The Big Bang Publicity Campaign

The Big Bang Publicity Campaign

by: David Bell

Famous is as famous does and the famous get known through publicity. Yes, thatกs right, fame doesn’t discover you, you create it through strategic campaigning. Whatกs more, the techniques for increasing your exposure isn’t as difficult to attain as you might think. A great publicity campaign starts with courage, then planning, and lastly, it succeeds through persistence. If your not sure why you should seek fame, consider fortune because the two go hand in hand.

Fame will bring your business into the forefront of your target audience faster than any advertising campaign can hope to do. It solidifies you as an expert and creates a deep, abiding confidence in the consumer. It makes you a shining star with infinite possibilities. So whatกs are the steps you ask? Well paste a gold star to your forehead and letกs get started.

1. Press Releases: Increase awareness through a press release. Yes, I know, press releases have become quite the popular little tool around cyberspace with releases being blasted hither and there, but is it working? Probably not. Blasting your press release will bring blasted little results. Instead, thoughtfully put together a very dynamic one page press release and target publications that would be most interested in you and your business. Don’t drone out the details, make that press release sing your praises. Then send it to a real live editor and follow up with a phone call. In other words, let the press release be the invitation to your follow up phone call. Begin making connections with the media. Be polite, be excited, and be patient.

2. Create A Press Kit: A Press kit is basically an exaggerated press release turned into a package. Itกs more complex, tells more about you and your company, and is all pulled together into a nice neat folder. Of all the questions I receive, first is, what is a press kit? Simply, it is a folder of information about you or your business. It should contain:

An Introduction Letter

One or Two Press Releases

A Fact Sheet (This contains the facts about you or your business.)

Bio Sheet (Which is a biography of you and your accomplishments.)

Copies of Published Articles

Company Literature

A Business Card

Send your press kit when an editor, publisher, or producer wants to know more about you.

3. Newsletters Offline. Don’t forget that a whole world exists offline. Locate newsletters or smaller print publications offline and submit articles. This can be a very dynamic way to increase your exposure as well as add to your press kit. You can locate newsletters in your subject area by visiting the local university library reference section. Ask for a directory of trade newsletters and do your research. Once you have been published, itกs easier to step up to the larger publications. Fame starts small and then snowballs onto itself.

4. Speak Up! Yep, thatกs right. Start giving speeches on your area of expertise. Start locally at civic clubs and local educational programs. Then find the local talk radio shows and make your case to the producer. Itกs surprising how many talk radio shows are actively looking for new speakers. Once you have achieved Talk Radio, the opportunities will start coming to you.

5. Publicity Pitches: Put together several dynamic article ideas. Just the ideas, not the actual article. This is called a Publicity Pitch. Take those ideas and then pitch them to editors of targeted publications. This can work very well as it saves Editors time and puts the outline right into their hands. As a past Editor I know how well this works. Editorกs love ideas, especially ideas that are completely outlined and correct for their readership. This means don’t send pet article ideas to cooking magazines. Send pet articles ideas to pet publications. Seems like a no brainer, huh? But youกd be amazed at what editors see that don’t apply to their own publication.

Fame comes from planning and persistence. It has itกs rejections, but if you can learn not to take it personally, it will eventually work. Remember, once you start, keep going. Once you stop, you have to start all over.

I hope this helps in your future marketing decisions.

About The Author

David Bell is Manager, Online Marketing, at http://www.wspromotion.com/ , a leading Search Engine Optimization services firm and Advertising Agency.

This article was posted on April 25

by David Bell

Band Promotion Book Your Garage Band Some Shows

Band Promotion Book Your Garage Band Some Shows or Gigs

by: Dennis Damp Jr

So you have you press kit and demo CD and want to know what to do next. Why not try an open mic night at a local club. Most clubs advertise these open mic nights in your local music papers or entertainment magazines. Open mic nights will give your band experience on stage, and the club will most likely have a built in audience to perform for. Most of the time all you have to do is show up with your instruments. The PA system and drums are usually supplied. Call ahead just to make sure this is the case. Many of these events are hosted by local established bands and produce great networking opportunities. Make contacts with the bands playing the open mic night, and leave a press kit for the club owner. Maybe the hosting band likes your music and needs an opening act in the future. Sometimes people in the audience may be interested in your band, so have some business cards ready with all your contact information.

