Ministry Marketing Solutions | Pam Perry - PR Coach » Social Media Marketing for Authors

What Is Foursquare? And How Can You Use It to Promote Your Business?

Pam Perry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:17:40 +0000

Kyle Wegner, who is one of the social media experts at BKV Digital and Direct Response, wrote a terrific post on BKV’s blog the other day. It outlined 43 different ways people can use Foursquare to promote their businesses.

What is Foursquare?

What is Foursquare? It’s a powerful new social media tool you can use to promote your business.

In a nutshell, Foursquare is a mobile check-in service that allows regular customers to get points every time they visit their favorite restaurant, bar, coffee shop or whatever. The more points you get, the more likely you’ll be the recipient of special offers from that establishment.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll become Mayor of a particular business. That award is typically given to the person who “checks-in” most frequently.

To read more about what Foursquare is, check out BKV’s blog post called The Foursquare 411. Otherwise, here’s Kyle’s post on the 43 ways you can use Foursquare to promote your business:

First, set it all up:

1. Search for your business on Foursquare.com.
2. If it isn’t there, add it using this link.
3. After you’ve found or added your business, claim your business by hitting the link on your listing that looks like this:

4. Also, make sure to link your Twitter account to your listing.

The claiming process is fairly simple. Once that is done, it’s time to start using Foursquare to help promote your business!

Deals, deals and more deals:

5. Reward first time visitors. Give users a percentage or dollar amount off their bill the first time they check in.
6. Or a free upgrade!
7. Replace your loyalty card – give discounts or rewards every 5 or 10 times someone visits your business. 8. Reward the mayor. Give them a freebie or discount.
9. Or call them out, putting their name up on the wall and thanking them for being the mayor!
10. Create deals around big events. Give a free drink for anyone checking in after the big game, or a % off during a conference.
11. Have evergreen specials, like 10% off for anyone who checks in on Foursquare. Remember, a check in is free publicity.
12. Change deals often. Keep users coming back for different specials by swapping them out.
13. Cross promote your properties that are in close proximity. If users check in at one, present a deal for the other part of your business next door.
14. Make deals “limited time only.” Give a sense of urgency to persuade users to come now instead of later.
15. Stave off seasonality or weekly trends. Have a part of your business that struggles on Tuesdays? Promote that part in the deal.
16. Highlight existing deals. Just because you don’t have any Foursquare exclusives doesn’t mean that users won’t want to know about other deals.
17. Promote group check ins. Make deals progressively better (10, 20, 30% off etc) the more people in your group check in.
18. Accept competitor deals. What better deal is there than “We accept all competitor coupons.”?
19. Bring them back with a “next time” coupon on check in. Give a coupon redeemable on the next visit, ensuring the customers will visit you again.
20. Use “2 for 1″ deals that require both parties to check in. Double the promotion for half the work!
21. Interact with your customers. Make them accomplish a small task (build an origami figure out of a napkin, high five the sales person, say a “passphrase”) to redeem the Foursquare special.
22. Give deals to users who leave behind Foursquare tips. You can regulate this by saying “the first X people to leave a tip get a free shirt!”

Deals will show up in the “deals nearby” section on iPhones, meaning your business will stand out above the rest.

Create events:

23. Host a swarm party. The Swarm badge can only be achieved if 50+ users check in at the same place, so help organize that event at your business for local users.
24. Better yet, host a Super Swarm Party! This badge takes 250+ people checking in at the same venue at the same time. These are rare events and have been great ways for businesses to bring in new business.
25. Create temporary venues. Speaking at an event? Have a booth at a conference? Users can check in anywhere on Foursquare, so create locations for these temporary venues.

26. Promote grand openings. Give away freebies or deals for the first X people who check in on opening day – build buzz for your brand new location and create loyal customers at the same time!

Create custom badges:

27. Have more than one location? Give users who check in multiple places a specially branded badge!
28. Create event-based badges, like a badge that can only be earned when checking in during an industry conference.
29. Create a badge that you can only get if you check in to your venue a certain number of times. Apple has a “Jobs” badge for triple-checkins.

Custom badges have to be created by Foursquare, so you’ll need to contact them and form a partnership at this point. Lots of companies have done so though, so Foursquare is more than open to adding new badges.

