Gardening Your PR with Judymae

You Need to Get Social - Marketing & Social Media

2010-09-27T08:18:00.000-04:00

Top 10 Reasons Your Business Needs to be Part of the Social Generation: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

OK folks, if you didn't already get it....marketing and social media go together and if you're not using social media as part of your overall marketing plan and you need to reconsider. The numbers are in.

Ultimate Breakthrough Planning:The Business Funnel Approach | The Pine Crest Group

2010-09-24T09:33:00.000-04:00

Ultimate Breakthrough Planning:The Business Funnel Approach | The Pine Crest Group: "This is a different kind of business planning book.

This is a different kind of business planning book. A must-read! Simple enough that it risks being overlooked by varied best seller lists, but important enough that small business owners and managers would benefit to see it there.  

Most business planning books focus on the creation of a traditional business plan: a static document that you might as well hang on the wall after you show it to your banker and investors. In Ultimate Breakthrough Planning, you’ll learn how to leverage Mike Ferrell’s Business Funnel Approach to create and successfully execute a step-by-step business growth plan.
In this book you will:

* Analyze the Six Key Elements of your business
* Set priorities using the Business Funnel Approach
* Develop a relevant, actionable game plan for your business
* Create a focused framework for the next six months
* Learn how to get your employees in line with your vision

Get Mike Ferrell’s new book Ultimate Breakthrough Planning: The Business Funnel Approach today and begin taking the steps you need to take to take your business to it’s highest levels of success! On Sale Now For Only $14.95

How To Comment Without Selling

2010-08-23T07:41:00.000-04:00

No one wants to be thought of as a spammer when they make blog comments. This is an excellent example of how to comment without appearing as a pesky promoter of your product or service.

How To Comment Without Selling

Digital Signage and Reforestation – An Unlikely Partnership Plays Key Role in the Reforestation of Florida State Forest - Noventri

2010-08-11T13:05:00.000-04:00

It's all about Green these days and Noventri, a digital signage technology company, has come up with innovative ways to make their product even more green than it already was. Check it out at this link:

Digital Signage and Reforestation – An Unlikely Partnership Plays Key Role in the Reforestation of Florida State Forest - Noventri: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

The Cows Have Gone Digital at One Chick-fil-A

2010-08-05T11:46:00.000-04:00

See how one Chick-fil-A operator has eliminated printed posters and used digital signage for in-house promotions.

Chick-fil-A Video Testimonial - Noventri: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

FAT64.NET - Fattest Free Directory of the NET - Submit Link

2010-08-05T11:44:00.000-04:00

The Cows Have Gone Digital at One Chick-fil-A!

The cows have put their bovine brains together and found a solution that works for promoting the “Eat Mor Chikin” message within their Hagerstown, Maryland restaurant…Noventri digital signage.

The Chick-fil-A operator Randy Scott faced the challenge all restaurant operators face, how to market products on a daily basis. Up until now owners had to rely on handwritten signs or printed signs that were cumbersome to update. Scott wanted something that was intriguing, cutting-edge, and multi-faceted…a new form of communication and Noventri was the obvious choice.

Noventri installed the SF-100e digital signage player that powers a 26-inch LCD screen at the condiments counter where patrons can view daily promotions and specials as they wait in line to place and pick up orders.

“One of the challenges faced by all restaurant operators is finding ways to concisely market their products,” says Scott. “At Chick-fil-A communication and maintaining our image is critical. For us, Noventri fulfilled our needs with their digital signage solution. Our staff loves it and our customers are “wowed” by high-definition images that ‘shout’ to our customers without being intrusive.”

The SF-100e is manufactured exclusively by Noventri and is a green, non-PC technology that provides exquisite high-definition content for signage and menu boards. Noventri digital signage technology is used by eateries at the Java City, Houston Astro’s Minute Maid Park, Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards, The Newseum, Maryland Science Center as well as numerous convention centers and hotels.

Leveraging Facebook for B2B Promotions

2010-06-28T07:40:00.000-04:00

Businesses in general still have a lot to learn about the use of Facebook to advance their sales. and promotions, but this simple case study offers ideas for doing just that.

Case Study: How LightViper Leveraged Facebook To Promote Business-to-Business Services

Noventri Enters Third Phase of Digital Signage Project at Marriott Inner Harbor - Noventri

2010-06-21T12:01:00.000-04:00

Noventri Enters Third Phase of Digital Signage Project at Marriott Inner Harbor - Noventri

Morgan State University – Video Testimonial - Noventri

2010-05-25T16:30:00.000-04:00

Morgan State is able to create and manage content on large displays that have been strategically located throughout the student center.

