People searching for solutions to their problems type phrases like these into the search engines: “Relationship commitment issues” “Non-engagement letter” “Disgruntled employees” When you write press releases or articles that addresses your customers’ problems, and then post them online, you can generate lots of attention, new business and even journalist interviews. Management consultant Alan Weiss, for… Read More
Online Marketing
Green marketing: 5 simple rules to follow
If your product isn’t environmentally friendly, or the marketing message for your green product is poorly planned, consumer groups will be all over you, like they were when they targeted Home Depot for sustainable harvested wood, Nike for child labor practices, and McDonald’s for Styrofoam clamshells and obesity. This article by Jacquelyn Ottman of J. Ottman Consulting, Inc., featured in The Navigator… Read More
Ali Brown’s 2008 ‘Blueprint-in-a-Box’ is ready
I’ve worked hard to build my business to the point where I don’t have to travel anymore. No more sleeping in airports, living in germ-laden hotel rooms or eating lousy food on the road. I do most of my work in my pajamas, or jeans and a T-shirt. About 98 percent of my revenue is… Read More
Book tours being replaced by virtual tours
Book tours—which can be expensive and time-consuming—are falling out of favor, and being replaced by podcasts, film tours, blog tours, book videos, and book trailers. This article in the Christian Science Monitor speculates as to whether the cumulative effect of a huge online presence will one day make the face-to-face bookstore meeting between writer and reader obsolete. I… Read More
Ideas needed for promoting Michigan nature park
Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan writes: “Our publishing company has just started working with a local nonprofit foundation that operates an outstanding nature park with miles of beautiful trails and three miles of waterfront land—all of which will soon be connected to the local university’s cross-country ski trails. “We are casting about for ideas… Read More
Fiskars’ word-of-mouth campaign a success
Here’s an example of a clever PR campaign that relied not on traditional media coverage but on word-of-mouth buzz and a huge online community that just keeps growing. The campaign—sponsored by Fiskars, the company best known for it’s orange-handle scissors, in conjunction with the Brains on Fire corporate identity—taps into the $3 billion scrapbooking industry. Volunteer crafters known as Fiskateers… Read More
Waymarking.com lets you promote interesting places
Here’s a cool social media tool to use in your publicity campaign if you’re promoting a tourist attraction, an event, a neighborhood, or even something as mundane as your local firehouse. It’s called waymarking, and you can do it here. A tip of the hat to Publicity Hound Rebecca Davey of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio who emailed… Read More
Learn 5 legal issues for online businesses
If you write articles, create information products, blog or create, publish and distribute any kind of content online, you must know how to protect yourself from the scoundrels who might be tempted to steal your content. My colleagues, Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad, are presenting a teleseminar on legal issues affecting online professionals. You… Read More
Holiday gift guide tips featured weekly in free ezine
Every year, newspapers, magazines, TV news shows, newsletter editors, the wire services and even nonprofits feature products and services that would make ideal holiday gifts for their audiences. It isn’t too late to pitch your product for many of these special features. Newspapers, for example, typically plan several holiday gift sections in November and December. If advertising revenue… Read More
Online event calendars: Which are your favorites?
OK, all you publicists and self-promoters. I’m in the market for the very best online calendar directories, preferably free, where you can post blurbs about your events. I’ll trade you six of mine for six of yours—or even just one of yours. Here are some of the sites we’re using: Full Calendar costs $19.95 per post, but… Read More