Join in the fun:

30. Create an account and start checking in. People will notice when they keep checking in the same places as you.
31. Connect with your customers. Follow them on Foursquare, but make sure to let them know why they should follow you back (which is discussed in the next section).
32. Shout! If you’ve gathered a number of followers and know of some interesting news or of fun happenings in your local area, shout the information to your followers.
33. Monitor on Twitter. Many users automatically post their check ins to Twitter. Thank those customers for coming in and invite them back with an exclusive Twitter deal!
34. Get to know your mayor. This doesn’t only apply to within Foursquare, but make sure you know who your mayor is (they will be redeeming mayor deals, so this should be easy). You should always know your best customers

35. However, don’t BE the mayor. Since you work there, you will have the easiest time being the mayor of your business. This takes away the fun of checking in and means you will never be able to award mayor deals to an actual loyal customer.

Get local, give tips:

36. Give tips in your area to get more followers. Businesses like the Huffington Post and IFC provide local tips and recommendations to their followers on a regular basis.
37. Create a scavenger hunt around your local area, leading users through or to your local business.

38. Monitor for duplicate or incorrect information. This can apply to your business or any of those around you. A clean list of businesses, without duplicates or incorrect listings, makes it easier for customers to find your correct listing.

Promote your presence:

39. Put up Foursquare signage reminding customers to check in. Include your deals to incentivize it even more!
40. Also include your Foursquare username so customers can connect with you. Explain why they should follow you as well (local tips/deals, local expertise).
41. Get your business in the “Trending Now” section. Businesses that have multiple people check in within a small period of time are highlighted at the top of the Places list, so coordinate check ins if you can.
42. Connect with local Foursquare deal aggregators and enthusiasts. In Atlanta there is a Twitter account @4sqATL (website at http://4sqatl.com) that covers local deals and specials. I bet there is one in your area too.
43. Cross promote from other social media platforms. Remind your Twitter followers or Facebook fans of your Foursquare deals.

While this is a fairly long list, there are plenty of other ideas out there. Have you seen any cool Foursquare promotions in your area? Have any ideas? Leave them in the comments! We’ll update this post over time to include your suggestions so we have the most extensive list of ways businesses can use Foursquare.

Kyle Wegner is the SEO & Emerging Media Manager at BKV. He also podcasts at The Business of Tech and you can find him on Twitter @kwegner and on Google Buzz.

Nine Tips For Using Twitter to Create a Buzz For Your Business (or book)

Pam Perry — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:02:47 +0000

I am often asked by small business owners and entrepreneurs if they should be using Twitter for their business. They seldom like my answer, mainly because I respond with a series of questions.

www.twitter.com/smsperrypr

“What is your goal for using social media?”
“Who are you trying to reach?”
“How much time are you willing to spend each day on social media?”
“Do you want to use Twitter, or feel like you ‘should’ use Twitter?”
“Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and make a commitment?”

Until these questions can be answered, Twitter and other social media sites would be a waste of time. Chances are, the business owner would get frustrated with the results because of unrealistic expectations, and give up, but not after spending countless hours online without a clear voice or message to promote about themselves or their business. Sometimes sending mixed signals is worse than being silent, and the same holds true when entering the world of social media.

For businesses that are ready to make the commitment to social media, Twitter is a great tool for quickly sharing information, gathering real-time feedback and establishing relationships and building a buzz.

A recent study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and Imoderate Technologies found 67 percent of Twitter followers are more likely to buy at least one brand since becoming a follower and 79 percent of followers are more likely to recommend at least one brand since becoming a follower.

The study also found Twitter followers want to be “Brand Insiders,” with “to receive discounts and promotions” and “to be the first to know information about the brand” as the primary reasons they follow a brand on Twitter.

Followers have shown their loyalty and willingness to spread the word about your business, so it makes sense they want to be rewarded for their support. Who doesn’t want to be considered an insider, receive preferential treatment or save money?

Here are some tips for using Twitter to

create a buzz for your business (or book):

1. Offer inside scoops, special, discounts, coupons and other incentives exclusively to you followers
2. Ask for help or ideas
3. Solicit ideas or solutions to challenges
4. Publish solutions, useful tips and fun facts
5. Comment and retweet to recognize and acknowledge followers
6. Answer tweets, but resist the urge to sell
7. Participate in conversations
8. Thank people for following
9. Join Twitter chats to be seen as a leader in your field and learn from other experts

Incorporating just a few of these tips will greatly increase the amount of buzz generated about your business. Just remember to be consistent and have patience. Most of all, be yourself and have fun.

