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5 secrets to successfully pitch a Mediabistro editor

by at 3:28 pm 5 Comments

Patrick Coffee is the Editor of PRNewser, a daily blog published by Mediabistro.com.  Coffee and his team write about news, trends, and announcements in PR. He is based in New York.

Here are highlights from our recent conversation: 

On contacting him:  I get lots and lots of e-mail pitches every day. They come from most of the major PR firms, especially in New York City. Occasionally I’ll get phone calls, but it’s very rare, and that’s a good thing. I personally want e-mail. The more often someone calls me the less likely I am to run their story.

On subject lines: The most important part of an e-mail pitch is having an effective subject line. It has to get my attention without pandering or telling me, ‘I must read this.’ Writing subject lines is a subtle art form. It’s similar to Twitter, where there’s a limited space to get your message across. In terms of tone, convey to me there’s something interesting for me in the e-mail, without being too pushy about it.

On the e-mail pitch: The message has to be very clear and interesting to me.  Make it clear to me why my readers would be interested in the story, why does it stand out?  E-mail pitches should be personalized, beyond just copying and pasting my name and a greeting. A certain degree of personalization in the first couple of sentences is a very good idea. Tell me why you thought of me for this story and the people who may like this story. What is appealing about it? I always appreciate a quick summary of what the entire story is about in just a couple of sentences.

On building a community through blogging:  A lot of my readers come from my Twitter feed.  I tweet a lot and that attracts readers. For anyone who blogs, there has to be some degree of interaction. Everyone loves when someone responds to something they say. I’m not a big fan of people begging for attention. If you write a blog you’ll take some satisfaction knowing that people are not just looking at what you do, but that they are thinking about it and that they are responding to it in their own way. You can encourage that by retweeting what they have to say and following them back. 

On PR and social media: A lot of people in PR are very familiar and comfortable with social media. One concern is they are too comfortable. When working to promote a client or your own brand, you have to be disciplined in your message. It gets too casual sometimes, like with automated messaging. You want to be sure people know there’s a live person behind your account.

Final thought: Always think multimedia.  

PS: Do you want hundreds of tips on news pitches, PR, blogging, and content development? Get my new book, The Badass Book of Social Media and Business Communication. 

Filed Under: media, Mediabistro.com, Pitches, PR, Social Media, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 time-sensitive phrases to avoid when blogging

by at 2:44 pm 4 Comments

Real-time is the name of the game in our digital space. Why do so many bloggers and writers insist on beginning their prose with old, outdated, and stale references to time and “current” events?

Here are 5 phrases to avoid in the opening/intro of your blog. By the way, these are real. Not real-time, just real blunders.  

1. “Three months ago…”

      My take: What were you waiting for? I’m outta here.

2. “When I attended the XXX conference in Vegas a few weeks ago…” 

       My take: I wasn’t there, it’s old, goodbye.

3. “Five years ago when I wrote an article on…” 

      My take: What rock have you been under?

4. “A study from 2010…” 

      My take: Tell me something new. Until then, I’ll be napping. 

5. “Industry leaders debated the March, 2011 research…” 

      My take: Where were you in March? 

Author Eckhart Tolle writes in his best-selling book, The Power of Now: “The time is Now.”

And by the way, if you need ideas and help with blogging, writing, and content, I invite you to sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” 

Filed Under: Blogging, content, Social Media, Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

12 things every business blogger should know how to do

by at 4:28 am 9 Comments

Trying to navigate the blogosphere and find your own voice? It’s easy to have an identity crisis as you work to create the persona of your dreams.

 I find that blogging isn’t that difficult until educated, professional, bright grown-ups begin to overanalyze things. Most know the basics; hell we got through high school, college, and years of work. Suddenly we can’t put together some rudimentary thoughts on a topic we (likely) have been involved with for years. Be brave. It’s a new world. Kind of.

Consider these 12 things that every blogger should know how to do:  

1. Make your own rules. Don’t get stuck with someone else’s belief about word count, frequency of posts, and editorial calendars. Work your blog based on what feels right for you and your readers.     

