“When you think of public relations, the first thing that comes to mind is a press release. A press release is, and will always remain to be an important tool for reaching the media and getting the word out about your business.”
But there are other ways to tap the media, and here are some strategies you can use for your business:
- Bullet articles
- Talk radio
- Article Reprint
- Market Studies – (note: check out the Women Business Owners Survey results to see a study done by the Women’s eCommerce Association)
To read the article by Isabel M. Isidro at Power Home Biz, visit: http://www.powerhomebiz.com/blog/2008/01/public-relation-pr-tools-for-your.html
Check out Media Marvel for a list of Media featuring Red Hot News:Â http://www.mediamarvel.com/
And for some great all around Media Ideas download your free copy of GET Media Savvy.
Here’s what one reader had to say about GET Media Savvy:
When I first started reading, “Get Media Savvy”, I quickly recognized the table of contents even got my attention. Then I began to read the pages and almost on every page, I learned something new about media, pr or marketing. This guide is full of great tips, strategies and techniques to help any business owner “get media savvy”. Teresa Morrow, Owner of KeyBusiness Partners http://www.keybusinesspartners.com Virtual Assistance & Online Promotion for Coaches, Speakers & Writers.
April 21st, 2009
Posted by
admin |
FREE MEDIA RESOURCES, Heidi Recommends, Press Release |
no comments
Did you know that February 1- 7 is Publicity for Profit Week? – There’s a fairly well-kept secret among top PR agencies and major corporations. What’s the secret? Most newspapers, and many other types of media outlets, are understaffed and often have significant editorial gaps to fill. They rely on free outside copy that arrives in the form of “mat” releases, articles that are prewritten and ready for publication. You can take advantage of those gaps by writing articles and sending them to your local editorial staff (the one that would most likely handle your topic area). Be sure to include your byline (signature file) – who knows, they may use it and it could potentially generate dozens of leads–or more. Make sure the article is filled with quality content, not just a self-promotion piece.
Here are ten tips to help you turn frustration into satisfaction and raise your chances of getting the media coverage you work so hard to get:
1.      Make it easy for journalists to cover your story. Media professionals are often on a deadline and the easier you make their job, the more likely they are to return the favor by giving you exposure.Â
2.      Do what your competition doesn’t. Most businesses just send a media release, cross their fingers and hope someone will pick it up and write about it. Go beyond that by creating more value. For example you could write a tip sheet to go with the release or even a list of Frequently Asked Questions (include brief answers, and leave just enough to whet their appetite and want to know more). The whole point of getting the media to pick up the phone and call you … for the rest of the story.
3.      A picture is worth a thousand words – If you mail a release, include a photo – if you email it, include a link to photos. A photo can tell the part of the story words alone cannot.
4.      Have a media page on your website devoted to information the media would be interested in such as other coverage you have received, current and past news releases, audio interviews, Q & A, photos and more.
5.      Contact magazines in your topic or interest area and see if they allow “outside contributions†from experts. Ask about writer guidelines, deadlines, editorial calendars, etc. And be sure and send something! The first time I did this, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I had no idea how to write a good article, but I did have marketing expertise. The editor loved the ideas in my article and edited it to fit their needs (pretty much rewriting the article). Since then I have learned what they like and don’t like and have written for them on several occasions.
6.      Put your ego aside and be willing to learn. I believe the reason my very first article was even accepted was because of my willingness to learn their needs and take the advice the editor gave me. Since then I have written articles for hundreds of magazines, newspapers and newsletters.Â
7.      Be professional. I mentioned that the first article I wrote was rewritten. The article was grammatically correct, however, the thoughts did not flow well, until it was rewritten.
8.      Make sure you are targeting the appropriate audience. Don’t do what I have done; write just for the sake of writing. While it’s good to hone the skill, it isn’t good for building relationships. You don’t want to waste the time of the journalists you are targeting by sending them things that don’t fit their needs or their target audience. Get to know the media you plan to target. Find out what they want and need most and fill that need. If you don’t know, ask them.
9.      Be reactive. If you notice the competition getting coverage, call the journalist who wrote about it and offer ideas for the next time she or he writes about your subject or expertise. Ask about future story ideas and if they have any pressing needs or working stories which you may be able to help them with.
10.  Be proactive. If you can predict what your target media will be covering, you can help them by giving them the kind of stories they need. If you notice a recurring trend at certain times of year or seasons and you can address that trend either with a story or an event, your chances of getting coverage increase. For instance most companies plan their Breast Cancer Events and initiatives during October (Breast Cancer Month) when it has a greater chance of getting media attention.
