Blogging: 10 Tips

"No rules. Just things to consider."

When blogging for yourself and/or for friends or family, there really are no rules. But if you are blogging for business, you are writing your own articles, so here are a couple of things to consider:

1. As a blogger, you are a publisher! Blogging can be part of a brand. Even if it is the brand of you! Think about your goals as a blogger. Do you want to be seen as an expert? Do you want to share your personal ideas and thoughts? Do you want to get people thinking? Do you want feedback? Or do you just want to use it to document your life?
2. You can have more than one blog. In addition to WOW!, which focuses on marketing, public relations and events for business, I have a personal blog about "stuff" that I share only with with friends and family.
3. Create your blog in a word document. Sometimes it is easier to use spell check in Word. And in a third world country, you never know when the electricity is going to go out and you lose everything you wrote for the last hour!
4. Stick to one area of interest for business. Be the expert in your field! If your blog is for business, or sales and marketing purposes, feature a key "story" or idea for each post. More than one post a day is ok too...especially if a blog is timely.
5. Edit yourself. A senior public relations professional once said "write what you write, and then cut at least 10%". How awful it seemed at first to cut out "my" wonderful words! Eventually, I learned to delete flowery adjectives (four meticulously unique and specially compounded, botanically formulated new-age hormones), flip sentences to write action-oriented content (use "is" not "will be"), and edit superfluous words from content (that is one word that can often be cut out of that sentence because deleting that will cut that copy by at least that much) - some words, such as that, can be deleted from copy without changing the meaning of the sentence.
6. Use bullet points or numbers. Formatting helps break out or define thoughts and makes it easier for readers to follow content.
7. Use subheads. Just like a magazine or newspaper article, subheads improve readability.
8. A picture is worth 1000 words. Post photos at the top and/or insert them throughout the content. Photos break up copy and add interesting graphics.
9. Be mindful of tense. Monitor flipping back and forth between yesterday, the present moment and the future. If the tense changes, use transitions, so the content is more clearly read.
10. End with a call to action. Always ask for the business, feedback or comments.

If you need help getting your blog started, want to know how to blog to market yourself and your business, or need someone to "ghost write" your blog, contact me at mmonte@hotmail.com or 407-964-1557!

Measuring Public Relations: Leading them to water...

You can lead a horse to water...
But you cant' make it drink.

Four days after a grand opening event, the restaurant manager questioned the fact that he had not “seen much publicity." He said, “I believe that event was a waste of time and a failure.”

At the event:

• 150 guests were in attendance;
• 30 reporters represented different media outlets;
• Extremely positive comments were heard during the 2 1/2 hours;
• Someone thought the WOW! moment (video and photo op) aka grand opening blessing came from a famous book (oh it was an original idea...mine : -);
• An hour into the event the mayor's staffer cancelled all his other obligations that evening because he was having a great time and did not want to leave; and
• The night went off without a hitch (not exactly what happened behind the scenes, but who knew except for us?).

Now...about what he did and/or didn't do:

• Gave the internal and external marketing and public relations team two weeks to pull off the event (the team already put in the plan the pre-event work would require at least a month);
• Distributed invitations two days before the event by email and a few hand-delivered invitations to elected officials (the plan suggested...and Miss Manners would say that invitations should be sent out at least two weeks ahead of time);
• Cancelled the $500 live entertainment because it was “too expensive” two days before the event and didn't tell anyone (the original budget was $1,500);
• Didn't order the $2 nametag logo'd credentials and didn't tell the team (this was also in the plan);
• Didn't put together the media kit (he had insisted on doing it himself because he loved the design he had created for the CD cover; so the marketing team with the help of bartenders made black and white copies and stuffed kits in plain blue folders 30 minutes before the event was to start);
• Forgot ???? to bring collateral, i.e. to go menus, catering menus, brochures (again...in the plan);
• Produced a much “less than special” goody bag as a take home (the day before he had shown everyone what it was going to look like, and then we all said...under our breath...NOT exactly the same one!);
• Finally, held the dress rehearsal 45 minutes before the event (it had already been rescheduled three times); and
• Failed to send any kind of thank you to guests...not even an an email (his final task in the plan).

