Public Relations Tip #16 - Public Relations and Yahoo

Public Relations Tip #16 - Yahoo Cool Public Relations Tip for You


You can get more and better public relations successes by achieving a better presence in as many major search engines as possible.

Lots of sites only have their home page indexed at Yahoo, which hampers your organic (free) results.

Here's a quick lookup tip Dr. Andy Williams of EZ-SEO (http://www.ez-search-engine-optimization.com)/ sent me today. If you want to see how many of your pages are indexed in Yahoo ... all you have to do is go to Yahoo.

Then put your URL in the search box after the word 'site:' (site, then a colon, then your URL, no spaces.)

site:firstcontactsecrets.com

I used my FCS site and found 220 results of my site pages, so apparently mine all got indexed, as opposed to just my homepage. For other Yahoo tricks, check my "Chip Tarver's B2B Tips & B2B Techniques Blog" at http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com/blog.

There are tons of wonderful tips in that blog that will help your public relations efforts, too.

Chip

Public Relations Tip #15 - Public Relations, Keywords, Search Engines, Relevance, and Content

Public Relations Tip #15 - Public Relations, Keywords, Search Engines, Relevance, and Content are Your Keys to Abundance


This is a public relations quickie because it is simple to understand and simple to do.

If you already know this, are you doing it? Do your Google Page Rank and Alexa Rating confirm this?

If you don't know it, here it is ...

Search engines care about two things: content and relevance. Does the info you provide match the keywords you say you're trying to satisfy?

People care about two things: content and relevance. Does the info you provide match the keywords you say you're trying to satisfy?

There - simple, wasn't it?

Both search engines and people care about the actual terms used to find information - based on real results, not our speculation - so please be sure you know the terms people use to find your information ... not the terms you think people use.

The differerences are life- and business-changing. If your public relations efforts do not first embrace this proven principle, the rest of what you're doing is 100% wasted.

For more on this and other relevant topics, go to my B2B Tips & B2B Techniques Blog at http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com/blog.

Just the truth ...

Chip

Public Relations Tip #14 - What Is Public Relations?

Public Relations Tip #14 - Public Relations Defined


It just occured to me that we've gotten all the way to public relations tip #14 without my even telling you exactly what public relations and publicity are ...

So - as to not give you some spin-definition, I went to Dictionary.com. There are 3 entries found for public relations.

public relations - pl.n. Abbr. PR

1. (used with a sing. verb) The art or science of establishing and promoting a favorable relationship with the public.

2. (used with a pl. verb) The methods and activities employed to establish and promote a favorable relationship with the public.

3. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The degree of success obtained in achieving a favorable relationship with the public.

==========================

There are 3 entries found for publicity.

pub·lic·i·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-bls-t)n.

1. Information that concerns a person, group, event, or product and that is disseminated through various media to attract public notice.

2. Public interest, notice, or notoriety achieved by the spreading of such information.

3. The act, process, or occupation of disseminating information to gain public interest; a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution.

==========================

Here 15 synonym entries found for publicity.

Main Entry: publicity
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: promotion

Synonyms:
advertising, announcement, announcing, attention, ballyhoo, big noise, billing, blurb, boost, broadcasting, build-up, clout, commercial, currency, distribution, fame, handout, hard sell, hoopla, hype, ink, limelight, noise, notoriety, pitch, plug, PR, press, press-agentry, promo, promulgation, propaganda, public notice, public relations, puff, puffery, pushing, release, report, réclame, scratch, skywriting, spotlight, spread, write-up

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: advertisement
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: notice

Synonyms:
ad, advert, announcement, ballyhoo, bill, blurb, broadcast, circular, classified ad, commercial, communication, declaration, display, endorsement, exhibit, exhibition, flyer, literature, notice, notification, placard, plug, poster, proclamation, promotion, promulgation, propaganda, publication, publicity, squib, throwaway, want ad

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: advertising
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: notice

Synonyms:
announcement, announcing, ballyhoo, ballyhooing, billing, blasting, blurb, broadcasting, build-up, buildup, displaying, exhibiting, exhibition, exposition, hard sell, hoopla, hype, pitch, plug, posting, proclamation, promo, promoting, promotion, public relations, publicity, puff, screamer, spread, squib

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: buildup
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: accumulation

Synonyms:
accretion, advertising, ballyhoo, development, enlargement, escalation, expansion, gain, growth, heap, hype, increase, load, mass, plug, promotion, publicity, puff, stack, stockpile, store

Antonyms: decrease

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: communication
Part of Speech: noun 2
Definition: information

Synonyms:
account, advice, announcement, briefing, bulletin, communiqué, conversation, converse, declaration, directive, disclosure, dispatch, dope, dope sheet, excerpt, global village, goods, hot poop, hot story, ideas, info, information, inside story, intelligence, language, lowdown, message, missive, news, note, pipeline, poop, prophecy, précis, publicity, report, revelation, scoop, skinny, speech, statement, summary, tidings, translation, utterance, warning, word, work

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: communications
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: exchange

Synonyms:
information technology, means, media, public relations, publicity, route, telecommunications, transport, travel

Antonyms: secret

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: exposure
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: uncovering