And finally, keep your promises! Submit your stories, articles and resources when you say you will. Better yet, be ahead of the deadlines and you will be a hero in the eyes and minds of the media. After all, you want that media coverage now, don’t you?
For more ideas like these, check out “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays.†In addition to 365 Ideas to promote your business, inside the 2009 Edition of Quirky Marketing Calendar, we show you how to use the calendar, how to work with the media, give you monthly action plan templates, a blank monthly calendar and more. At the end of each chapter is a comprehensive listing of additional holidays you can explore and use to promote your business. And an expanded resource section.Â
When you buy the book you also receive more than $2,000 worth of BONUS items as a thank you.
Go to www.QuirkyOffer.com to learn more and get your copy of Quirky Marketing today! Hurry! Bonuses won’t last long.
Â
February 6th, 2009
Posted by
admin |
Heidi Recommends, Internet TV & Video, Media Interviews, PR & Media Plans, PR & Media Resources, PR and Media Tips, Self-promotion |
2 comments
Are you a business owner? Are you struggling to make ends meet? Is the economy hurting your industry and you? Would you like to know how you can grow your business and change the tides on the economic slowdown we are experiencing? You can! When you attend the Grow a Million Dollar Business Virtual Summit taking place September 15, 18-20, & 23 2008. Loral Langemeier, Founder & CEO of Live out Loud will kick off our event on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 12 Noon (Eastern Standard Time).
About The Millionaire Maker:
Born and raised on a farm in Nebraska, Loral Langemeier did not start out in life with money or connections. Loral, a master coach and financial strategist, built her first business in high school, and by the time she was 34, she’d established a multi-million-dollar portfolio of properties, businesses, gas/oil and notes.Recognized by her peers for her personal commitment to helping people create unimaginable success, and acknowledged by thousands of clients for the substance, insight and applicable value her programs provide, Loral Langemeier has emerged as one of the most successful business and motivational speakers to hit the lecture platform.
Thousands of people have already used Loral’s programs to achieve significant wealth – and hundreds have become millionaires in 3 – 5 years. Loral will talk about building a wealth team, how to work with a wealth coach and more.
In this session ~ Building, Leading & Protecting Your Business Loral will also share the 7-step process that will accelerate your business and position it as an asset in your wealth building plan that is outlined in her new book, Building, Leading & Protecting Your business. You will learn revenue modeling, sales marketing strategies, and tips to protect your business assets by the Millionaire Maker. Loral will share her straightforward, strategic approach to creating wealth and generating cash through a virtuous cycle of assets and income† and how can we use them to build financial freedom known as the  Wealth Cycle™ Process,  and much more!
Do you want to achieve business growth and peace of mind? Do you want to build your own EMPIRE locally or globally?
Some of the largest companies in the world today started as small one-person businesses in their home office, garage or the back room of another business. When you join us for the Grow a Million Dollar Business Summit you have the chance to meet and learn from some of the leading experts on wealth creation and management to get YOUR BUSINESS on the path to building a million-dollar enterprise. You can attend Loral’s session as well as 14 other wealth building experts when you register for “How to Grow a Million Dollar Business.â€Â Â
Read about the Speakers, learn more about the Program Topics and REGISTER for the event. Your investment for this 3+ day event is only $77 when you register before September 15th. (Save $20!). After September 15th price will be $97.  To see all the fabulous give-aways and to sign up, visit our registration page at http://wherewomenprosper.wordpress.com/register/. Turn the tides on the slump in our economy by investing in your business. Â
Register for the Grow a Million Dollar Business Summit Today
Our Mission is to “Empower You to Achieve and Exceed Your Financial Goals” Looking forward to seeing you there,
Heidi
Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder ~ Where Women Prosper
September 14th, 2008
Posted by
admin |
Heidi Recommends, Small Business, Special Events |
no comments
eMarketer Daily has an interesting article today called Blogs and Traditional Media and how the media uses (or not) blogs to gather information, find experts and more.
 According to the article: “Of the many interactive features of the top 100 newspaper and magazine Web sites in the US, reporter blogs rank near the top, as do comments on blogs, according to a study by the The Bivings Group. A full 95% of the top 100 US newspapers now offer reporter blogs (up from 80% in 2006), while 58% of the top 100 magazines provide this service. ?
To read the full article visit: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006327&src=article1_newsltr.
Be sure to subscribe to eMarketer Daily for the latest news about Media, Marketing and More!