The reality of starting out as a band is that your most likely not going to get paid at first. Your not in it at first for the money anyway right, your there because you want to get your music heard. Offer to be an opening act for a band you know or met at an open mic night. Email some bands in your area and see if they accept opening acts. Offer to open for free to get some much needed exposure. Many established bands love opening acts because they don’t have to pay them much, and they won’t have to play as long so this makes their job easier.

Promote your band any time you get an opportunity. Hand out business cards at open mic nights, and send fliers to clubs that you will be performing at in the future. Call or email clubs or venues that handle your genre of music. Once you get some shows, contact your local music newspapers with your band’s name, venue name, phone number, show time, and any other information you feel necessary. Many entertainment newspapers offer this service free of charge. Solicit your press kit to local venues. Start visiting local clubs in person with your band mates and talk with the booker or entertainment director. Leave a copy of your press kit and get them to listen to your demo while your there if possible. Call a day or two after your visit, and be persistent. You may have to call a few times, because it can be difficult to get a hold of the band booker. Most work late hours at their venue.

Now that your have emailed or called your local newspapers with any show dates to be published in their entertainment section. Contact any music newspapers or magazines in your area to see if they would write an article on your band or visit one of your shows. If your successful in getting an article or review of your band, make sure to have the article writer include your website address and booking information in the piece. There are many opportunities to promote your band, so don’t miss a chance to have your contact information added to a newspaper article or review of your band.

Send your demo CD and press kit to any local battle of the bands competitions or song writing contests. Battle of the bands locate up and coming talent for their shows. They need acts so this can be a great opportunity for your band. Battle of the bands gives the opportunity to network with local promoters, other established bands, and to be heard by an audience searching for new talent. Many times these events are promoted through radio, newspaper ads, and internet marketing. The winner of the battle of the bands typically receives some nice perks like studio time, equipment, or free advertising. I know a band in my area who won a competition and actually got a chance to play live on the radio. Next thing you know they were playing some of the best venues in the area. Check out these events whenever possible.

Approach town fairs, county festivals, or city concert venues to get gigs and exposure for your band. Most of these types of shows are performed for free by bands, but there is an opportunity to play for a built in audience. Do some research on the internet and see what local agencies or websites book bands for these types of events.

Now that your band promotion is off to a great start it’s time to get your band on the internet, and possibly look for a band manager, booking agent, or sound technician. See part III of our article Get your band out of the garage and into a gig at http://www.mediawebsource.com/press.htm. For more information on press kit and demo tips, band resources, and band promotion visit the Media Web Source website at http://www.mediawebsource.com. This site is a valuable resource for start up and established bands everywhere.

About The Author

Dennis Damp Jr.

Author and Website creator for www.mediawebsource.com. Articles and website are comprised of resources for bands and songwriters.

[email protected]

This article was posted on January 01

by Dennis Damp Jr

Worn Out Brochure Design Is Keeping Small Business

Worn Out Brochure Design Is Keeping Small Business Owners Down

by: John Jantsch

I got another one of those calls the other day…Can you make me a brochure?ก Many business owners have been sold on the notion that they need a trifold brochure or they are not in business. Forget it…everybodyกs got one and no one uses it.

Your potential clients need an education. They need to know how you are different. (The typical trifold brochure simply confirms that you are the same.)

Every small business should create the following pieces of information and format them in a way that allows them be printed inexpensively and updated often. I like to call this approach, the Marketing Kit. Your marketing kit starts with several professionally printed pieces that are the framework for up to 10 or 12 different educational documents. The core components are:

1. A pocket folder A multiuse workhorse, this piece alone, if designed well, can send the message that you are in business to stay. (This one will cost a little but it has many uses)

2. A marketing template This should be a professionally printed piece that carries your logo and contact information but is different than your letterhead. This is the base piece then for the following pages that insert into your pocket folder. Your actual marketing files can be MSWord type documents that are laser printed. This gives you the ability to change and update your content and also allows you to tailor your marketing kit content to specific prospects.