Synonyms:
acknowledgment, airing, baring, betrayal, confession, danger, defenselessness, denudation, denunciation, disclosure, display, divulgence, divulging, exhibition, expose, giveaway, handout, hazard, introduction, jeopardy, laying open, liability, manifestation, nakedness, openness, peril, presentation, publicity, revelation, risk, showing, susceptibility, susceptiveness, susceptivity, uncovering, unfolding, unmasking, unveiling, vulnerability, vulnerableness

Antonyms: cover, safeguard, shelter, shield

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: press agency
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: press association

Synonyms:
news agency, news service, publicity agency, public relations agency, wire service

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: press agent
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: publicity person

Synonyms:
advance man, PA, PR consultant, press officer, publicist, publicity agent, public relations officer

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: promotion
Part of Speech: noun 2
Definition: publicity

Synonyms:
advertising, advertising campaign, ballyhoo, blurb, buildup, hard sell, hoopla, hype, notice, pitch, pizzazz, plug, plugging, PR, press, press-agentry, promo, propaganda, public relations, publicity, puff, puffery, pushing, screamer, spread, squib

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: propaganda
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: information

Synonyms:
advertising, agitprop, announcement, ballyhoo, brainwashing, disinformation, doctrine, evangelism, handout, hogwash, hype, implantation, inculcation, indoctrination, newspeak, promotion, promulgation, proselytism, publication, publicity

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: publication
Part of Speech: noun 1
Definition: information

Synonyms:
advertisement, airing, announcement, appearance, ballyhoo, broadcast, broadcasting, build-up, communication, declaration, disclosure, discovery, dissemination, divulgation, issuance, issuing, notification, proclamation, promulgation, pronunciamento, public relations, publicity, publishing, reporting, revelation, statement, ventilation, writing

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: puff
Part of Speech: noun 2
Definition: advertisement

Synonyms:
advertising, blurb, boost, buildup, commendation, favorable mention, good word, hype, laudation, plug, praise, press-agentry, promo, promotion, publicity, puffery, push, sales talk, write-up

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: release
Part of Speech: noun 2
Definition: publication

Synonyms:
announcement, dope, flash, handout, issue, leak, news, notice, offering, poop, poop sheet, proclamation, propaganda, publicity, scoop, skinny, song, story, the goods

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Main Entry: spotlight
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: attention

Synonyms:
center stage, fame, flashlight, floodlight, interest, light, limelight, notoriety, public attention, public eye, publicity

Source:
Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1)Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

==========================

Hope this helps you understand the meaning of public relations without the spin from any gurus or other people trying to sell you something. If you think about it - this is also a wealth of keywords for your research if you're 'in the business.'

Chip

Public Relations Tip #13 - Public Relations and Jay Abraham

Public Relations Tip #13 - Public Relations and Jay Abraham's Way

Jay Abraham is at it again. No one knows public relations better than Jay. If you missed Jay's June event, it was over-booked any way ... 1,500 lines. The next one is next week - August 4th. Only 1,000 lines ...

Go here, read the page, and get registered for the free $10,000 call ... before this one is booked up, too. Even more people will be competing for the 1,000 lines this time.

http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com/jay_abraham.htm

You'll be really glad you did.

Chip

Public Relations Tip #12 - Public Relations is Niche Marketing

Public Relations Tip #12 - Public Relations and Niche Marketing

I just posted an article you need to read on my First Contact Secrets website at http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com.

It's about the hot topic bandwagon of the week everyone is jumping on. You can find it here:

http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com/Articles.htm.

(Go find it.)

Chip

Public Relations Tip #11 - Public Relations and High PR Linking

Public Relations Tip #11 - Public Relations and High PR Linking Go Together


Here's an informative public relations article we have on our Free Targeted Traffic site at http://www.free-targeted-traffic.com. Personally, I find it extremely interesting and imminently doable.

See if you agee ...


How to get 50 High Page Rank One Way Links Each Month
By John Gergye

It's easy. So easy it's almost criminal. But I can get one-way High PR (page rank) links whenever I want.

How? Come closer.

Let me whisper in your ear. It involves articles, the google toolbar and a tracking sheet.

That's it. Because there's really nothing to getting high PR one way links.


====> Two Must Finds

All you do is find sites to post your articles on that do a good job of directing page rank (PR) to their articles pages. Sadly many do not.

Others may, but they don't include that coveted live link from your article.

This just means you'll have to look a little harder. Since the crown jewel in your search for sites to submit articles to is to find those with other articles that show live links. And the pages they're on sport at least PR 3 or higher.


Here's why this is so powerful.

You'll typically get the lion's share of that PR. Since unlike a links page, quite often the only external link is to the author's web site. Just think. While others are thrashing around trading links, you're quietly developing high search rankings by simply submitting articles.

Nifty seo twist on the idea of article marketing isn't it?


====> Your Tracking Sheet

Setting up your tracking sheet is simple too. You want at least three headings including website URL, PR, Live Link.

What goes in the first should be obvious. Jot down the PR of the article pages themselves in the second. The third you simply note "Y" for yes if there is a live link from the article's resource box back to the author's web site. Or "N" for no if there is not.

Now for the tedious part - finding sites to host your articles.

Typically article banks, directories and the like are NOT going to be your best bet. Sorry. I'm not saying you shouldn't submit articles to them as part of an overall article marketing scheme. Just don't do so in the hopes of snapping up many high PR one way links is all.

