Shel Holtz is moderating the afternoon brainstorming session at Ragan’s “Unconference” in Chicago and we’re talking about how to measure whether social media marketing efforts is effective. Some ideas we’re discussing: –Use social media to drive traffic to your website, then capture email addresses and start building an opt-in list of people who have given you… Read More
Social media ‘Unconference’ off to a fast start
I’m in Chicago, at Ragan Communications’ “Unconference,” the daylong brainstorming session just before the big two-day event, designed to help corporate PR people understand how to use social media. After the first hour, here are some quick notes in Q&A format. Q. What is social media? –Wikis (Editable HTML pages) –Blogs (Posts with commenting) –RSS feeds… Read More
Meet reporters at ‘New York’s Funniest Reporter’ contest
I look for every opportunity to help you connect face-to-face with journalists, and this one sounds like fun. Six New York-area journalists and broadcasters will take to the stage in a stand-up comedy competition that will raise money for Operation Uplink, a charity that supports U.S. Troops. The 2nd Annual “New York’s Funniest Reporter” contest will be at 9:30 p.m. October… Read More
Why Purell and other hand sanitizers can be dangerous
I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the glove compartment of my car because, I confess, I sometimes eat in my car when I’m in a hurry. Yesterday, when I was conducting a teleseminar for people in The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, I learned that that’s not so smart. Marilee Tolen, an expert in holistic health marketing,… Read More
Special events publicity: 11 tips to draw a crowd
If you’re planning a special event large or small, stop losing sleep about how to draw a crowd. Check out my 11 tips on how to just that. It’s at the new WomenCorp website, an online magazine for business women that’s featuring me as one of the guest experts. No more excuses or worries about… Read More
Water recycling device needs publicity ideas
Brian James of Melbourne, Australia writes: “My client wants his innovative portable water recycling device known as the Waterleech at http://www.waterleech.com.au to break into the U.S. market. “It’s a small company with a limited budget. The Waterleech is a portable water collector that sucks up water from showers, baths and washing machines. It is then wheeled outside to… Read More
BBB’s ‘accredited business’ boosts your credibiity
I love knowing that in a few weeks, I’ll no longer be just a “member” of the Better Business Bureau. I’ll be an “accredited business.” That sounds better. It also lends an aura of credibility to small businesses like mine that join the BBB to, among other things, be able to display the BBB logo on the… Read More
The Forward adds bureau to cover Jewish news in L.A.
The Forward, an influential Jewish newspaper published in New York City, is expanding its West Coast coverage, and has opened a Los Angeles bureau. Staff reporter Rebecca Spence will cover a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, local Jewish news and organizations. Spence has been a staff writer at the Forward on two separate occasions from… Read More
‘Martha’ to feature Toilet Paper Wedding Dress winner
I wrote about how I loved the very clever Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest sponsored by Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com. And the publicity just keep on coming. Website owners Susan Bain; her mother, Roxie Radford; and sister, Laura Gawne tell me that Hanah Kim, the 2007 winner, and her dress will be featured on “The Martha Stewart Show” tomorrow. That’s… Read More
What motivates journalists, bloggers? Most of these 40 things
Attracting a journalist’s or blogger’s attention for your story idea is no different than attracting a consumer’s attention for a product or service. That’s what I concluded when I read What motivates people? Beckwith 40, written by branding expert Harry Beckwith, strategic director of Beckwith Partners, a marketing firm. Take, for example, three of his… Read More