Public Relations For Water Erosion

Writen by Lance Winslow

Water erosion is a huge issue along our coastlines and it is also a big concern in many areas with rivers, lakes and in places with peak run-off periods during the year. Water erosion causes bridges to fail, roadways to have sinkholes and severe issues with run away rivers over spilling their banks.

The problems can get so serious that many areas have specially trained swift water rescue units in case of such a disastrous problem. Nevertheless folks still often just do not get it and it makes sense to alert people to the real problems of water erosion and how to deal with it, as well as the potential dangers. This can be done thru a robust public relations program so that people will trust this information as it generates local community goodwill.

Information can be posted around town at libraries, city hall and perhaps even mailed to folks in 100-year flood zones as well. Too often in the news we see that folks have been flooded out from their homes due to a river embankment failing, a mudslide or a cliff giving way.

If water erosion public relations programs were done in advance to alert and educate the local citizens of the area many of these things would never occur. A little advance warning and education strategy in the local media could alleviate many of these concerns. Please consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Public Relations Mobile Auto Detailing And Community

Writen by Lance Winslow

Does it make sense for a mobile auto detailing company to be concerned about its image in the community and participate in a public relations campaign? It certainly does and all businesses can gain from such. Consider this case study if you will. A mobile auto detailing company decides to participate in a Neighborhood Mobile Watch Community Policing Program. But why, is it really a good fit? Sure it is and here is why;

The Detail Guys work on cars at car lots, parking structures, park and rides, and park and flys. They drive around all day and are often parked in a lot for many hours detailing vehicles. They work on busy car lots near busy intersections and often witness hit and runs, accidents and questionable activities. They know the youth in the car clubs, and who is good and who is bad in town. They will know if someone is casing the joint, to come back later. They always have a scheduling clipboard with them and a pen to quickly write down a number of a license plate jot down facts on the scene. They detail for realtors and Movers and Shakers in the town and help by their presence in the group to smooth over any political nay sayers, or "I didn't think of it so it isn't a good idea" people.

You see it really makes sense for companies to be more creative in their public relations strategies and become more proactive in the needs and desires of the local citizens and community. So, hopefully you will consider this case study in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Make Comments And Win Recognition

Writen by Bette Daoust, Ph.D.

Your site is most important to you, but it is also important that you extend your reach beyond your own site and contribute elsewhere. By contribute, I mean writing articles that others can post, joining newsgroups and adding your comments, writing rebuttals for other newsletters and articles. You want to spread out so that your name and expertise become recognized. If you do things only on your own site, you will remain famous on your site alone. Unless you market yourself to others in unobtrusive ways, you will never be recognized as an expert in your field.

You can send out press releases to e-newsletters and e-zines in the same way you do for print materials. Just as you need to follow up with your press releases in print media, you need to do the same within the Web. Locating the contact information for the editors of eMedia may be just a bit more difficult, and the mode of communication often is through e-mail. But if you just e-mail the question, "Did you get my press release?" you may be ignored. On the other hand, if you are able to find the phone number of the individual, you may find that a phone call will get you a lot farther and you may find your release published.

Even better, you may find that you get an interview. eMedia is often better distributed than print media. Having your name and touting your expertise in front of subscribers is just what you need to do to increase your chances of getting more business.

Send out a few test rebuttals to articles and see if you get printed. You should also parallel your efforts with the print media. You can make announcements for others to read about you in a specific Web e-zine.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprints for Success - Networking: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprints for Success Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2006. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

Dont Waste Money On Public Relations

Writen by Robert A. Kelly

Demand that it pull its own weight in your boat by working to create, change or reinforce how your organization is perceived by those vital, external audiences, those groups of people who REALLY affect your business the most.

This is key to your success because, like it or not, people take action based on the facts they see before them. And that can create behaviors that impact your business, sometimes negatively.

Why take any chances? What you need to do is take steps to create, change or reinforce that key audience's opinion by reaching them, persuading them and moving them to take the actions you desire

Does it work every time? No.

Is it easy? No.

Is it necessary? Yes.