Instead you want to use Google to help you find individual web sites that post articles. There are many ways to find them. Let me share one.


====> One Way to Find Sites to Submit to

Simply search on your "target keyword phrase + articles". And don't forget the quotes.

Doing so tells Google to return all pages with both the keyword phrase and the word articles on them. This should return a healthy list of sites in that keyword niche that host articles.

Now you want to do this search in Internet Explorer with the Google toolbar turned on. At each site visit a few article pages that have been around for awhile. (Sometimes sites will show the date posted. Other times you just have to kinda guess which might have been there longer.)

Keep an eye on the PR of those pages. Checking out three or four such pages should give you an idea of the PR potential. Note the highest PR you find on your tracking sheet. Also take note if the links in the resource box are live or not.

Once you run through the first list try another focus keyword. Or try a related niche. Just be aware you'll start to see peats and repeats. Still don't stop until you've got a nice starter list of 25-30 sites that have higher PR and a live link back.

After you've got your list - write the best, most informative, helpful article you can. No self promotion. No affiliate links. No hype whatsoever.

Then have at it. Submit it to the list you just developed.

If you've got a better than average article you can expect at least 10 or maybe even 15 out of 30 sites to post it. And you're on your way. Just like that you've got 10-15 higher PR one way links. Which is probably more than most of your competitors have.

And that's just one article.

That's right.

Once you've got one article in motion, look for more sites. Write another high quality article. Submit it first to those who posted your previous article. They should be your favored class and get first crack at your new one. Then submit it to the rest.

Pretty simple isn't it?

Yet this pretty much lays out get 50+ high PR one way links each month.

Now you can, too.

John Gergye shares more ideas like this in his ebook "StreetSmart Linking" at HighPRLinkClub.com.

================================================

My less-than-humble advice to you is to add this tip to your public relations arsenal. You'll be glad you did.

Chip

Public Relations Tip #10 - Public Relations Tips Blog and Search Engine Rankings #1

Public Relations Tip #10 - Public Relations Tips Blog SE Rankings #1


Today this Public Relations Tips & Public Relations Techniques blog is one week old.

Out of curiosity, I thought I'd check to see which search engines have found this PR blog - using two different public relations keyword phrases:

public relations tips
public relations tips blog


Here are the results after one week:

alltheweb - #3 for 'public relations tips blog'

dogpile - #26 for 'public relations tips blog'

excite - #25 for 'public relations tips blog'

webferreet - #13 'public relations tips blog'

yahoo - #6 for 'public relations tips blog'


So, as you can see - in a week, 5 search engines have picked up my Public Relations Tips & Public Relations Techniques blog.

Obviously, at this early point - alltheweb.com and yahoo.com have put the highest value on it for the keyword phrase 'public relations tips blog.'

POINT: Search engines like blogs. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. Blogs provide fresh content to the search engines.

Pay attention to your keyword usage and your keyword density, and you can get your blog listed fast as well. And - after all - that's the point ... to get free traffic from free organic search engine results.

By the way, one of my other blogs, 'Chip Tarver's B2B Tips & B2b Techniques Blog" (at http://www.firstcontactsecrets.com/blog) is at the number one position in most major search engines for its keyword phrase 'b2b tips. That blog is 7 months old now, and has close to 130 posts in it.

Chip

Public Relations Tip #9 - Public Relations Through Effective Emails

Public Relations Tip #9 - Public Relations Through Emails That Work

Writing a Public Relations Email That Gets Opened
(An email requesting a phone call)


This is a quickie because this is not a difficult task.

Yes - due to the scourge of spammers (AKA losers) prevailing on the Internet today, our dear email system is just not what it used to be.

Fact.

But - like it or not - lots of impolite people barge in via telephone at all hours during the day and night, too. People in the media have tons of responsiblilities and loads of deadline pressures.

Now it's even MORE IMPORTANT to know how to craft an email that gets opens. You have to be able to rise above the noise and clutter in your public relations target's inbox. It also keeps you off their phones.

So without further delay - let's get started ... here's one example ...

NOTE: NEVER LIE TO PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T SINCERELY MEAN WHAT I ILLUSTRATE BELOW - OR IF IT IS NOT TRUE IN YOUR SITUATION, FIND ANOTHER WAY.) (all caps on purpose)

=================================================

Subject line: Firstname - I'm *very* interested in your (fill in the blank)

Hi, Firstname -

I've (watched, read, whatever) you for a while now, and I'd love to be a trusted asset for you.

It might be a bit of a stretch at the moment - since we have not yet met - but out of respect for your time and deadlines, I just wanted to shoot you a quick email.

Would you please be so kind as to share between five and seven minutes on the phone with me at a time convenient for you? My area of expertise is (fill in the blank.) Whenever you need a quick quote, reference, or kicker, I'm as close as a local cell phone.

I'd never send this email if I weren't serous about being a trusted asset for you, and I never forget that the only reason we're here is for your (readers, listeners.)

Please be so kind as to tell me a convenient day and time for you to share a few minutes with me, as well as a phone number you prefer I use. I'm happy to get in touch whenever is convenient, or if it's easier, please feel free to call me.

I absolutely know and understand the pressures of your business. I promise not to waste one second of your valuable time. When you kindly reply to this email, please specify what type of info you'd like to see on me, so you can be comfortable when we chat for a couple of minutes.

