelling, persuasive and believable, but clear
and factual if they are to shift perception/opinion
towards your point of view and lead to the
behaviors you have in mind.

If any step in the public relations problem solving
sequence can be described as fun, its selecting
the communications tactics most likely to carry
your message to the attention of your target
audience. There are many available. From speeches,
facility tours, emails and brochures to consumer
briefings, media interviews, newsletters, personal
meetings and many others. But be certain that the
tactics you pick are known to reach folks just like
your audience members.

Its not generally recognized by many writers, but
HOW you communicate must also concern you
since the credibility of any message is very fragile.
Which is why you may wish to unveil your corrective
message before smaller meetings and presentations
rather than using higher-profile news releases.

Sooner or later the subject of progress reports will
surface, which means you and your PR team should
view the notion as an alert to begin a second
perception monitoring session with members of your
external audience. Youll want to use many of the
same questions used in the benchmark session. But
now, you will be on strict alert for signs that the bad
news perception is being altered in your direction.

The icing on the cupcake is the fact that you can
always speed things up by adding more
communications tactics as well as increasing their
frequencies, should program momentum slow.

Yes, it seems fairly safe to say that you know what
youre doing as a manager of one of the traditional
operating functions in a business, non-profit,
association or government agency.

But the seminal public relations questions still await
your attention. What are you doing to alter individual
perception leading to changed behaviors among your
most important outside audiences? And are you trying
to persuade those key folks to your way of thinking,
then move them to take actions that let your
department, group, division or subsidiary succeed?

Only in that way will you move beyond PR tactics
like special events, brochures, broadcast plugs and
press releases to truly achieve the best public
relations has to offer.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box
in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website.
A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.
Robert A. Kelly 2005.

Bob Kelly counsels and writes for business, non-profit and
association managers about using the fundamental premise of public
relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has published over
200 articles on the subject which are listed at , click
Expert Author, click Robert A. Kelly. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola
Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport
News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S.
Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The
White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia
University, major in public relations.
mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit:http://www.PRCommentary.com

Public Relations for Optometrists
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Public Relations for Beverage and Bottled Water Companies
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Public Relations for Musicians
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Posted on Sep 30, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Ford Motor Company and the Gay And Lesbian Community

First the Gay and Lesbian Community said they were boycotting Ford Motor Company, then after some money donations were given and some PR got underway all of a sudden the Gay and Lesbian Community is now endorsing Ford. Why? Well originally the Ford Motor Company had cut back on some of their advertising and some of this advertising was in a Gay and Lesbian news outlet periodical.

Now things are patched up with the Gay and Lesbian Community and there is no longer a threat to boycott. I have one question for everyone? Why is this news? What a non-news event simply to propel the Gay and Lesbian Communities PR machine. This is not news at all. Additionally the original attacks by the gay fringe caused a rift with Corporate America and it is as if they are trying to bully their way to get Corporations to submit.

That continued tactic is simply going to turn off potential cross over voters to their cause. By attacking brand names and causing boycott issues these groups do not help their cause they hurt it as others see their vindictive ways and side with the company. It is these tactics and slanderous acts against company brand names, which must stop. When these attacks occur those groups causing it, owe the company for any lost brand name recognition suffered. So if this hurt Ford Motor Company in the millions of dollars, then the Gay and Lesbian Community which damaged the company must be held responsible and pay that money. Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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Posted on Sep 30, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Public Relations Concept for Kinkos

With all the Public Relations Campaigns going on all the time with large companies and corporations it is always difficult to out do the last promotion to strengthen the brand name. Although when using public relations to build good will in a local market and community it is almost mandatory that companies do this.

A copy store like Kinkos can be a huge asset to a Community Policing or Neighborhood Business Watch Program. How so you ask? Well think how their business model operates for a moment if you will;

KINKOS: Kinkos has delivery vans, which have colorful graphics and attract attention. Since they are 24 hours and many people use their stores at night, they will see the van in the parking lot. They will be driving that same van around during the day delivering orders to businesses. Kinkos may also be a resource to print flyers at their cost for your group; maybe even for free if they can advertise on the back. Talk to the store manager and see what level of participation they can allow in their budget that quarter.