I recommend working with a local public relations specialist because your work day probably leaves little time for this activity, and you may have minimal experience to bring to the party.

So, before hiring anyone, try out this notion on him or her.

What we know is that people will act on their own perception of the facts before them. And we know that those perceptions will lead to predictable behaviors, but about which something can be done. Then, when we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action those folks whose behaviors affect your business, the public relations effort is a success.

If you're met with the equivalent of a blank stare, look elsewhere.

Once you find a compatible public relations person, let's roll! For openers, you'll earn his or her enduring support when you commit to take action when your information gathering turns up troubling perceptions among those target audiences.

First, try to be a regular speaker in your marketing area, an interviewee for radio and newspapers, a sponsor of special events and an active member of local business and fraternal clubs. You put "money in the good will bank" when you do this, against the day trouble breaks out.

Start by staying in touch with groups of people whose actions help or hinder your operations. What do they believe about your products and services and your organization itself? Stay alert to potential problems. This is the fact finding, information gathering phase.

Then list your key audiences. But, at first, just the ones whose actions REALLY concern you. Begin interacting with them. They can include stakeholders like customers, employees, prospects, media, community residents, local government agencies and many others.

Make a promise to yourself to take the following actions when you discover a troubling perception.

First, set down your public relations goal. Examples: neutralize that negative rumor; pacify that activist group; restore the faith of that group of former customers, or reinforce your prospects' interest in your product or service.

In any case, left unattended, each can hurt your business.

Next, HOW will you approach the perception problem? In other words, what is your strategy?

We know there are just three ways to deal with such an opinion problem. Create new opinion, change existing opinion, or reinforce it.

Decide which it is, and proceed. But work closely with your public relations advisor by preparing persuasive messages carefully and creditably designed to counter the misconception you have uncovered. Try out the messages on a few outsiders to see just how persuasive they really are.

Now, you must select the communications tactics - "beasts of burden," I call them - to carry your persuasive message to the eyes and ears of that crucially important target audience.

You have a huge choice of such communications tactics ranging from emails, press releases, media interviews and newsletters to personal meetings, speeches, open houses and dozens of others.

But your job is still not completed. You must continue to monitor members of your target audience to measure not only awareness of your message, but how well is it being received, and even did it get there in the first place?

Then, if necessary, adjust your message content and the communications tactics.

To recap, until something better comes along, we have little choice but to track perceptions among key audiences the best way we can. Then, create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action those people whose behaviors effect the organization.

Adopting this kind of sequence puts the odds in your favor that the money you spend on public relations will not be wasted.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Robert A. Kelly © 2005.

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com; bobkelly@TNI.net

Introduction To Press Releases And How They Can Be Used

Writen by Falco P.

A major goal for many webmasters is to build many back links for SEO purposes to get their web sites ranked higher in search engines. As a result, many webmasters spend countless hours and hundreds of dollars to build links to their web site. However, there is an easy and inexpensive way to build dozens of links that many simply ignore. Public Relations is of key importance to any company or web site and often times, a Press Release is the greatest tool web site owners have to help spread the word about their company, increase buzz about the web site or the products that are offered, and build dozens of back links from multiple, reputable web sites.

Here, we will go through the process of writing and submitting a press release and include many tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your press release. A press release must be written in a special way and we will go through the process of how to write a press release and where to submit it for best results. However, before we go in depth into how you can best use a press release e need to explain what a press release is.

A press release is a document that is sent out by a company or web site when something that is notable regarding the company occurs. All of the articles you see in newspapers and on web sites such as CNN and Yahoo! are based of press releases that were sent by the company to PR Newswires such as PRWEB or PRLEAP, or sent to the media company directly. Obviously, there are thousands of press releases being sent to major media companies such as CNN or Yahoo! daily so, only the best written press releases that have significance to the average user gets picked up by these companies. Hence, we will spend a lot of time talking about how to write effective press release in future entries.

Now, the major purpose of the press release is for public relations and to get newspapers and other large media outlets to pick up the story and present it to a large audience to help generate buzz and interest; however, for many small web site owners who don't have the money to spend building major media contacts or paying someone else to send out your press releases to major media companies, free press release submission at PR Outlets such as PR.com and PRLEAP.com are an inexpensive way to build dozens of back links for purely SEO value.