Morgan State University – Video Testimonial - Noventri

River Hill High School – Video Testimonial - Noventri

2010-05-24T07:34:00.000-04:00

River Hill is able to dynamically communicate with the school’s students and parents with easy access to current events, PTA meetings, sporting events, school menus, and more.

River Hill High School – Video Testimonial - Noventri

Noventri Showcases Latest Hospitality Technology at Orlando’s HITEC 2010 Show - Noventri

2010-05-24T07:09:00.000-04:00

Noventri will be showcasing their latest digital signage, digital reader board and digital menu board technology – an easy-to-use, cost-conscious and green solution for the hospitality and entertainment industry at this year’s HITEC show in Orlando.

Noventri Showcases Latest Hospitality Technology at Orlando’s HITEC 2010 Show - Noventri

Noventri Designer Software Overview - Noventri

2010-05-03T07:04:00.000-04:00

The new Noventri digital signage software package is easy to use and feature rich. Best of all, it’s FREE! No gimmicks, really! You don’t even need our hardware. Noventri Designer™ can be used as a simple digital signage player on its own! Noventri Designer Software Overview - Noventri

Web-Store-Trees.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2010-04-28T12:50:00.000-04:00

A truly innovative partnership that will lessen the impact of technology on our planet. Let's face it. Technology is here to stay so we should find ways to balance it out. Web-Store-Trees.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Digital Signage Questions - Noventri

2010-04-20T16:16:00.000-04:00

For most digital signage installations, which are meant to be informational (intended to help the customers and viewers), a well-created STILL layout is, by far, what works best. Stills require fewer resources to create and manage. This lowers the cost of running the digital signage installation by order of magnitude. If motion is to be used, it should be very subtle if at all. Just to draw the eye to the element you would like the person to focus on. READ MORE - Digital Signage Questions - Noventri

Made-In-USA.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2010-04-14T11:42:00.000-04:00

Made-In-USA.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Check out this link to see more about the only Made-In-USA digital signage player available to the U. S. market.

t|h|e JOURNAL - April 2010 [40 - 41]

2010-04-12T11:40:00.000-04:00

t|h|e JOURNAL - April 2010 [40 - 41]

Updated MADE IN USA, Is it really important? - Noventri

2010-04-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

*Updated* MADE IN USA, Is it really important? - Noventri

Noventri Brings Content To The Digital Signage Show in Vegas! | The Digital Signage Expert

2010-04-06T17:02:00.000-04:00

Noventri Brings Content To The Digital Signage Show in Vegas! | The Digital Signage Expert

The Digital Signage Show and KioskCom 2010 has made it a priority to address the needs of organizations to develop customer engagement programs that include kiosks, digital signage and multiple digital media technologies. So it goes without saying that Noventri will exhibit at the event to both feature their latest products and share educational ‘know-how’ for such organizations.
Noventri will be exhibiting alongside Harris Corporation in booth #232 and will present hands-on demonstrations of the SF-3000™ an Infocaster-based digital signage solution, Commander™, a touch-screen command station for digital signage networks, and a wayfinding application that works exclusively with Infocaster, by Harris Corporation. Noventri will be the grand finally of the Digital Signage Tour providing ample opportunity for agencies and organizations to fully view the company’s innovative solutions
Noventri will also be participating, as one of three partners, in the Cooking Up Content educational series that will be moderated by Lyle Bunn, a well-known expert for the industry. The series will consist of three chapters or sessions titled:
· Strategic Briefing
· Content creation/ Content Development
· Final Play Loop/Final Content
To register for the show visit: http://www.kioskcom.com/register.asp. For information contact Judy L. Hoffman at: judyh@noventri.com or call 301-790-0103.

