1. Educate Educate the readers on some new item or procedure in your target market.
2. Celebrate Tie in your service or product with the current holiday. Brainstorm ways you could help with any local events that are planned in your area. (donate time/product, provide items for raffles)
3. EntertainWrite about something funny that happened recently. Maybe your clients have a funny story about you that you wouldn’t mind them sharing. Hold a silly contest. Maybe a 10% discount to anyone who scores above a certain # on some ridiculous test (look around the internet, they are everywhere).

   Be silly, just don’t over-do it.

4. Inform Make sure you are up-to-date on the latest technology for your industry and your target industry. Provide readers with new and exciting information/reviews on the newest gadget, software, etc.
5. Volunteer There are many places online where you can volunteer “virtually”. Once you have gotten your feet wet with one of the many deserving charities in need, write about your experience working for the charity, what you have learned about the cause, disease, etc. How others can help.
6. Resolution Research your target market/niche and find out what one of the biggest obstacles or pet peeves they have and solve it, or provide resources for dealing with it or learning more about it. Sounds difficult but, with a little research, should be fairly simple.
   
   
7. Freebies Compile some information that is targeted to your niche and make it into an e-book. Then, give it away free. The best part, you make it so they have to enter their email address to get the free e-book and you can compile a contact list for later. The list can be used to send promotional emails or e-newsletters. Just be sure to provide an unsubscribe link in the emails.

Christina Nelson is Owner of Vital Office Solutions, a virtual assistance business providing financial and administrative support services to small businesses and professionals. Christina has over 11 years of financial and administrative experience in the construction, retail, food and insurance industries. For more information, please visit http://www.vitalofficesolutions.com

see www.pamperryonlinepr.com

for free goodies.

Get the PR you Deserve! Market the Message!

Millions of people log on to the internet daily. The internet has become a big market for products and services. In addition, as you know, marketing your product or service anywhere needs promotion because you need to make your presence felt to consumers.

Writing press releases is one of the most important ways to promote your website over the internet. Writing press releases frequently will attract web traffic to your site.

Press releases are an essential part of advertising and promoting your campaigns online, and hence writing an effective press release, which is newsworthy, and attention grabbing is very important. Simply writing the PR does not help your purpose. It needs to be well complemented with proper use, to get the most effective result.

* Your PR needs to stand out so that the media and or consumer will see that it is newsworthy and it is something they want to explore of purchase.
* The more people want to read your PR, the more advertising you will be getting online. Your Christian-PR news release is like a “virtual sales brochure” that can attract potential customers. Hence, the body of the PR should be factual and informative, giving the readers like bloggers, the consumer and media a reason to read your press release.

* After identifying your target audience, you should write your PR keeping in mind the maturity level and the attitude of your audience. Write more versions of the same press release to cater to the different fragments of your objective market.

* The titles of your press release acts like a door bell, it should attract attention.

PR is one of the most important tools of advertising over internet.

However, if the above tips are kept in mind while writing it, you can write an effective and newsworthy PR, which in turn will help you make profit.

Get started TODAY!

Hear Pam Perry's Show and get PR Tips weekly

Visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ministrymarketingsolutions

to hear live tips and PR Coaching from Pam Perry

Christian-PR | P.O. Box 4172 | Houston | TX | 77210

Pam Perry's PR Kit in a Box - 1/2 off now

Professionals always come prepared. Good plumbers don’t show up at your home unless they have all the right tools with them. And, they keep their equipment in shipshape condition so repairs go smoothly.

Well, the same holds true when you want to publicize your book; you need to have the right tools and they must be ready to use. Having the right tools is an indispensable part of being prepared.

Numerous tools can help you publicize your book. However, for our purpose, lets classify them in two basic categories. They are:

1. Primary tools, items that are essential and that no promotional campaign should attempt to proceed without, and

2. Secondary tools, those that are not essential but can help your campaign be more productive.

Previously we discussed the author’s silver bullet (see http://www.ministrymarketingsolutionsblog.com), which is an author’s number one publicity tool. No book publicity campaign should proceed without a silver bullet. In addition, every campaign should include the following primary tools, which we will subsequently address in greater detail.