A press release is of great benefit to any company and web site and we invite you to check back soon for all of the latest tips and tricks regarding press releases.

Falco Pangkey is the owner and writer of http://www.Freepublicity.eu. He writes about getting online and offline Free Publicity. To view more work by Falco, you can visit Public relations articles

Volunteer At Your Local Public Access Tv Station To Promote Your Nonprofit Organization

Writen by Aldene Fredenburg

If you have a favorite charity or nonprofit organization that promotes a cause dear to your heart, you might want to consider getting involved as a volunteer producer for your local public access TV station.

Public Access TV for decades has offered training and equipment that allows nonprofit organizations and individuals to create programming to be aired on local cable channels. Sponsored and funded by the cable TV industry, these public access channels offer volunteers training in how to operate cameras, lights, and editing and graphics equipment, as well as how to produce programming, and then turn their volunteer producers loose, with free access to the equipment, to produce their own shows.

This arrangement offers a valuable opportunity to communicate with local citizens about serious issues. Are you an environmentalist? Consider creating a program that covers one or more of the most serious environmental problems facing your area. Concerned about access to social service programs? Do an overview of the many governmental and non-governmental social service organizations in your region that offer assistance to people in need. Interested in the local political scene? Offer to interview all candidates for upcoming local and regional offices, asking them questions relevant to the issues they will be facing if elected.

Public Access TV is a valuable resource to the communities it serves, and offers a powerful tool for you, the concerned citizen, to highlight your concerns. If you've got issues or information you want to share with your neighbors, consider taking it to public access TV.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com.

Case Study Public Relations For A Landscaper

Writen by Lance Winslow

Public relations is important no matter what type of business you are in. Recently Landscaping companies have taken a public image hit due to their perceived use of illegal aliens for labor supply. It is important to re-establish such companies in the market place as safe and legitimate. One thing a landscaping company can do to propel positive public relations is to join the Neighborhood Watch Community and keep an eye out for the areas they work in.

How can they do this? By contacting the community policing officer and letting them know you wish to be involved and attending neighborhood watch groups and homeowners association meetings. You see a Landscaping company can help protect properties while people are at work and they are doing their business. How so you ask? Well consider if you will the following observations of landscaping companies;

LANDSCAPERS: In middle class America where most families have two bread-winners, the landscape business has flourished. It is not uncommon for a landscape company to have 10 units on the road. With these companies it is better to have stickers than magnets. They will lose magnets and you will have to replace them. The Landscape companies are very active and may hit 12-15 houses a day and up to 100 houses a month. They will have both commercial and residential customers, so they will be in shopping centers, business parks, government buildings, parks, golf courses, and housing areas. They are everywhere on a set schedule and very visible. Try to pick the Landscapers with the best image and the nicest and cleanest trucks.

Now then you can see with a little creativity and innovation you can promote a smart public relations policy with nearly any type of company. Just because a landscaping service company is not a glamorous business model does not mean it cannot have a public relations program and plan to promote goodwill. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Oprah How To Appear On The Oprah Winfrey Show

Writen by Cathy Stucker

Do you dream of being on Oprah Winfrey's television show? Lots of people do. An appearance on Oprah is considered by many to be the pinnacle of success. Authors dream of having bestselling books as a result of an Oprah appearance. Even David Letterman staged a long-running bit on his show where he openly campaigned to be invited on Oprah's show.

Before pitching your story to Oprah, become familiar with how the show is structured. Oprah changes the show's focus from year to year. Watch at least a full week of shows to learn the type of stories the show features and how regular segments fit into the show. As you watch, imagine how your story might be told on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Don't send your pitch to Oprah Winfrey. Watch the credits to get the names of producers who work on the show. If you have a media kit, send it to the appropriate producer. Tell them why you think your story is right for the show, and how you see your story fitting into the format of the show. Include a copy of your book, a product sample, a short video, or other items that help make your case. You can get the current mailing address at the Oprah web site: http://www.Oprah.com/.