 

 2. Stick to what you know and enjoy. When you write about topics you’re well-versed in and passionate about, it comes through loud and clear. This will help build your credibility as an expert in your field. It could also be enjoyable.      

 

3. Identify your audience.  Take time to analyze where your ideal clients hang out online. Who are they and what can you do for them? Do you know their challenges? How can your knowledge add to their success? Hints: Survey Monkey, Google Alerts, chats, and Twitter. 

 

4. Write to express, not to impress. The secret to blogging lies in the writing. Yes, business blogs must be professional but they are not a dull white paper with stuffy jargon. Be conversational, say exactly what you need to say, and be done. It may be 50 words or 500. No one will care if you write in a compelling and helpful style. 

 

 5. Understand the art and science of writing headlines.  In our crazy, busy world, you’ve got eight words in your headline that must compel someone to read on. It’s about psychology, emotions, curiosity, and marketing. Master this.                       

 

6. Forget writer’s block.  There’s no such thing as writer’s block. Pay attention to people and the world around you and you’ll have a steady pipeline of topics to cover. 

 

7. Use video.  Video is the hot trend in social media this year. Not everyone is writer, and not everyone is a reader. We all learn through different communication modalities; some of us are more visual while others are more auditory. Enter video blogs (vlogs). Bonus: Record your video and have it transcribed so you can repurpose it.  

 

 8. Weave your personality into your posts.   Give readers a glimpse into your world. How can you do this while focusing on their needs and challenges? Always connect your experience back to them. Take a look at this first link and see what I mean. 

 

9. Encourage people to comment, and respond to them. Invite your audience to get involved by asking for their feedback, experience, or opinion. Be sure to check your comments daily and respond to everyone. After all, no one likes to be ignored. Blogs are interactive, not static. Invite the dialogue. 

 

 10. Find good images. Interesting visuals, pictures, and video snippets all add to the reader’s experience. Collect images and build your library. Entice visitors with visuals that help drive your message. Tap into their senses while showing your creativity. 

 

11. Understand the next steps. After people read your post, what do you want them to do? What’s the call to action? Sign up for a free newsletter, video, or webinar? List building and landing pages are essential to building a following, keeping in touch with your readers, and marketing to them in the future.

 

12. Write and upload your own post. Be sure you can do this from beginning to end in less than 30 minutes.  That means without the help of tech support or a web weenie.   

 

Building your online community takes time and focus. Commit to it and you will reap the benefits, both personally and professionally.

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Creativity, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

Your A-Z Guide to Successful Business Blogging

by at 5:05 am 25 Comments

Are you ready to launch a blog or ramp up your existing one? 

Here are 26 tips to help you on your blogging  journey:

Add pictures, visuals, and images to your posts to communicate with readers on different levels.   

Be the solution.  Help people solve their problems. Solve, don’t sell.

Consider all multimedia platforms such as video blogs, podcasts, and audio clips.  

Define who you are, who your audience is, and what benefits blogging may bring you.  The bottom line: Why are you blogging?  

Eavesdrop on conversations to help you develop new content. 

Forget the word count. Be clear and make your point. That’s it. 

Grab people’s attention from the get-go with compelling and punchy headlines. 

Highlight text, subheads, key phrases, and lists to emphasize important points and make your posts more reader-friendly.

Interact with your readers by asking them questions in your posts and responding to comments.  

Jump into the fray. Don’t be afraid to take a stand on an issue or controversy in your niche or field. Boldness counts. 

Kill the negative self-talk and judgment. You don’t have to be a professional writer to be a great blogger.    

Listen to the conversations in chats and groups to determine what people are “stuck” on. There’s your content.

Move people emotionally through your words, language, metaphors, real-life experiences, and humanity.

Notice what other bloggers are doing. Get ideas on layout, colors, design, content, and self-promotion.

Open your eyes, heart, and mind. We’re in uncharted waters.

Position yourself as a credible resource in your field. Become the “go-to” guy (or gal) 

Quit taking it personally (Q-TIP) if no one comments on your blog. Comments do not equal readers. 

Remember we are in a real-time world. Post often so your blog doesn’t become static and stale. 

Simplify your words. Blogging is not business writing, even though you’re probably writing about business. Be conversational. Consider yourself a creative artist. 