Even though the client did not fulfill his assigned sales and marketing tasks, (a day-by-day two-week checklist was provided) he pointed a finger at the marketing and public relations team and said:

• “Business is too slow."
• "There wasn't anyone here the night after the grand opening except for one couple."
• "We paid a lot of money for the grand opening and are not seeing the results."
• "Why are we not on the front page of the newspaper?"
• "Why has channel X not been here to do a story?"
• "Why is there not a story on X website?”

As the saying goes...you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. And that is hard for a client to understand when they are a bull.

Long story short, two days after this one-sided conversation, the clips poured in and a reporter from a national media outlet called to set up a story.

The media and invited VIP guests had been lead to the water (otherwise at this event known as Martinis, Fois Gras and Crustinis), they just didn't drink as fast as the client expected.

Marketing, public relations and events are not exclusive. Though each uses different tactics and measurements, they all support the sales function. And like a ball of snow gathers more and more snow as it rolls down a hill getting bigger and bigger, so works the process of sales and marketing.

The client and the marketing and public relations team must work hand-in-hand. If a task is assigned. The delegate must perform...whether assigned down by the client or up by the team.

Do you want to know more about how to lead a horse to drink? Even if you have a beer budget, together, we can teach that horse to love it as much as drinking finest of champagnes.

Blogging: To Blog Or Not To Blog

As a child I had a diary with a key.
Now, I blog online just for me.

In December 2005, I spent five weeks in Costa Rica studying Spanish. Before the trip, I decided I didn't want to be obligated to email or commit to a time for regular phone calls because I wanted to "remove myself from technology," and not miss any impromptu surf session or una Cervasa Imperial on the beach at sunset.

After hearing a few groans/hints/concerns that I would not be in touch with "the world", I decided to start a blog. By blogging about my travels in Costa Rica, my friends and family (mom especially) would know I was ok.

I visited the local Internet cafe every few days. While enjoying the best cafe con leche, I would grab a computer in the corner and write (the cost was about $2.00 an hour!).

After returning home, I continued to blog my thoughts, adventures, lessons, hopes, dreams, occasions and life in general. Writing for me is like exercise, sleeping and eating. I have to do it. A computer makes the task much easier than pen and paper. My personal blog is really more like a diary. At times, I've posted on it daily and then months of working seven days a week and 12-14 hours a days left little time for me. Seeing those months with no writing is like looking at long lost time. Where did it go? What was I doing? What was I thinking?

It's time to set aside "Monte blogging time"! Personal writing can be a word map of your life, without visual pictures. And it is really awesome to occasionally read old posts to reflect, compare, contemplate and see the roads and paths taken.

I encourage you to write in a beautiful book, personal diary or online blog.

To learn more about how to set up a blog for business or personal use, contact me at mmonte@hotmail.com or 407-964-1557.

Social Media: Who uses it?

"A Growing Tool."

Are you a social media butterfly?
Is Tweeple in your vocabulary?
Do you know anyone who is hooked on Facebook?
Out of confusion, have you decided to "just say no" for now!?

According to a social media study by Michael Stelzner for the Social Media Success Summit 2009, "88% of marketers in a recent survey say they are now using some form of social media to market their business, though 72% of those using it say they have only been at it a few months or less."

Of social media tools, the % of responders use the following:

• Twitter 86%
• Blogs 79%
• LinkedIn 78%
• Facebook 77%
• YouTube/Other video 41%
• Social bookmark sites 38%
• Forums 38%
• StumbleUpon 28%
• Digg, Reddit or similar 26%
• FriendFeed 18%

Key survey findings about the applications indicate:

• Small-business owners are more likely to use LinkedIn than employees working for a corporation;
• Men are significantly more likely to use YouTube or other video marketing than women (52.4% of all men compared with 31.7% of women);
• Newbies to social media rank LinkedIn as their number-two choice;
• Among users of a few months or more, Facebook takes second place. This group also uses Twitter more;
• Twitter is used by 94% of marketers using social media for several years, followed by blogs. This group also endorses online video more than the other groups; and
• 72% of marketers say they have either just started or have been using social media for only a few months.