Some combination of the following pages should be created for your marketing kit.

+ The Difference Page Hit them with how you are different and shower them with benefits of doing business with you. Don’t tell them what you do. I like to keep this one to the top 3 or 4 things that you do that your target market will value. Think benefits that are unique

+ A list of services Okay, now tell them what you do or what you offer.

+ Case Studies Pick representative clients or industries and outline how your product or service solved someone elseกs challenge. People learn in different ways and case studies allow them to see themselves getting relief. I think this format works well. State the situation, the problem, your solution, the result. Over time you can collect more and more of these and draw upon the ones that fit an industry or problem that in relevant to your prospect.

+ Testimonials Get quotes from real live clients and create a page titled กSee what others have to say about us.ก These quotes can be some of the strongest selling tools you have. New technologies make it easy to create audio and video testimonials too.

+ Process Description Show them how you do what you do. Create detailed checklist and flow charts that show them how you keep your promise. In many cases you have these anyway but by making them part of your marketing you can demonstrate how much more professional your organization is. These also help you justify why you charge a premium for your services. Many people underestimate how much really goes into delivering a quality product or service. So show them.

+ Your Story Many companies have interesting or even gut wrenching histories. Tell them your story in an open, honest, and entertaining way and you will win their hearts as well as their heads.

All of the above pieces can, in many cases, be word processed files that are laser printed onto the template I described above. You can learn even more about how to use this unique tool here

This format allow for very inexpensive printing and a great deal of flexibility when you need to update, change or even personalize your magnificent marketing materials.

Want to quickly create your own magnificent marketing materials. Join me as I coach up to 10 other small business owners through the process of creating marketing materials that educate and sell. Once a week for 4 weeks we will meet via teleconference to create and critique your written marketing kit content based on the above article. Each participant will also receive a workbook, feedback and reallife example marketing kits produced by John Jantsch for his clients. Find out more by sending an email to mailto:[email protected]?subject=Marketing_Kit

Copyright 2004 John Jantsch

About The Author

John Jantsch is a marketing coach and creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System. You can get more information about the Duct Tape System and download your free copy of ขHow To Create the Ultimate Small Business Marketing System in 7 Simple Stepsข by visiting http://www.DuctTapeMarketing.com.

This article was posted on December 02, 2004

by John Jantsch

Do You Believe??

Do You Believe??

by: Gary Durkin

NO. This is not about religion, but more about one of the major pitfalls of many in business. And by ‘business’ – yes I include internet business…. especially the internet.

And I’m not talking about believing in the internet, but more about believing what you do… and what you sell.

SO what am I getting at? Well, you can tackle this in 3 ways.

1. You won’t see the CEO of Ford Motors driving a Honda. Nor will you see Ronald McDonald eating in Burger King.

2. If you have never tasted something, how do you know that you don’t like it?

3. Do you jump into a bath, without testing the water first?

OK – let’s get to the point.

Most sellers on the internet, are in fact – resellers. They try to sell something else that isn’t theirs. They didn’t create it, make it, design it, but they are happy to promote this to others.

There is NOTHING wrong with that!

The problem lies here……

So many resellers of products or services on the net, simply do just that – resell… without even trying the product for themselves.

Ask yourself why?

I can tell you that if you take the time to use, test, scrutinise something, become familiar with it, and even find some of the shortcomings and perhaps minor mistakes, this process will leave you with a better understanding of the product.

In some cases, you really might not like it at all, and decide it’s not worth your reputation to try to sell it to others.

Plus – by actually ‘using’ the product / service, you will possibly learn something beneficial to you, or to your business. This is where most internet marketing sellers / resellers fall down.

These ‘gurus’ don’t make BIG BUCKS each year for nothing, and if they’ve taken the time to reveal some of their secrets and strategies in the product you are selling… take the time to discover exactly what they are.

McDonalds ‘believe’ in their product – although many people knock them, they still make vast profits each year by following what they believe in – by selling to people just like you and me.

