Social Media & Publicity - 4 Press Release Alternatives

 

Peter Shankman, public relations guru who created HARO, has declared that the press release will be dead in 36 months.  According to former journalist Tom Foremski, a press release is created by a committee, edited by lawyers, and then sent out at great expense to reach the digital and physical trash bins of thousands of journalists.

Foremski goes on to say that press releases often start with a “tremendous amount of top-spin and pat-on-the-back phrases and meaningless quotes.” What’s the point of using a press release if it’s just an outdated piece of fluff?

So going back to what Peter Shankman predicted…is the press release really dead and should we ditch it altogether? With social media, it is not always mandatory to send out a press release. I still write and send out press releases for my clients, but it’s not the ONLY publicity tool I use in my “buzz-icist” arsenal.

Consider using these 4 press release alternatives:

#1 Blogger Briefing – If a social media release is the progression of press releases, then a blogger briefing is the “new” press conference. The concept is simple - when you have news to share, organize a conference call or video meeting with potentially interested bloggers

#2 Social Media Release – This is the most basic and obvious next step in the “evolution” of the press release. There has been hot debate whether social media releases really work, but they are obviously being used for a reason. Think of a social media release as an entirely “virtual” press kit - complete with links, videos, photos, and you can even integrate social media sites. If you are interested in creating social media releases, look into Pitchengine.

#3 Twitter “Chat” Tour – Twitter has an entire chat system with its own schedule filled with diverse topics. A “chat” tour involves making an appearance at different chats to promote news and your business/brand.

#4 Virtual Scavenger Hunt – Everyone has a website these days. An effective way of driving traffic to your site is by offering incentives. Hosting a virtual scavenger hunt on your site is a creative tool to drive visitors to your site. Virtual scavenger hunts also engage your target audience so they dive right into your site’s content.

I tend to agree with Peter Shankman that yes, the press release is on its way out. Social media is slowly replacing the press release with more effective, innovative publicity channels. There will always be the die-hard publicists who will stand by the traditional press release, but just remember you have more alternatives to choose from thanks to social media.

Need more online publicity ideas? Check out these inexpensive PR tools.

8 Easy Email Marketing Tips for Successful Book Promotions

I'm diving into a big book ghostwriting project for the New Year and was reminded of my book publicity and publishing days.  As you think about writing your award-winning ebooks this year, don't forget that marketing your book is JUST as important (if not more!) as writing it.

If you go the self-published route, you are the best person to promote your book. Email campaigns are one of the easiest ways to market your book - especially if you have a viable CRM list. 

1. Define your audience and target your list accordingly - who will benefit from your book? What problems will your book solve for readers?

2. Give them a good reason to BUY your book - introduce yourself and your book in a compelling way. Make sure your email copy is concise and to the point! 

3. Good grammar is everything - double check your typos and use spell check before you blast out the email.

4. Review other New York Times bestseller book campaigns, emails and promotions for helpful hints and ideas.

5. Keep important information ABOVE  the fold or you will lose your readers (and potential sales!) When you keep information at the top half of the page, you are more likely to capture their attention and readers won't opt out.

6. Use a STRONG Call to Action at the end of your email copy - don't give your readers a reason to opt out. You want them to click for more information and BUY your book!

7. Include a book image and your photo to make your email look more friendly and engaging. 

8. Preview the email in text only and HTML before sending out - send yourself a test email to make sure the images aren't distorted and the email reads well (from a visual perspective).

Remember to take advantage of social media to promote your book - another easy way to blast out information about your book!

For more helpful book promotions' tips, please contact me directly - find out more online publicity tips to get you started in the New Year! 

 

What’s the Tweet on the Street? How Twitter Spreads News Like Wild Fire

 

When was the last time you actually turned on your TV for late-breaking news? It’s probably been awhile. So it shouldn’t be surprising that Twitter blasts out breaking news hours before the news stations get wind of it.

Between popular celebrity tweets and winter storm updates, Twitter makes it very easy to find out what’s happening in the world – especially when it comes to groundbreaking news.

Most people seem to love Twitter or hate it, but even more people seem to be unaware of its vast publicity potential – especially if you have a newsworthy message you need to spread quickly (and you don’t have time to write and send a press release).

When a 7.8 earthquake struck China in 2008 - less than three months before the Olympic Games began - people updated on Twitter faster than the official news channels could keep up.

Some companies have already taken full advantage of Twitter’s publicity power. As I mentioned in a previous post, KFC awarded a $20,000 scholarship to high school student based on a SINGLE tweet. The chicken-chowing corporation generated newsworthy press for itself in mere seconds with their philanthropic venture.

At its longest, a tweet is 160 characters - just enough words to get your message across without rambling for days and accidentally mentioning your cat family. Less is more when it comes to Twitter, and sometimes that’s a good thing when it comes to promoting your company’s brand.

However, don’t be like the PR executive who publicly lambasted his client, FED EX, via Twitter. As a result, he lost FED EX as their client, and was fired for his insulting tweet. From a publicity standpoint, be very careful of what you tweet.  Twitter spreads news like wild fire, and you could be one tweet away from ruining your company’s reputation.

Even Heathrow Airport has jumped on the news bandwagon with their latest tweets - an effective way keep travelers updated on current storm conditions and closures. 

In 2006, the first post in Twitter history was “just setting up my twttr” by Jack Stone, one of Twitter’s co-founders. If you haven’t started using Twitter, you might want to reconsider. Maybe 2011 will be your time to shine in Twitter history.

Jack Stone may not have set the bar very high with his first Twitter post, but that doesn’t mean your first post can’t be memorable – and newsworthy!

KFC Scholarship - Finger Licking Good Press

 

If I were to say Twitter and philanthropy, you would immediately think of KFC, right? No? Well you should, because the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain recently awarded a $20,000 scholarship to a high school student based on a single tweet.

Amanda Russell of Long Beach, Calif. won the scholarship with the following tweet: “Hey Colonel! Your scholarship's the secret ingredient missing from my recipe for success! Got the grades, drive, just need cash!”

KFC’s Colonel’s Scholars’ Program awards 50 to 60 scholarships every year, but this was their first year to use Twitter as the main application tool. And now that the idea is out there, I don’t think it will be long before other companies jump on board with similar social media strategies.

This scholarship is a great example of how businesses can use social media to show their best side. Remember that terribly unhealthy sandwich KFC launched earlier this year - the Double Down? I bet you forgot! Because until I mentioned it, you thought how generous KFC is to Amanda Russell and dozens of young students every year.

And it’s not just because they awarded the scholarship, they also timed it perfectly for the holidays. The yearly cost of college is approximately $7,000 (and that’s not including private school tuitions!) So during this season of giving, KFC brought joy and cheer to one more family – I’m sure Amanda’s parents are doing the happy dance.  It’s a feel-good story that we all love to read during the holiday season.

Twitter not only helped KFC generate good press, but it helped generate good press about their good press! People are retweeting this story like crazy - including myself.   Speaking of KFC, they know how to kill two social media birds with one stone. Too tired to cook during the busy holiday season? Well, it’s only a small leap for a hungry tweeter to suggest KFC chicken for dinner! Smart move, KFC.

The KFC scholarship tweet is a true testament to how companies – especially restaurants - can really make a big publicity splash via social media. This scholarship was not “openly” advertised, yet over 2,800 students knew about it and applied.  A “non-marketed” campaign like the KFC scholarship probably would have failed in years past before social media. But now social media marketing makes it possible for companies to quickly generate publicity and spread goodwill to the masses - ‘tis the season!