Specializing in social marketing and business communications training

12 insights from Seth Godin on the emotional marketing revolution

godinWant to learn from one of the best social media marketers and business leaders?

Today, best-selling author Seth Godin shared his thoughts on social media marketing, creativity, and business relationships. Godin was the guest on a webinar organized by Vocus, a provider of cloud marketing software.

Godin says the Energy, Industrial, and Mass Media revolutions have given way to the “revolution of our time, the revolution of connection.”

Here are 12 takeaways on the human connection in digital marketing:

  1. “The only asset you can build on the Internet is the connection to people. Connection, the idea that someone knows you, trusts you, and works with you, is not new. It’s 1,000 years old, but it’s new because the people marketing Burger King and Procter and Gamble in 1980 didn’t have this ability to hear back from customers.”
  2. “Highlight and cater to small groups of people who care desperately.”
  3. “Marketing and advertising are not the same things. Marketing is making a product or service that’s worth talking about it. Marketing is about telling a story that spreads and resonates with people. We need to think deeply about feelings.”
  4. “The essence of marketing today is to tell a story to people who want to hear it, in a way that resonates with them so they are likely to either respond or connect to you, or tell their friends.”
  5. “Don’t yell to the masses; whisper to a few. People will choose to talk about it. Give away your ideas. When your ideas are widespread and you are trusted, you don’t have trouble making a living.”
  6. “If you’re not ranked first, second, or third on search pages, you’re invisible.”
  7. “What products are you going to make that are worth talking about?”
  8. “Permission marketing is real permission—the privilege, not the right but the privilege—of delivering personal, anticipated, and  relevant stories to people who want to get them. Not to everyone, not by spam or exploiting your company’s privacy policies. But instead by earning one person at a time; it’s the privilege of showing up. Here’s the measure: If the recipient thinks it’s spam, then it’s spam…Here’s how you know if you have the privilege: ‘Would we miss you if you were gone?’”
  9. “The Internet takes word-of-mouth and leverages it by a factor of 1,000…every single day.”
  10. “Remarkable means worth making a remark about.  Not you making a remark because you work for the company. It’s about people making a remark because they choose to, they want to, because they can.”
  11. “We can’t sell everything to everyone. The market has fractured. Instead of radically shifting the way the media has, most companies and charities have only shifted a little. The fast-growing public or private companies who have made a huge impact in the last five years (e-Bay, Instagram, Facebook, and Amazon), are built around connecting tribes. Connecting people who share a passion and interest. All human beings want to feel like we are a part of something.”
  12. “If we expect to build connections, we have to expect to be generous. There are no secrets or shortcuts. No one wants to connect to the selfish person.”

Nos. 5 and 8 are among my favorites.

Which points can you relate to? Which ones do you need to improve?

 

(Image via)

 

Secrets to pitching major news media

safe dialHow do you gain trust and influence with reporters at big time news outlets?

Joe Connolly receives hundreds of pitches and press releases every week. He’s The Wall Street Journal Business Correspondent for CBS Radio in New York.

Like Connolly, I have been on the receiving end of pitches from businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. Some days you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

In a recent interview, I asked Connolly to share some dos and don’ts when pitching stories. For example, Connolly admits he has a hang-up with the word ‘announce.’

“If the release says ‘so-and-so is pleased to announce,’ I don’t read any further. I don’t want self-serving. The headline and lead have got to ring true.”

The secret sauce

You may be surprised, but Connolly suggests that anyone writing a news release start two-to-three months in advance. “Follow your local paper, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, television and radio until you see or hear something about your industry. Look for things that you think are really good, really on the mark, and really accurate.  Then call or e-mail that reporter saying you saw the article or interview. Tell them, ‘I’m exactly like XXXX, you might be interested to know we are also doing such and such…’”

Connolly goes on to remind us about the importance of complimenting reporters. “They are just like anybody else. They want to get positive feedback and they’ll think, ‘Wow, this is a really sharp person.’  A lot of my frequent contacts are people who reached out to me because they heard me talking about something that rang a bell in their industry.”

The best opening line for a phone pitch 

Like so many other reporters, Connolly’s pet peeve when getting pitched on the phone is in the opening line. “If I answer the phone, don’t ask me how I am.  Just say, ‘Hi Joe, this is xx from X Company, are you on deadline?’ That’s the best opening line of all. I just think that’s the greatest way to open a call with a reporter.”  Note to self: Connolly prefers e-mail pitches.