Kristina Shands is the owner of Authentic Communications, a communications and marketing firm specializing in telling stories that move people to action. Authentic Communications collaborates with small businesses and entrepreneurs to spark interest, create a buzz, build connections, increase loyalty and inspire action in order to attract new clients and increase visibility. Download a special report, “Six Questions to Develop Your Business Story (and set yourself apart from the crowd),” at http://authentic-communications.com. Contact Kristina at kristina@authentic-communications.com and follow her on Twitter (@authenticbuzz).

Hear the new radio spot: http://synergyenergy.posterous.com/

Join our Facebook page too! facebook.com/nationalchrstianwritersconference

Harness the power of Facebook to sell more books

Pam Perry — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:00:39 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/pamperryfanpage

Social networking sites like Facebook are a terrific way to promote your book, but many authors don’t optimize their Facebook profile or venture beyond their profile. Here are six ways to effectively promote your book on Facebook:

1. Take full advantage of the promotional opportunities on your Facebook Profile. Just below your photo is a small box where you can enter a concise description of what you do, including the title of your book.

The About Me box (under Personal Information) is a good place to describe your book and your business. In the Contact Information section you can enter multiple website addresses. Post your book cover in your photo album or another application and display it in the left column of your profile.

Remember, your Facebook profile must be registered in your real name. If you create a profile for your book or business, you risk having your account canceled.

2. Facebook Fan Pages are similar to personal profiles, but they are created for business use. You can create a page to promote your book or your business, or even create a page for one of the characters in your novel. People join a page by becoming a fan.

You may want to offer an incentive to join (or at least visit) your fan page, such as a free download, a coupon for one of your products, or a contest. Another way to attract fans is to set your page up as an information hub, offering links and resources.

3. Facebook Groups are a great place to meet people who share your interests and find new friends. Search for groups by entering keywords in the Search box at the top of the page and then clicking on the Groups tab. You can gain visibility on a group page by introducing yourself on the wall, participating in discussions, and posting your book cover, photos or videos.

Forming your own group is another good way to subtly promote your book. Be sure to encourage discussions and offer valuable information such as free downloads and links to resources. You can send direct messages the entire group.

4. Joining relevant Facebook Events is a good way to get visibility by writing on the event wall and posting photos. In addition, you can subtly promote your book and yourself by promoting your own live or virtual events through a Facebook event.

5. Facebook displays pay-per-click ads on most pages on the site, and ads can be targeted by age, gender, location, education level, relationship status, or keywords in people’s profiles.

6. The Facebook Marketplace is a free classified advertising area where you can post a listing to sell your book. It’s worth an experiment if you have a book on a topic that someone might search for on a classified advertising site.

Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of The Savvy Book Marketer Guides. For in-depth information on how to promote your book through Facebook, see the Facebook Guide for Authors at http:bit.ly/facebookforauthors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Lynn_Smith

www.pamperrypr.com

To get Superstar status with your book, it’s going to cost you something.

Pam Perry — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:02:26 +0000

Learn the Secrets! Get Out There Kit! www.pamperrypr.com

I deal with authors all the time – African American Christian authors. They are some soulful folks – and filled with hope and faith. Wonderful authors, great testimonies. Anointed.

Yet, when it comes to business – the business of selling books – they want a “magic pill” to instantly be a superstar.

I’ve been at this book marketing business for over 10 years. And let me tell you, it takes a few years to be an “overnight success.”

So many authors believe that once they write and publish their book and tell a few friends, the sales will start coming in. That doesn’t happen. Sorry.

They soon realize that it is a crowed market out there and they desperately throw together some marketing materials and do a few eBlasts, and still nothing.

They hear about social media marketing and try that – for a weeks or a couple of months. And still nothing. They call up some author friends and ask what should they do and the authors tell them to hire a publicist.

They then look online for a publicist, and approach a few of them with $250 to $500 in their hands – and get discouraged because they find out it takes a lot more. A whole lot more. (See this special report on what a publicist cost) Note, if the PR person is “cheap” – you get what you pay for. Enough said.

So what should a new author do?

