Using Special Events to Draw Publicity

Back in December, the Dallas Morning News ran a story from New York Times about small businesses using creative special events to draw publicity.

This is a brilliant and cost effective marketing technique to draw business.

Here's some things the store owners who were featured are doing to attract customers:

Deborah Reese, owner of Seventh Goddess lingerie shop in Albuquerque, NM:

• Opted not to increase her advertising budget this year for the first time since she opened the shop four years ago.
• She's developed a new Facebook page and is encouraging employee blogs.
• Coordinated a "Sex and the City pajama party" in which customers sat on pillows for manicures and facials.
• Erotic poetry reading on Valentine's Day.
• The owner says, "People who ordinarily wouldn't come, come. You just have to spring for the munchies and drinks."

The result? The parties boosted sales. Dozens of pajamas sold at the PJ event.

Mary Hughes, owner of Mary's Futons, San Rafael, Calif.

• Coordinated a comedy show, using her futons as the seating! "An Evening of Lie-Down Comedy"

The first show sold out. So they added another show and it sold out as well.

These are brilliant and effect publicity campaigns.

Need a creative mind to brainstorm some fun events to draw customers to your place of business? Contact me at lori at lb publicrelations dot com. I'd love to help!

You can read the entire story in the Dallas Morning News here.

You Know You're a WAHM

Fellow WAHM, Karen Plumley, a freelance writer shared this with me.

You know you're a WAHM when...

"The kids are running around the house banging and screaming. The TV is on full blast. Husband has taken over the computer to play a video game. And you're attempting to talk with a client on the cell phone...with a weak signal...buried in the walk-in closet under a mound of clothes so you can hear. Been there, done that, many, many, many times."

Visit Karen's website.

To submit your WAHM story please contact me at lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.

Lori Bittenbender Public Relations 2008 Year in Review

I'm taking advantage of the slower work week to do some New Year's de-cluttering. I went through our entire house and filled 6 bags of items and donated them to Goodwill. Gotta donate them for the 2008 taxes!

Yesterday I tackled my desk. I'm enjoying the clean, organized energy.

I went through my filing cabinets and tossed a ton of paper work. Shredded a ton of stuff. Most things are electronically filed today anyway.

My bookcase is cleaned and organized.

This morning I updated my 2008 taxes.

I'm ready to start 2009!

But before we head there, here's a look at what I accomplished for my clients in 2008.

• I secured almost 50 media hits!
• Posted close to 170 blogs.
• Created and distributed more than 30 electronic newsletters.

I've only lost 1 client due to the economy, but gained three more!

God has truly blessed me and my family. I'm so thankful to be able to work from home and still be with my daughter.

Here's to a successful 2009!

You Know You're a WAHM

You know you’re a WAHM…

Whew! A series of events happened all at once yesterday. Things get done with a WAHM, just not in the traditional sense of working 8 – 5, behind a desk while the kids are with a care-provider.

• I’m experiencing my first sinus infection with throbbing pain in my numb, sensitive teeth. The pain radiates up to my cheekbones, temple and ear.
• I get a call from a colleague/client who is on vacation. She needs my emergency help to coordinate some interview questions for a reporter and the client I assist her with. I’m glad to help out.
• I leave messages with both the reporter and client.
• My daughter breaks out in hives for the 5th time in 3-days and the doctor says to call their office if it happens again. I call the office. They have an appointment in 45 minutes. I vow to make it.
• I look out the garage and hubby has the truck with the car seat.
• Get me and daughter bundled up.
• Call fitness center and ask them to tell hubby to come home.
• Race out the door with daughter and instructions to have reporter/client call my cell phone.
• Have to cover the seat with a random towel in the car because of hubby’s sweat puddle.
  Make it to the doctor appointment.
• Make it back home. In laws have arrived and let them admire the daughter while I check voicemails and emails.
• Reporter’s deadline is immediate so I call client and get questions answered.
• Type up responses and send them to reporter.
• Call colleague/client who is on vacation to tell her all it well and reporter should have everything she needs to complete her story.
• Go give daughter hugs and kisses for bed. Daddy and in-laws have done bath and book duty.
  
  Whew! Made it!

You Know You're a WAHM

When your daughter, who is not quite 2, announces to her play group that she has a meeting.

She's not even 2 and knows the word "meeting!"

When mommy has a meeting Daddy and daughter get to eat "fun" food like Sonic or chicken strips and baked beans.

I feel very blessed that my work breaks can include play time with other kids and moms.

Have a "You Know You're a WAHM" story? I'll be glad to share it along with a link to your website and your photo/logo. Email your story to me for consideration: lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.

Media Hit!

CBS Morning News, Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Beauty Buzz, Hottest Skin Care Gift Ideas

I pitched, and pitched this segment thinking it was so relevant and timely. Everyone wants to look younger for the holidays! I was just about to put the pitch to bed, when I heard from two producers. Yeah!

This same segment was also featured on Saturday's NBC morning news. I'm thankful for clients who get up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday to do a TV interview!

Here's the segment from Tuesday on CBS.

You Know You're a WAHM

This is a guest submission from fellow work-from-home mom, Jessica, Creator of Mom Fuse.

Mom Fuse is a resource for moms and an online magazine. They feature recipes, provide honest product reviews, have lots of give-aways, showcase some fabulous finds, and help promote moms who own their own business.

You Know You're A WAHM When...

"When you're checking email and responding to them while feeding your child (in my case children. I have 4 month old twins) and listening to your husband ask, 'I'm hungry, what's for lunch?' Also in that time the phone is ringing, the dog needs to go outside, and you realize you've been watching the Disney channel all day."

To submit your WAHM story, please send an email to lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.