The final tip

For important media, call and pitch the story yourself. You are the business owner, says Connolly. “Whatever you do, don’t have a summer intern call around with news releases. That is an insult unless they are calling a 23-year-old reporter who is starting out.”

Send your pitches to Connolly@cbsnewyork.com.

PS: I invite you to take a peek at my new Kindle book, The Badass Book of Social Media and Business Communication. It’s packed with tips and insights on creating news, blogging, communication, and more!

10 Essential Words and Phrases for Media Pros in a PR Crisis

crisis commYou may have noticed we’re surrounded by emergencies and crises–big time. In between the BP oil spill and Toyota recalls, we hear about office shootings, corrupt politicians, building collapses, plane crashes and savage beatings. It’s rough out there. Sure there’s the good news too. But it’s easier for PR pros and management to speak to reporters when all is well.

Are you and your team prepared to go head-to-head with the media when you’re faced with horrid breaking news that can quickly destroy your company, staff, and reputation?

I do a lot of PR and crisis communication trainings and coachings on how PR teams and leaders can develop a carefully crafted message and sound bite for reporters. In my 25 years of news and PR experience, I’ve played more than both sides of the fence. I’ve been a radio news reporter and news director, and ran New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman’s Office of Radio and TV. I’ve managed press conferences with clients hoping they won’t be dragged out of their office in  handcuffs with a raincoat over their heads. All of this in the New Jersey/New York/Philly media market- one of the toughest out there.

It’s been interesting to walk that fine line of linguistics.  In crisis communications, the mouthpiece of your organization has to use words and phrases like those of politicians and lawyers. Don’t get sick just yet.

Words that Trap

Anyone who is publishing content in Social Media, speaks with journalists, or writes press releases knows that there are words that can trap you with little or no way out.

They are: never, always, and definitely.

These three words can spell trouble because reporters and writers are trained to listen. They often take things literally. For example, you may say to a reporter, “Our family-run liquor store has never sold alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.” Most reporters spend their days digging for information, scanning the Internet, and asking a lot of questions to a variety of people. They are curious. They look for cracks in your story. They will find the old buried archive from 1971 when your dearly departed Grandpa sold beer to a 17-year-old who was killed in a car accident.  And you said “never”.

Instead of using words like never, always or definitely, start to think in vague terms. Avoid the pitfall of painting yourself into a corner.

Enter “wiggle words.” These are softer words that attorneys and politicians use all the time.

  1. Tend to
  2. Usually
  3. Typically
  4. Often
  5. May
  6. Prefer to
  7. It looks like
  8. It appears to be
  9. It’s likely to happen in a few weeks
  10. It could be

Here’s an example. Anyone with news savvy knows that “no comment” means guilty. You have to say something. Here’s a line I love to quote from an attorney: “It looks like it could likely happen sometime soon. That may be a real possibility.” Huh?

The Art and Skill of What Follows

Using these words and phrases gives you “wiggle room” in case there’s an error or something from 100 years ago that you and your bosses may not be aware of. When you deliver the line with an authoritative and credible tone of voice, it can work like a charm. But please don’t misunderstand. There is clearly an art and skill to this method.

If you use my “vague” example in a hastily called press conference during a crisis with breaking news, you are trying to buy time. You’ll have microphones, cameras and glaring lights in your face. It could be 3 AM on a Tuesday or 11 PM on a Friday. “No comment” doesn’t work. So you use whatever information you may have available but you carefully word your statement and remarks with the wiggle words. You will provide accurate and detailed information in a timely way, but when you are prepared. You control the flow of information. Buying time, even if it’s five minutes or five hours, can be the key to surviving a PR crisis.  In other words the follow-up is essential.

When done correctly, this process can save your boss, company, job and your reputation with the media.

(Photo Credit: bhanukaran)

How to Write Powerful Press Releases and Pitches

 

Here’s a crash course into the mindset of news decision makers and how they determine what is newsworthy. In this video, I’ll share several Do’s and Don’ts of how you can write solid press releases and pitches that get the attention of reporters.

The secrets to your publicity are right here. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmuaP_qvpEg

It’s essential that you think like a reporter. Good luck!