Get a mentor or PR coach to help you define your target audience, grasp the big picture and avoid costly mistakes. At least buy a home study course. See my “Get Out There Kit.” Way before the book come out!!!
Have a marketing plan and get contacts and instructions from your PR coach to execute the plan. A written plan is your road map to success.
Have a budget or learn how to create partnerships or joint ventures to leverage your lack of funds. Bartering is good if you have no money.
Build a brand – online and offline. Be consistent in all your marketing materials including blog, press kit, postcards, biz cards, etc.
Have an email list of folks interested in your subject and understand your brand and you feed them with valuable information BEFORE your book is out.

That’s a start. But I’d go with #1 first. Not willing to get PROFESSIONAL help is ignorant. Investing in education and getting information will change the game for you. It has happened for me and my clients.

Those who have experience can help you go fastest and further towards the superstar track!

I have mentors and coaches that have helped me over the years. Invaluable lessons they have shared!

It has cost me time and money – but it would of cost me more if I didn’t engage their services.

I know that anything of value is NEVER free. You can get some information for free online, but it is “spotty” and never the entire strategic plan to help YOUR campaign specifically.

If you have big dreams for your book – be prepared to commit to a program and sacrifice time and money to make the dream a reality.

There is no magic pill – only a lot of elbow grease. Writing the book was only 10% of the work. 90% is learning about marketing & PR.

Finally, think about this:

If you had a tooth ache, you wouldn’t do your own dental work, you’d go to a dentist.

Same with book marketing. Hiring a PR Coach and Social Media professional makes a statement that you are SERIOUS about your book marketing and serious about SUCCESS.

Get the PR Boot Camp in a Box: The Get Out There Kit at www.pamperryonlinepr.com

The Social Media Boot Camp

Pam Perry — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:13:56 +0000

Social Media Got you Stumped?

Or are you Overwhelmed?
Get private, one-on-one
Training & I’ll take you by
the hand and go beyond basics!

Social Media Training LIVE!

Three one-hour private

online screen sharing sessions for $500

We can equip you to:
1. Set-up an engaging blog at blogger.com
2. Create your own podcast and launch it online & get “A” list guests for your show or teleseminars
3. Produce your own video for youtube posting – one that will show you in the best light at light or no cost!
4. Attract, engage followers, friends and fans on twitter facebook, linkedin or other Social Media sites & CONVERT them into customers and clients
5. Show you how to set-up and distribute your own e-newletters with Aweber or Constant Contact templates and use Autoresponders
6. Give you resources, teach you shortcuts, and walk you through all of the steps to launching a major Social Media Marketing campaign

7. Finally, get a Strategic Action Plan so you won’t be overwhelmed. I’ll give you a template of what to do daily, weekly and monthly – and how to automate most of your social networking!!!

See article where I was interviewed by
BlackEnterprise.com about Social Media on
www.BlackEnterprise.com

P.S. BONUS!!! Register by Monday, April 25 and get a bonus ebook & 2 mp3s on How to Make Money Online! ($197 value)

Pam Perry, PR Coach & Social Media Expert
Read the blog, become a fan on face book, follow me on Twitter.

Social Media: The New Currency – BLACK ENTERPRISE

Facebook Guide for Authors

Pam Perry — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:49:48 +0000

Harness the networking power of Facebook!

Networking on Facebook is a great way to meet and develop relationships with potential customers as well as other authors, experts, and key influencers in your field or genre, but it can be a challenge to figure out how to take advantage Facebook’s full potential.

In Facebook Guide for Authors you’ll get step-by-step instructions with screen shots, plus an action plan to help you quickly master the power of Facebook. This guide is tailored to meet the unique needs of authors and features real-life examples.

In Facebook Guide for Authors you’ll learn:

How to set up your profile for maximum marketing effectiveness
How to add book covers and opt-in forms to your Profile and Page
The right way to attract friends on Facebook
How to use Facebook Events to promote your book
The secrets to running a successful Facebook Group
How to automatically import your blog posts and tweets
7 things that could get you banned from Facebook
How to run free and paid ads on Facebook
The difference between Profiles and Pages
How to budget your time wisely and protect your privacy

Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to take advantage of Facebook’s marketing tools. Let the Facebook Guide for Authors be your blueprint for success.

This 58-page ebook is available for download in PDF format for $12.

Online payments for The Savvy Book Marketer Guides are handled by Plimus.com, which is certified by McAfee, VeriSign and BBB Online.