Since MySpace came on the scene in 2003, numberous cyber affairs a.k.a. social media applications have been launched. Maybe because of the MySpace successes or the scandals, the Internet doors swung open to mimic, improve, create more user-friendly and also implement "safer" measures of online networking for personal and business use.

To learn how to incorporate social media into a marketing plan, whether to tweet, post, blog, get linked in, or even a lesson on how to actually the tools in the cyber world, email me at mmonte@hotmail.com, invite me to be your Facebook friend at www.facebook.com and search Monte Martin, follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/montemartin, get linked up to me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/montemartin or pick up the phone and punch in my digits (we do not dial anymore : -) 407-964-1557 to talk in real time about meeting in person! Hopefully, you won't get my voice mail - and that's a story for a future blog.

PR Tips: Social Media Defined

Social Media a.k.a. Cyber Affairs

It isn't defined by Webster yet, but other sources define it as:

• A form of Internet marketing which seeks to achieve branding and marketing communication goals through the participation in various social media;
• Writing content that is remarkable, unique, and newsworthy. This content can then be marketed by popularizing it; and
• Utilizing social networking and user-generated content platforms promote a product, service or content.

An easy way to picture it is how people use online communication to:

• Discover;
• Learn;
• Read;
• Share;
• Inform; and
• Connect.

It is a communication tool.

In the last 10 years, it has become a way for Homo sapiens — Latin for "wise human" or "knowing human" to share information across a distance. We certainly have come a long way from using smoke signals, drum beats and homing pigeons! Social media fuses the human desire to connect to each other using the technology of the world-wide web to:

• Transform a monologue (from one person to many people);
• Pushes the monologues out through dialog (many people take it to many other people); and
• Through information sharing, turns people from content users into publishers.

Social media applications allow people all over the world to connect online for personal or business uses. Depending on the application, how it is used, how often it is used and the person or people using it, social media use can create both loose and tight relationships. It may incorporate one or many forms of communication such as the written word, spoken word, music, live video, recorded video, slideshows, photos and more.

So how expansive or narrow is your communication around the world, in your community, with co-workers, to clients, within professional organizations, to neighbors, friends and even your family?

Want to grow it or control it? Contact me today by snail mail, email, phone or if you see me surfing, leave me a note in the sand.

PR Tips: Ten Tried And True Topics To Talk About

Not sure how to promote your organization to the media and in turn, help grow your business? These top ten can help maximize your chances of media coverage to get your message in front of decision makers.

1. Health. This topic is covered more than any other by the media. (except in a presidential election year or during a spiraling down economy ; - )
Do you have a fabulous spa that offers unique health benefits? Does your hotel cater to patients recuperating from plastic surgery? Do you offer "Low-Fat, Low Calorie, or Vegan" meals? Can employees to workout at work? Do you have weight-loss tips or have a staff expert who can be interviewed about getting healthy?

2. Children. Everyone loves children. (good children ; - )
Do you offer specials for children? Do you have a kid-friendly event? Has a child done something good/unique/kind/helpful/thoughtful? Is there a special children's menu?

3. Pets. People love reading about pets, almost as much if not more than children.

How about a new service at a doggie day care? Can employees bring their pets to work? Health care services for pets? What about unique pet services such as frequent flyer miles, doggie treats at the drive-in window, unique pet products, check-in goody bags, pet-friendly patio?

4. Holidays. The media is always looking for stories surrounding holidays.
Does a spa offer relaxation tips for the stressful season? What about a special rate or price for Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents or Friends Day? How about a restaurant offering a free beverage on tax day or a kick off summer special at a museum where an adult gets in free with paying child (yep...backwards!)?