The primary tools include:

Websites
Media lists
Media kits
Press releases
Biographies
Photographs of the author in color and black and white, including one of the author in an action shot, perhaps signing the book or doing something that relates to the book
Question-and-answer sheets
Business cards
Newsletters
Promotional materials

Additional Tools

The number of additional tools that you can use in your campaign is as extensive as your imagination. Finding them can be an exercise in creativity. Unlike the primary tools, which are a must for every campaign, additional tools should be plugged in only when they can be helpful, because adding tools you don’t need can clutter your campaign and weaken the impact of initiatives that could be more productive.

The following items are examples of some of the additional devices you can use. Be creative and come up with other promotional tools of your own that could help you publicize your book.

Additional promotional tools include:

Articles
Blogs
Book excerpts
Bookmarks
Brochures
Clippings
Contests
Endorsements/recommendations
Fact sheets
Graphics (photographs, charts, diagrams, lists, illustrations)
Handouts List of top topics for the media
Op-ed piece
Pitch letter
Postcards
Puzzles/Quizzes
Quotations
Reviews
Sample chapter(s)
Stories about the Book
Toll-free telephone number
Videos

More Publishing resources at
more at http://bit.ly/8cDLgm

Also see www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

Source: Rick Frishman

Pam Perry talking about branding at Christian Writer\’s Meeting

1. It’s all in the title.

The title of your press release should be short, meaningful and descriptive. The title is the determining factor of whether or not people will ever bother to read further. Consider using a subtitle to summarize the content.

2. Make sure the information is newsworthy.

You are wasting your time and money sending out information that people wont care about. Ask yourself –“would I read this?”

2. Speak to your audience.

If your sending a press release out to the Black media, you must make it obvious how your information relates to the African Americans.

4. Don’t be too fancy.

Avoid the excessive use of adjectives and fancy language. Don’t bold or underline words within your body. This is unprofessional. The content alone should sell its self.

5. Include all forms of contact info.

Include your email address and 1-2 phone numbers. If someone is trying to reach you for an urgent story, you want to be easily reached. Also, include your web site address so they can research more about what you do.

6. Use BlackPR.com for distribution.

When your press release is final, use BlackPR.com to distribute it to all the Black newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations. They only charge $150 bucks to do this. Also, consider using PRweb.com to increase search engine visibility.

7. Send press releases regularly.

A well- written press release can easily get you radio interviews and other media coverage. This, in turn, drives traffic to your web site, and more sales to your bottom line. The key is to be consistent. Send out press releases on a monthly basis, and consider writing weekly or bi-weekly columns to distribute as well.

Dante Lee is the founder of Diversity City Media, a multicultural marketing empire. Visit his daily blog at www.DanteLee.com

book promotion with pam perry

This is from my PR friend and colleague, Dee Stewart. We were both participants in SORMAG’s online conference.  This is her “discussion” from the conference on the SORMAG blog.

Inspirational Video – Don\’t Quit Poem
How do you prosper when it seems so hard?

Get Paid. Learn to the Secrets to Prosper!

So . . . have you asked that question at some point? Do you feel somewhat stuck? Can’t figure out where to begin? Is the phone not ringing? Having difficulty gaining support for what you have to offer?

Whatever the case, you’re not alone. All of us go through it at some point. Don’t be discouraged. You know, sometimes you just need, what I call “AAA,” an acronym for Advice, Adjust, and Advertise.

If perhaps you can’t figure out the reason for your “slow” or “no” growth, begin with the three steps below. They’re simple, yet powerful strategies.

1. Get advice. Ask other professionals and successful people. Have you considered that, there are countless individuals who have already done what you’re currently attempting to do? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Why not call them up? Or, pick up a book on the subject. If you have some time to spare, you can learn anything.