Praise for Other Savvy Book Marketer Guides

“Dana Lynn Smith is an expert in marketing and everything in The Savvy Book Marketer’s Guide to Successful Social Marketing proves it. This is the most comprehensive and well-researched resource available. If you only purchase one book on this topic, make it Successful Social Marketing.” Read the full book review here.

—MaAnna Stephenson, author of Just the FAQs series, www.JustTheFAQs.net

“This book is absolutely amazing. It’s basic and clear enough for writers just beginning to use social marketing as a marketing tool, but complete enough that even veteran marketers will find new applications and new marketing ideas within its pages. Dana is the perfect marketer to write about social networking. She sure knows how to do it!” Read the full book review here.

—Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Book Promoter and blogger at www.SharingWithWriters.blogspot.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites pick

“If you have yet to start a social media marketing plan or you have tried to but you are not seeing the results you want, The Savvy Book Marketers Guide to Successful Social Marketing will help you accomplish your goals. It covers the subject with such depth and expertise that it is the closest thing I have yet to come across that can be called a definitive guide to social media marketing.” Read the full book review here.

—Tony Eldridge, author of The Samson Effect and the Marketing Tips for Authors blog, http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com

“I love the book! It is jam-packed with useful information about online marketing opportunities, including many that I did not know were out there.”

—Yvonne Perry, freelance writer, editor, author, and owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services http://writersinthesky.com

“I REALLY enjoyed your book. It is a Must Read for any author stepping into the virtual arena.” Read the full book review here.

—Angela Wilson, author, publicist, and social media consultant, www.MarketMyNovel.com

“Dana Smith has created a powerful tool for authors and small business marketers with her comprehensive, up-to-date, high energy book detailing the best ways to get the word out using social media.”

—Paul J. Krupin, publicist and author, www.DirectContactPR.com

“I stayed up late reading Dana’s new Guide to Successful Social Marketing—it is incredibly comprehensive, yet easy to understand. I thought I knew a lot already, but . . .”

—Linda Austin, author, www.moonbridgebooks.com

To order,

go here now:

http://bit.ly/facebook4authors

For more tips, go to: http://www.pamperrypr.com

Social Media Expert Badge of Pam Perry, PR Coach

Pam Perry — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:17:31 +0000

SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES!

Who are YOU following and what have you learned?

Have YOU let them know? Rave about them to others!

Facebook.com/PamPerryFanPage

Publicity Tips

Pam Perry — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:24:13 +0000

The easiest way to get publicity is to find out what a producer/editor wants and give it to them.
How much publicity can you get? $100,000 a month at least. It’s simple but you have to follow a lot of steps. It snowballs…then people come knocking at your door.
Start with “grass roots” and build out. Try out the smaller stations/newspapers first.
There are some companies that you pay for performances not promises. (Guarantees are what people want).
People can pay for interviews secured. People can pay $2,000 to $10,000 a month.
It’s never to early to get started with your publicity campaign. 90 days is not too early. You can get pre-orders and you can plug your website. You can do seminars.
Give away books to get publicity.
THE BASICS. Need: Media kit (A folder with the pasted cover of the book on it. Then a press/media release, bio, testimonials, GOOD photographs). The media know that you’re a professional if you have this.
Optimize them so people can find it high on Google. PRWEB.com is a good one and ChristianPRGroup.com

10. Write a column for a local paper for free in exchange for a plug for your book.

11. People are always looking for more content. (Newspapers and broadcast) – so send out a newsletter to the media, send postcards, send emails.

12. Build Relationships with the media…and other book clubs.

13. Do Teleseminars or regular seminars – this establishes you as an expert.

14. Internet Marketing (www.BlackGospelPromo.com) is the best!

15. Blogs…high in search engines and comment on B. (Like an online diary) See http://www.ministrymarketingsolutionsblog.com

Courtesy of Ministry Marketing Solutions

Pam Perry, 248.426-2300

www.pamperrypr.com

www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

Interview Tactics: How to Give a Killer Interview

Pam Perry — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:11:15 +0000

Click to hear interview:

Gayl Murphy interview with Pam Perry on Chocolate Pages Show

Interview Tactics & Media Coaching from Gayl: How to Give a “Killer” Interview

Be as honest and up front as you can with the person that’s interviewing you without “giving up” anything you wouldn’t want to read about yourself tomorrow.

Relax, enjoy and have a good time. Being interviewed is supposed to be FUN. You get to be the star of THE ME SHOW, starring ME, or in this case … YOU!