It makes sense to blend the needs of the community with public relations strategies to develop a win/win situation for all concerned. Partners in the community is one slogan that every business model wishes to achieve, so consider this in 2006.

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Posted on Sep 29, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

A Managerial PR System You Will Love

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box

in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website.

A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Word count is 1220 including guidelines and resource box.

Robert A. Kelly 2006.

A Managerial PR System You Will Love

Its a happy day indeed when business, non-profit, government

agency or association managers end their preoccupation with

(and reliance upon) the simple mechanics of press releases,

broadcast plugs and special events. What theyve decided is,

they no longer wish to be denied the best public relations has

to offer, preferring instead the quality public relations results

they believe they deserve.

Thus they begin construction of a workable managerial

PR system by putting in place a high-impact action plan

designed to do something meaningful about the behaviors

of those important outside audiences that MOST affect

the departmental, divisional or subsidiary units they

manage.

Inevitably, the new plan helps create the kind of external

stakeholder behavior change that leads directly to

achieving their managerial objectives; in this case by

persuading those key outside folks to the managers way

of thinking by helping move audience members to take

actions that help the managers unit succeed.

It rapidly becomes apparent to these managers that the

good news implicit in PRs underlying premise is the

reality that good public relations planning really CAN

alter individual perception and result in changed behaviors

among key outside audiences.

But what about PRs underlying premise? As a manager,

see if you can live with it. People act on their own perception

of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors

about which something can be done. When we create, change

or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-

to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the

organization the most, the public relations mission is usually

accomplished.

With such an approach to public relations, an awful lot of

warm and fuzzy end-products can appear: customers begin

to make repeat purchases; new prospects actually start to do

business with you; politicians and legislators begin looking

at you as a key member of the business, non-profit or

association communities; capital givers or specifying sources

begin to look your way; welcome bounces in show room

visits occur; community leaders begin to seek you out; new

proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures start

showing up; and membership applications start to rise.

Of course, whether the PR people assigned to your unit come

from an agency, parent company or are direct hires, they are

already in the perception and behavior business. So look

first to them to manage your data gathering activity. But

be certain that they really accept why its SO important to

know how your most important outside audiences perceive

your operations, products or services. In a word or two, be

sure they believe that perceptions almost always result in

behaviors that can help or hurt your operation.

Also spend some quality time with your PR people analyzing

your plans for monitoring and gathering perceptions by

questioning members of your most important outside

audiences. Suggest queries along these lines: how much do

you know about our organization? Have you had prior

contact with us and were you pleased with the interchange?

Are you familiar with our services or products and

employees? Have you experienced problems with

our people or procedures?

Be aware that using a professional survey firm to do the

opinion gathering work, can be an expensive alternative to

using those PR folks of yours in that monitoring

capacity. But whether its your people or a survey

firm asking the questions, the objective remains the

same: identify untruths, false assumptions, unfounded

rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions and any other

negative perception that might translate into hurtful

behaviors.

This is when the establishment of a clearcut and

realistic PR goal is necessary, one that calls for action

on the most serious problem areas you uncovered

during your key audience perception monitoring.

You may decide to straighten out that dangerous

misconception, bring to an end that potentially painful

rumor, or correct that awful inaccuracy.

Part and parcel of your public relations goal is the

right, action-oriented strategy that shows how to get to

where youre going. Actually, you have just three

strategic options available to you when it comes to

doing something about perception and opinion.

Change existing perception, create perception where

there may be none, or reinforce it. Needless to say,

the wrong strategy pick will taste like mushroom

gravy on your sardines. So be sure your new strategy

fits well with your new public relations goal. You

certainly dont want to select change when the

facts dictate a strategy of reinforcement.

Because youre going to have to prepare a persuasive

message that will help move your key audience to

your way of thinking, ask the best writer on your team

to get ready to prepare a carefully-written message

targeted directly at your key external audience. The

writer must produce some really corrective language

that is not merely compelling, persuasive and believable,

but clear and factual if they are to shift perception/

opinion towards your point of view and lead to the

behaviors you have in mind.