Noventri – a Division of Specialized Communications Corp. (est. 1985) – Noventri has been a leader in manufacturing, sales, service, installation, content creation and management digital signage since 1999 and has served such names as: Marriott, Sheraton, Java City, Aramark, Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park, Baltimore Orioles’ Camden Yards, DC’s The Newseum and Chick-fil-A. Noventri is located at: 20940 Twin Springs Dr., Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510. URL: www.noventri.com

What to do in-case of an Emergency - Noventri

2010-04-05T08:26:00.000-04:00

What to do in-case of an Emergency - Noventri

Save The Nation's Forests With Noventri Digital Signage - Free-Press-Release.com

2010-02-08T13:20:00.000-05:00

Save The Nation's Forests With Noventri Digital Signage - Free-Press-Release.com

The Difference Between Public Relations and Advertising

2009-06-21T17:45:00.005-04:00

The Difference Between Advertising and Public Relations

Ina RossBusiness Consultant/Coach
What is the difference between PR and advertising... a question that is often asked by business owners. I found an interesting explanation from Ina Ross, a Business Consultant and Coach.

Ross explains, "PR and advertising are cousins. They serve the same master... but with different approaches."

Ross continues, "I have always found that advertising is great for getting instant results. It is where you put your coupons to attract new shoppers...to introduce to your products. The accounting is built into the campaign and is very reliable. Advertising gives you "instant" results."

"PR on the other hand is more of a long term investment," Ina says. "It can entail "free" advertising if you use press releases judiciously. The newer arena of social networking is a terrific platform for PR efforts."

Ross then explains that Public Relations fosters relationships... relationships that eventually become clients or customers down the road. And there must be a mix of both for a successful business.

So how's your PR and advertising working for you?

A Great Quiz To Take Before Release Distribution

2009-06-21T17:41:00.004-04:00

All of PR pros would do well to review the following quiz. I found this on another PR related site.

Dear PR people, please take this quiz before you send out another press release or email pitch. (The correct answers are below)

1. Has the print, online or broadcast reporter you are pitching ever covered this topic?

2. Why would this pitch or release elicit a response from people who read it?

3. Is this pitch or is it just a bunch of fluff?

4. Would anyone pass along a story on this topic to a friend or colleague?

5. Have you Googled the reporters and bloggers on your list so you know if they've covered your competitor?

6. Have you read your competitors' press releases?

7. Have you checked to see if any blogs specifically cover this topic?

8. Can you make the copy shorter?

Your answers should be: 1. Yes; 2. Yes; 3. No; 4. Yes; 5. Yes; 6. Yes; 7. Yes 8. Yes.

A Press Release or News Release Defined

2009-04-22T12:43:00.003-04:00

I recently came across this fantastic definition of a press release or news release. The description was offered by Michael Gury, Global Communications, Marketing, PR, Branding Expert on Linkedin in response to someone's request for a proper definition. Thanks Michael. Couldn't have said it better.

1. A press release is a disciplined and formulaic means of announcing news that distributed [or] broadcast for the benefit of a person/company/entity. The operative word here is "news" and a hefty amount of press releases that are posted every minute don't really contain "news". But it's like trash and treasure. The germ of hope in anyone writing and distributing a release is that there is treasure in there for someone.

2. It is also a legal document as public companies must announce "material" -- meaning financially substantive -- events such as transactions, changes to financials, etc.

3. It is a marketing tool. It can excite your customers, warn your competitors, lay down the lines of battle.

And in my (Michael's )experience --

4. It is forcing mechanism within a company to articulate something and put it down on a page or two. The urge to generate a press release is quickly tempered by having to actually describe what the news is (or isn't; as we sometimes find out while attempting to craft the release).

5. Irrespective of the immediate distribution via whatever means, it is a calling card after it has been distributed.

For the Sales force, it can be a powerful communications deliverable if the release is about a product or service.

For the PR person, it's a great excuse to get in touch with journalist friendlies, and create a cover note that explains what the news means (which I usually do within seconds of posting of a release).

Because of their factual bases press releases don't usually convey the "meaning" of the news. That is actually good because news has different meanings to different people and audiences. And this open-endedness can mean additional phone/email conversations which are really how the news creates value and substantive stories get written.

6. Final point, ...there are now a lot of tricks to distribution. Through the miracle of modern technology we are now able to create a very surgical distribution / marketing plan for each release.

An equally huge responsibility after having been tortured in creating the release is coming up with a "media plan" for it. That may involve multiple distribution services, your own distribution, etc.

Anything else to add? Leave a comment.

Tweets From the Past

2009-04-22T10:05:00.003-04:00

Twittering is all the rage and it didn't take long for someone to see the humor in it. This link provides some insight into what tweets would have looked like if 'tweeting' was all the rage in the past. Enjoy!

http://bhgrealestateblog.com/2009/04/10/what-if-shakespeare-twittered/

Maintaining Logo Integrity

2009-03-11T16:30:00.007-04:00

Logo integrity is the basis for building and strengthening your brand. Misuse of an established logo results in a brand that is inconsistant and detached from your overall strategy.

