News Release Images Impact

From the approach at your front door to the first thing a reporter sees when opening a news release, images count!

Continuing the post, Spruced Up Releases Spring Media To Action, PRWeb has research to back up the fact that images have impact. They took a closer look at how multimedia impacts news consumption by studying the habits of their news consumers. The research combined quantitative analysis of usage patterns drawn from Web statistics with a survey and sent out to a segment of their email opt-in subscribers.

Here are top-line takeaways from that research:

1. People spend more time on releases that contain multimedia – Images really do have an impact on how much time people spend consuming news releases.

• Releases with no images had an average time-on-page of 2:18; and 
• Releases that contained images had an average time-on-page of 2:47.

Since journalists receive hundreds of releases each day, every second of every eyeball spent on a page can be a huge advantage to getting a story noticed and picked up in the news.

2. Bloggers and journalists actually use multimedia – Not only does multimedia positively enhance the experience of news releases, evidenced by indicators such as increased time-on-page, but news producers (journalists and bloggers) actually use multimedia they find on news releases to help construct their ensuing stories.

• 48% of journalists and bloggers who subscribed to receive PRWeb news releases used an image or video in a news story or blog post.

3. Bloggers and journalists favor some forms of media over others – When it comes to various types of multimedia, content producers clearly favor images.

• 88% of producers agree or strongly agree that images enhance their experience of a news release;
• Half agree or strongly agree that video enhances their experience of a news release; and
• Only 28% agreed that audio enhances a news release.

Spruced Up Releases Spring Media To Action

About two years ago, I began adding custom graphic headers and including photos and logos in Satellite Media Advisories. Several producers offered unsolicited feedback about how the image/graphic grabbed their attention when they were booking the SMT.

A picture is worth a thousand words." So it made sense I should use images to support the words in news releases as well. Below is a recent news release as an example. With media kits, high-res photos are included on a disc or thumbdrive.

Put A Spring In Your “Door”Step with a Personalized Doormat

-A custom doormat is this year's fabulous front door accessory!

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 20, 2010) – A beautifully customized doormat from The Personalized Doormats Company is the perfect way to welcome warm weather while also putting a spring in your “door”step. Keeping more than 50 percent of the dirt outside, doormats are functional, but a personalized doormat is a customized design accessory that is sure to perk up any front door.

"When it comes to a house, what’s out front actually can say a lot about what is on the inside,” said Interior Designer and TV Host Josh Johnson. “For example, how your front door area appears when approaching up close is similar to a home's curb appeal at street level. Does it feel warm, inviting and welcoming? Or does it give off an impression that is drab, unappealing and even a bit shabby? An entryway, whether large or small, sets the tone for your home’s interior and also portrays the personality of the individual or family living there.

At first thought, a doormat might not seem that exciting. But these doormats will fashionably perk up any porch, patio and the grandest of porticos with panache while also fulfilling the ultimate function of keeping the floors clean. The Personalized Doormats Company offers doormats that are stylish, affordably priced and selections in a variety of materials, sizes and colors. By offering personalization, what was once a simple mat at a door, changes the whole meaning of ‘doormat’. Doormats are an integral part of a home’s décor and speak volumes about the owner or renter as well.

“An online company, they have something for every style and budget. Selections range from classic to chic and from simple to just plain stunning. Materials include eco-friendly recycled plastic to beautifully hand-woven coconut fiber and I really love the sparkle of the cast aluminum. A doormat is something every home needs and The Personalized Doormats Company has certainly stepped up the doormat to make it a fabulous front door accessory,” said Johnson.

In addition to a variety of materials, the mats come in sizes and shapes to fit single and double doorways, both narrow and wide. Doormats are made of different materials and depending on the location, some styles are better suited for covered entryways, others are excellent when exposed to harsh weather such water or direct sun and select doormats are very reliable under heavy or muddy foot traffic.

Pura Vida (Live the Good Life)! Stop 50 percent of the dirt from coming in your front door with the stepped-up style of a personalized doormat. Order a mat from www.PersonalizedDoormats.com for a sunny forecast this spring on your stoop, steps, covered porch or drive-up portico.