Carefully selected communications tactics will carry

your message to the attention of your target audience,

and there are many such tactics available. From

speeches, facility tours, emails and brochures to

consumer briefings, media interviews, newsletters,

personal meetings and many others. But be certain

that the tactics you pick are known to reach folks

just like your audience members.

Another reason to stay alert to the means you use to

communicate a message is that its credibility is fragile

and always suspect. Thus, you may wish initially to

unveil your corrective message before smaller meetings

rather than using higher profile news releases.

Demonstrating how far youve come compared to the

starting point will highlight progress made. First,

youll be demonstrating, in the form of periodic

progress reports, how the monies spent on public

relations can pay off. But its also an alert to start a

second perception monitoring session with members

of your external audience. Here, youll use many of

the same questions used in the benchmark interviews.

Only difference now is, you will be on strict alert for

signs that the bad news perception is being altered

in your direction.

Its also possible that momentum could flag suggesting

that adding more communications tactics, and/or

increasing their frequencies, will adequately address

that problem.

In brief, this is a management public relations system

with a remarkable prognosis: as a manager, it will move

you beyond preoccupation with communications tactics,

freeing you to use the right PR system to alter the

perceptions of your most important outside audiences,

leading directly to achieving your managerial objectives.

Bob Kelly counsels and writes for business, non-profit and

association managers about using the fundamental premise of public

relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has published over

200 articles on the subject which are listed at , click

Expert Author, click Robert A. Kelly. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola

Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport

News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S.

Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The

White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia

University, major in public relations.

mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit:http://www.PRCommentary.com

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Posted on Sep 28, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

The Wind Up & The Pitch

Successfully pitching a story idea to the media is just good marketing. Follow a few simple marketing rules, then wind up and let er rip.

Just as in marketing, we first need to develop a positioning statement for the product: our story idea. Write a brief outline, including the proposed angle for the story, possible news hooks and the people who would be appropriate to interview for the piece. Any supporting statistics would be a bonus.

So, lets say your story idea is about the changing face of advertising, which has not kept up with market changes like the Internet, the downsizing of corporate America and the decline of the mass media.

Your angle is focused on a new type of marketing firm that is made up of independent freelancers, who have left the agency world. The firm has low overhead because it assembles only the highly experienced freelance experts it needs for the project and then disbands once the project is complete. Corporations are hiring the firm because they have downsized and gone lean, so they understand and appreciate the firms model.

News hooks include a recent layoff at mega-agency Cambell Mithun and the loss of the GM account at McCann-Erickson. Additionally, what little growth there has been in ad revenues is moving away from traditional media - where old-line agencies are comfortable - toward the online environment.

Who to interview? Why, My Creative Teams partners, of course, and Stuart Elliott, advertising columnist at the New York Times.

Got supporting statistics? U.S. advertising spending will rise less this year than forecast earlier by TNS Media Intelligence, climbing 1.7 percent, to $152.3 billion, as small businesses limit spending and bigger companies shift money to the Internet and away from traditional mass media.

Now, we need to define our audience. This is a story for a business reporter at a daily newspaper or a business publication. In my market, it would be The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Business Journal or Business North Carolina Magazine.

Identify the appropriate reporters or editors, do a little research on their interests, how they prefer to be contacted, and recent stories they have covered. With this knowledge in hand, pitch away.

Harry Hoover is a partner in My Creative Team. He has 30 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Bank of Commerce, CruisingTheICW.com, Duke Energy, Focus Four, Jacobsen, Levolor, National Gypsum, North Carolina Tourism, Premier, Rubbermaid, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX, and Verbatim.

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Posted on Sep 27, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Twelve Tips Before You Start A Public Relations Campaign

Sometimes it seems easier to discuss what not to do when working with the media than it is to cover the to dos. Theres a bit more leeway in the latter, whereas the not to ever dos are pretty firm.

Here are some examples:

Do not blindly blitz reporters with press releases. Know who youre contacting and what they cover.

Read the publication before you send out a press release. Make sure the magazine, trade publication, website or e-newsletter deals with the type of news youre sending.