Once a logo has been developed all efforts should be made to maintain the integrity of that logo when used in marketing pieces, on websites and by resellers or partners.

Thus it is essential to establishe and communicate basic uses of your logo to appropriate users.

Logo Integrity 101 - Standard Rules

Below are a set of accepted principles for logo usage. Companies may need to expand on these to cover all the various usages within their corporate environments, but these basic rules are pretty much set in stone.

Never alter the color, angle or layout of the logo. The logo should always appear the same. Everything around it can change, it needs to stay untouched. The only exception is when appearing in a black and white ads.

The font or appearance of the logo must remain true. For instance, if a text logo is a flat helvetica, it would, under no circumstances, ever appear as beveled or with shading or highlighting that is not in the original logo.

Graphic and text logos alike would never be shown in odd angles or with slight variations of the original color(s).

Establish clear-zones. A clear zone must surround any freestanding logos. This deters your logo from being crowded out by other graphics. Commonly, a ratio for required space is established for the best visibility. This clear zone will assure that sufficient space is maintained around the width and height of logos.

Logos should always be easy to read. Logos should never be placed over mult-colored backgrounds or photos. Dark backgrounds should be lightened at the placement of logos or if absolutely necessary, the logo can be reversed to a pure white only.

Which brings us to the rule of black or white. Only reproduce your logo in 100% black or 100% white when you can't reproduce the logo in its original color.

To better communicate the use your logo, provide sample do's and don'ts so there is no confusion as to what to do in any given situation.

Make Music With Skittles - New Age Marketing & PR

2009-03-04T09:35:00.003-05:00

Make Music With Skittles

Go to: http://www.skittles.com

and have a little fun.

Brand recall? Well, I don't think many will forget Skittles for a while. And talk about going viral? Just think how this link is being passed around!

Make a Referral - Jump Start the Economy

2009-03-04T08:46:00.005-05:00

Did you know that the week of March 9-13 is "Make a Referral Week"? This is an innovative way to stimulate small business in a weaken economy. Great PR tactic!

Let's all do something for the economy!

I’m pledging to make a referral to a business I want to help as part of a national campaign to make 1000 referrals March 9-13. What a great small business stimulus plan - won’t you join me?

Just go to: http://www.makeareferralweek.com/pledge

Make a Referral Week is an entrepreneurial approach to stimulating the small business economy one referred business at a time. The goal for the week is to generate 1000 referred leads to 1000 deserving small businesses in an effort to highlight the impact of a simple action that could blossom into millions of dollars in new business.

Small business is the lifeblood and job-creating engine of the economy and merits the positive attention so often saved for corporate bailout stories.

The week long event also features a killer list of referral experts providing valuable marketing advice. Do your part to stimulate the economy by telling your world about making referrals and

Make a Referral Week - you’ll be in good company.

Nuturing Your Digital PR - The Lack of Growth and Reasons Why

2009-02-06T12:38:00.004-05:00

I recently found a blog entry on Juice - Pure Digital Marketing, where a recent survey was completed on digital PR. There were some interesting results.

The main reason for companies not utilizing digital PR efforts and social media usage is the "lack of knowledge." Almost 50% of marketing professionals reported that they did not have the necessary knowlege or technical skills that would allow them to fully explore digital PR and social media.

Not surprising was this: "...once a business implements a Social Media or Digital PR strategy they [companies] were amazed at the speed of success and the impact it has on their natural listings."

To read the full report by Ian Cook visit: http://blog.juicedigital.co.uk/2009/02/lack-of-understanding-is-obstructing-the-growth-of-digital-pr/

Oh...Fresh Air, Sunshine and Lots of Dandelions!

2008-11-11T14:59:00.003-05:00

Ouote of the Day:

Just living is not enough. ... One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

--Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author and poet

So What's the Difference - Marketing, PR, Advertising and Branding

2008-11-11T14:20:00.004-05:00

It is common with small companies and large ones alike to place little distinction between marketing and sales. Once marketing functions are defined and seperated from sales initiatives, then there is new confusion in the difference between marketing, PR, advertising and branding. Without a clear distinction in what they are and how they work differently, results will be stifled.