The Oprah.com web site is a great resource to help you land a spot on the show. The web site includes a list of topics they're working on for upcoming shows, and tells you how to contact the show to tell your story. There are links for getting your story into O, Oprah's magazine, too.

You can also use the web site to research regular show features and the topics of past shows. That knowledge can help you target your pitch to the show.

Remember that Oprah and her staff watch television, read newspapers and magazines, and listen to the radio. They are always on the lookout for great stories. Get your story in other media and they may find you. Doing lots of other interviews will also be great practice for when you actually make it to the Oprah set. The Oprah Winfrey Show is based in Chicago, so you might want to make a special effort to get publicity in Chicago media.

Know the show. Visit Oprah.com frequently to see what guests they are looking for. Follow up and contact the show when you can make a connection with an upcoming topic. And have a nice time in Chicago!

Copyright Cathy Stucker. Learn more about how you can attract customers and make yourself famous with free publicity at http://www.IdeaLady.com/pr.htm

Public Relations Endorsements And Moral Character Considered

Writen by Lance Winslow

Public relations and goodwill of your brand often involves strategies which include endorsements from celebrities and sports heroes and in these contracts there are always clauses of moral turpitude and in these clauses often even if the claims against the person are not proven the company or corporation providing the endorsement can cancel the contract and get as far away from that person as possible.

For instance OJ Simpson was never convicted but obviously Hertz Rent-a-Car did not want him running thru any more airports for their commercials any longer right? We have seen athletes and celebrities do some down right stupid things from drunk driving, throwing M-80 Fire Crackers into a crowd to literally punching someone out on camera.

Although professional athletes are among the top industry where corporations look for endorsements from a public relation standpoint they are also the most problematic. Perhaps it is all that testosterone running inside of their bodies that allows them to be such great athletes and unfortunately seems to also get them in the most trouble.

Corporations that use athletes and endorsements must understand that those athletes are also roll models for younger generations. If those role models are fouled out and cause problematic situations in which their integrity is questioned or in which the mass media hysteria revisits their lack of moral character and judgment, it is generally time for those corporations to cancel such endorsements. Please consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Financial Planners Publicity And Marketing Live By The Calendar

Writen by Ned Steele

The media live by the calendar. Your story pitch might miss the mark with them the first time out, solely because it's out of whack with the seasonal cycle (obvious examples: just try pitching another tax story on April 16, or offering the media your 10 tips on backyard barbecue safety the morning after Labor Day).

But come back when the time's right, and you just might be golden: Personal finance and the holiday season… Record keeping techniques for tax time... Saving for college at back-to-school time.

In fact, for just about any topic, with a little thought and creativity, you can work your way through the calendar and fill out a whole year's worth of media stories based on seasonal tie-ins. You probably won't land every story, but you will increase your results dramatically simply because you are stepping up to the plate – and getting to contact reporters – more often.

Following the seasons is one of the best – and easiest – ways to slice your topic.

Here's one example. Let's say our topic – we consult, write, and speak about it for a living – is time management. A yearlong spin through the calendar might start with this:

January: Keeping that New Year's Resolution to get yourself organized.

March: Don't let income tax season throw a wrench into your busy life.

June: School's out! How to remain productive at work when the kids are at home and leisure activities beckon.

September: Fall's here, time to get serious again! How to make the most out of your time.

December: Holiday season – how to get it all done.

And before you know it, another year has arrived, and now your media plan is to …. start all over again! For two reasons: not every media outlet you're targeting did the story last year, and (this is the part I love!) many of the reporters who turned you down last year have since left their jobs and moved on. That frees you to call their replacements, who will be hearing your story for the first time.

Creativity exercise:

Try this right now. List the months of the year on a blank sheet of paper. Fill in one of your topics where it is appropriate for a particular month. See if you can find 6, 8, or even 12 reasons a year why the media should do your story.

Ned Steele works with people in professional services who want to build their practice and accelerate their growth. The president of Ned Steele's MediaImpact, he is the author of 102 Publicity Tips To Grow a Business or Practice. To learn more visit http://www.MediaImpact.biz or call 212-243-8383.