Never assume that media lists are current. Editors and reporters move around a lot, especially lately as staffs are cut back. A media list can be out of date in a matter of weeks. Get on the phone and confirm that your contact is still there, covering the same beat.

Find out how different editors like to receive news. Most prefer e-mails but others have no problem listening to a short pitch on the phone.

Speaking of short pitches, thats a must! Journalists are busy with interviews,fact checking and deadlines. They dont have time to listen to a rambling dialogue. Know what you want to say and get to the point quickly. 30 seconds is ideal. Dont waste the medias time.

If youre emailing a release, craft a subject line that says open me. Try and come up with something clever something that will stand out in an inbox filled with a few hundred emails.

Lose the fluff. Write simply and succinctly. If you load up a release with hackneyed adjectives, your hard work will end up in the trash.

Keep the body of your email short, to-the-point and tightly focused. Use bullet points to break up copy. Keep it to less than a page, if possible, and make it easy for a reporter to scan for the highlights.

Include contact info in case youre fortunate enough to get your email opened and catch a writers interest. Include office and cell numbers and email addresses.

If a writer does contact you and leaves a message, respond quickly. That means ASAPevenings, weekends, after hours. Journalists can work round the clock. If you dont respond, you may not get another chance.

Do not call and ask an editor if she received your release. You wont make a friend. Youll annoy a busy journalist. Do follow up to see if you can supply any additional information or if you have some relevant news that came out after you sent your release.

Just because an editor picks up the phone doesnt mean she has time to talk to you. If you listen, youll often detect a harried (or hurried tone). Ask if this is a good time to talk or if you should call back. Respect the other persons time.

Public relations is not about sending out press releases. Its about building relationships with the media in the hope that theyll cover your product or service.at some point in time. It may not necessarily be on your time schedule. And thats the tough part.

However, if youre honest, respectful of a reporters time, responsive and professional, youre moving in the right direction. Now be prepared to face some rejection (its part of the business), learn to think on your feet when you first angle doesnt click. And dont expect immediate results. PR takes time. But when it clicks, its all worthwhile.

Rickey Gold & Associates is a small, savvy Chicago-based marketing communications firm. They craft marketing messages that turn prospects into clients….and keep them coming back. The firm is the Lincoln Park Chamber 2007 Small Business of the Year. Visit them online at:

http://www.rickeygold.com
rg@rickeygold.com
773.348.4973

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There are many things businesses can do for public relations and community goodwill. Consider a business owner who is an athlete and likes to do athletic things. Well they can get pledges and sponsors and then perhaps do something involving athletics...

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Posted on Sep 27, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Public Relations for Fast Food Establishments

Public relations for fast food franchises and eating establishments of this type are so vitally important to on-going sales and those fast food restaurants, which concentrate on a positive community goodwill image, do best over time.

This means that strong public relations program is needed at the Franchisor level as well as at the store level in their individual market areas. What can a fast food franchise outlet do in the community to promote public relations and goodwill?

Well there are many things that they can do including joining service clubs and the Chamber of Commerce. Many fast food restaurants will have low-cost catering or provide free beverages to soccer teams during halftime. It is amazing how a little bit of customer service can go along way in that regard. But, what else can a fast food restaurant do to promote public relations?

Consider if you will the Ronald McDonald House and how that has helped so much for families who have children that have had their lives cut short. You can thank Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds for that.

This of course is done on a national level and they have many Ronald McDonald Houses around the World. But did you know that there are so many wonderful things that can be done locally and when fast food outlets do such things, people will stand up and take notice and you are well on your way to an excellent public relations program.

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Posted on Sep 27, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Boost Your Business by Partnering with a Non Profit Organization

Is your business looking for new and creative ways to gain publicity and build your customer base? Partnering with non profit organizations may benefit your business in many ways.

Why business owners and managers should consider supporting non profits as part of their marketing strategy:

1. Advertising opportunities are usually offered when non profit organizations request corporate sponsorship. Types of advertising may include a business card size ad in a program, a sign at an event, or your business name mentioned in radio or TV ads.

2. Partnering with non profits increases public relations and a general feeling of goodwill toward your company.

3. Participating in the planning of non profit events, attending an event, or volunteering your time increases your opportunities to meet potential customers.