Trying to explain the differences is sometimes confusing and many times each function will overlap. But I recently found this simple explanation. Simple, but precise.

Check this out: http://adsoftheworld.com/blog/ivan/2007/apr/11/the_difference_between_marketing_pr_advertising_and_branding

Like Hunting Rabbits - Rethinking Your Marketing and Sales Strategy

2008-11-09T10:30:00.004-05:00

Struggling to meet your marketing and sales goals? Feel like you are getting nowhere? You’re doing all the right things and yet don’t see results? Then consider the following found in The Jackrabbit Factor by Leslie Householder (available at Amazon.com).

The story goes something like this: "A man was traveling on a journey when he came to a field. In the field he saw a dog. The dog was jumping wildly, dashing to and fro. He would disappear in the long grasses each time he landed and proceed to jet into the air once again. The man was frightened and stood back for fear of catching some awful, strange disease that would cause him to dash off, jerking wildly and barking nonstop.

Slowly, he stepped aside and passed the alarming scene, making sure to stay on the nicely paved path he had been following. All the while he kept a suspicious eye on the ravenous dog so as not to become a victim of such antics. When he had finally passed the field and came to a clearing, why, there was the dog. Standing there with pride and hold a jackrabbit in its mouth. The dog casually walked pass the man and trotted off with his newly found catch.

Soon the man became hungry and began to think about the dog. He thought how nice it would be to have some rabbit stew. After some contemplating he turned around and follow the path for some time until he was at the very spot that he saw the dog in the grassy field. The man jumped into the deep grass and started running and jumping wildly. He darted and growled. He snarled and barked. Up, down, back and forth. He diligently tried to duplicated the antics of the dog he had seen earlier. He was sure that this would result in a rabbit to fill his hungry belly. Alas, at the end of the day he was still hungry and exhausted and never found a rabbit.

Sadly he hung his shoulders and returned to the paved road. He thought to himself, “This is a nicely paved road and many people have traveled it before. I’ll just stay on this path, bear with my hunger until I find something to eat along the way.” Notice several things in this story. (1) Duplicating the dog did NOT produce a rabbit. Instead it probably kept them far away. (2) It was good thinking on the man’s part to actually leave the path that many have traveled to find a rabbit. It is always advantageous to look around at other successful people and see what they are doing, and then do the opposite. Doing the same thing as everyone else is often the wrong move. Therefore, if you want a rabbit it may require that you leave the well-trodden path to find it. That brings us to…(3) Before you get in a frenzy and start duplicating the movements of the dog, you must first see the rabbit. Otherwise, all thee activity is in vain. Going through the motions without a goal is useless."

Goals, like that rabbit, must be visualized. Once identified, these goals must be pursued with true excitement and fervor. And remember, to start, you most likely will have to get off the beaten path to find and latch onto the proverbial rabbit.

Using the Word "Try" is a Little Bit Tricky

2008-09-09T22:15:00.005-04:00

At a recent office meeting, we were discussing the word "try" or "trying" and the fact that there is no such thing as "trying." You either are or are not.

You can't try to eat. You are either eating to not eating.
You can't try to sleep. You are either awake or asleep.
You can't try to walk. You are either walking or not walking.

So if you are asked whether or not you finished a project. Don't respond with, "Well, I'm trying." That just means "No, I haven't." Just say that. Otherwise you would be answering, "Yes, I'm finished."

The following excerpt was taken from a blog entry that shares the same sentiment.

"That is one of the greatest lies you can tell yourself or your children. "Trying" is a word meant to rationalize failure. It's an excuse. In truth, when reaching for any objective, short term or long term, you either succeed or you don't. There is no in-between. Trying, therefore, is a non-reality.... 'I tried' is a quitter's statement. It says you have either given up or decided that not reaching your goals is an okay way to continue to live your life."

So don't just try. Just do!

Winds of Change on the PR Horizon

2008-07-16T18:58:00.001-04:00

The Winds, They are A Changin'

I am known for comparing PR to dandelions and seeds (www.judymae.com) that are carried by the wind and rain. Well, the winds are changing in the PR world, as the following excerpt from an article shows. The article was written by Joanna Kulesa of Kulesa Public Relations and she outlines these changes by acknowleging some hard facts.

"Fact one: hard copy publications are online, or have moved exclusively online. Fact two: media companies are consolidating. Fact three: new media is here to stay and is quickly becoming a leading outlet for telling your story."