For more information or to order a doormat from The Personalized Doormats Company, call them toll free at 1-800-899-0620 from 9 a.m. –6 p.m. EST, email CustomerService@PersonalizedDoormats.com or shop online anytime at www.PersonalizedDoormats.com.

The Personalized Doormats Company, www.PersonalizedCoormats.com, is an online retail store based in Longwood, Fla. Founded in 2002 as a small online company, Jill and Alan Mecca purchased the company in 2008. Now offering upwards of 15 different product lines, their personalized doormats are shipped to customers throughout the United States and Canada. The Personalized Doormats Company offers more top-quality personalized doormat styles for homes and businesses than any other U.S. retailer.

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Contact: For more information, to set up an interview or to request high resolution photos, contact Ms. Monte Martin, WOW! Marketing, Public Relations & Events at 407-341-9866 or by email at MMonte@hotmail.com.

Media Interview: A Dark Secret Lurks At Disney

At Walt Disney World, every day is happy...

...Or so you think!

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, several reporters will get the chance to interview Disney Author Ridley Pearson about Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow. Set in Disney’s famous theme parks, this third book in his series of thrillers transports readers into a Disney World never seen by the average guest - after closing time and the last employee leaves - a world where evil characters rule the parks after dark.

BEHIND THE SCENES
New York Times Bestselling Author Ridley Pearson offers a glimpse into the world of the Kingdom Keepers and evil Overtakers such as Maleficent, the dark fairy from Sleeping Beauty who gives off a chill wherever she goes, shape shifts at will and has the ability to teleport herself and send bolts of lightning at enemies. Filled with action and brimming with the same meticulous detail as Kingdom Keepers: Disney after Dark and Disney at Dawn, Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow (Disney-Hyperion Books) is the third book in Pearson’s thriller series for young readers.

SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS NOW!
Reporters or bloggers wishing to set up an interview time should contact Ms. Monte Martin at 407-341-9866 or mmonte@hotmail.com.

THE BOOK

When five teenagers audition for jobs at Walt Disney World, they are hired as park guides. Using new technology, holographic projections of the teenagers lead guests through Disney's parks. The teens soon discover their job as a Disney Host Interactive (DHI), also known as a Daylight Holographic Image (DHI), isn’t exactly what it seems. Disney Imagineers (imagination + engineering) had no idea the technology might backfire. But backfire it did: some nights when the kids go to sleep, they wake up in one of the Disney parks as a hologram. The Kingdom Keepers discover their Imagineer friend has gone missing. Then the stakes grow higher when what starts out as a puzzle puts them on a quest for a sword, and the parks are in danger of being destroyed by a renegade group of Disney characters. They find themselves in a fight for their lives in order to save the parks - and the world.

THE GAME

In a groundbreaking and interactive Transmedia campaign, Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow includes bonus pages of clues as well as augmented 3D reality on the last page of the book. The online game, http://www.thekingdomkeepers.com/, enhances the reading experience. The book helps gamers unlock the game's interactive map and clues to online help Kingdom Keepers defeat Disney’s evil characters. Players must work together to defeat the villains who have escaped the parks and are now wreaking havoc on the Internet.

ABOUT PEARSON

• Best-selling adult crime novelist with more than 25 titles translated into 22 languages in 70 countries;
• Friend and co-writer of books with Dave Barry, humorist, columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winner for – Peter and the Starcatchers series;
• Guitar player and founding member of The Rock Bottom Remainders, a band of best-selling authors including Dave Barry, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Scott Turow and Mitch Albom; and
• Calls St. Louis home with wife, Marcelle, and their daughters Paige and Storie. (That's right, a page and a story.)

MORE

For more about Pearson and Kingdom Keepers: Disney in Shadow check out www.RidleyPearson.com or www.ridleypearson.com/blog_kids.html.

Social Media: Twittering About Twitter?

Termed, micro blogging, Twitter is a great resource for expressing a personal brand, thought leadership and corporate brand.