4. Finally, there are tax breaks for donating money to a charitable cause. Check with your accountant for more details.

There are many ways that business owners can partner with non profit organizations in order to reach more potential customers.

Volunteering Your Time

Volunteering your time to help a non profit cause will give you an opportunity to develop relationships with non profit leaders and volunteers. You can work on volunteer committees, planning events, or even just stuffing envelopes. How about donating an hour or two to man the phones for MDA on labor day weekend, a public television drive or another telethon? How about staffing a booth at a school carnival? Savvy business people see such volunteer activities as opportunities to connect with other business people, network and build relationships with potential clients.

Donating Merchandise

Many non profit groups hold live and silent auctions or need door prizes for their events. This is an opportunity for you to show potential clients your merchandise or sample your services. This strategy works well for many types of businesses, heres some examples:

A photographer donates a gift certificate AND loans the NPO a large scale portrait from their portfolio. Even if someone does not win the gift certificate, they may be impressed with your style of photography and call to set up an appointment anyway!

Restaurants have an easy way out on this one! Donate a gift certificate to the non profit organization. The receiver gets to sample your food, service and atmosphere. Who knows, you may have just gained a customer for life!

Financial Donations

Donating a financial gift to a charity of your choice may have advertising and tax benefits as discussed earlier.

Attending Non Profit Events

Charities host a variety of fun events such as arts festivals, dinners, galas, casino nights and auctions. Participating in a charity fundraiser or other event will give you an easy way to donate financially to the group. Events also provide time to build relationships with other business people and potential clients, in a fun relaxed environment.

Donating Facilities

Does your company have a gym, banquet facility or auditorium? By donating or offering a reduced rate to non profit organizations, you may receive great public relations and word of mouth advertising benefits in return.

Heres a great example: A bowling center in Florida offers their facility for students to hold a bowl-a-thon. Students get per pin pledges prior to the event. According to owner, Lisa Ciniello, The Bowling Centers do not make a lot of money, but we encourage these events as it gives great exposure. In our locations we charge $5.00 to $8.00 per student and no charge for rental shoes.

Connecting With Your Community

One of the best ways to find opportunities to donate to non profits and network with other business leaders is to join a civic club or chamber of commerce. These organizations meet 1-4 times per month in your local city. They usually have a small list of favorite charities or support their own foundations.

The civic clubs that you may want to consider joining include Optimist International, Kiwanis International or Business & Professional Women.

Finally, partnering with non profit organizations gives your business a way to reach out to the local community. Your business can contribute to the greater good and help many people, just by joining forces with charitable organizations.

About the Author: Sandra Sims has been fundraising for various charities for over 10 years. She is the publisher of Step By Step Fundraising e-zine, which will help you get maximum results from your charity fundraising campaign. Get a free report The 5 Keys to Successful Fundraising

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Posted on Sep 23, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Publicity - 5 Easy Ways to Create Buzz for Your Business

As a Guerrilla Marketing Coach, Im always looking for low-cost ways for my clients to get the word out about their business. There are dozens and dozens of ways to create buzz that will get the attention of those you want to reach. Consider trying out some of these easy, no-cost ways of generating publicity for you and your business.

1. Donate your Products or Services

Each year, many private and charitable organizations host events to attract contributions to support their cause. To raise money, they typically auction off products and services donated to them by local business owners. Making a donation is a wonderful way to contribute to something you care about, while at the same time, highlighting you and your business.

2. Volunteer to Speak

Contact your local chamber of commerce and other community clubs, like the Rotary or Optimists, to volunteer as a speaker. These organizations, and others like them, are always looking for speakers for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings. Create a short, one- or two-page proposal, which includes five to seven speech titles along with a short summary of each and their approximate length. Include a professional biography to complete the package. If youre asked to be a speaker, your name and company will be advertised in the organizations newsletter and possibly through press or other news releases throughout the community. Its great free publicity.