Try using patience. You may get frustrated or overwhelmed with the pressures that come along with a blog. This isn’t a short-term commitment with fast results. 

Understand the analytics, metrics, search engine optimization, keywords, and other important tools to help you determine content, audience, readership, and more.

Vary your posts but not your expertise. Stick with what you know without painting yourself into a corner.  

Write when you have something to say. Your readers will appreciate it.

X-ray your life. Take a close look into the body and soul of your professional career and personal experiences.  Shine a light on them to diagnose your ”lessons learned.”   The result: Content. Lots of it.

Yearn for more. Your curiosity and willingness to learn about new trends in your industry, technology, and life in general will serve you well in your blogging endeavors. 

Zero in on your readers. Write as if you’re speaking directly to them. A blog is merely the medium (vehicle) to reach mass amounts of people.  Make each one feel special and connected to you. 

Now I know my ABCs…

One final note: Here’s a free resource for you. Take advantage of my 21-day video series “Speaking of Communication.” It focuses on Social Media, blogging, PR, writing, and communication themes. Click on this link now for instant access http://www.getinfrontcommunications.com/

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, content, Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

7 ways to be a kick-ass blogger

by at 4:04 am 35 Comments

When it comes to blogging and creating content, clarity trumps confusion.

Some people have been blogging for five or 10 years. But for most of us, blogging is a relatively new communication medium. Too many people are unclear about what it takes to become a successful blogger.

Here are 7 ways for you to become a kick-ass blogger: 

  1. Kick-ass bloggers are clear on their expertise, niche, and passion. They don’t panic and lie awake at night trying to figure out their niche. They know they are the sum of all their experiences. They look at their professional and personal journeys and know what instinctively feels right. Lack of passion leads to lack of clarity, which brings on mental chaos, confusion, self-doubt, and sometimes therapy. 
  2. Kick-ass bloggers write when they feel inspired and compelled to share a powerful message that’s worthy of someone else’s time. If they feel like they need the structure of an editorial calendar, they use one. If they feel “trapped” by a calendar with topics, they don’t bother with it. They trust their gut.
  3. Kick-ass bloggers who aren’t professional writers are OK with that. They are conversational. They don’t get rattled  over grammar and style. They write from the heart; in their own voice and personality. Being a layman doesn’t stop them from participating. 
  4. Kick-ass bloggers look back at where they began and are proud of their persistence. They realize that the only way to be a kick-ass blogger is to keep practicing and improving. Their mantra: ”Just keep writing.” They are keenly aware that it takes a long time to get noticed. 
  5. Kick-ass bloggers have soul. They watch for lessons in life and those light bulb moments that lead to wordsmithing, editing, critical thinking skills, organization, and expression. They create content that moves, educates, informs, and entertains people because they are willing to show their own humanity.
  6. Kick-ass bloggers understand that comments, or lack of, may mean something, but it doesn’t mean the end of the world.  They know deep down inside that as they continue to write and attract readers, the comments will follow.  
  7. Kick-ass bloggers have studied and learned what their audience wants. They are clear in their role as a blogger. They relate to their community. They engage with all kinds of people and personalities.  They follow prestigious and well-known bloggers. They offer meaningful comments. They guest post. They analyze stats and traffic. They follow trends, know keywords, are aware of the importance of strong headlines and titles, and so much more. In the end, they consistently deliver.

They have earned the title of kick-ass blogger. Have you? Or are you still nervously biting your nails wondering why three people unsubscribed from your RSS feed yesterday?  

 

P.S. Here’s a free resource for you. Take advantage of my 21-day video series “Speaking of Communication.” It focuses on Social Media, blogging, PR, writing, and communication themes. Click on this link now for instant access http://www.getinfrontcommunications.com/

 

 

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Creativity, Social Media, Writing Tagged With: , , ,

The Top 10 Communication Tips of the Year

by at 5:01 am 21 Comments

Communication is at the core of all of our relationships, both business and personal. 

Let’s take a look at 10 defining moments in communication. You’ll recognize some because they made news. But I believe you’ll relate to all of these tips and lessons. 