2. Make Adjustments. After you gain an understanding of what you’re doing wrong, change it. This one is huge. How often do we read books, attend trainings, listen to powerful sermons, and go right back to doing the same old thing? Take the knowledge you have, and apply it.

3. Advertise. Tell someone about what you have to offer. Don’t minimize the importance of making others aware of your event, product, or service. You’d be surprised to see just how many people would support your efforts, if they only knew about them. You have so much you can bring to the table. Whether you realize it or not, someone needs what’s inside of you.

I know you can accomplish amazing things. Trust me, I am speaking from experience. I don’t want to assume that you already know, so I’ll briefly share what I do. I am VP of Marketing for Hobbs Ministries, and founder of Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine.

Essentially, I do lots of account acquisition, networking, copywriting, ghostwriting and editing. My passion is to help entrepreneurs and leaders recognize their full potential through writing, especially in the context of advertising and marketing.

Is it a lot of responsibility? You betcha. Was I intimidated by all of the tasks when my husband and I began our business? Sure was. Did I finally overcome it and break through? Thankfully, yes. That’s why I know that, everything you need to succeed is already inside of you.

You may have heard that before, but it’s very true. Granted, you might not have all the resources or connections you want right now, but keep moving forward, and it will happen for you. Countless women have done it. You can too.

Did you know that according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, 48% of all privately-held U.S. firms have women in positions of majority ownership; 10.6 million firms are at least half owned by a woman or women. That’s encouraging, isn’t it?

I have no doubt that you can accomplish what God put you on this earth to do. That’s why EEW is here. It’s for you to draw strength and inspiration from other women just like you. Through their stories, I pray that you will have an epiphany and become more aware of your own intelligence, creativity, capability and competence.

Most importantly, I want you to lift up your head and trust in God. Know that He is on your side.

Before I go, I want to tell you again; you are amazingly gifted, anointed, and equipped to thrive in business and ministry. All you have to do is maximize the available opportunities for growth, and begin making the necessary inroads.

Don’t just read the exciting articles, celebrity interviews, and information available at eewmagazine.com; rather, take the knowledge and empowerment you receive here, and apply it.

Remember—Get Advice. Make Adjustments. Advertise.  Get a PR  coach.  Go to a boot camp.

See www.prbootcamponline.eventbrite.com and get a “hook up.”

Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper.

Dianna Hobbs is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine, the premier online magazine for African American Christian women. This article is taken from Dianna’s highly popular blog series called, Dianna Hobbs: Empowering Everyday Women. It is circulated to thousands of Christian women in search of inspiration for their ministerial and entrepreneurial efforts. To receive these exceptional articles directly, simply log onto http://www.diannahobbs.typepad.com and subscribe to our email updates. To read EEW Magazine log onto http://www.eewmagazine.com

Renowned media consultant and author David Mathison has assembled a who’s who of new media experts and compiled this essential guide to the “personal media renaissance.”

Until recently, publishing books, music and film required years of education and the expensive assistance of publishers, labels, studios, distributors and lawyers.

Today, artists can leverage low-cost tools and new methods of distribution to connect with their audience directly, and keep more of their royalties and rights.

This book covers everything from how to blog and podcast to the ins-and-outs of social networking and internet syndication. Specific chapters help authors, musicians, filmmakers, and journalists.

Buy BE THE MEDIA right now, and you’ll gain access to the “Blockbuster Media Success” package with $10,000 in BONUS GIFTS provided by over 100 media experts:
http://www.bethemediabooklaunch.com/bookpromo.html

Also see www.e-junkie.com/pamperry for PR products

Hey Future Best Seller!

Those who show up, go up. That’s my mantra.