3. Offer a Complimentary Consultation or Product Sample.

Its said that the best publicity is that which comes by way of referral or word-of-mouth. If people enjoy what you offer, theyll tell others about you. People like to do business with people they know, like and trust. One way to begin cultivating that sentiment is by offering complimentary consultations or product samples. Dont give away the whole store, but give people a taste of what its like to do business with you. While not everyone will jump at the opportunity, its one of the most effective and fastest ways to create buzz around your business.

4. Market Through Voice Mail

Use your telephone voice mail to advertise your business. Mention upcoming seminars or workshops, how to access your latest free reports, or the upcoming release of your latest book. Keep the message short, friendly, high energy and compelling. This is a great way to publicize your business for free. Make sure to refresh your message frequently so it reflects your latest and greatest business news.

5. Teach a Class

Offer to teach a class, free or fee, through your local community education program. If your class is accepted, it will be published in the course catalog, usually along with a short biography. This course catalog is then distributed throughout your community, which can translate into free publicity to tens of thousands of households. Not only are you gaining credibility by offering a course, but also youre generating a great deal of visibility and all at no cost to you!

Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff is a business consultant, writer, speaker, Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and the creator/producer/host of Michigan Entrepreneur Television. Drawing on over 15 years of corporate experience, she coaches executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs on business and lifestyle issues and has been featured in print, radio and television. Her websites include http://www.virtualleverage.com, http://www.tarakachaturoff.com, and http://www.michiganentrepreneurtv.com

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Posted on Sep 23, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Press Releases: Writing a Great Press Release

A press release follows a simple and fairly standard form. Those who receive press releases demand simple, straight-forward, and interesting releases and those who deliver such press releases stand the best chance of having their story become published.

Preliminary

Whenever possible the press release should be written with a company logo at the top of the page. If a logo or company letterhead paper is not available, then the release should be printed on white paper with black ink and with a simple, basic font. The paragraphs that make up the body of the release should be double spaced, and the release should ideally fit on a single page. If a second page is needed, it should be clearly labeled as the second page.

The words, Press Release should be located at the top of the page, and it should be in all capital letters and in bold. Next follows the companys contact information; name, address, phone number, website address, and email address on single spaced lines.

If the press release is available for immediate release, it should be written in capital letters directly above the headline, or the release date should be written if it is not available for immediate release.

The Body

The headline is the next component of the release and it is often the most important element of the release. It should be centered and in bold. The headline needs to capture attention quickly while being short and to the point. A sub headline, if needed, should be centered beneath the headline and written in title case with both upper and lower case letters.

The first paragraph of the body of the press release follows the headline and sub headline. It begins with the city and state of the releases origin and the current date. The press release is about an important and timely news item. It is a news article about a new event, new information, a new product, or a new publication. The first paragraph contains the important information about who, what, where, when, and why, and it should be written in a straight forward style.

The second paragraph presents the human interest side of the news event without hype or exaggeration. It explains in detail about why the reader should care about the event and how it will affect them. This paragraph is the place to include a personal touch such as a good, short quote.

The third paragraph is the place to present a call to action. This short paragraph tells the reader what they should do next. It presents the opportunity for the reader to take action. If there is not a call to action then this paragraph is not included.

The last paragraph is sometimes called the boilerplate, a few sentences of standard text that are used repeatedly on similar press releases that are submitted by the company. This paragraph describes the company and what it does.

The Ending

Following the last paragraph the symbol # # # is used to signify the end of the press release and it should be centered.

The last element of the release is a sentence which gives contact information in case the news agency needs to contact someone about questions or inquiries.

A well-written press release will convey the important information to the news agency in a readable, interesting, and professional manner, and will result in the publication of the news event.

********************
Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of http://www.TheDatingAdvisor.com and the founding station master for http://www.GoodPoliticsRadio.com/ak

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Posted on Sep 23, 2008 in Press Releases | Comments Off

Managers: You Know Your Job, but What About Public Relations?

Ford Motor Company and the Gay And Lesbian Community

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A Managerial PR System You Will Love

The Wind Up & The Pitch

Twelve Tips Before You Start A Public Relations Campaign

Public Relations for Fast Food Establishments

Boost Your Business by Partnering with a Non Profit Organization

Publicity - 5 Easy Ways to Create Buzz for Your Business

Press Releases: Writing a Great Press Release

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