Thank you in advance. I truly appreciate your time -
My name
My phone number
My URL

=================================================

IMPORTANT POINTS:

This email sample is short, interesting, intriguing, sincere, respectful, to the point, humble, and assuming a successful outcome.

It's a text email - not an html email.

I didn't say a word about how great I think I am. I said I know it's all about his (her) readers or listeners.

Any person worth knowing *will* respond with an answer. Further, they should be happy to set up a time to talk with you for a few minutes.

If they don't respond, they don't deserve your attention, your time, or your help. That said, if you're absolutely determined to work with a certain person, you can always email him or her later once you have some press credentials and credibility to add to your next contact attempt.

Keep at it. You'll find someone who cares. You deserve that much, for sure.

Lots of people will appreciate your help.

Chip

Public Relations Tip #8 - Public Relations and Amazon.com

Use Amazon.com in Your Public Relations


Creative Ways To Use Amazon.com to Get Free Publicity --
Even If You Haven't Written a Book

By Randy Gilbert


** How Can Amazon Be a River Of Gold? **

Amazon has created some hard feelings among authors, because it takes an enormous chunk of the profit for selling books and products.

Although I'm not trying to defend Amazon, I would like to expand the horizons of authors and help them to see how they can proactively turn Amazon into their own "River of Gold."

Stand back and consider that Amazon is loaded with people who love to buy books and products in your subject area and who are trained to use their credit cards online. They are the kind of people you want to have come to your own website and buy lots of things from you.

By helping them to flow into your own sales funnel, they will become gold to you.You can get these people to your website if you take advantage of the opportunities that Amazon is giving you.

If you are not introducing yourself to your potential customers every time they are logging onto Amazon, you are making a really big mistake (HUGE!).


** Your Perfect Customers Are Visiting Amazon! **

How do I know your "perfect customers" are visiting Amazon? Well, simply because they are buying every type of book on Amazon that is in your specialty area, genre, and niche. If you don't believe me, then who do you think is buying all those books?

How do I know people who shop on Amazon use their credit card online?

Because that is how you buy things on Amazon.

Additionally consider this. Amazon knows they are a proven source of people who buy on the Internet, because it has branched out and now sells just about everything else under the sun.

I'll say it again ... Amazon has trained millions of your potential "perfect customers" to use their credit cards online (impulsively), and you can attract them to your websites by branding your name in front of them every time they shop there.


** Amazon Is Ten Times Better Than Walmart! **

Amazon is fast becoming the Walmart of the Internet. But size is not the issue. What makes Amazon ten times better than Walmart is that Amazon is willing to share its traffic with you!! Can you imagine being able to duplicate yourself and being allowed to stand in every Walmart store, holding out your book and introducing yourself?

And even better, can you imagine having a display of your books and products next to every other complimentary product that is sold in every Walmart? Well, that is what you CAN DO virtually on Amazon.


Here Are 2 Ways To Sell More Books And Brand Your Name

Below are listed creative ideas for turning the people who visit Amazon into your own "perfect customers."

Use these 'Golden Tips' and you will see your book sales on Amazon increase dramatically and you will gain lots of perfect customers to your other websites. You will literally be turning Amazon into your own "River of Gold."

[Authors side note: I almost hate to share these, because I feel some of them have been my own little money making secrets. However, I know that if I don't give good things away, I will not get good things in return. So here they are. Please use them for your own benefit and feel free to share them with others.]


Golden Tip #1 - Tell People 'About You' and Become A Celebrity

Amazon has given you a very special place called "Your About You Area," that is a goldmine in itself. This is your own area that you have complete control over. You can post a flattering picture of yourself, and if you want, include your family or even your book.

You should use your "About Me" area to its maximum extent allowed. You can post who you are, what books you've written, how you can help people, and most importantly,which of your websites they can go visit to get your help.

This description of yourself can go on and on for up to 4,000 characters (~650 to 700 words). But here's a note to the wise; be sincere, be personal, don't include any hype, and stay within Amazon's guidelines.

Amazon's guidelines say no domain names, URLs, or hyperlinks. Also, no commercial advertising, promotion, or solicitation. Therefore, you only promote yourself and describe your websites and their addresses with words.

I also describe what I will give to people who contact me and so far Amazon says that's OK. To find "Your About You Area," click on your store tab. For example, if your name is Jan, then the tab will most "Jan's Store." Then click on the sub-tab "Friends &Favorites."

Next, look down on the left of the page and click on "Your About You Area." Please, don't let this vein of gold go untouched. To see a sample of mine, I've set up a link that will take you there directly: http://AmazonBestSellerSecrets.com/about-me-area

Golden Tip #2 - Use Your Branded Name as Your Amazon Name

In "Your About You Area" there is a place for you to type in 'Your Name.' It may sound like a simpleton idea, but I recommend you enter the name that you want people to know you by.

Here are some possibilities.

Use your branded name (ex. Randy Gilbert, Host, The Inside Success Show). You can also make it easy for people to get in touch with you if you use your branded name email address (ex. RandyGilbert@RandyGilbert.com), or your vanity toll-free telephone number (ex. Randy Gilbert, call 866-MAUI-BOY).

Check out this vein of gold. If you have more than one specialty or branded website, you can open an Amazon account for each.