With summer almost upon up and half the year gone, are you getting your PR in gear for 2010 to win? If not, I invite you to take advantage of the June PR Boot Camp Online Coaching Classes. (Class starts again in 3 weeks)
Hear the intro on the blog: www.MinistryMarketingSolutionsblog.com
and as a bonus get the FREE PR Boot Camp Orientation mp3
at http://www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

Pam Perry, PR Coach

5 Smart Reasons Why Authors
Should Hire a PR Coach instead of a Publicist

Have you considered hiring a publicist but their fees are way out of your price range?

Do you need a publicist but you’ve heard the horror stories of “I paid my retainers and got nothing?”

Regardless of the fact that this may all be true, at some point people need to know about your business other than by word of mouth.  Publicity has served and still today is the best avenue in getting the word out.

Ministry Marketing Solutions does full service PR for the most well known Christian publishers and authors in the nation from Bishop TD Jakes, Pastor Bill Winston, Taffi Dollar, Pastor Andre Butler & Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook but also teaches authors to be their own publicist – to build their platform, brand their ministry.

I will be your coach that shows you step by step, exactly how to do your own publicity just like the pros.  You actually become the publicist for your book and build your “brand.”

Let’s check out these 5 reasons why you may want to consider
The PR Boot Camp Coaching  Program:

#1 – Cost
This is the number one reason many authors have turned to PR coaching.  The usual fees for a publicist range from $2,000-$5,000 a amonth, depending on the publicist and the number of hours required to publicize the business.

#2 – Customized Plan
When you work with a PR coach, your publicity plan is customized just for your book/ministry, not some template used for all other books.

#3 – Media Savvy
You will learn everything there is to know about the various forms of media and how to get your business noticed by them. I will give you real contacts too! (Unheard of in the industry)

#4 – Online Tips and Tricks
You will learn how to leverage twitter, flickr, facebook, myspace, youtube, blogs, linkedin and more to build your brand and sell more books. Create online relationships that turn into customers and ministry partners.  Learning these free online marketing tools will save you thousands of dollars.

#5 – Media  vs. Public vs. Ministry Industry Publicity
In today’s society, mainly because of the Internet, there is more than just media publicity.  Learn how to get to all 3!

So as you see, PR Coaching is a great alternative to hiring a publicist or a public relations firm.

For more info go to:

http://www.ministrymarketingsolutions.com/blog/pr-boot-camp/

to see what others have said about Ministry Marketing Solutions results!

Our PR Boot Camp classes start on Tuesday and runs for 4 weeks plus you get 4 weeks of support to make sure you stay on track!  – don’t worry if you can’t make the exact date/times, the classes are recorded and delivered to you via MP3 and you get the PR Boot Camp workbook, email support and worksheets!

How simple is that!?

Pam Perry
Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. – Creator of Chocolate Pages Show & Network
http://prbootcamponline.eventbrite.com

P.S. Bonus – those who register get a copy of the new book: Synergy Energy and a bonus CD! CAMP STARTS SOON! Get in before we fill up! Need details? Email Leah Hubbard at waabiz@aol.com

There are two things every author must know about book promotion for your nonfiction book. First, it is your responsibility, no matter what publishing method you use – conventional, print on demand (POD), or self-publishing. Second, promotion should begin long before your book is finished. In fact, you should be thinking about it from the very beginning of the planning process.

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is who are my readers? Once you have identified your target market, your next step is to find ways to tell them what the book is about; what problem it will solve; why it is funny, informative, or moving; who wrote it and why; and, most important, why they want to spend money to own your book. What follows are seven proven book promotion ways to reach your readers with this information:

1. Create a website for your book.

You must have a presence on the Internet for solid book promotion and book marketing. A Website showcases your book, highlights the cover, introduces you as an expert author, delineates the main points, tells where the book may be purchased, and provides a place for testimonials. A Website doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate, but it should be professionally designed and constructed. Unless you are a Web guru, invest in a professional Website designer.