If one of your friends asked you to recommend your favourite wine, you will tell them based on your past experiences which meant you have tried it before, and LIKED IT.

So, if you haven’t read the ebook you are selling, or you don’t use the software you are promoting, how do you know it works?

Try it. Give it a go. Not only will you learn far more about the product or service, this will help you in your marketing / promotional methods, and you never know…. You might just discover something really useful, exciting and profitable just by using it yourself.

Occasionally, if you use this method, you may discover something you feel is too good to share, and don’t want you competition using it, so you keep quiet! Other times, you may find out that the product, service, ebook, software…. is just not up to scratch.

A great looking website, a smooth salespage with sharp copy and extra bonuses, can sell anything! Even if it’s not really worth it. You’ll only know if it IS worth it, when you give it a go for yourself.

PLUS – by doing this, you will certainly avoid any complaints from disgruntled buyers, if you have sold them something which underdelivers and overpromises.

I read a fantastic article a few years ago. It was advertising a DoItYourself Swimming Pool Kit. It had fantastic pictures of glorious hot summer days, with crystal clear waters gently rippling inside a pool…… with sales copy which grabbed your attention….

ขDon’t spend $10,000 $100,000 or more with professional pool installation…. Create your own with our very special and exclusive D.I.Y. Swimming Pool Kit. For just $299 (with free shipping)….. ข

On and on the sale copy went, drawing the reader in… getting them excited on how they could save a fortune by doing it themselves….

This company was receiving lots of enquiries from interested people wanting to become affiliates for their Mail Order program….. it was all going ‘swimmingly’ well! (please excuse the pun!)

But behind the scenes, it was all going wrong. Horribly wrong….

For the customers. The sales copy had been so carefully and cleverly written that noone spotted two fatal things… Firstly, there was no offer of a guarantee, or moneyback refund policy. But hey… with an offer this good, there wouldn’t be any need… or would there??!!

Next, nowhere in the sales material did it actually mention what the D.I.Y. Swimming Pool Kit consisted of….. and here lies the problem.

Surely enough… the customers orders were placed, checks cashed, and the product shipped…..

So what was in the shipment when it arrived at the front door?

The D.I.Y. Swimming Pool Kit contained… a garden spade and a hosepipe.

Technically, the company hadn’t broken any rules at the time. And they were under no obligation to make refunds. However customers were not happy!

You see, people just like you and me, were promoting, marketing, advertising this in order to make a sale / commission….

But without knowing exactly what it was.

So, the moral of the story is…….

© Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved worldwide.

About The Author

Gary Durkin

Founder of the Internet Advice Center®

http://www.InternetAdviceCenter.com

Gary has more than a decade of offline international business success behind him, and has been doing business online for 6 years.

If you would like to join thousands of subscribers to his newsletter ‘Delivering Success’ send a blank email to [email protected]

© Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved worldwide.

You are free to distribute this article, providing it remains unchanged and with this box attached.

This article was posted on April 23

by Gary Durkin

Simple Media Kits with the Help of Publisher

Simple Media Kits with the Help of Publisher

by: Grannyกs Mettle

For a marketing campaign to work, you have to provide the media with a kit. Announcing news and information about your business can be attractive when combined with a useful and packed media kit.

A media kit is a collection of significant materials that gives the media information on who you are, what you do, and best of all, why they should care. It can be as fancy as you want it to be, just make sure that it is consistently clean, attractive and relevant. Proofread and edit thoroughly any copy that you include in the media kit. This can and will be used for future reference, so make sure that the information is reliable and correct.

For easy and quick creation of a simple yet professional media kit, Microsoft Publisher can help you a lot to come up with the items needed such as a cover letter; a brochure; a press release; business cards; your company mission and history, and even profile; and biographies and credentials of key personnel.

Use the same Master Design Set in Publisher (e.g. the Studio Design) for consistency in your materials. Create your company letterhead, business cards, brochures, and labels using the featured tool in Publisher. Customize and tailor your materials according to your specifications. As such, you can be sure that your media kit, and everything in it, will convey exactly what your company wants to convey to the media.