1. Your attention is a hot commodity. Back in the dark ages of 1971, Nobel Prize winning economist Herbert Simon wrote: “What information consumes is rather obvious. It consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” Did Simon have a crystal ball? How did he know the attention tsunami was coming? In ’71, there was no Google, information superhighway, or text messages. Carefully guard your time, attention, and mind.   
 
2. The word “I” doesn’t have to be self-serving and arrogant. Art Petty, who runs a management and leadership consulting firm, says we can use the word “I” for empowerment, active listening,  and accountability. “I am responsible for this outcome.” “Here’s what I understand about your opinion on this matter. Am I correct?” ”I could use your help.”
 
3. Understand the emotions of communication in marketing. Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why writes about ‘The Golden Circle’ and how most companies and people try to sell their ideas based on what their product or service is. Then they talk about how it will work. But the most successful are those who are able to connect with the public on an intimate level. These folks begin at the center of the circle. That’s where the ’WHY’  resides.  The ‘Why’ creeps into the core of a lifestyle, emotion, and belief  that people latch on to. The ’What’ and ‘How’ come later.   
 
4. Whoever has the message has the power. This is what social media has become in the past year. The news and the way it is consumed has changed significantly because of technology and Twitter. The immediacy of real life can be broadcast around the world by someone with a flip cam or cell phone. An angry customer at the Hertz counter in Florida suddenly puts on his ‘news hat’  and reports on shoddy customer service. You don’t need the media to capture the public’s attention.
 
5. Communication must be H.O.T. That’s honest, open, and two-way. That’s according to business writer and blogger Dan Oswald. He says the H.O.T. approach is an effective and powerful force. Amen, Dan. 
 
6. Bullies suck. Criticizing, judging, and making people feel bad sends negative energy into the world. We have too much of that. Common sense and common courtesy in our communication—in person and online— is always appreciated. Snarky comments and dirty looks are included here. Remember, mean people have little mean people.
 
7. Rapport is critical in conflict and camaraderie.  In our ‘crazy busy world’, it’s essential to know how to connect and engage with all types of people and personalities. This  is especially true if you want to resolve a conflict and build consensus. Rapport is the bond that brings us together. 
 
8. Authenticity is priceless.  Just ask executives at BP, Toyota, and Goldman Sachs. And those who hold elected offices, too.
 
9.  Influence comes in many different forms. It may be a quick Tweet, a blog post, a speech, or a handwritten note. Our words wield power. With social media and other technology, be aware that your influence (impact) can affect people in other countries. People you’ve never met and never will. Choose your words carefully.
 
10. Embrace a creative community.  Being shy won’t serve you well in our interactive, engaged world. This year I’ve learned to appreciate that life demands our participation. Force yourself to learn, watch successful people, and develop your own creativity and style. Meet one person at a time to build confidence. You must begin now or you will be left behind. 
 
There’s always time to learn. 

 

P.S. Here’s a free communication resource for you. Take advantage of my 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” It focuses on interpersonal communication, social media, blogging, public relations, and sales. The sign-up box is on the top right of this screen. 

Filed Under: Communication, Communicators, Interpersonal Relationships, Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 Easy Things You Can Do Right Now to Get Publicity

by at 1:48 pm 5 Comments

Feeling stuck for creative ideas? Do you need a ”burst of amazing” for your own business or PR clients? Here are 10 easy ways to jumpstart the process and create a buzz.  

1. Sit down with your colleagues, staff, or clients and ask them good questions about what they have been doing. This includes hobbies, vacations, and interests that they have that you’ve never known about or discussed. Brainstorm. Quality questions will bring quality information.

2. Google a few PR and marketing firms in other states or regions that you’re not familiar. Browse their posts and articles. By seeing the issues and topics they’ve addressed, you will open up your own creative channels.

3. Take a walk. Go to a new park  or downtown area with your journal or flipcam and just watch people. New environments spark curiosity, which is integral to creativity. Consider taking a day off and breaking with your routine.  Adventures are good.

4. Look back. Read your own archives of press releases, articles, newsletters, and blog posts. You can probably recycle a few or find ways to  follow-up. You can also read newspaper archives from a year ago to see what stories were in the news, and what may have changed. Is there a fresh angle to explore?  