50 Summer Slowdown Success Strategies

1 butterfly on lilac bush closeupGot downtime? Bored? It’s time to kick start your success.

Here are 50 things you can do this summer to prepare for a triumphant rest of the year. Granted many of these don’t sound like fun, but if they were fun, they’d be called vacation. These little things can make your life less stressful and easier to manage day-to-day. You may even develop a new habit!

1. Clean up your database.

2. Sort through your Favorites and Bookmarks. Categorize them and delete the ones that are no longer relevant.

3. Find pictures you can use for future blog posts.

4. Hire a coach.

5. Read a business or motivational book that you haven’t had time for.

6. Go paperless when possible. Shred or toss any old papers you don’t need.

7. Read the magazines you’ve been holding onto for the past seven months.

8. Get rid of the magazines you’ve been holding onto for the past seven months.

9. Contact someone you admire and invite them to coffee or lunch.

10. Become a mentor.

11. Volunteer with a local nonprofit that can benefit from your business expertise.

12. Update your Social Media profiles.

13. Get a new headshot or avatar.

14. Clean out your desk drawers, car and briefcase/computer bag.

15. Take a course you’ve been meaning to sign up for but haven’t had the time.

16. Develop a survey for your blog or customers and get feedback on your products and services.

17. Review and update your crisis communications plan (you have one, right???)

18. Read a biography of a famous leader like Gandhi, Reagan, FDR or Florence Nightingale.

19. Write a handwritten note to five former or current clients to let them know you’ve been thinking about them.

20. Make a few videos for your website.

21. Determine a few online chats that can help your business and participate in them.

22.  Make a list of 100 things you want to do in the next 10 years. Then get started.

23. Keep a gratitude journal.

24. Take a class on public speaking. It’s a must for successful business leaders.

25. Turn off your technology for a day and slow down. Trust your intuition.

26. Create a vision board to keep you focused on your picture of success.

27. Attend a meeting, conference or seminar that you’ve been too busy for.

28. Write down your goals for the next six months.

29.  Refine your elevator speech, pitch and Unique Selling Proposition.

30. Archive and delete old e-mails.

31. Back up your blog, website and computer—every day!

32. Write a note to your favorite old boss or mentor, telling them what they taught you and how much you appreciate them.

33. Unsubscribe to all the e-mails, newsletters and other crap you receive but don’t care for.

34. Take a book or audio CD off of your shelf and share it with a colleague, client or friend.

35. Find three new ways to market yourself or your organization.

36. Update your resume, bio and website.

37. Research awards or contests in your industry that you may be eligible for and mark your calendar for deadlines.

38. Dump old marketing materials that are now dust-collectors in the storage room or closet.

39. Learn and apply a new technology skill or application once every week or two.

40. Pay attention to the news and write a press release or editorial that connects the story to your expertise or company.

41. Gather your co-workers or staff and go bowling.

42. Review your various Social Media groups and chats. Make adjustments as needed.

43. Write down five things you are afraid of doing. Do one of them. Then repeat.

44.  Read “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.

45. Subscribe to the blogs of five leaders in your field–or your competition.

46.  Make a list of 10 reasons you went into your profession and why you are passionate about what you do.

47. Learn self-mastery.

48. Jot down 10 negative experiences you have had and what you learned from each of them. There is always a positive lesson to take away.

49. Take an occasional day off and do nothing.

50. Write a personal mission statement that reflects your values and integrity.

Come September, you’ll be glad you did some of these. I’d love to hear from you and find out about your success! Comments welcome.

25 Tips to Improve Your Business Marketing

DSC05773Connecting your social media channels, contact information, and marketing materials can have a significant impact on attracting more prospects and increasing sales. Don’t you want more people in your pipeline? 

Let’s make sure you’re using all of the marketing avenues that are available to cross-promote your organization. Your website and/or blog should be your main hub. All roads lead there.

Some of these checklist items may seem like no-brainers. However many businesses and nonprofits fail to use them. I’d hate to see you lose marketing and publicity opportunities.