May 22nd, 2008
Posted by
admin |
FREE MEDIA RESOURCES, Heidi Recommends |
no comments
New Media Women Entrepreneurs (NMWE) Â will fund three women-led start-ups that will generate new ideas in the world of news and information and model a spirit of journalistic entrepreneurship. Winners will be given $10,000 to launch their ideas and blog about the process over the next year.NMWE seeks to map the creative assets of women and validate new ideas.
It is an initiative of J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism at the University of Maryland.
The funding is part of a unique initiative to address issues of opportunity and innovation, recruitment and retention for women in journalism. Funded by the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the New Media Women Entrepreneurs (NMWE) initiative will:
- Provide $10,000 each to help launch three women-led news ideas.
- Honor a New Media Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in an awards program.
- Research women’s consumption and creation of news and explore creative opportunities in today’s newsrooms.
- Produce a day-long Women Entrepreneurs Summit to unveil pilot projects, spotlight other entrepreneurial ideas, and release research findings.
- Collect new ideas, research and more at www.newmediawomen.org.
Check out existing research, suggest new research, and read the funding guidelines at www.newmediawomen.org.
Deadline for proposals is May 1, 2008.
March 5th, 2008
Posted by
admin |
FREE MEDIA RESOURCES, Heidi Recommends, PR & Media Resources |
no comments
Did you know that getting listed in a Who’s Who Directory can bring you more exposure, more traffic and greater visibility for your company or organization. Not to mention the increased credibitlity you receive just because you are now among the “Who’s Who World.”Â
There are dozens if not hundreds of Who’s Who directories to choose from. You may have been contacted by some already. Consider this:Â many of these directories offer a free listing and once you are listed you can use the new honor to promote your company. In most cases the only time you would have to pay is if you purchased a copy of the directory. And if you are not going to use it to market to others in the directory, don’t buy one. Unless of course, your ego needs it.
In fact, I am not sure what the actual value of paying to be listed would be except to pad the wallets of the listing source. Of course, that also depends on who would ultimately have access to the information. If your target market is buying these types of directories then PAYING to be included could be a wise business decision. Getting listed is another thing. If no one has approached you yet (give ‘em time to find you, they will), you can easily find THEM. You can do a google search for Who’s Who Directories and come up with dozens of results. I did and here’s what I found:
International Who’s Who
Marquis Who’s Who Print DirectoriesÂ
Madison Who’s Who directory Â
Global Directory of Who’s Who
There are also specialized, targetted directories that people might search for such as:
Who’s Who in Black Media ,
Leadership Directories, Inc.,
Website Magazine Who’s Who Directory
Expert Witness Directory Yearbook of ExpertsÂ
One word of caution: According to Wikipedia, “While there are many legitimate Who’s Who biographical directories, some unscrupulous individuals have created Who’s Who scams that involve the selling of “memberships” in Who’s Who directories that are created online and through instant publishing services. These are essentially thinly veiled scams designed to get individuals to part with their money. “Before parting with your money, be sure and do your due diligence. Contact others in the directory, ask to see a sample, get references, do the google search. Once you are statisfied with your results, you can determine if the directory meets your professional needs.Â
Have you heard About the Who’s Who Directory of Women in eCommerce?
The Who’s Who Directory is a directory o women who have an online presence either in the form of a website or blog and wo either promote a product or service via one of those vehicles (or you make money through affiliate sales). Your site does not have to have a shopping cart to qualify, just be one of the ways your customers and clients can find you. The information will be published online and promoted via our websites, media releases, WE Magazine for Women and our global network of women’s organizations.  Â
The main criteria for being listed: your woman-owned site/blog must be at least 1 year old. We reserve the right to exclude any sites we deem offensive in nature.Â
There is no cost to be included.
For more information about “Who’s Who,†visit  Who’s Who Directory of Women in eCommerce today!
HeidiÂ
Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder & CEO – The WECAI Network – http://www.wecai.org Â
February 2nd, 2008
Posted by
admin |
FREE MEDIA RESOURCES, Heidi Recommends, PR and Media Tips |
10 comments
To our loyal readers,Â
People often ask me, “What’s the most important thing I can do to have a successful and fulfilling life?â€Â If I told them, “Give more,†they’d probably dismiss it as a nice but impractical, “touchy-feely†sort of thought. If they only knew!Â
My friends Bob Burg and John David Mann have written a powerful little book entitled The Go-Giver which was just released for the New Year. To get the message of this book out into the world, they are having a one-day sale where you can get the book at a 20% discount and receive a $297 set of amazing videos (a full day with people like Bob Proctor, Bo Short, Cameron Johnson and Stephanie Frank) for a cost of zero. Â I strongly urge you to read the letter below, and take advantage of this one-day opportunity.Â
David Bach, NY Times Bestselling author of “The Automatic Millionaire” says this about the book: “Not since Who Moved My cheese? have I enjoyed a parable as much as this. You owe it to yourself to read “The Go-Giver” and share its message with those who matter most to you. It is a beautiful book that will touch your soul and inspire your heart.”