And after driving home the role that blogs play in the PR world she goes on to outline various other media that is taking PR to new heights, such as podcasting, SEO, webinars, webcasts, RSS news feeds and YouTube and MySpace.

Joanna says, "A strong social media strategy can really set your company apart from the competition and extend your business' thought leadership outreach and touch a broader audience. Public relations professionals can help their companies or clients navigate these new waters." Or winds, whichever. And if you want to stay abreast of these changes then your dandelions must catch these new winds.

Expression Brings Your Vision to Life

2008-06-28T10:21:00.006-04:00

Quote of the Week -

"It is not enough that a man has clearness of vision, and reliance on sincerity, he must also have the art of expression, or he will remain obscure." - George H. Lewes

It is a great thing to have a sincere vision of your business. But that vision will never become reality without a means of expression. Therefore, you must provide your company's vision with a solid PR strategy and then carry through with the plan.

Quote of the Week

2008-05-20T20:31:00.006-04:00

"We find that advertising works the way the grass grows. You can never see it, but every week you

have to mow the lawn." -

Andy Travis

Public relations efforts are the same. Constant and consistent maintenance is required. Let Judymae provide your company with "lawn maintenance"! - www.judymae.com

Quote of the Week

2008-04-24T17:45:00.001-04:00

"The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity." -

George Carlin, American stand-up comedian, actor and author

So PR professionals are the caterpillars and their clients are the butterflies... how dreamy! I can just see the butterflies flitting around fields of dandelions on a warm summer day.

Visit my website to become a butterfly!

Making Your PR Efforts Worth the Money

2008-02-25T10:37:00.001-05:00

When times get tough, some of the first to cuts to the budget are PR efforts. Sometimes the PR budget looks as if more is spent than what the company sees in results. This needs some explanation and Bonnie Harris gave some great insight to it in her article, "Is PR Worth It?"

Bonnie explains that businesses need to look at long term results rather than monthly results. And she goes on to list some tips improve the way you measure results. For instance, she says to look at both "long-term and short-term goals. Understand what you’re after." And then she asks:

"Do you want to be in the top ten natural search for Google? Do you want to establish credibility for you and your product or service online? Drive traffic to your website? You must identify what you hope to gain from public relations." Following is a piece from her article.

"Stay on top of your public relations efforts. Check in with your publicist on a regular basis to see what he or she is working on, and what seem like likely placements in the next 60 days. At the same time, be patient. Placements take time, and if you haven’t done any media outreach before, it can take a while to get you on the radar screen.

Have a “wish list” of key target publications and outlets. A lot of people don’t understand their demographics well enough to do this, but you must have that list identified, if nothing else than to focus your own or your publicists’ efforts. And don’t try only for Oprah or Ellen. Pick media outlets that are attainable. Shoot for the moon, but spend most of your time on reasonable targets for you.

If your public relations firm tells you the hook needs to be more unique, believe them. Don’t think you are special or that there aren’t 10 or more people doing what you do. I’m sorry if this is blunt, but it’s true. Too many people get defensive when their publicist is hunting around for angles. Trust that they know when a story’s been done. Otherwise you’ll end up paying them to send outreach that is not compelling.

This is implied from my other comments, but don’t just sit back and wait for results. Be ACTIVE in your publicity campaign. If you want to get into a particular magazine, read it often and make suggestions on particular angles. Watch the shows you want to be on. Become an expert in your targeted media outlets.

Write, and if you can’t write, hire someone who can write for you. Custom content can be much easier to place in trade magazines and online. Come up with ideas for new articles, and make them unique.

Finally, be upfront and honest with your PR firm. If you feel things just aren’t getting going, don’t get frustrated. Sit down with them, review your goals, and if they can’t show marked progress, let them go. (and then call me.)"

Using Bonnie's tips above will definitely lead to making your PR efforts worth the cost.

NOTE: Bonnie Harris is the president of Wax Marketing, a marketing and PR agency for small business. She also operates waxcoach.com, a DIY marketing and PR site for entrepreneurs. Bonnie can be reached at bonnie@waxcoach.com.

Here's the Wind, Where's Your Seeds?

2007-12-19T10:13:00.001-05:00

The sun warms and nurtures seedlings, providing the optimum environment for growth. The rain nourishes and the wind spreads seeds for growth. PR or Public Relations is the weather and your business is a garden in bloom.

