Cheryl Hall has a great column in today's Dallas Morning News about monitoring bloggers to read what they are saying about your company.
She also had a great definition of a blog:
"A blog, or Web log, is a regularly updated journal published on a Web site to provide commentary or news. It usually allows readers to add their thoughts in an interactive format."
I highly recommend setting up several Google Alerts about about your company and other key words used within your industry. Whenever something is posted on the web using those key words, Google will send you an email with links for you to click through. These alerts are from on-line newspapers as well as bloggers.
If a blogger writes about you, post a comment on their blog. If it's positive, thank them. If it's negative, see how you can remedy the situation.
Click here to read Cheryl's full column about the power of blogs and learn why you should be monitoring and interacting with those within your industry.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
I Recommend Homestead
I recently created my own website (lbpublicrelations.com) using Homestead.
I chose Homestead for a couple of reasons:
The cost is very affordable; especially for freelancers. I went with the Gold Package for $20/month. The cheapest I found to have someone else create my website was $1,200.
I wanted to be able to have control over any edits. I didn't want to have to rely on a web designer to make any small grammar edits.
It took about 2 evenings to create my site. I chose a template and started adding my content.
I had to call customer service one time because my bio page is long and I needed to know how to make the template continue with the wording. The customer service rep answered my question very quickly and easily.
Visit my site! lbpublicrelations.com
I chose Homestead for a couple of reasons:
The cost is very affordable; especially for freelancers. I went with the Gold Package for $20/month. The cheapest I found to have someone else create my website was $1,200.
I wanted to be able to have control over any edits. I didn't want to have to rely on a web designer to make any small grammar edits.
It took about 2 evenings to create my site. I chose a template and started adding my content.
I had to call customer service one time because my bio page is long and I needed to know how to make the template continue with the wording. The customer service rep answered my question very quickly and easily.
Visit my site! lbpublicrelations.com
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Helping Clients on Live TV
There have been several occasions during my PR career that I’ve had to step in and help a client during a media event.
The most recent happened last Monday on Good Morning Texas. Kate and I had to help my babywearing client, Marni Matyus of The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. She was on the “Not So Perfect Parent” segment to provide tips for “Traveling with Children.” I wore Kate on my back in an Ergo Baby Carrier. My sister even helped us out too and wore her daughter in a Didymos Wrap.
I was so nervous. I woke up at 1 a.m. the night before and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was nervous because I didn’t want Kate to freak out on live TV and ruin the segment.
Everything turned out great! My sister’s baby slept peacefully the whole time and Kate was happy and smiling, hanging out on my back.
Click here to see the episode!
Here are two other situations where I had to help a client during a media event. When have you had to help a client? I’d love to hear your story!
Client: Deepak Chopra Center for Well Being
Media Event: Health Magazine was doing a photo shoot of Cheryl Tiegs, age 50, to showcase how well she has taken care of herself.
How I Helped: They needed an extra body to sit in on the food scene. I volunteered and photos were taken of us “pretending to eat.” It was really hard for me to pretend to eat. Cheryl did it like a pro – smiling and smelling the food as she passed the dishes along. One photo of me smelling some seasoning really did make it into the magazine!
Client: Kokopelli’s Wellness Spa and Yoga Center
Media Event: Fitness Expert Leisa Hart (Buns of Steel Workout Star) was doing a New Year’s fitness segment live from the spa.
How I Helped: While Leisa was reporting, a group of us was doing exercises in the background. I even had to do some Pilates moves while Leisa “helped me” during a tease prior to the segment.
The most recent happened last Monday on Good Morning Texas. Kate and I had to help my babywearing client, Marni Matyus of The Sling Station and Peppermint.com. She was on the “Not So Perfect Parent” segment to provide tips for “Traveling with Children.” I wore Kate on my back in an Ergo Baby Carrier. My sister even helped us out too and wore her daughter in a Didymos Wrap.
I was so nervous. I woke up at 1 a.m. the night before and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was nervous because I didn’t want Kate to freak out on live TV and ruin the segment.
Everything turned out great! My sister’s baby slept peacefully the whole time and Kate was happy and smiling, hanging out on my back.
Click here to see the episode!
Here are two other situations where I had to help a client during a media event. When have you had to help a client? I’d love to hear your story!
Client: Deepak Chopra Center for Well Being
Media Event: Health Magazine was doing a photo shoot of Cheryl Tiegs, age 50, to showcase how well she has taken care of herself.
How I Helped: They needed an extra body to sit in on the food scene. I volunteered and photos were taken of us “pretending to eat.” It was really hard for me to pretend to eat. Cheryl did it like a pro – smiling and smelling the food as she passed the dishes along. One photo of me smelling some seasoning really did make it into the magazine!
Client: Kokopelli’s Wellness Spa and Yoga Center
Media Event: Fitness Expert Leisa Hart (Buns of Steel Workout Star) was doing a New Year’s fitness segment live from the spa.
How I Helped: While Leisa was reporting, a group of us was doing exercises in the background. I even had to do some Pilates moves while Leisa “helped me” during a tease prior to the segment.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Social Networking Sites
In today's Dallas Morning News, there was a great article by Angela Shah about entrepreneurs turning to social networking sites.
I would link to it but it hasn't been posted on the DMN site. Here are some points that stood out in the article:
1. Increasingly, small businesses are turning to such sites as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube as a way to reach young customers who have embraced them as part of their lives.
2. For firms with little money to spend on advertising, the Web sites can be a cheap, efficient marketing tool.
3. Basically, you search the individual profiles for people who might be interested in your product and invite them to join your network as "friends" or customers for the small business owner. You can then send messages about your company to these friends.
