I've recently started to use Twitter as a means of pitching my clients. Public relations is still quite a new line of work, but the reality is that PR professionals cannot always just do the same thing, we cannot always rely on sending a pitch and making follow-up calls to see success in our work. As PR professionals we need to keep evolving and thinking of new ways of reaching media. I think Twitter is a great way to do this. Why? Because first, many reporters are doing freelancing and don't have a specific outlet, phone number or email address, and second, most of the reporters we're trying to reach are there and posing questions to their followers! Here is what I've found to be the most successful ways to start the conversation with the media you want to through Twitter.
1. Introduce yourself. Don't jump right into your pitch, especially if you've never contacted this person before. Say "hello!" Otherwise, you're being creepy and rude.
2. Keep it brief. This may seem like a given, as it's Twitter, but try to keep your pitch to the point and don't send more than two tweets relating to the pitch. No one wants to read a book when they check their @ messages.
3. Don't use "netspeak." It's your prerogative to tell your BFF that you're "LOL"-ing at her joke and will "<3u4eva," but keep it professional for a pitch.
4. Link it up! 140 characters isn't going to be enough to hook someone (or event get them to remember what you're talking about five minutes later), so include a link with all the details.
5. Keep the conversation going. Don't pitch and ditch - keep engaging with your new contact (even if they decline your pitch)! You might be making a valuable relationship.
Have any experience with this sort of pitching? Please share your story! Happy tweeting!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Day Has Come, Companies are Finally Giving Something Back to Employees
For the last three years during the 'Great Recession' employees have felt nervous to ask for more from their employers, worrying that their jobs were at stake. But, the day has finally arrived that companies are giving back to hard workers.
Economic analysts say that often when the market resets, some companies' high-potential employees will start looking or new opportunities because they hung in their during tough times and want a fresh start. In order to survive, many companies have cut all of the perks they used to give - pay raises, flexible hours, even free coffee - but more businesses are realizing that if they want to hold on to their best employees they need to give them back the things they enjoy.
As the economy recovers, employers are bringing back the goodies. Some are conducting employee surveys, hiring humorists or just bringing back the coffee and cookies that have disappeared. Here are other examples:
FedEx and MPR are reinstating 401(K) and 403 (b) matches.
Ford Motor Co., which was thought to be closing soon, actually saw a raise in sales this last year and plans to hire 7,000 U.S. employees
The St. Paul Hotel has said that business has picked back up and they are restoring most of its 275 hourly works to full-time status. Also, they are breaking out the brownies, cookies and popcorn to revive its all-employee meetings
3M Co. froze wages in 2009, but now has reinstated merit pay last year.
Cambria Inc. rehired about 70 laid-off factory workers last year.
The Marsh fitness club in Minnetonka held its first staff party January 7th after a three-year hiatus.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cool PR/Fundraiser Idea From Minneapolis Based United Way
A new fundraiser website lets donors grin while giving. In a way you can call it a way of "turning that frown upside down."
The Happiness Exchange website shares depressing statistics - "32 percent of people living in poverty are children," and "1 in 5 American adults can't read enough to get by" - and allows donors to replace them with a smiling video or photo of well, you.
I heard about this fundraiser being managed by the United Way of the Greater Twin Cities and thought it was a neat idea. The site, (http://www.happyexchange.org/) allows donors (it's attracted those who are pretty tech savvy) to post a snapshot or snippet of their grinning faces over a sad fact that they are helping change with their gift. Further, the idea is that benefactors can 'look around' and see other fellow givers, resembling the title sequence of the classic show "The Brady Bunch" in which anything but good cheer was frowned upon.
Know of any other neat fundraisers? Please share!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Year's Most Innovative Products from Good Housekeeping
Recently, I read an interesting article from Good Housekeeping, in which they named the 10 most innovative products of 2010. After reviewing 1,650 products, the GH Research Institute chose its winners and I wanted to share them with you below. Can you guess them before taking a look at the list below?
Nikon Coolpix S100PJ Camera, $430
When the gang wants to see the pics you just snapped, it can be a drag to huddle around a teensy camera screen or take the time to upload images to a computer. This point-and-shoot camera is the first to include a built-in projector, capable of casting images that measure up to 40 inches diagonally. Features like 12.1 mega-pixels, 5x wide-angle zoom, and image stabilization (to keep shaky hands and moving objects from ruining the shots) help you capture clear, enlargement-worthy photos. This newfangled technology may bring back the old-fashioned family.