All you have to do is create separate accounts using another email address, and purchase something from that Amazon account. I have 3 accounts. One for my "Dr. Proactive" niche, one for my Host of "The Inside Success Show" niche, and one for my "Amazon Best Seller Secrets" niche.

There's no cost, so why not?

Randy Gilbert


Great stuff, eh?

Chip

Public Relations Tip #7 - Public Relations and Email

Public Relations Tip #7 - Is Email Your 'PR Friend?'


Public Relations and Email Marketing
by Chip Tarver

Here are some quick hints to consider as you use email as one of your contact methods to achieve public relations from the local, national, or international media.

1. Do not use a free email account if you want to be taken seriously by anyone in business. No Yahoo. No Hotmail. No AOL. Always use your company email account.

2. Don't use a silly alias. Your name is part of your branding and 100% of your recognition.

3. Be especially careful in crafting your emails so you don't look like a garden-variety spammer. Remember that any unsolicited email can be considered spam. When you're trying to make contact with a media person you don't yet know - that's an unsolicited email ...

4. Email is a great way to request a telephone appointment. It shows respect for the other person's time, and allows convenient scheduling. The trick is writing an email that gets opened, read, and acted on.

In the old days you could get away with about anything. And that's why we call them 'the old days.' Today is 'different,' and you must be, too ...

Email is one of your most effective means of communication, and your way to market at almost a zero cost ... so use it to your best efficiency.

The spam junkies, worms, trojans, viruses, and other rotten apples spoil the whole barrel. Be sure your email is one that is anticipated and opened. Do things the right way.

Stay focused on your target ... and remember that media coverage is all about the viewers, listeners, and/or readers. Always deliver great content to your media contacts to make life easier for them. Give them what they want and expect.

Point: Email is still viable (for today.)

One real problem is that some people are so stupid that they poison their own email supply (and ours) and will inevitably over time put themselves out of business. Brilliant ... aren't they?

Spam is wrecking the system and taxing all of the resources and patience of people - so it's the villain. Don't send frivolous ridiculous emails. Period.

Some people call email 'a gentle tap on the shoulder.' If a friend of yours tapped you on the shoulder, would you turn and pay attention - or be rude to your friend?

I make the analogy of (the proper use of) email to Federal Express.

Most people notice and open their FedX packages. Why? People don't usually waste time and money sending frivolous FedX packages. FedX packages get noticed. In a perfect world, if a friend tapped you on the shoulder and offered you a just-delivered FedX package - would you open it?

(Of course you would.)

Make sense?

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #6 - Public Relations and Your Press Kit

Public Relations Tip #6 - Proper Public Relations Requires a Proper Press Kit


Public relations (AKA publicity) is no different than the other issues you face online and offline. It's difficult these days to find ethical products distributed by ethical people.

Fact.

Far more prevalent are crappy products distributed by unscrupulous people.

Truth.

If you haven't been suckered into buying some junky product because you read a hyped-up (they'd call it well-written) sales letter, you must be new around here - or you're just not on many people's lists yet.

One of your most difficult issues in acquiring information (and/or products) online is finding someone you can trust. You'll hear me repeat this from time to time because it's true.

One of the best assets you'll find out here is someone who's been around a while and knows whom you can trust (and some people you can't.)

If you could meet a person whose professional life is involved in public relations, whose products cover a variety of the specific facets of public relations, and who is well-respected by his peers in the public relations arena ...

Would you pay close attention to this person? (You should.)

Why?

Public relations (publicity) is a Golden Key. And I know a handful of people in this market you can trust.

Hang around here and I'll introduce you to them.

One of the people you need to know in the public relations profession is Don Crowther. Don has been very successful in his field because he knows what he's doing.

You need to pay attention to Don because he can and will help you.

Plain and simple.

So - what's this got to do with press kits? I'm glad you asked.

Don has just this month released the finest product of its kind, specifically designed and crafted to show you EXACTLY what you need to have in an excellent, efficient, results-pulling press kit ...

An offline (printed) press kit.

And an online (digital media) press kit.

All the pieces. Explained. Specifically. With pictures. Everything you need in one place.

Period.

You won't need any other press kit product if you have this one.

Don explains and shows you every single piece in a rockin' press kit and media kit ... even telling you which pieces are most important - and which pieces aren't.

Lots of people would stop there. Not Don.

He then shows you lots of existing press kits from famous companies. He tells you what's best about each one - and what isn't. Then he tells you the stuff that should be in each one - and the parts he wishes they had left out.

You won't find a more exhaustive, comprehensive public relations press kit product anywhere.

At any price.

It's called "How To Create Powerful Press Kits and Online Media Kits."

OK - the ball's in your court.

Don't be silly and buy a half-dozen crappy press kits and media kits products that don't work.

Be smart andjust buy one - Don's. It works. It's real. You don'tneed any other press kit product. This one tells and showes you EVERYTHING you need to know.

Buy it.

Today.

Click any of the links in this post to immediately go to Don's site and see the preeminent press kit product for your public relations today.

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #5 - Public Relations and Your Press Release

Public Relations Tips #5 - Press Release Optimization: The Biggest PR Advance in 100 Years?
by George McKenzie

Did you know that the public relations "game" is 100 years old this year?

Yep, the first press release was sent to newspapers by snail mail a century ago, aimed at helping control the Public Relations damage a railroad company sustained when one of its locomotives crashed.

