I just hung up the phone after being part of tonight’s “virtual telesummit opening reception party” for the smARTist Tele-summit 2007, hosted by Ariane Goodwin. And after hearing from all those great artists who joined me, I’m impressed! Before I started my business more than a decade ago, I was an avid needlepointer. That’s about as close as I got… Read More
Marketing
Newsletters engage customers
Instead of always hunting for more customers, spend some time on keeping the ones you already have. I love this story at the Vario Creative blog about how a product manager for a legacy software product created a newsletter that really scratched an itch that her customers had—and won their loyalty. I’m assuming she published an ezine, not… Read More
Help wanted with difficult marketing client
Marketing consultant Karla Swita of Mosinee, Wisconsin writes: “You know the guy who says ‘Word of mouth has gotten me this far, so why should I pay for marketing now?’ Well, he’s my client. “I’d love some ideas on how to promote a custom kitchen and bath manufacturing shop without sending him into sticker shock. I’m… Read More
Information products out of date? Give ’em a new twist
My article in the October issue of Professional Speaker magazine, the trade magazine for the National Speakers Association, offers 11 ideas on how authors, speakers and experts can come up with new products simply by giving their old products a new twist. They include: Get rid of those old cassette tapes and convert them to CDs. Turn… Read More
How to promote classical music company for babies
Publicity Hound Adam Adelman of Fairfax, California writes: “My wife and I have launched a company called Juno Baby and we’re an award-winning and critically-acclaimed premium creator of infant/toddler music and media. “All of our original music was scored for and performed by actual orchestral musicians. All of the original music was written by my wife,… Read More
Children’s book about divorce needs marketing tips
Author DK Simoneau of Lakewood, Colorado writes: “I have written a children’s picture book, ‘We’re Having A Tuesday’ that focuses on the issue of divorce. It goes beyond the typical book that centers on divorce not being the child’s fault. Instead, it’s a communication tool meant to help children and adults discuss the frustrations of… Read More
Gifts from Asia need marketing ideas
Rudy Gelton of Cambridge, Massachusetts writes: “The line of Alluring Items With Asian Influences that I am assembling consists of home decor goods, gifts and garments from the Far East to which the ladies who have provided me with marketing input have had overwhelmingly positive reactions. “Also, all of the friends, relatives and associates to… Read More
Northwest Airlines PR nosedives due to tips booklets
Is anybody awake in bankrupt Northwest Airlines’ PR department? How could anyone—even somebody with a brain the size of a pea—let the company distribute tips booklets titled “101 Ways to Save Money” to employees whose pay has just been slashed? The booklets offer these tips: Shop in thrift stores Take a date for a walk in the woods… Read More
Pay-for-placement fees: Make sure you know what they include
Whenever I talk to someone who owns a pay-for-placement PR firm and the topic turns to their fees, they’re suddenly tongue-tied. That’s because the fees are hefty, like $1,500 or more to get a story placed in a business journal—something that isn’t that hard to do yourself, even for inexperienced Publicity Hounds, if you just do just a little… Read More
New Zealand travel adventure needs PR ideas
Jenn Wright of New Zealand writes: How would your Hounds promote Adventure in New Zealand for mid-life women (typically 45-65) which combines life coaching and moderate adventure in a landscape unmatched? Target market: professional women who are not “athletes” but who have moderate fitness, and are at a place in life where they want to… Read More