TravelChair and Cocoon Bunk Sack with Insect Shield, $60 and $30, respectively
Whether camping in the wild or sitting on the sidelines of a soccer game, you'll want this portable chair. An insect repellent embedded in the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time (and is also EPA-registered and appropriate for use by children and pregnant women). The bunk sack has been similarly treated, and can be used by itself or as a sleeping bad cover for a no-itch night under the stars. (Travelchair.com)
Remington Frizz Therapy Straightening Iron, $50
If you've desperately tried to tame your curly coif only to have tendrils spring up at the first hint of humidity, you'll want to try this new flat iron by Remington - the only one that has conditioning polymers covering the plates. These frizz-fighting substances coat and smooth the hair while the heat straightens it. (stylewithremington.com)
Brondell Perfect Flush, $79
This simple system is the first to turn early any toilet into a water-saving dual-flush uit, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. And it will slash up to $100 per year off your water bill. Installation takes a half hour or less, even for an inexperienced DIYer. The two-sided button sits atop the tan or can be mounted to the side with double-stick tape. Press one side for a small flush, the other for a full flush (or any of 10 increments you can set). (brondell.com)
Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer, $15 for two
From the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before? file: THis 27-inch wire skewer makes cooking up kabobs virtually hassle-free. Meat and veggies slide right on, and the whole thing coils to fit easily into a bowl or resealable bag for marinating. Once the grill's going the skewer can be snaked around other food - no need to move burgers in order to make room for long, straight sticks. (amazon.com)
Dolby Volume from Dolby, price varies
Annoyed by blaring commercials, deafening movie action sequences, or hushed dialogue that's impossible to decipher? Stop fiddling with the remote and listen up: Using complicated computer engineering, the folks at Dolby have developed a way to even out sound levels and eliminate your TV noise complaints for good. The Dolby Volume technology is currently built into most Toshiba Regza television ($1,300 to $2,400), but it's expected to become the standard in home entertainment audio (along with versions from competitors SRS Labs and Audyssey). We like the sound of that. (dolby.com)
Carbona 2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner, $8
Grimy oven racks are a pain to wash (especially because you can't leave them in place during most oven's self-cleaning cycles). And, after a season of barbecues, grill grates can be even worse. This simple kit lets you ditch the scrub brush and soak away the burned-on crud. The oversize plastic bag is roomy enough for two racks or grates - put them in, pour in the cleaner, and let sit overnight. Any residue that hasn't dissolved by that point can be sloughed right off with a scrubby sponge. (carbona.com)
HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web All-in-One Printer, $399
Passive printers are so passe. This new HP doesn't need a computer to tell it what to do: Using a wireless Internet connection, it can access a variety of specially designed Web applications (such as Google Maps, weather, and USA Today) through its own touchscreen control panel. Once you find the info you need (say, grocery coupons or movie tickets), just print and go. This machine also copies, scans, faxes, and produces high-quality photos... and, of course, speedily prints documents from a computer. (hp.com)
LG Steam Dishwashers, $1,049-$1,399
Do you run separate cycles for crusty pots and pans (which need powerful cleaning) and delicate glasses you want to protect from chipping? Or run a full wash cycle for stored dishes that are more dusty than dirty? Machines in this new LG line are the only ones that let you select different water-spray settings for the top and bottom racks. They're also the first to have a short steam-powered freshening cycle for quickly and gently cleansing china of dust and film - while using less than one-third the water of even the quick wash cycle. (lge.com)
Procter & Gamble Swiffer Sweeper, $11 for a starter kit and $4.79 for refills
A GoodHousekeeping.com poll asked readers: Which product has stood the test of time and made a significant improvement in your daily life? The SwifferSweeper came out on top - and we're not surprised. It truly changed the way we clean. The cloth whisks up dust and hair better and faster than any broom bristles can, and which less hassle than hauling out the vacuum requires. Used with wet cloths, it's even an efficient mop stand-in. Plus, the low-profile head ducks under furniture. How did we live without it? (swiffer.com)
Nikon Coolpix S100PJ Camera, $430
When the gang wants to see the pics you just snapped, it can be a drag to huddle around a teensy camera screen or take the time to upload images to a computer. This point-and-shoot camera is the first to include a built-in projector, capable of casting images that measure up to 40 inches diagonally. Features like 12.1 mega-pixels, 5x wide-angle zoom, and image stabilization (to keep shaky hands and moving objects from ruining the shots) help you capture clear, enlargement-worthy photos. This newfangled technology may bring back the old-fashioned family.