The company offered to transport reporters free of charge to site of the accident to witness the scene themselves. The company hoped to squelch rumors and exaggerations that were spreading about the severity of the wreck.

Things are a little different now, aren't they?

And maybe the biggest Public Relations development in 100 years has been quietly taking place in the last 12 months or so. Do you know what it is?

It's the marriage of Public Relations and the Internet.

Public Relations in general, and press releases in particular, have become the "stealth strategy" in the highly competitive battle for search engine ranking. Greg Jarboe, President and co-founder of SEO-PR recently did a comparison study for one of his clients, WineZap.com. The results were verrrry interesting.

Jarboe provides press release optimization for companies seeking publicity and search engine positioning for their websites. He can show you side-by-side views of a "before-and-after optimization" press release for WineZap.com, an online resource to research and price wines.

The changes to the press release were relatively minor, but he made several significant changes to the headline, and he added some wine-related search phrases. The "optimized" release, submitted through PRWeb.com also included a call to action and a discount coupon for those who clicked through from the press release to a special landing page.

The landing page offered a newsletter sign-up form qualifying the visitor for substantial discount on wine purchases. Jarboe showed ranking results from both Yahoo News and Google News, where the release turned up in the top 5 rankings.

Such a ranking is stunning in the highly competitive wine industry, especially since WineZap is a new site. Jarboe says WineZap had paid for tracking, and results showed the release got more than 90,000 views on the PRWeb site alone, with 1,400 views by journalists!

Jarboe pointed out that his research shows 98% of journalists go online daily, that 92% go online for research purposes, and -- maybe most remarkable of all -- 73% of those journalists go online to search for press releases, which are typically indexed within three days because they're considered "time-sensitive."

That's much faster than a standard web page gets indexed.

It beats the daylights out of those press releases that were distributed to journalists by snail mail 100 years ago, doesn't it?

And it's also a good way to beat the daylights out of your competition when it comes to getting the free public relations you need to take your business to the next level.

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #4 - Public Relations and Celebrities

Public Relations Tip #4 - Celebrities, Fame, and Your Public Relations


Today I have an article from a wonderful and brilliant fellow, Don Crowther.


"How To Use The Fame Of Others To Build Your Publicity"
from Don Crowther's "Great PR Newsletter."

(For more information on 101PublicRelations and our collection of Special Reports, articles and other resources, visit 101PublicRelations.com.)

Have you ever noticed how famous people can get publicity almost without lifting a finger while you feel like every bit of media attention costs you endless work and struggle?

There's a way to fix that ... find a way to use the celebrity power of others in your behalf! As a result you not only both get publicity, but you get the benefit of the attention their presence brings and possibly their implied endorsement!


Here's some ways you can do this:

1. Use celebrities as examples

I just watched an interesting little news clip. It was promoting the latest issue of one of the women's magazines. It had one of their writers talking about how different facial structures need different styles of eyebrows.

(I didn't know how important it is for Madonna and Susan Sarandon to purposely perfectly pluck differently from each other.)

(By the way, I just read this to my middle daughter who stated "they do" with that tone of voice that implied "Dad, you just don't know anything!")

Instead of just talking about it, the spokesperson used pictures of different celebrities to illustrate good examples of eyebrow styles. I usually don't pay attention to these types of stories, but noticed this one because I glanced at the TV and saw a picture of one of my favorite stars, so started paying attention.

I'm sure that many others did too - and heard the mention that this was all covered in the latest issue of the magazine, while seeing a picture of that issue on-screen.

Other examples may include anything clothing or make-up related, how to handle a stressful situation at work (using scenes from movies), or hot vacation spots (using celebrities who've vacationed there as support).


2. Comment on the celebrities

This is very related to #1, but with a twist. Here instead of using the celebrity as an example (where you could conceivably have used any woman's face to show proper plucking principles) the celebrities are the core of your story.

In this case, your subject is the celebrities themselves and some aspect of their lives. An example is the annual best and worst dressed women at the Oscars.

But there's many other ways you could do it, including homes of the stars, comments made by politicians, even favorite dishes eaten by local radio stars at your restaurant.

In this case, your qualifications will be briefly stated, so it usually doesn't result in as powerful of a publicity punch as other items on this page, though you can twist it well in certain circumstances (a presentation expert commenting on the political debates or the thank you speeches at the awards builds your credibility.)


3. Rebut a celebrity

When you see a celebrity doing something that you strongly disagree with, you can oftentimes use that as a tool to get your cause on air.

For example, if a politician says something stupid, a celebrity's child could have been prevented from their wayward ways if only the parent had followed your techniques, a celebrity does the exactly opposite of your cause, etc., you've got a story in the making.


4. Give a celebrity an award

We see this especially around New Years - "Best or Worst____ Celebrity" (insert 'dressed, environmentally astute, foot-in-mouth,' etc., in the blank.)

But you can also use this in other ways.

If you know that a particular celebrity is supportive of your general cause, you may want to give them an award, especially if they are going to be in your community for a concert, etc.

Or, if your cause is important enough, you may be able to get them to come especially to accept your award or to have their publicist contact the press for you to come to them. You can always give the award without their being present, but you lose publicity value if you do so.


5. If you find a celebrity using your product / service

Restaurants do this all the time - grab a picture with the celebrity dining there, but others can do it, too.

