The Power Publicist

Archive for July, 2008

Another issue of Be Heard!, the free weekly ezine, is now available. Check out a free teleseminar on using the 80/20 rule, find out how to create a publicity plan, and get contacts at Woman’s Day.

Check it out here.

I was reading a great post from Vero, a social media consultant in the UK, who was talking about the big mistake many PR people make when trying to get bloggers to cover a topic.

This seems to be a very hot topic in the blogosphere lately, as I’m hearing from a ton of bloggers who are clearly upset at the way they are being pitched.

As the professional blogger at Startup Spark, I get pitched all the time. And I’ve learned a lot from it. So much so, that now when I pitch bloggers on behalf of my clients, I know exactly what – and what not- to do.

Here are some tips if you’d really like to be covered in a blog:

1) Read the blog before you put a finger to the keyboard.

I just got a pitch this morning for Startup Spark to review a book on careers. It was obvious the PR person never read my blog, or they would have known I cover issues on starting a business – not getting a job.

2) Press releases don’t cut it.

Blogging is about conversations, so a generic press release going to thousands won’t work. Write personally to a blogger (showing that you know what they cover) and tell them why your topic will be a great conversation.

3) Don’t send an article or guest post without permission.

I often receive articles for reprint unsolicited. No savvy PR person would send an article to a ton of journalists hoping they would reprint it. Why would that be different for a blog?  Remember the word ASSUME.

4) Make it easy to work with you.

I am SO fortunate I have a great executive assistant. She schedules the interviews I do for my Success Secrets podcast on Startup Spark.  Otherwise, I think I’d go nuts. For example, there’s this one PR person who we’ve been working with.  She pitched a client for the series, and it turns out the client is in Europe on an extended holiday.  Now my assistant has been going back and forth trying to coordinate this.  It’s too much of a pain for an 15 minute interview.  If this PR person (who works for one of the biggest firms in the world) made it easy for us to do this, her client would have gotten some great coverage. But now, we’re dropping the whole thing!

Psst… if you got this far and still don’t get it, let me give you a hint: it’s about creating and building relationships in the blogosphere.

If you’re like me, you’ve got a ton on your plate.

Running a business, bringing up baby (or babies in my case), keeping the house in order, and having some fun tend to all sort of not work well.  But I have a secret weapon I want to share.

Most of us created our business to have a lifestyle that allows us to do the things we want. For me, I started my company to be able to travel more with my husband, but then the girls came so now it’s all about spending more time with them: from music classes and the library to trips to the beach. Plus I get to spend extra time doing the things I love: like meeting my girlfriends for a morning breakfast or going to the spa.What about you? Why did you create your business?

Whatever the reason, you can have the business and lifestyle you want, when you learn some simple, yet effective strategies to keep everything moving. (And boy, don’t we all have a lot moving!?!)

That’s why I’m hosting a free teleseminar Applying the 80/20 Rule to Your Business & Life on July 23 at 8 PM ET (5 PM PT).

During this exclusive FREE call with Coach Kate, you’ll learn:

* How to make better choices to be more productive in every aspect of your life

* The key to having more time for doing what you what – and make money

* Developing your own power-base (you already have) to reach every one of your goals

* and much more

You DON’T want to miss this FREE teleseminar exclusively created for you, my readers. So, won’t you join me?

You can find out all the details here: http://www.beheardsolutions.com/freeteleclass.htm

Yesterday, I talked about why it’s a mistake to pepper your releases with buzzwords.

But that doesn’t mean a keyword-rich press release isn’t valuable. As a matter of fact, I do it every day for my clients – and myself.

It’s all about finding the right keywords that resonate with your target market (the people you ultimately want your news to reach). Then using those words naturally in a well-written release that journalist will love.

That way, your release does double-duty.  Done correctly, you will get media coverage. Then you can also post the release on the various release depositories on the Internet.

The keyword rich release will get you up in the search engine rankings more quickly. When a prospect starts searching the Internet for the products or services you provide, you will be at the top of the list.

Having problems reaching the public? You need to get your name out there. Start making a buzz for your business, and do it fast.

“Buzz” is a word I like to use to explain public interest about your product or service. If you want to create a buzz, you have to show the public that you stand out from your competition. Make the people talk about YOU.

Here are some free ways to get others buzzing about you:

First, get news coverage about your business or new product locally, nationally, as well as in your industry’s trade publications. Most people forget that trade publications are a major attention grabber, as you are being recognized by your own industry. Even your competitors will be buzzing as they read the trade publications. 

Use your e-mail list to keep your customers and potential customers informed. Send out updated information about your company, offer tips and tactics, and answer commonly asked questions. This creates a community that is faithful to your business.

Create a presence on the Internet to help build buzz. Besides your own website, chat rooms and blogs are a good way of creating communication that develops your credibility. Offer advice and insights online whenever you can.

But the best and most efficient way to get your name out to the public is word of mouth.

The word of mouth technique is inexpensive and viral. So talk! Others will start talking to their friends who talk to their friends. Also, talk every opportunity you can find whether it is at seminars, meetings, and/or conferences to get your name out.