TravelChair and Cocoon Bunk Sack with Insect Shield, $60 and $30, respectively
Whether camping in the wild or sitting on the sidelines of a soccer game, you'll want this portable chair. An insect repellent embedded in the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time (and is also EPA-registered and appropriate for use by children and pregnant women). The bunk sack has been similarly treated, and can be used by itself or as a sleeping bad cover for a no-itch night under the stars. (Travelchair.com)
Remington Frizz Therapy Straightening Iron, $50
If you've desperately tried to tame your curly coif only to have tendrils spring up at the first hint of humidity, you'll want to try this new flat iron by Remington - the only one that has conditioning polymers covering the plates. These frizz-fighting substances coat and smooth the hair while the heat straightens it. (stylewithremington.com)
Brondell Perfect Flush, $79
This simple system is the first to turn early any toilet into a water-saving dual-flush uit, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. And it will slash up to $100 per year off your water bill. Installation takes a half hour or less, even for an inexperienced DIYer. The two-sided button sits atop the tan or can be mounted to the side with double-stick tape. Press one side for a small flush, the other for a full flush (or any of 10 increments you can set). (brondell.com)
Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer, $15 for two
From the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before? file: THis 27-inch wire skewer makes cooking up kabobs virtually hassle-free. Meat and veggies slide right on, and the whole thing coils to fit easily into a bowl or resealable bag for marinating. Once the grill's going the skewer can be snaked around other food - no need to move burgers in order to make room for long, straight sticks. (amazon.com)
Dolby Volume from Dolby, price varies
Annoyed by blaring commercials, deafening movie action sequences, or hushed dialogue that's impossible to decipher? Stop fiddling with the remote and listen up: Using complicated computer engineering, the folks at Dolby have developed a way to even out sound levels and eliminate your TV noise complaints for good. The Dolby Volume technology is currently built into most Toshiba Regza television ($1,300 to $2,400), but it's expected to become the standard in home entertainment audio (along with versions from competitors SRS Labs and Audyssey). We like the sound of that. (dolby.com)
Carbona 2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner, $8
Grimy oven racks are a pain to wash (especially because you can't leave them in place during most oven's self-cleaning cycles). And, after a season of barbecues, grill grates can be even worse. This simple kit lets you ditch the scrub brush and soak away the burned-on crud. The oversize plastic bag is roomy enough for two racks or grates - put them in, pour in the cleaner, and let sit overnight. Any residue that hasn't dissolved by that point can be sloughed right off with a scrubby sponge. (carbona.com)
HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web All-in-One Printer, $399
Passive printers are so passe. This new HP doesn't need a computer to tell it what to do: Using a wireless Internet connection, it can access a variety of specially designed Web applications (such as Google Maps, weather, and USA Today) through its own touchscreen control panel. Once you find the info you need (say, grocery coupons or movie tickets), just print and go. This machine also copies, scans, faxes, and produces high-quality photos... and, of course, speedily prints documents from a computer. (hp.com)
LG Steam Dishwashers, $1,049-$1,399
Do you run separate cycles for crusty pots and pans (which need powerful cleaning) and delicate glasses you want to protect from chipping? Or run a full wash cycle for stored dishes that are more dusty than dirty? Machines in this new LG line are the only ones that let you select different water-spray settings for the top and bottom racks. They're also the first to have a short steam-powered freshening cycle for quickly and gently cleansing china of dust and film - while using less than one-third the water of even the quick wash cycle. (lge.com)
Procter & Gamble Swiffer Sweeper, $11 for a starter kit and $4.79 for refills
A GoodHousekeeping.com poll asked readers: Which product has stood the test of time and made a significant improvement in your daily life? The SwifferSweeper came out on top - and we're not surprised. It truly changed the way we clean. The cloth whisks up dust and hair better and faster than any broom bristles can, and which less hassle than hauling out the vacuum requires. Used with wet cloths, it's even an efficient mop stand-in. Plus, the low-profile head ducks under furniture. How did we live without it? (swiffer.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)