They may like to order your hand-made soap. Ask for a testimonial.

Or, offer them a free year's supply if they will do so.

This starts getting to the line of paid sponsorships, so you are less likely to get success here, but it can never hurt to ask and sometimes 'it pays to pay,' as long as the celebrity can actually bring attention and support to your message.


6. Recognize your own celebrity

Many people have a personal celebrity status built within their niche that they may not even recognize. If you write, consult, are on a commercial, are a professor, or are any good at a sport, you may be a rock and roll star in your own little world.

If not, you probably should be, as this can literally change your ability to get publicity. If so, make sure that you use your celebrity appropriately and sparingly, so that you carefully preserve and build your celebrity presence and income potential.

Recognize that as a celebrity, there are people who will do what you tell them to simply because you tell them to do so - that can mean sponsorship and other dollars in your pocket.

Make good choices and you can significantly add to your bottom line!

If you're interested in more information on how to build your personal celebrity status with the media and within your personal niche, check out our other materials.

Keep the power of using celebrities always on your mind. It can make all the difference in the success of your publicity efforts.


There are lots of nuggets in this article. Hope you noticed them.

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #3 - Public Relations Through Helping Reporters

.
Public Relations Tip #3 - Reporters Will Help You
.

Here's a great public relations article from George McKenzie of FreeTargetedTraffic.com that you'll definitely want to read, contemplate, and use in your public relations efforts.


Help Reporters 'Beat the Clock' and They'll Help You 'Beat the Drum'
by George McKenzie

Imagine that you had lunch with an important client or prospect.

You thought you had plenty of time, but the client/prospect got chatty, the restaurant was jammed and service was slow. It's now about 1:45 and you're due back at the office for an important 2:00 o'clock meeting.

You can't afford to be late.

If you hit the traffic lights just right, you'll walk into the conference room right on time. But you don't hit the first couple of lights just right, and you're starting to sweat.

Then at 1:55, half a mile from the office, you see the blocking arms coming down just as you're pulling up to a the train crossing. A freight train lumbers into view. Now you're really sweating about being late.

Ever had that feeling?

Not fun, huh?

That's the feeling most people in the news business live with. Not just once in a while either. Every day. Unless you've been through it, you can't imagine the gut-wrenching and hand-wringing that goes on as a deadline approaches and you're battling to get your column written, your radio report ready, or your TV live shot on the air.

There are constant challenges --

Journalistic: Is my information accurate? Have I confirmed it? Is there anything important I'm leaving out? Will my competition have something I don't?

Human: There are other people screwing up their jobs all around you, but you still have to get yours done as if everything and everyone performed flawlessly.

Technical: Computers crash, cameras and tape recorders don't work, tires go flat. Technological advances in news gathering have been breathtaking since I got into the business.

But one thing hasn't changed: Murphy's Law.

Throw all these challenges together, and simply doing your job everyday can get fairly uncomfortable. For an interesting insight into what I mean here, go to http://www.get-free-publicity.com/ford.html. It's the story of a near-disaster I experienced shortly after I had done an interview with former President Gerald Ford.

I'm not asking for sympathy here. If you're in the business, you know that's how it is and you accept it.

It's part of the job description.

It 'comes with the territory.'

I'm describing it to you, however, so you know the normal mental state, the mindset of the people you'll be dealing with when you're trying to get free publicity for yourself or your business. And the mindset is 'get to the point, tell me what I need to know, and don't waste my time with anything unnecessary.'

When I was doing a weeknight sportscast at KMOL TV in San Antonio, I used to hang a sign on my office door every night at 'crunch time,' which was 60 minutes or so before I went on the air. The sign read: 'If it's important, say it fast. If it's not, say it later.'

As you send your press releases to people in the media, keep that in mind.

Nothing will hurt your chances of getting publicity from them as much as wasting their time with non- essential stuff. Help them 'beat the clock,' and they'll be more likely to help you 'beat the drum' by giving you thousands of dollars worth of coverage -- and free publicity.

George McKenzie
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Hope this opened your eyes a bit, and helps you get noticed in your public relations efforts.

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #2 - Deadly, Terminal Public Relations Mistakes

.
Publicity Tip #2 - Ten Big Blunders in Radio Publicity
.

George McKenzie just sent me this info in his excellent weekly newsletter. It's so good, and so important, you need to see it. Now ... That's exactly why I reprinted it below for you.

Here are George's "10 Deadly Publicity Ways to Shoot Yourself in the Foot" ... AKA "How to make sure you don't get invited back as a guest on a radio program ..."

===============================================

In my recent hitch as a radio talk show host at KAHL in San Antonio, I was reminded of all the things guests did that seriously hurt (or even killed) their chances of ever getting invited back on the air.

Here's my Top 10 List of "Talk Show Don'ts":

If you're invited to appear as a guest on radio or TV, make sure you don't blow your chances of getting repeated exposure by making these mistakes. BTW ... I'm going to use the word 'host' below, but the same applies in some cases to producers (the people who actually get on the phone and book the guests.)

Deadly Mistake #1: Failing to provide a list of suggested questions or talking points -- either through email or on a "Media Room" on your website. I interviewed 7-10 guests in every program every day, and that meant a *lot* of time researching topics and preparing questions for guests who didn't provide them in advance. No host can possibly be well-rounded and knowledgeable about everything, so you'll score big points by making it easy for them. BTW ... hosts will also love you for making them *sound* as if they know what they're talking about, even if they don't.