4. Membership in general online networking sites reached as high as 41 percent for 18-29 year olds.
In my experience, many moms with young children have MySpace accounts.
If your target market is geared toward this age group or moms with young children, your marketing and PR plan should include social networking sites. You should take the time to create a page on any or all of these social networking sites.
I recently read a great book that could guide you along the way, "MySpace for Dummies."
I would link to it but it hasn't been posted on the DMN site. Here are some points that stood out in the article:
1. Increasingly, small businesses are turning to such sites as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube as a way to reach young customers who have embraced them as part of their lives.
2. For firms with little money to spend on advertising, the Web sites can be a cheap, efficient marketing tool.
3. Basically, you search the individual profiles for people who might be interested in your product and invite them to join your network as "friends" or customers for the small business owner. You can then send messages about your company to these friends.
4. Membership in general online networking sites reached as high as 41 percent for 18-29 year olds.
In my experience, many moms with young children have MySpace accounts.
If your target market is geared toward this age group or moms with young children, your marketing and PR plan should include social networking sites. You should take the time to create a page on any or all of these social networking sites.
I recently read a great book that could guide you along the way, "MySpace for Dummies."
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Media Hit!
I finally cracked Dallas Child Magazine!
My client, Solare Spa and Cafe, was mentioned in the "Talk...In the Carpool Line."
This is an example of getting a media hit from studying the publication, contacting the correct editor and suggesting my release for a specific section of the magazine. It worked!
Every Thursday at Solare Spa and Cafe is "Family Night" complete with a magician for entertainment. I knew this was perfect for Dallas Child and I'm thrilled with the media hit!
Families are encouraged to slow down and reconnect during “Family Thursday” nights at Solare Spa and Café. Solare Cafe provides a healthy and affordable alternative to processed fast food.
Solare’s new dinner menu features many recipes cafe owner, Rosanne Best used to eat as a child and then served to her own daughters. Kid menu options include 3 grilled shrimp, kids tri-tip and chicken adobo, a-long time family recipe featuring a fabulous sauce of paprika, soy sauce and garlic. Children also enjoy the chumash tacos made of Indian fry bread and filled with seasoned ground turkey, romaine lettuce, tomato and cheese. Healthy sides include sweet potato fries, grilled veggies and cucumber salad. Delicious tonics (including a tonic that tastes like real root beer) are available, providing all of the flavor of sodas without all the sugar.
Entrée’s for parents are low fat and served with rosemary potatoes, sweet potato fries, grilled veggies or steamed spinach and include: Solare Signature Tenderloin, scrumptious and roasted to perfection then drizzled with a mushroom pepper sauce; grilled shrimp or seared scallops lightly seasoned with garlic and Santa Maria seasoning; Chicken Adobo which took Solare chefs 11 tries to perfect the seasoning in this long time family recipe originating from the Philippines. Popular vegetarian dishes include the Spicy Soy Chicken Burger and the Seared Tofu which is covered with grilled onions, seasoned with soy sauce and Solare’s secret seasoning. Salads and handhelds from the lunch menu are also available during the dinner hour.
My client, Solare Spa and Cafe, was mentioned in the "Talk...In the Carpool Line."
This is an example of getting a media hit from studying the publication, contacting the correct editor and suggesting my release for a specific section of the magazine. It worked!
Every Thursday at Solare Spa and Cafe is "Family Night" complete with a magician for entertainment. I knew this was perfect for Dallas Child and I'm thrilled with the media hit!
Families are encouraged to slow down and reconnect during “Family Thursday” nights at Solare Spa and Café. Solare Cafe provides a healthy and affordable alternative to processed fast food.
Solare’s new dinner menu features many recipes cafe owner, Rosanne Best used to eat as a child and then served to her own daughters. Kid menu options include 3 grilled shrimp, kids tri-tip and chicken adobo, a-long time family recipe featuring a fabulous sauce of paprika, soy sauce and garlic. Children also enjoy the chumash tacos made of Indian fry bread and filled with seasoned ground turkey, romaine lettuce, tomato and cheese. Healthy sides include sweet potato fries, grilled veggies and cucumber salad. Delicious tonics (including a tonic that tastes like real root beer) are available, providing all of the flavor of sodas without all the sugar.
Entrée’s for parents are low fat and served with rosemary potatoes, sweet potato fries, grilled veggies or steamed spinach and include: Solare Signature Tenderloin, scrumptious and roasted to perfection then drizzled with a mushroom pepper sauce; grilled shrimp or seared scallops lightly seasoned with garlic and Santa Maria seasoning; Chicken Adobo which took Solare chefs 11 tries to perfect the seasoning in this long time family recipe originating from the Philippines. Popular vegetarian dishes include the Spicy Soy Chicken Burger and the Seared Tofu which is covered with grilled onions, seasoned with soy sauce and Solare’s secret seasoning. Salads and handhelds from the lunch menu are also available during the dinner hour.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to the first posting for my professional blog. I've had a personal blog for more than a year now. I've been doing a lot of reading and have seen how blogs can boost your professional life as well. I've encouraged many of my clients to start a blog and I've finally created my own.
I've been a public relations freelancer for two years now and have finally put some time and effort into creating a logo for myself and designing a website. It should launch in the next couple of weeks.
My friend Mistie created my logo. Go buy a t-shirt from her husband's website!
I hope to provide you with valuable PR tips to help your own business, celebrate my successes as a freelancer and educate others about the power of public relations.
I've been a public relations freelancer for two years now and have finally put some time and effort into creating a logo for myself and designing a website. It should launch in the next couple of weeks.
My friend Mistie created my logo. Go buy a t-shirt from her husband's website!
I hope to provide you with valuable PR tips to help your own business, celebrate my successes as a freelancer and educate others about the power of public relations.
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