I totally agree with Mr. Bach. The Go-Giver has a heartfelt, inspirational message. And much more than that. When you read this book and follow the principles outlined therein, you will grow your business, be a better communicator and be an all-around better person. All the best, Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder & CEO – Women’s eCommerce Association ABOUT The GO-GIVER … “Not since Who Moved My Cheese? have I enjoyed a parable as much as this. You owe it to yourself to read The Go-Giver and share its message with those who matter most to you. It is a beautiful book that will touch your soul and inspire your heart.†—
David Bach,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Automatic Millionaire (To go straight to the offer, please visit www.thegogiver.com/amazon)  We are so grateful for the many friends and colleagues who have given us so many endorsements for The Go-Giver.  Now that it’s actually on the bookshelves, we’re beginning to get even more accolades, coming from people who just happened upon it and others who’ve bought it based on a friend’s recommendation.  Some talk about how moving the story itself was, others rave about the Five Laws of Statospheric Success that our protagonist, Joe, learns from his mysterious lunch guests. What they ALL talk about is how life-changing the message itself is. This overwhelming response has humbled us — and it has further ignited our desire to see this book in the hands of millions of people worldwide. Thanks to the most amazing team of agents, publisher and publicists that any authors could have, The Go-Giver has already made a splash in the marketplace. In just two short weeks, The Go-Giver has been a #1 bestseller for 800CEORead.com and has had brisk sales throughout bookstores in North America. It is also being translated into French, Korean, Japanese and Portugese . . . for starters. We’ve conducted several dozen radio and print interviews, and been featured in blogs and podcasts, conventions and web site memberships, newsletters and eblasts. And now . . . we’re gearing up for The Big One — this Thursday, January 17th. That’s why we’re writing to you. In order to garner the mainstream publicity and exposure we need to truly get The Go-Giver into the hands of millions of people worldwide, we’re seeking to give the Go-Giver message the credibility that comes with being on the major bestseller lists: Amazon.com, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Â
To accomplish that, we’re having a one-day-only promotion, where you can get your own, life-changing copy of The Go-Giver for just $15.64 (22% off) through our purchase link — and in appreciation, you’ll gain instant access to over ten hours of world-class training videos recorded at the “Extreme Business Makeovers 2007†Event in Orlando, Florida.  These videos feature presentations by Bob Proctor, Bo Short, John DiLemme, Christopher Guerriero, Stephanie Frank, Cameron Johnson and more. They are jam-packed with real-world information and strategies that can forever improve your business.  Normally priced at $297, you get it all at the total cost of ZERO, just for choosing to help transform the lives of people worldwide by participating in our campaign. Check out this special order link out for yourself. If you like what you see, take the step to join us in our mission today! Visit www.thegogiver.com/amazon Â
 All our best, Bob Burg and John David Manncoauthors, The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaÂ
P.S. Here are some other folks who’ve endorsed The Go-Giver:Â
“Trust is established when you act in the best interests of others. This terrific book wonderfully illuminates this and many other principles of contribution, abundance, service and success. In a style both engaging and insightful, The Go-Giver delivers a very powerful message.” — Stephen M. R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust – Visit www.thegogiver.com/amazon Â
“The Go-Giver is a lovely reminder to us all that the world is abundant and rewards those who act with a generosity of spirit.” — Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of See Jane Lead and Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner OfficeVisit www.thegogiver.com/amazon Â
“The Go-Giver does everything I would wish a good book to do. The story captured me from the very beginning to the very end. The lessons touched home again and again. Read it to the very end.” — Michael E. Gerber, author of The E-Myth – Visit www.thegogiver.com/amazon Â
“Every now and then a book comes along that says exactly what the world needs to hear at that precise moment. The Go-Giver is one of these rare books. How easily people forget this timeless truth: that genuine success is the fruit of genuine relationships.” — Kendra Todd, winner of The Apprentice 3, author of Risk & Grow Rich and host of HGTV’s My House Is Worth What? Visit www.thegogiver.com/amazon Â
 Wishing you abundance… and more!
Heidi
January 17th, 2008
Posted by
admin |
Heidi Recommends |
no comments