Deadly Mistake #2: Providing a list of questions, but forgetting the answers to some of them. This is deadly. Listeners can tell when you're struggling, and believe me, the host will remember it too.

Deadly Mistake #3: Failing to offer the host any biographical information about yourself, either in your media room or via email.

Deadly Mistake #3a: Giving the host a three page long bio that contains a whole lot of irrelevant information. Who has the time to read all that stuff and sort out what's relevant from what isn't?

Deadly Mistake #4: Plugging your book, product, service or website incessantly. There's an art to "selling from the stage" without sounding like a huckster. No host will mind if you mention your product or service once or twice, but doing it more than that will make the interview sound more like an infomercial -- a sure way to raise the host's discomfort level.

Deadly Mistake #5: Starting to answer a question before the host is done asking it. This is one of my major pet peeves. First, it's just plain rude. Second, you don't necessarily know where the host is going with a question, so you might answer a question they really weren't asking. And third, it's inconsiderate to listeners, who are hearing two people talk over each other, which literally creates "cognitive dissonance" and makes it tougher for the listener to follow the conversation.

Deadly Mistake #6: Taking a long story from your speech and telling it on the air. Professional speakers tend to do this a lot. Remember, radio is supposed to be a conversation, not a presentation. Stories that work in a seminar or convention setting may fall flat on a talk show.

Deadly Mistake #7: Trying to engage the host by suddenly asking him or her "pop questions." I know you'd love to believe that the host is hanging on your every word, paying close attention to you as you speak. The truth is, the host is often distracted by things going on in the studio that neither you nor the listeners have any clue about. They're going to be really embarrassed -- and more than a little annoyed -- if you put them on the spot by asking them a question they don't have an answer for -- and then waiting for them to reply.

Deadly Mistake #8: Saying, "Well, as I already told you ..." or something similar when the host asks you a question you believe you've already answered. It's like saying to the host, "Well, you're pretty stupid for asking that." See #7 above about distractions in the studio. Simply rephrase your previous answer and move on.

Deadly Mistake #9: Calling the host by name every other sentence. It leaves the audience with the impression you don't know they're there -- or don't care. Using the host's name 2-3 times during an interview is okay -- and probably even good. But more than that gets old.

Deadly Mistake #10: Failing to send a personal, handwritten thank you note. It makes a *huge* impression because so few people do it. Sending an email "thank you" is better than nothing, but it doesn't come close to something in writing sent via snail mail.

Follow these tips and you'll be "talk show friendly," which will result in thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of repeated free publicity that's more believable, powerful, productive and profitable than any advertising you can buy at any price.

George McKenzie
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

===============================================

I hope you take George's sage experience and advice to heart, and do as he suggests. Again, always model yourself after those people who have actually done what they're telling you, instead of the guru nonsense du jour so many people try to force-feed you every day.

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com

Public Relations Tip #1 - Get Some Public Relations Tips Today

Public Relations Tip #1 - Get Some Yourself Today



OK - pay attention, class.

There are probably hundreds of ways to get real and immediate benefits from doing your own public relations (AKA publicity) - and many of them are free.

This process / skill set is not some nebulous, nefarious concept only understood by certain left-handed Zen Masters facing east when the stars and moons are perfectly aligned on the 5th Tuesday during any leap year ...

No - it's doable. By you.


Here's Real Problem #1 ...

There are certain mechanics, methods, and strategies you simply have to learn. Period. And you need certain tips, tools, and techniques to shorten your learning curve and get you success faster.

Here's Real Problem #2 ...

How in the world can you find the people you can actually trust ... those people who have actually done what they purport to know how to do ... those people who are willing to share their knowledge with you, saving you tons of time and mountains of money?


Here's Potential Problem #3 ...

You have to get off your butt and do something. Like anything else worth having, this takes some work, some diligence, and some determination. If you follow the garbage-in, garbage-out, get-rich-quick crowd, this is not the place for you. You will be disappointed here.

In this blog you'll only see me talk about people and products that are The Real Deal. No hype. No BS. No baloney, and no guru goulash du jour.

And let me be perfectly clear about something ... I'm not going to send you to 'Madison Avenue' agencies who charge you thousands of dollars for some 'pretty something' designed to win some basically meaningless award.

NO - I'll only point you to people to whom direct response marketing is paramount. If you do the work, you should do it with the response (you want) in mind. Period.

Nope - I'll only send you to people who are The Real Deal. I know honest and ethical people who do this stuff for a living. Today. Every day.

They can be trusted. You need to know them.

So - I recommend you:
1. Bookmark this blog
2. Add it to your favorites
3. Put a shortcut to this blog on your desktop where you won't forget it
4. Come here often and take advantage of the truthful content

Do whatever you have to do, but do something.

Do something ... one of the big keys you'll learn here if you come back ...

If you'll come back here often, pay attention to what I tell you, and take a serious look at the people to whom I recommend you - you'll be miles ahead of your competition.

And after all, isn't that what it's all about?

© Chip Tarver
The B2B Relationship Pro
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com
http://www.FirstContactSecrets.com/blog
FreeTargetedTraffic.com




Technorati Profile
(For Technorati)