With that in mind, consider these 25 points:

  1. My Twitter profile includes my URL. My LinkedIn profile features my FB and YouTube links. My Yelp account has my blog and URL, etc.
  2. My e-mail signature line includes my Twitter handle, social media links (“Connect with me on LinkedIn—-”), blog link, and URL.
  3. My electronic newsletter promotes my URL , social media profile links, blog, and upcoming events.
  4. My video marketing (YouTube, Viddler, MetCafe, and MySpace) mention my URL and blog (spoken or on the screen).
  5. My bio box for bylined articles includes my website, a live link to my newsletter and videos, and links to network online.
  6. My traditional marketing materials for human-to-human networking always have several ways to connect with me-through my website and blog.
  7. My press releases include my URL.
  8. My profiles invite people to sign up for “free stuff”  on my website.
  9. My blog posts, including guest posts, provide links and keywords that drive readers and viewers to my site, products, newsletters, articles, and archives.
  10. My Pay-Per Click Ads and Google Adwords direct prospects to my website and blog.
  11. My media interviews mention my URL or blog in a very subtle way with the focus of sharing resources to help the public, not to sell anything.
  12. My handouts and giveaways at presentations and public speaking engagements always have my URL and contact information.
  13. My business cards now include social media contact information (ditch the fax number and add LinkedIn or Twitter)
  14. My Annual Report, Capital Campaign drive, or end-of-year letter to clients and prospects include various ways to connect online.
  15. My white papers and case studies provide live links and contact information.
  16. My Op-Ed articles and Letters to the Editor include my URL.
  17. My 30-second elevator speech ends with a memorable catch-phrase and my website address.
  18. My introduction for speaking and presentations (different than my bio) has my web address or blog.
  19. My website cross promotes all of my content: articles, newsletters, social media profiles, videos, products, webinars, interviews, and blogs.
  20. My calendar listings, community promotions, and public service announcements have my URL or blog link.
  21. My paid advertising in traditional media provides a link to my website, blog, and other resources.
  22. My comments on other peoples’ blogs include my website link.
  23. My participation in online chats which allow quick “wrap-up plugs” include my website or blog links.
  24. My signage for displays and exhibits at trade shows and conferences prominently mention my website.
  25. My e-mail marketing and autoresponders include links that connect back to my site through free resources, blog posts, and videos (a.k.a. “the back door”)

As you work to include these opportunities, be sure your website and blog are in good shape. Your website should be easy to navigate, delivervaluable information, has a call-to-action, and is interactive and current.

Your Goal: Create a marketing buzz that piques curiosity and draws people to you. Be everywhere.

How to Develop Your Own Personal Brand

Broadway sign in NYCWith the burst of technology and competition we are seeing in the marketplace, it’s critical to carve out your personal brand and rise above the noise and clutter. Whether it’s networking “human to human” at events or with Social Media, it’s time to get noticed.

I’ve observed all kinds of business and nonprofit professionals who want to promote their organizations and “be seen.” Most admit they don’t know what their brand is or how to effectively communicate their message. Sound familiar?

Seems we’re all in search of that elusive, punchy sound bite that cuts through jargon and brings swells of hot leads, qualified prospects, wealthy donors and generous partners into our lives.

Whether you’re trying to promote and publicize your own small business, a nonprofit, a huge corporation, or yourself, you must be able to convey a crisp, compelling and concise message. This certainly holds true in your Talking Points for media interviews, Facebook profiles, blogs and more.

What’s your message? How do you capture the essence of what you do to help people get positive results? Your sound bite should differentiate you from everyone else, especially your competition. All you need is one or two lines or 140 characters to develop your own personal brand. It should be:

  • Relevant
  • Distinctive
  • Valuable
  • Memorable
  • Repeatable

Write a top-notch nugget or phrase that focuses on outcomes for your listener and not your own accomplishments. Make sure you can deliver it in a superior way. Be able to articulate your message in a friendly, charismatic and genuine style that draws people to you.

Let’s face it, there’s plenty of people who provide the products and services that you do. It’s called your  competition. People will buy from you if they like you. Like and relationships come first; trust is second. If someone is confused by your message or brand, you get ZERO.

Be clear on who you are and how you can help others.

Huge PR Window for You to Get Publicity


DSC05358There are certain times of the year that news comes to a screeching halt. One of these times is staring us straight in the face: the long Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. State legislative sessions are typically on break, school is out, people are traveling, shopping and stressing.  This is an ideal time to develop and pitch stories.

Even though business and government may be slower than usual, newspapers are still being printed and TV and radio stations still have on-air programming spots to fill.

You can help.