5. Read a few magazines or newspapers that you’ve never seen before. What kinds of headlines, trends, and stories can you apply to your world?

6. Check out new social media chats and groups. You don’t even have to participate; simply observe the conversations. Find new websites to visit, identify and watch new movers and shakers, and bookmark new resources. Subscribe to a new newsletter or e-zine.  

7. Read a biography of a leader you admire and respect.  Whether it’s FDR, Rosa Parks, or Larry Bird, you’re likely to be inspired and get fresh insights into overcoming challenges and staying on course. Learn from the best and figure out how you can apply these life lessons in your business.  

8. Be “on.” Hard core news pros are always “on.”  Their news antennae are up at the dry cleaners, school conferences, and in the mall. Interesting people with fabulous experiences and ideas are all around you. Don’t discount or pre-judge anyone as “boring.”  Be curious, pay attention, and speak with people. Above all, let them do most of the talking. Your job is to be “Life’s Little Observer.” 

9. Monitor the bloggers and reporters you want to pitch. Look at everything they’ve covered in the past three-to-six months. Determine where you fight in. 

10. Consider new approaches. If you haven’t blogged or written a Q&A style format, go for it. Offer to write a guest post for someone with similar interests. Think ahead for the next 15-30 days. Is there a two or three-part series you can develop with a colleague, client, or friend?  Team up with a nonprofit and do something nice for your community.

Here’s the bottom line. Step out of your comfort zone and open your eyes, mind, and heart.

By the way, if you want to learn more about publicity, social media, blogging, PR, and creativity, I invite you to sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.”

Filed Under: Creativity, Public Relations, publicity, Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

8 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Blog

by at 9:00 am 8 Comments

No one likes to sit in traffic but everyone wants traffic. Suddenly, traffic is good.

To drive readers to your blog — and keep them coming back — here are eight tips to consider: 

1. Stick with one thing. It can be broad but it’s important that you know (and love) your subject matter. This helps to build your brand and online persona. Your blog is like a long-term relationship. You love it and you stay together. When you focus on your niche, and are passionate about it, readers will come to respect you as an expert in your field. Trust and passion shine. 

2. Read everything in your industry. We are blessed with an abundance of resources and information. Stay current by reading the opinions and rants of others in your field — including competitors. Look and listen for trends. This leads to quality content. No time you say? Turn off the TV. Just a suggestion.

3. Write for the reader. Blogging is not a 300-level college business class. If someone wanted that, they’d buy a textbook. Write as if you are speaking to one person. Conversational, casual, and meaningful. I believe that people don’t want to follow your blog. They want to follow you. Reach out to them through your words, experiences, and expertise. Let them get to know you. Then they’ll come back — and bring friends. Stuffy sucks. Don’t you agree? 

4. Solve their problem. When you consider yourself a problem-solver and not a salesperson, people will be attracted to you and your  message. Write with the sole purpose of helping your reader to ease their challenges. It’s not about you. Be the solution.

5. Involve them. You may think the only interactive part of blogging is the comments section. Think again. Ask your readers a question. Get into their heads. They’ll feel as though you’re connecting directly to them. Here are some examples:  

  • “Your thoughts?”
  • “Did you ever burn the roast minutes before your guests arrived? Here’s how to avoid cooking disasters.”     
  • “Stuffy sucks. Don’t you agree?”  
  • “If you’re like me and hate the airport….” 


6. Keep it reader-friendly. Catchy, relevant headlines that impact people will compel them to read on. Grab their attention with short and punchy sentences. Use images and pictures to break up the text. Use bold or italics to emphasize key points. We are all skimmers and scanners who quickly glance at something to see what jumps out at us. Give them nuggets.  

7. Forget the “rules.”  I don’t know about you, but I hear a lot of buzz about editorial calendars, the number of posts you should write, and word count. There are no rules. It’s whatever works for you. Don’t over think because it will paralyze you. Here’s what I believe. I use a journal to write down ideas and notes that spark my creativity. I don’t need a calendar to tell me when to write. When I “feel” it, I write. Art can not be forced. Quotas: I don’t like them. I prefer to write quality content that’s relevant and inspiring. It may be two a week or four a week. Who knows? On the word count issue, just make your point. There is no word count. Make every word count.   