Like every garden there are a variety of blossoms. You can have daisies, roses, and, yes, dandelions. In the eyes of a Gardener it is the rose that is the most desirable; with dandelions ranking the least.

The roses in your business can be likened to your advertising efforts. Like an well-designed ad, a rose is mostly a visual thing and requires a lot of investment. The rose requires feeding, pruning, etc. Advertising requires ad creation and media buying which can be quite costly. Sadly, advertising is like a rose in that it is here today in all its glory and quickly withers or is outdated at the end of the campaign. And all the world waits for a new bloom to develop and tantalize them once again.

Daisies, while available in a variety of colors usually are a 'filler' in the garden, supporting the beds with color and greenery. They bloom throughout the season and can be liken to a business's marketing efforts in general. Brochures, fliers, business cards, web sites etc. Once planted, they need little tending and make your garden or business look nice.

Unfortunately, dandelions are usually considered none essential and actually a pest to the Gardener. But in the business world it is the dandelion that should be allowed to sprout and take over the lawns that surround your gardens. Dandelions are the PR flower of the garden. With very little effort they demand attention with their bright yellow blooms. These blooms quickly convert to PR tidbits that fly through the air and plant business opportunities and exposure for future growth.

Roses tend to stay where they are. Linked to hardy stems that are laden with thorns. Beautiful to see but require a lot of work to get. Daisies are pretty much on their own once they are established but their blooms wither and die to only drop little seeds next to there root beds or require someone to purposely collect and plant the seeds elsewhere. Marketing collateral or daisies need to be distributed; websites need to be visited; and business cards need to be left behind. Like general marketing, effort is required to see results for both.

Dandelions, on the other hand, are less demanding and use the weather or PR to create more growth than any other flower. (That's why we see them everywhere!). After blooming a soft, fluffy golden flower, the dandelion doesn't just wither and die. Each little fluffy 'petal' turns into a soft white parachute with a seed on the end. These little parachutes may fall not too far from the bloom, be carried away by rain water or get carried off for miles on end to new horizons with the wind...creating fields of dandelions or excellent opportunities for growth in your business.

The authors of The Fall of Advertising & the Rise of PR, Al and Laura Ries explained that advertising "lives for brief moments and then it dies. Not so with publicity. A good story will live forever." Yes, one dandelion can create or re-create publicity that will fuel your business fields for years to come.

As with all gardens, there is a purpose for each type of flower, even if it is just for beauty. But all gardens should have an abundant dandelion presence, since these, combined with a well-planned PR campaign, are what will make your business become the best it can be. So here's the wind, where are your seeds?

Written by Judy L. Hoffman of Judymae Communications, a company that provides the Sun, Rain and Wind so your dandelions can seed your future.

Your Business Must Produce Dandelions For Effective PR

2007-11-29T18:41:00.001-05:00

Interestingly enough, there is a PR lesson to be learned from a simple dandelion. This is because a dandelion knows how to do it right. After blooming into a stunning yellow puff of color, this common flower competes no other. Unlike other flowers that wither and die, dropping seeds at its root bed...hoping that something will come along and carry their seeds to new places, dandelions go the extra mile by converting each segment of the bloom into a seed equipped with a little parachute.

Like any flower, your business may present well and produce well. But without a good PR plan your seeds or efforts will simply fall at your root bed and not accomplish much.

To assure that your flowers are actually dandelions they must be cultivated through solid marketing efforts. And then, when the time is right, you must allow the wind (or a good PR specialist) guide your seeds through the air with strategic public relations for further business growth.

This is essential in seeding your future and building your business. You must strive to fill your company's field with a blanket of lemony yellow for the world to see.

Yes every business should produce dandelions.

Judymae Communications, http://www.judymae.com/, offers over 15 years experience in marketing and public relations. That coupled with the need to survive is how the company came to be. Judymae Communications has recently provided PR and marketing services for some of the following: Global Credit Solutions International, Expressions of Excellence, Alaska Tours and Cruises, You Can Beat Adwords, Crossmark Financial, Risk Allocations Systems, Market Strategy, Kawesch Laser Center, Remax, Skeeter Guard, Solutions Group, Acorn Publishing, PTSponsor.com, Eccentrics Spa and Sanctuary, Long & Foster, PinPoint Clothiers, On Track MPower, Croyton Intelligent Solutions, Shop Flip Flop, and VinStrategies. Contact: Judy L. Hoffman, Judymae Communications, 29 E. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD, 21795 USA