2. Brainstorm ideas for book promotion and book marketing.

Gather a group of your most creative friends to generate as many ideas as you can (It’s a good idea to feed them). Break your reading audience into subgroups, and list all the places to find them. Where do they hang out? What organizations do they belong to? Where do they shop? What are their passions, hobbies, and vocations? The spreadsheet you create is the beginning of your promotional plan.

3. Send advance readers’ copies (ARCs) to promote your book.

When the book is finished but not yet published, send bound copies of Galley proofs to book reviewers at print and electronic media. Be sure to stamp them “Reader’s Copy” or “Galley Proof.” You want to time the reviews to coincide with the publication and availability of your book. Reviewers want to read it before it hits the shelves. Timing is everything.

4. Submit articles to promote your book.

Your book is a goldmine of article ideas. Every major point is an article ready to be excerpted or paraphrased. Once you know what your target audience is reading, you have a list of potential publications, print and electronic. Write a 25- and 50-word author’s blurb to be printed at the end of every article. When you submit to an online article Website, indicate that the article may be reprinted at no charge, as long as it includes the author’s blurb.

5. Take part in book fairs as a great book promotion tool.

Share a table or booth with other writers or with members of an association of which you are a member, if it is relevant to your topic. Book fairs can mean long hours on your feet if you go it alone; but, when you share the workload, the experience can be fun and rewarding. You’ll meet new people, reach readers directly, and become personally involved in selling your book.

6. Share what you know to become an expert in your field.

Offer to give free presentations at bookstores and other venues that carry your book. This is a great way to build your reputation as an expert in your field, provide value to the bookseller and the book buyer, and connect directly with your readers. It’s good for your ego to be asked to sign your own book. One caveat: if you don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of a group, join Toastmasters or hire a speaking coach. Don’t muddle through your presentation.

7. Assemble a book sales package.

Put together a press kit to send to local radio and TV stations. Include a news release with pertinent information about the book and future scheduled appearances, an author’s bio, talking points to use in an on-air interview, a sample book cover, background information, and favorable reviews and testimonials. A press kit is like a resume; it gets you in the door. Once you get there, the rest is up to you.

Promoting your book is an ongoing project. It isn’t something you do once and then move on. As long as your book is available and there are potential readers who could enjoy it and benefit from reading it, you have a job to do. This is, after all, why you wrote it.

About the Author

Bobbi Linkemer is a ghostwriter, editor, and the author of 12 books under her own name. She has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs who want to write books in order to enhance their credibility and build their businesses. Visit her Website at: http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com

Pam Perry and Rick Frishman, book PR mentor

from Rick Frishman’s Amazon Blog

Cultivating relationships with the media is crucial to the success of a publicity campaign. In order to get optimum publicity, you need to become a media resource. The fact is the media is interested only in what you can do for them or their audience so you need to frame your presentations to show the media how your story can satisfy their goals.

Always be a professional. If the media doesn’t respond to or return your call, understand it’s not personal. Remember there are thousands of other people doing exactly what you’re doing and it takes time to respond to everyone.

Stay on their radar screen by periodically calling or e-mailing to gently remind them that you’re still around and available if they need your expertise. Follow the careers of your media contacts. Learn which subjects interest them, the projects they’re working on and those they plan to cover. When you make new media contacts, ask how they prefer to be contacted-email, phone, fax or mailing and be sure to note their preference on your media list.

Be available when media contacts call, consider it an opportunity and go the extra mile. If you can’t supply what they want, think of who else you know that might. Give the media names and leads, make some calls, check with your network and do research . . . whatever might help. They’ll remember that and you.
This is syndicated from Rick Frishman’s Blog.

Get the both books on Amazon.com: Synergy Energy and Networking Magic

You hear it all the time: Getting on The Oprah Winfrey Show is just like winning the lottery. And it can be. But as you probably know you have fierce competition-a lot of it. Thousands of others like you want to be on the show just as much as you do. The only thing that stands between you and them is knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The good news is that some of these things can be taught. The bad news is that others cannot. You need to have expertise, good timing, and a certain set of skills, to even be considered by the Oprah producers.