8. Focus on the positive. Sure the economy stinks and some people are mean. If you’re in a bad mood, don’t write. You’ll only be spreading poison. The goal is to draw people to your blog, not drive them away. 

Another key way to engage people—especially ”non-readers” —is to use video blogs. Sprinkle these into your repertoire from time to time. Vlogs allow viewers to hear your voice and observe your style. It’s a fabulous way to build rapport. 

Filed Under: Blogging, content, Writing Tagged With: , , ,

Should You Care if No One Comments on Your Blog?

by at 9:20 pm 7 Comments

You agonize about the topic, timing, audience, reaction, and traffic that your new blog post may bring. You quietly pray for a comment or two. Then nothing. It’s a sickening feeling —like throwing a party and no one shows. Well, relax. It’s not quite that bad. 

It’s human nature to want to be accepted, validated, and recognized. In social media that means a comment on a post or retweet. Social media is engaging in a two-way conversation. So if no one acknowledges our work and engages with us, does that mean it stinks? If a tree falls in the forest…

Here are five things to consider if you’re frustrated by a lack of comments on your blog: 

1. Avoid using the wrong metrics. Just because no one commented doesn’t mean your post wasn’t read. It’s like a radio station that’s giving away concert tickets. If only five people called in to win, it doesn’t mean only five people were listening. It takes a lot to motivate people to do something. Don’t jump to hasty conclusions.

2. Get over yourself. Did you write your post with the intention of getting approval or validation from others? I imagine most people write to share good content and help others. Eleven-year-old’s hope for validation on their new clothes or gadgets. ”Did Emma really like my new jeans from Aeropostale?!” If you are ok with what you have done —blog post or jeans —then all is well. We’re adults. Leave the shrieking and whining to the kids.

3. Keep in mind that some people are shy. I coach some of them. Many are working hard to become more extroverted, both online and in person. They shy away from offering comments and participating in chats.  It doesn’t mean they’re uninterested or didn’t read your material.  They prefer to hover.   

4. Take the time to practice. Writing is a creative art that many people struggle with. It takes time, practice, and yes mistakes to improve. Keep working at it without worrying that you only have a small following (and no comments). Consider this a benefit that you are not stumbling in front of a huge crowd. Once you start to perfect the craft, you’ll see that people will be there to read, and comment. 

5. Think about others. Writing comments takes time and thought. Some people just can’t spare one or both. A reader may be inspired or touched by what you’ve written, but they may not have the time needed to send you something thoughtful. So they don’t. Blogging and commenting (the good comments) require critical thinking skills.    

If you want more perspectives on blogging — from Seth Godin and Tom Peters — read this. 

Filed Under: Blogging, content, Social Media, Writing Tagged With: , ,

10 Sound Bites and Quotes from the Rescued Miners

by at 4:04 am Leave a Comment

miners exit mineshaftReporters and news pros around the world are already jockeying to snag the first interview with just one of the rescued miners in Chile.

While we wait for these brave men to recover from their ordeal, I wanted to share ten sound bites and quotable quotes uttered when the  survivors were brought to the surface. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone what I overheard.

1. I have great content for my blog. Wow!

2.  No thanks Procter and Gamble. I don’t want to be a spokesman for your new deodorant.

3.  Damn, I could have scheduled 70 days worth of Tweets.

4.  I knew Courtney Cox would leave that bum Arquette –just in time!

5.  I’d like to thank my family for deleting the following songs from my i-Pod: “I Feel the Earth Move Under my Feet” by Carole King and  “The Fire Down Below” by Bob Seger.

6.  I never did like that dress code at work.

7.  Did anyone Tivo the new season of “Jersey Shore?”

8.  Elliot Spitzer on CNN?! I thought my nightmare was over.

9.  No way Verizon, I am NOT paying the $93,000 bill you texted to me on September 27th. Your roaming charges are outrageous!

10.  So cool! We beat Larry King in the ratings.

Welcome home.

Filed Under: Blogging, Communication, media, News, publicity, Social Media, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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