Your JOB is to your CAPTURE your listener’s ATTENTION and imagination in the shortest amount of time. One of best ways of doing that is by using COLOR and DETAIL. Always speak in complete sentences and avoid lazy language.

Keep people ENGAGED in what you’re saying, so they’ll continue asking you questions. This keeps the interview DYNAMIC, COHESIVE and MOVING along.

PREPARE. PREPARE. PREPARE. KNOW the hard questions in advance and what you’re going to say BEFORE you talk to the press, or any gatekeeper just don’t write a script. (MURPHY’S LAW: Think BULLET POINTS.)

Stay on TOPIC and stay FOCUSED. Be SPECIFIC. Give facts and information, names, dates and places. And, there is NO such thing as off-the-record.

Always have your SOUNDBITES READY, they help tell your story and keep it COMPELLING and ATTENTION GRABBING. (MURPHY’S LAW: A soundbite is a brief and outstanding mini-version of who you are and what you’re selling. Like an audio snapshot!)

Whenever possible, CONNECT your STORY, or pitch, with a story, or trend that’s already in the headlines, so it becomes NEWSWORTHY. The press loves stories that are “ripped from the headlines” because they’re in the news business.

LISTEN carefully to what’s being asked. Answer SPECIFICALLY and SUCCINCTLY.

Don’t be long-winded and GET TO THE POINT. You can always add more information on the back end.

Know when to WRAP IT UP - and YES or NO is not an answer.

WRAP their questions into your answers. (MURPHY’S LAW: Practice this one so it sounds natural.)

Don’t wear, or carry anything that jingles, beeps, rings, cries, barks or makes noise on it’s own.

Being in the media spotlight requires a level of PERFORMANCE. Always bring your ENERGY with you, regardless of where you are IT’S SHOWTIME!

ALL interviews are GIVE AND TAKE. Listen carefully to what’s being asked, so you know what’s next.

Make eye contact, SMILE! It’s OK to comment on an insightful question.

Whatever your product, service or pitch, take along a sample, or photo, or PR material.

Dress for SUCCESS and dress the part, whatever your part is. You’re the STAR! (MURPHY’S LAW: You decide how you want the world to see you.

Source: GAYL MURPHY’S
INTERVIEW TACTICS! REPORT
www.InterviewTactics.com

Gayl Murphy is a Veteran Hollywood Correspondent, Media and Presentational Coach, Speaker and Author of “Interview Tactics! How to Survive the Media without Getting Clobbered! The Insider’s Guide to Giving a Killer Interview!”

As a Media Expert, Gayl celebrit-izes CEO’s, authors, experts, inventors, creative entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, entertainment industry pros and celebrities in business and entertainment to CELEBRITIZE themselves and their brands so they can TELL IT TO SELL IT! http://www.InterviewTactics.com

As a veteran Correspondent, Gayl’s has reported on entertainment and show business for ABC News, ABC TV, SKY News, BBC Radio, BBC TV, E! Entertaintment, HollywoodToday.net and BigMediaUSA among others. She has personally interviewed over 14,000 of the biggest celebrities and newsmakers in the world.

About Gayl Murphy’s “Interview Tactics!”
Working with the media and getting the word out about who you are and what you do on TV, radio, print and online is about as good as it gets!

One hot story can bring you an avalanche of new clients and even more press coverage. And, having an arsenal of engaging, media-savvy and sticky soundbites to get you there is the best news of all!

In today’s highly competitive, time-crunching and media-morphing world, having stockpile of “Interview Tactics!” is about knowing the lay of Media Land – and being a STAR in ANY situation that requires stepping up, answering questions, telling your story, peaking your listener’s interest and wrapping it up in 20 seconds or less…because sometimes that’s all you’re going to get.

Go one-on-one with the media, or any gatekeeper/decision-maker to tell the world about who you are, what you do and what’s next using “Interview Tactics!” Learn REAL insider strategies for pitching any business, any product, any service, anytime, anywhere! Because when the going gets tough, the tough use the media!

www.InterviewTactics.com

Watch your email for upcoming FREE Teleseminar with Pam Perry & Gayl Murphy

at the end of January 2010 – “How to Pitch it to Promote it”

Go to: www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

7 Tips on Effectively Writing and Distributing Press Releases to the Black Media

Pam Perry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:42:29 +0000

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