After spending 10 years in a busy radio newsroom, I covered the same holiday stories that the media covers today–gas prices, airline travel, food, relatives, stress, shopping, house guests and football games. Sound familiar?

Consider this. Many stories that may seem weak or tough to pitch during a busy news cycle can easily grab the attention of a reporter during the slower holiday season. Thanksgiving is here and Christmas  and New Year’s are right around the corner. It’s time to be proactive.

Here are 3 quick and easy tips for getting coverage on long weekends. By the way, #3 can be used for your blogs or e-zines too.

1. Remember that Thanksgiving Day is on a Thursday. Many people take off the entire week, through Sunday, November 29.  If you send out your press release or pitch on Monday or Tuesday (11/23 or 11/24) , the reporters can use it anytime over the course of the next seven or eight days.  The media is open 24/7. Your sleeper story on a busy news day could be a big headline over the extended holiday.

2. Keep it undated. If you have an “evergreen story” with no real date attached to it, that’s ideal for coverage over a long weekend and slow news cycle. You may send the release out as a Thanksgiving story and be pleasantly surprised to see it was picked up by reporters a few weeks later.

3. Get creative!  Stay away from the typical seasonal stories that reporters cover. Hard news and business stories are ideal for these time periods. Cause-related marketing with nonprofits are newsworthy too. For example, most groups hustle for holiday food drives in November and December yet there are plenty of hungry people in July. Does your company or family volunteer year-round? If so, pitch the story. Organize an off-season beach cleanup with your co-workers. Announce a new program or partnership on mentoring with a school or community group.

Take advantage of this window of opportunity by planning ahead and developing new ideas and energy.  The reporters will appreciate your efforts and you can build critical relationships with them for future pitching and coverage.

Integrating Public Relations, Social Media and Networking to Grow Your Business

rooster


Your presence affects your prosperity.

It’s that simple.

Despite the dour economy, you can not only keep your current clients but you can make more money by attracting new business and building new relationships. Call it a mixed bag of traditional PR, sprinkled in with Social Media and plain old-style networking.

It’s not one aspect of this marketing mix or another. When you use all three approaches (and toss in paid advertising or direct mail), you gain velocity in the marketplace. The key is to always market, market, market.

When you are consistently proactive and visible to mass numbers of people who have buying power, you will not only withstand this difficult economy, but you will thrive.

Countless business and nonprofit professionals here in San Antonio and across the country tell me they are “the best kept secret.” My immediate response is, “You don’t want to be a secret! It’s time to let the cat out of the bag.”

Here are 5 fast and affordable tips to increase your visibility, credibility and revenues:

1-     Focus on your expertise and how it impacts the public. Write a tipsheet or short article (formatted like this one!) to position yourself as an expert in your field. Address the pain/problem of the public and offer solutions. Then post the information on your blog, website, e-zine or Facebook profile. E-mail copies to your clients and prospects. Let them know you’re thinking about them and can help.

2-     Learn the power of technology. You don’t have to be online 24/7 to supercharge your marketing and visibility. It’s critical to understand how Social Media, blogs and other technology can be an integral part of your marketing plan. Make a commitment to learn about online opportunities. Sign-up for a free teleseminar or webinar, take a class at a local school, or ask a college student to provide some quick tutoring. If you dedicate 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening to social networking, you will reap the benefits of your investment. It won’t happen overnight. Be committed that this is a long-term investment of your time, brainpower and energy.

3-     Speak. Volunteer to provide a free presentation at your local Rotary Club, church, library or professional association. This is an excellent way to get in front of a group of potential customers who are interested in your topic. You’ll be able to help people while building your credibility and name recognition. A few weeks before the event, send out a calendar listing or promo to your local business journal and newspapers.

4-     Pay attention to the news. Read the papers, watch and listen to the TV and radio news. Develop relationships with reporters so when they need a source in a particular field or industry, they will contact you and quote you. Send them press releases, letters to the editor and calendar listings.

5-     Get out from behind the computer. As helpful as Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and technology can be, we must still leverage the “human factor” of business. A cold keyboard can not replace a warm handshake. Determine where your ideal clients spend their time and go there. Attend a few networking events, conferences or trade shows every week or month. Face-to-face connections, smiles and human conversations are priceless.

When you decide to be proactive and use a strategic combination of public relations, Social Media and networking, your presence will increase. So will your prosperity.


(Photo Credit: akasped)