Maybe you’ve already tried to contact the Oprah producers and have not received a reply. Maybe you believe you’ve got just the right talent or expertise for Oprah, but you haven’t been able to get the Oprah Show’s attention. Maybe you know you’ve got a story that is so incredible the Oprah producers are sure to call you up in a flashŠbut they haven’t.

Oprah Winfrey

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of  these questions, I’d like to invite you to explore The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah: Super Training kit from my colleague Susan Harrow, respected media trainer & marketing strategist who is also the author of Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul, considered by most to be The Bible of all publicity.

Harrow, along with her team of experts, the best publicists in the business, show you how to get on America’s #1 talk show.

Collectively, they have worked with high profile people, best-selling authors, top experts, famous speakers, successful entrepreneurs, well-known non-profits, and people who are doing remarkable things inspiring others and changing the world. The kind of people Oprah’s producers want.

Harrow’s team has not only gotten guests on The Oprah Winfrey Show, but virtually all the national TV talk shows that matter. Their clients have been on Oprah, Larry King Live, CBS’ 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Rachael Ray, Donny Deutsch, Montel, Ellen, E! Entertainment Channel, ABC’s 20/20, CBS’ 48 Hours, NBC’s Dateline, MSNBC, CNN, even Bill O’Reilly, and Fox & Friends, and more.

Harrow’s personal clients paid her thousands of dollars for creating pitches and for extensive media training. Now she has encapsulated all that advice, and their experiences, into a definitive guide – one that’s not available anywhere else, on or off the Internet.

This is invaluable information if your goal is to be on Oprah. And it’s important to take action right away since many people who make it on to the show have a timely topic that’s current in the news…and you never know when that will happen.

To find out how to be a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show go here now:

http://budurl.com/oprahpr

P.S.  Also, see the must-have PR tools at: www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

Next Online PR Boot Camp is June 16. Be Oprah-READY!

www.prbootcamponline.eventbrite.com

Writing articles to promote your book can be a super way to let readers know
about your area of expertise and encourage them to learn more by purchasing your
book.

Write articles to promote your book

Here are 5 different kinds of articles you can write that will make it easy for you to put together a portfolio of articles to promote your book.

1. How To articles are always fun and highly informational. They get right to the point and the reader is sure to take something away that they can use
immediately.

2. Opinion or “op-ed” is an article that is sure to get a response. This article is
used to write a convincing and persuasive article that is opposite the popular
viewpoints on the subject matter.

3. Reflection articles are interesting because the writer is able to pour out the feelings and emotions from a particular experience in a free way.

4. Case Study articles present a problem and then lay out how it was solved by a certain person or group.

5. Compilation articles are basically the opinions or questions and answers of
multiple sources compiled into one article to present a message.
Take the time to decide which article type is best for you and enjoy the
benefits of using articles to promote your book.

See all my articles at Ezine Articles on book marketing and publicity.

See The PR Pro Coach Shop for digital products and shoot me

an email if you have questions.

Create an Ebook from your laptop - EASY!

1. E-Books are digital files that contain all of the same information as a traditional book.
2. You do not have to publish a traditional book to have an E-Book.
3. E-Books are most commonly in PDF form.
4. They are usually between 4 – 200+ pages.
5. They are delivered to the reader by email or they can be viewed at your website.
6. Readers can print out the book or read it on their computer.
7. There are no printing or warehouse expenses.
8. They can be written and delivered quickly to the audience.
9. Changes and updates can rapidly be made.
10. They are marketed through a variety of online and offline techniques.
    

Wondering if you should do one?  Yes! It’s a great way to “test” your market without a lot of expense.  Better than printing 500 or more copies and beg people to buy them, right?  Put the Ebook online and ask for feedback.

For more details and publishing wisdom go to: www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

Want to Learn more?  Next PR Boot Camp www.prbootcamponline.eventbrite.com

(PR Coaching)