Here are some tips for an effective communication materials in your media kit:

Cover Letter It should be short, straightforward, and should be able to introduce you, your company, and your media kit. If you can, address your cover letter to a specific contact person, and not just Dear Sir/Madam. The Publisher has a Mail Merge feature, which you can use to address your letter to different names even with the same content in the body of the letter. The Mail and Catalog Merge Wizard will guide you through the process.

Brochure Create a brochure with Publisher to provide information on your products and services.

Press Release A media kit always have a press release. This will help the media to quickly grasp the relevance of your material. It usually contains anything that is new with your company. Templates on Microsoft Office Online have sample press releases that you can use to get you started.

Business cards Publisher also has tools to help you create your own business cards in a jiffy. You could even customize a set of your business cards according to the media your going to give them to.

Label The software has a collection of preformatted label applications, designed to be compatible with labels for your desktop printer.

Put them all together in high quality presentation folders and you’re all set. You can choose from a variety of folders available in the market they come in a variety of colors, some even have embossing, die cuts, extra folds, or pockets. You could go a little bit further and customize the folder to have a label in front that matches your company identity; or put your company logo.

Finally, put your media kits in mailing envelopes and you’re ready to send them out.

About Los Angeles Printing Services

Our Company is a Los Angeles based company that specializes in commercial printing and graphic design. Our mission is to provide clients with high quality printed outputs and professional web and graphic designs utilizing efficient and productive staff, uptodate software programs, and the latest printing equipment and technology. For inquiries and online pricing for your projects, please visit www.losangelesprintingservice.com.

About The Author

Grannyกs Mettle is a 30something, professional web content writer. She has created various web content on a diverse range of topics, which includes digital printing topics, medical news, as well as legal issues. Her articles are composed of reviews, suggestions, tips and more for the printing and designing industry.

Her thoughts on writing: กWriting gives me pleasure… pleasure and excitement that you have created something to share with others. And with the wide world of the Internet, it gives me great satisfaction that my articles reach more people in the quickest time you could imagine.ก

On her spare time, she loves to stay at home, reading books on just about any topic she fancies, cooking a great meal, and taking care of her husband and kids.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.losangelesprintingservice.com/catalog/BusinessCard.html

[email protected]

This article was posted on April 01

by Grannyกs Mettle

Media Kit: 25 Component Possibilities

Media Kit: 25 Component Possibilities

by: Catherine Franz

Media kits, virtual or print, include a combination of information whether created for electronic delivery or print. The number of components depends on the kit’s focus and intention. For instance, an author’s kit would include a different combination of information than a service business, or a multifaceted company or speaker.

Here is a list of component elements to pull from and tips to bring a media kit together. No single kit will need all components. Choose the components that match your or the receiver’s needs.

1. Table of Contents (TOC). Kit receivers always appreciate this feature, it respects their time. I recommend this rule: five or less pages, include the TOC in a personalized letter, using design elements such as bold, larger font or centering to set itself off from the rest of the letter. Six and more, use a single sheet. And place the page before all other pages, including the letter. For electronic delivery, use color, to help gain attention.

2. Company Information. An กAbout Usก page includes contact information. It is also an accumulation of other aspects about that company, however, in summary format. When founded but not how founded, vision and mission, simple list of services or product or just an overall view.

3. About Our Departments. If you have several different departments in your company, you can include a page with a summary of each departments responsibility.

4. About You. Similar to number 2 with the focus on a single individual. You will want to focus the language and information to exactly what the media needs to know. For example, solopreneurs the particulars would be about you, credentials, and information with a single focus. Similar to a resume but not quite.

5. Founder Page. Do you have a company founder with an interesting story of how they started the company? It doesn’t matter if they are deceased or retired. Honor their tenacity and creativity with their picture.

6. Upper Management. It is important to stress any special skills or background in the company that is an asset. Use one page per management level or several on a single page. Several pages are okay for this section if it supports the media request.

7. Services. One per page or several to a page. If you don’t have enough material for a whole page, create enough. If more than one service, add a list of the other services at the end of the page to indicate what else is available.

