2007 June

Missouri teleconferencing center needs promotion ideas

6/26/2007 By Joan 4 Comments

Nellie Lamers of Reeds Spring, Missouri writes:

The Tri-Lakes TCRC is one of 10 Telecenter Network sites in Missouri. Our greatest benefit is in bringing education and technology to rural areas that otherwise would not have access to it. We need help getting folks to sign up for classes/events and telling people about the other things we offer:

–ITV (interactive video teleconferencing) services

–Degree programs/classes from other colleges/universities across the state that give people in our rural area the chance to take those classes without traveling the great distances to the campuses

–Continuing education programs for law enforcement officers, emergency medical providers, etc.

–Training events given by University of Missouri Extension specialists as well as other providers

–Free public access computers

–Computer classes on topics like Microsoft Office and eBay. tutoring sessions

We also rent the facilities to people in the community who need a place to do presentations. Our website is at http://telecenter.missouri.edu/reedsspring/ Can your Hounds offer some ideas that will help us spread the word?

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Nonprofits

Artist needs fund-raising ideas

6/19/2007 By Joan 19 Comments

Jennie Rosenbaum of Melbourne, Australia writes:

“I’m an artist and have been offered my fist solo show by a respected commercial gallery in Canada. This is extremely exciting as I have only been practicing professionally for a couple of years. My online presence and my website are directly responsible for them approaching me.

“My concern is that I live in Australia. The total cost of the exhibition—including shipping my works, myself and my husband—is going to be expensive. I’d like to attend if at all possible in order to work on promotions and use this exhibition as a foundation to approach additional galleries. This is too good an opportunity to pass up!

“Are there any fund-raising ideas that your Hounds might have? I’ve stepped up the marketing of my online sales, and looked into grants but neither are bearing fruit.”

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Publicity on the Internet

Words That Sell: Inspiration-on-demand

6/13/2007 By Joan 5 Comments

Have you ever found yourself writing a great article, or website copy or even a press release, and suddenly you’re hopelessly stuck because you can’t think of a better way to say a word like “authentic” or “beautiful” or “free”?

I’ve been known to sit there for 20 minutes staring at the screen.

My friend Denise Wakeman, half of The Blog Squad, told me about the book “Words That Sell” by Richard Bayan.

She says she keeps it right next to her keyboard at all times, and I can see why. You use it like a thesaurus.

The book is divided into separate “chapters” devoted to a specific word of phrase. Each chapter usually offers several dozen suggestions for words that are similar to the one you’re stuck on.

I particularly love the chapters devoted to transitional phrases, the P.S., justifying a high price, and flattering the reader. I can think of dozens of uses for this book: press releases, media kits, blogging, article writing, website copy, sales copy, public service announcements, information products, White Papers, office memos, marketing copy, columns, pitches to the media, and letters to the editor. Even those obnoxious annual Christmas letters.

I was so impressed with this book that I did an entire lecture on it for members of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program recently. They loved it.

Denise and her partner, Patsi Krakoff, by the way, will be my guests tomorrow as part of Publicity Hound University. They’ll talk about the power of blogging and podcasting.

Filed Under: Authors & Publishers, Blogs, Business Promotion, Information Products, Media Kits, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media, Press Releases/News Releases, Public Service Announcements, Publicity Resources, Writing Articles

Worst mistake Internet marketers, Publicity Hounds make

6/12/2007 By Joan Leave a Comment

I cheered when I read Rosalind Gardner’s excellent article on “The Worst Mistake Internet Marketers Make.”

It’s ~~the~~ also the worst mistake Publicity Hounds make: Failing to capture people’s email addresses at their websites.

Yesterday and today, I drove home this point during the first two days of Publicity Hound University. What good is a story about your company on the front page of USA Today if all the resulting traffic comes to your website, then leaves, without you ever knowing who was there?

Building a list and mailing an ezine like I do each week gives you a chance to keep emailing valauble information that lets people know, like and trust you—and eventually buy from you. I love the Hover Ad Generator, the HTML coding that creates the box that bounces down from the top of the screen at my website and asks people for their email address.

If you’re not capturing email addresses, what are you waiting for?

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Publicity on the Internet