5. Controversy. Opportunities can be a great fit with controversial current events.
Are you helping prevent or deter crime with a new service? If a movie star sports a certain negative, send them your positive product and also ask them to send you a photo of it with them or written note to promote it. Can you offer tips that combat controversy or serve as an expert on either side?

6. Celebrity. Everyone wants the scoop on celebrities.
Get a photo of a celebrity (athlete, actor, comedian) at your place of business and send it to the media? Is a celebrity part of your charity event? Is your CEO a celebrity in their own right? Is Brad Pitt at your house at 3 a.m.? (call TMZ, right then and there after you snap a photo using your cell phone)

7. Money. Money is always hot if it saves.
Do you offer unique ways to save money? Offering any new or increased perks or rewards ? Do you offer special discounts seniors, students or moms?

8. Current Trends. The media likes to tie stories to current trends.
Does your restaurant offer "South Beach Diet or Weight Watchers" selections? Has your business won a green award? Have you reduced your electric bill by changing light bulbs?

9. Charity. Heartwarming stories sell, especially Friday or weekend news.
Did you donate to a charity in need? Does your company sponsor or host a charitable event? Does your business offer free tickets to certain non-profit groups?

10. Interesting. Producers, editors, writers, reporters…want interesting!!
Is your product or service REALLY unique? Do you work in a cool location like a boat? Are you a former real estate agent now happily working for a nonprofit? Have you retired and then started a new career in a different kind of business?

These are just a few popular topics. "Ten Tried And True Topics" are definitely things to think about when writing a PR plan or if you are just looking for new story ideas. By targeting the pitch to topical ideas or issues, it will help increase the chances of coverage.

Need ideas? Contact me at mmonte@hotmail.com or 407-964-1557!

Measuring Public Relations: Social Media

"Diggs...Tweets...Delicious!"

Social Media. (aka Cyber Affairs = - > )

Google Analytics
This is an absolute. Google analytics tracks web traffic levels (among other things) and identifies where traffic is directed from
· Overall traffic increases
· Where your traffic is from such as Digg, twitter, etc.
· Most trafficked key word(s) or phrase(s)

Feedburner
Feed burner allows a subscribion to blogs via RSS or email
· RSS subscribers
· Email subscribers
· The Tool

Blog comment
The comments/feedback on Web site
· Amount of comments (don’t count spam or non-quality comments)

Twitter Search/Tweetbeep
Twitter search allows a search for keyword(s) or phrase(s) in real time, tweetbeep sends alerts when someone mentions a particular keyword/phrase/product/etc.
· How many times a product/company/article/service is mentioned
· Track over time

Google Alerts
Google alerts send email notifications of online mentions if keyword(s) or phrases
· Number of times a product/company/service is mentioned daily, weekly, monthly
· Trend over time

VITRUE
The Vitrue social media index is an easy-to-use tool designed to provide a snap shot in time of a keyword(s) compared to other keyword(s) and measures online conversations
· Track this over time
· Trend this over time

Yahoo Site Explorer
Yahoo site explorer is a Yahoo tool that tracks links
· Number of incoming links over time
· Trend over time
· Make correlations between social media efforts and the amount of incoming links
· Exclude your domain from the results

Backtype
Backtype allows a search of comments across the net for particular mention(s) or keyword(s) and can be set up to alert every use
· How many times a company/product/service is mentioned online in comments
· Opinion of comment: negative, positive, neutral

Tweetburner
Tweetburner tracks number of times people click on the links shared via twitter
· Number of times links are clicked that are sent out via twitter
· Use most popular categories/types of links people click the most
· Keep in mind activity of twitter followers to specific content

Delicious
Delicious is a bookmarking utility to share, organize and save web bookmarks
· How many times content is bookmarked by searching for keywords/phrases that return relevant bookmarks
· Trend over time

Keyword rank checker
Checks rankings for a domain for a particular set of keywords or phrases
· Progress and rankings for keyword(s) or phrases
· Monitor bi-weekly or monthly