Nielsen recently released staggering statistics about Twitter:

• It is the fastest growing community site increasing 1382% in visits in February 2009 versus February 2008;
• The majority of the user base (42%) is between the ages of 35-49;

Here are helpful tips for tweeters:

• Check out and consider using a hash tag when appropriate as it is a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic. #(insert topic)
• Change your bio often to reflect a description of a project, not just about you or the reason for your twitter page;
• Include a photo or logo to connect you or your brand to your tweeple for page personalization;
• Monitor your followers. Just because you have lots of them doesn't mean they are desirable followers. Check a few followers and see who they are and what they do ; - ) Let me know what you learn! (you can change your settings to accept or reject new followers); and
• Share the "love"birdies. Retweet! Copy and paste the original tweet, then put RT @ (insert originator’s username) at the beginning of the tweet and share the best links, tweets and gems with your followers. 

Still twittering about Twitter? Not sure how to use it for your business? Contact me today to turn up your Tweet volume and tune into Twitter.

Planning: Spiffing Up For Spring

Are your sales and marketing plans as bright, fresh and appealing as these Daffodils? Or more like a dried up bouquet of flowers that you haven't been able to throw out because they remind you of...something you can't seem to remember?

Or do you even have a plan?

My new online retail client Personalized Doormats, orginally contacted me to write two news releases per month as well as web and email blast content.

During our first meeting, I asked them how they currently integrated public relations (news releases, social media and media coverage) with other sales and marketing functions such as trade shows, email blasts, social media, promotions, special events, community relations, AdWords, etc. Their answer, "We don't. But we probably should. Can you help us with that?"

With their budget and goals in mind, I suggested they hire me to help them develop a sales and marketing plan the first month instead of writing news releases. So, we "worked together" the first month where I got their input and feedback. We had two, four-hour meetings; one, two-hour conference call; and four, one-hour weekly calls where I took them through a series of questions about their business, (past, present and future), competion, sales goals, personal business goals, products, customer service, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and more.

The end result, allowed me to take the information gathered to develop a six month sales and marketing plan, including a month-to-month timeline with activities and tactics. As well:

• They'd never thought about joining two key professional associations.
• Now, they are new members and have picked up new business from their memberships. 
• They have a blog, but rarely posted anything to it. 
• From new customer comments, product photos, special offers, tips, videos and news releases will soon begin being posted and in the next six months, as they build their business, they plan to hire me to "ghost write" blog postings on a regular basis.
• Their twitter and Facebook account was set up, but they had no idea how to use social media. As well, the sites were not set up or being monitored correctly for their type of business model. 
• Last week, we had a three-hour social media training session where I taught them how to brand their pages and how to use the various sites - twitter, Linkedin, Diggit, Flickr, YouTube and Facebook - the differences in the sites; kinds of communication messages to post (not overly sales-y, not hard news, but with the intent of it being interactive, educational and informative), how to integrate the various social media sites, fun tips and tools to manage them and how to post, paste, link and tweet from from a technical standpoint.

I am now writing news releases and also formulating a new sales program to reach a market segment they'd never thought about. Not only will it build my client's sales, but this program will allow this new BtoB market donate to their charity of choice while selling my client's product to their customers.

So plan your plan. Write your plan. And work your plan. With a plan, you will see where you are today, where you are going and next year, look back over a successful year and see what made the difference. Contact me today to spiff up your sales and marketing plan this Spring! And...while you are at it... Order a new doormat today and "Put a Spring In Your 'Door'step!"

SMT: An email teaser awaits

An evil plot is about to be unleashed upon Walt Disney World. The stakes grow higher every day, so stay posted. More clues to come.

What is this? It is a TEASER a.k.a. HOLD THE DATE

It is meant to:

• Entice the reader of the email;
• Arouse their interest;
• Peak some curiosity about what's next;
• Anticipate being pitched a story;
• Know something is happening on April 7: and
• To make them want to be a part before having all the details.

This teaser was just emailed to television media contacts and outlets in the top 20 markets. It is being sent in advance of emailing the Satellite Media Alert and then verbally pitching a Satellite Media Tour (SMT) with Author Ridley Pearson. The SMT will be on April 7.

There is more to come...And if you want a great teaser for your next campaign, contact me at mmonte@hotmail.com or 407-341-9866.