8. Products. Use service tips above. You will want to include whatever pictures need to depict the product.

9. Employee. This component is seldom included, yet it is a significant way to demonstrate how the company’s differences. This information is about the staff as a whole. Presentation depends on what the intention of the media kit. Statistics, number of employees, tenure, company events, or community projects, work well here. If the statistics don’t shine, don’t include.

10. Company History. Adding a history can make or break media attraction. If a young company you might think it’s could be a negative element, not true. Depends on what side you are presenting in the kit. For a season company, it is a must. What prevails or whether to include or not, is how interesting is the story. If it is interesting or creates curiosity, include it.

11. Awards. Include any awards or special interests of employees. Do you have published authors in your company, an Olympic participant, or something else? Consider including. Sometimes a backdoor interest can bring media coverage in. If there is only one award you can add it on another page. To create a whole page from short information, list past winners or describe the selection process. Ceremonial pictures add interest.

12. Distinction Page. This page needs to show how the company is different. Comparison charts, like those found in most software product sales information pages, are easy for readers to scan and comprehend. Graphs also work well.

13. Client List. List clients whether they are wellknown or not. If your client list is extremely confidential, mention this in lieu of the list. You can expand the information by providing some brief background information about the client.

14. Company Affiliates. If you have a formal affiliate program, add this information. If you use top quality vendors, add their information as well. Connection add flavor to being attractive.

15. Press Releases. Use releases with dates less than 90 days.

16. Publication List. If an author, where published. If short, expand by adding details about the publication. A few summarized paragraphs will do. If you are or where a columnist or write your own electronic or printed newsletter add this information as well. Add copies only if relevant and current.

17. Speaking List. Have you spoken at events or to groups? List, if old, don’t include when. Instead group by categories. Include panel participations.

18. Radio/television appearances. Guest or host, doesn’t matter. Tell them where they can listen to any audio or video clips. I don’t recommend including. They are too expensive to send and for receivers to store. You want to set the availability information off in some sort of design element to make sure it isn’t missed. To expand an appearance I like to suggest adding elements about how you got on the show, what you did and didn’t like, or other details about the experience. Human interest stories always spark interest to the media. Give enough to peak their curiosity.

19. Personal Story. What is your personal story about starting the business, creating a product or service? Is it a rags to riches story? Usually people don’t think they have a good enough story to include, however, that normally turns out to be fiction. Look for the buried treasure, dust and polish to see the shine. Someone that can write from a charge neutral standpoint is best for these.

20. Testimonials. You can spread testimonials throughout the components using pull quote design effects. And also have their own page. To expand, enlarge font size or reduce margins.

21. Endorsements are personal acknowledgements. For media kits, credibility stands higher. They include more detail than testimonials. Add copies of special endorsement letters or just mention them in other components. Only add with the endorsers permission. Products and book authors frequently include these. Be creative with this in your kit.

22. Reviews. Product or book reviews are not endorsements. Reviews give an overview charge neutral opinion. Reviews have their own language. To learn that language, read movie or book reviews.

23. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This component is a must in every media kit. Normally, media reads these pages first or second. Formulate questions by asking media personnel. Don’t guess what they want.

24. Photos. For trainers, speakers, or other professional services, color photos are too expensive to include and aren’t necessary. A small 6×9 black and white is appropriate.

25. Community. Add volunteer projects you have worked on or positions you have held. To expand, add additional details about the organization.

Note: Twoside pages count as one page.

When you are ready to send out a media kit, pull together the pieces that fit, create a personalized letter, slip in the contact person’s business card, usually the same person signing the letter, and its ready to mail or email.

A beautifully designed media kit is nice but not necessary. Visual impact is important, yet, you can do this with a matching color theme and quality paper. Content needs to be the first and foremost focus. Fancylooking media kits but if it doesn’t say anything to the receiver, it’s trashed. Value is in the information and news worthiness.

About The Author

Catherine Franz, a Business Coach, specialized in writing, marketing and product development.

Newsletters and additional articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com.

blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on September 18, 2004

by Catherine Franz