Marketing: Affinity Is A Kinship Connection

New Family Members Can Mean A New Affinity

The growth and success of online retail stores is a recent phenomenon. Shoppers have begun to trust online purchases and brick and mortar companies are selling the same offerings online sold in stores. Today shoppers can browse the web easier than walking through a shopping mall. With affinity programs, people can shop at stores such as Macy's, Target, and even Expedia while contributing to a nonprofit without spending any more money than shopping on that same company's regular .com site.

About 10 years ago, a marketing phenomenon errupted known as affinity marketing. I learned about it firsthand when I was hired by a faith-based credit card company to write news releases and copy for their new Web site. A percentage of each purchase made by credit card holders went to a school, charity or mission each month that had been selected by the card holder.

A client recently asked me to share a little more about affinity marketing. She wanted to know more about how affinity marketing could be a win for their company, nonprofits and online shoppers.

Affinity Marketing...

• Promotes a brand’s products or services to a niche audience;
• Leverages other companies and individuals to promote or build awareness;
• Partners a company, buyers and an organization with a common “affinity”;
• Is as simple as an endorsement from one firm for another firm’s products or services in exchange for compensation or value;
• Means purchases result in revenue for a company and a cause;
• Means companies are cheerful givers to the community; and
• Everyone wins!

The Challenges...

• Finding the right audience;
• Thoroughly exploring affinity group unique dynamics;
• Time to develop, test, monitor, and measure messages, offers and pricing;
• Impressing buyers to shift purchasing behavior;
• Working with the benefactor to spread the word through their communication channels; and
• Database tracking of purchases through different partners for causes.

The Benefits...

• Target audiences have a stronger inclination to purchase;
• Buyers are interested in receiving benefits;
• Results are measureable;
• Messages can continually be massaged;
• Partners get paid through small percentages;
• Feedback and information flows in from participants and buyers;
• Buyers feel good about purchases that make a difference;
• Can be a low cost way to improve customer retention; and
• Customers may receive perk discounts or offers to use for another purchase. 

The Opportunities...

• Naming the program to strengthen the brand;
• Focusing on unique ideas and concepts that may not fit mass marketing;
• In a slow economy, consumers spend more easily when a purchase helps something they care about;
• Beneficiaries receive revenue without asking for donations or hosting fundraisers;
• Sales commissions are “pay as you go” rather than upfront advertising or salaries; and
• Creating interest by giving back to the community.

Examples of programs...

• Credit card companies offer custom credit cards and a percentage of each purchase is donated to a particular organization. The organization and the credit card company may promote the credit card opportunity through advertising, Web sites, brochures, signage and direct mail.
• A grocery store chain donates a percentage of purchases to a registered charity. Customers registered with the store present an identification card or phone number at the time of their purchase and a contribution is made to the charity. The grocery store may promote the donation opportunity through store signage, news releases and advertising. The charity could spread the word at meetings, through news releases, newsletters, flyers and online.
• A restaurant holds a promotion and portion of an evening's proceeds goes to a supporter. The customer knows to identify themselves with the supporter when ordering. The supporter promotes the restaurant to their members in newsletters, meetings, flyers, through public relations and on their Web site.
• A service company offers a discount and cash donation to an association when someone in the association uses their service. In return, the association promotes the service to their members though various marketing channels such as newsletters, direct mail, and on their Web site.
• A retailer offers to donate a percent of online purchases to the benefactor of a fundraising event (bike race, run, walk fundraiser). The participants hear the offer when registering, receive a coupon or flyer in their goody bag and see the offer on event signage.

Steps to set up an affinity marketing program...
1. Establish rules of engagement;
2. Determine the mutual win for everyone involved;
3. Determine the management process and proceedure;
4. Establish non-compete agreements;
5. Ensure all partners are on the team;
6. Brand the program;
7. Spread the word; and
8. Watch it work!

Done right, affinity marketing can be a very powerful marketing tool to amplify a brand's awareness by attracting new customers, enhancing the company's community relations and boosting sales. Want to set up a success affinity marketing plan? I'll help you build sales through kinship connections, so call me at 407-341-9866 or send me an email at mmonte@hotmail.com.