Renown Blog

Renown Client Robert Covington of eNable Business Solutions and BizTech, interviewed on 'The Bella Buzz' with Bella Web Design CEO Desiree Scales. Listen to the full interview for small business technology tips that can work for you!

Change is in the Air-and in Print

Print media has never been the same since the recession-but that change may be for the best. Publications are focusing on efficiency, while updating interactive content and providing more access to information for readers.

How does the changing media landscape affect your business' public relations and marketing efforts? Keep tabs on those reporters and writers covering your industry, and be considerate of their time, task juggling, and recent stories when you feel you might have an idea to share with them.

Here's a breakdown on what's happening in Atlanta's biggest newspaper:

AJC’s Newest Chapter Built on Solid Traditions

by Shawn McIntosh, AJC Public Editor

This morning marks something of a fresh start for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The content for this newspaper and ajc.com was gathered in the usual manner, but it was edited and designed in a newly renovated office building just across the street from Perimeter Mall. The move to the new office, first announced in August, has been months in the works. Most of the business staff moved in the past two weeks. The newsroom’s transfer was staged over the weekend to limit disruption to newsgathering. There was none. The newspaper has enjoyed more than a century in downtown Atlanta, first as the separate Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution, and since 2001 as a combined newspaper. And we will miss our downtown neighbors. But this move made sense for our company and for our readers. A year ago, the newspaper was losing money. Business leaders moved quickly to turn that around, making a series of painful expense cuts that included trimming home delivery to outlying regions and reducing staff. Printing was consolidated at the company’s Gwinnett County plant, meaning the downtown presses were no longer used. And so the downtown office, which was expensive to maintain and no longer fully utilized, became an obvious choice for savings. As difficult as those cuts were, the work paid off. The AJC has been profitable for the past several months. And in the face of necessary changes, the newspaper maintained its focus on what is essential to readers: a comprehensive report with deep local news, business, sports and entertainment coverage; a diverse mix of opinion and expertise; and in-depth watchdog reporting on topics that matter to all of metro Atlanta. This past week, the newspaper made changes to Pages 1-3 of the A-section, beefing up national and international news. More changes are coming in the months ahead, as we continue to listen to readers about what they want and need from the newspaper. The newspaper will continue to aggressively cover all parts of the metro area from its new home and from bureaus at the state Capitol, Fulton County courthouse, WSB in Midtown and in Gwinnett County. Technology also allows our journalists to be more mobile – being where the news is happening. The new building is designed for better collaboration and outfitted with technology suited for the new media world. For employees leaving 72 Marietta St., the move marks a time to reflect on the past as well as focus on the future. And so, at a staff meeting last week, the newsroom honored some key individuals, including the longest-serving employee, the first to work in the building, and a couple who met at work and ultimately married. Fittingly, the staff also honored the newsroom’s newest employee, a young woman who will cover Cobb County. She and other journalists, working out of the new office and across the metro area, begin the AJC’s newest chapter today. That new chapter will build on the best traditions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution while embracing journalism and innovation that will serve readers for decades to come.

Interview on The Bella Buzz Podcast with Bella Web Design CEO, Desiree Scales and Joe Magennis of Be Fluid Media:

"Best Public Relations Practices in a Social Media World: Interview with Rebekah Lovell from Renown PR"

http://snipr.com/v1lmr

The Plus of Packaged Pitching

Want to gain some steam in your pitch to a media outlet but are getting nowhere? Need an edge to push your idea over the top? Consider 'packaging' your angle with other like-minded products or services and you're probably more likely to land a further reach than you expected.

Editors and reporters write for their audiences; You pitch for your product or service. Why not present a bundle of resources for their latest article or topic and it's a win-win?

One new such service that does this for you, is www.pitchwithme.com. Their reasoning?

"Whether you’re pitching a trend … or a human interest story – two (or more) resources are better than one. Journalists are being asked to do more with less — which means they don’t have time to chase down interviews. Smart PR people realize this and are finding ways to help journalists. Another way to help busy journalists? Instead of just pitching your client, provide reporters and bloggers with multiple sources. Within agencies, this kind of “packaged pitching” is already taking place; however, freelancers, boutique agencies and small businesses don’t always have these kinds of resources available."

For example: you see on ABC Magazine's Media Kit or Editorial Calendar that April is 'Small Business Tech' Month in their features department. Pitch your IT Guru's expertise with a neighboring business or firm's network security services. Maybe throw in your friend's latest software program and you've got a home run pitch.

Media Relations is all about understanding exactly what the media wants, needs, and delivering it in a professional and timely manner. Act as a resource and mutually beneficial relationships can form.

Some Tips on Landing the Coverage:

1. Paint a Visual-Great idea for all media types but essential for TV and magazines. Elaborate on what X can do for Y and the benefits. Readers/Viewers/Listeners will take away_____. Provide photos as an added bonus.

2. Send or Donate Product (if applicable)-Get it in their hands. *Caution-Take care to read the exact submission guidelines of every media outlet to ensure delivery. And no cheesy-over the top promotions, please.

3. Have a New or Unique Angle-Know who you're pitching and their beat and what topics they've covered lately. Do you have a tie-in that could work for their next story? A related trend or current event? Example: For Small Business Tech month, you pitch reporter Joe at Local Tech Magazine your packaged products/services while offering your Tech Guru's expertise on iPhone Apps for small business sales.

Have you had success with a Packaged Pitch? Let me know!

Sneak Preview of the NEW! Renown Website!
Coming Later this week...
Designed by @BellaWebDesign / www.bellawebdesign.com

Media Secrets Series

An inside look into the who and how of hidden or hard-to-find media information and opportunities. "How to Pitch _____" for PR Do It Yourselfers who have time to promote their own product or service.

Ever wondered how products or experts get onto your favorite shows like Dream Home, Divine Design, or Renovation Realities? Now you can have the same chance at bat.

Today-How to get your product into the right hands for consideration on HGTV Shows. 

Visit http://resourcedirectory.hgtv.com to list your Product, Expertise, or show idea for consideration in the resource pool for HGTV show producers. All products are selected out of this pool and there is special consideration (naturally) to products given at no cost to the show. While they probably won't mention your product name, it will still garner the exposure of millions of viewers tuning into these popular shows. You will be listing product details, specs, and availability as well as your contact information. Good luck, and see you on TV!

Stay Tuned for more Media Secrets in this "How To Pitch" Series!

It's 2010! And You're Going Places

400 Overlook Business Park's Goal? Fill Spaces with new Tenants!   Located in Alpharetta, GA just off Highway 400.

They New Year has rolled around, don't feel overwhelmed, left behind, or distracted...just YET! Get 5 minutes down time and write it all down-your GOALS. You've got a lot of plans that need to hit paper and now's the time to do it. Here's a few concise tips from Bernadette Boas, The Boas Group Corporation:

1. Define and document your 2010 goal plans. Focus on: Business, Career, Finances/Income, Health/Fitness, Family/Relationships

2. Take those 2010 Yearly Goals and define smaller Monthly Goals with the Tasks and Activities that need to be done that month to achieve those goals

3. Focus on TAKING ACTION on those goals each and every day

4. Track your progress and adjust as needed

Also Check out the concept of making a Vision Board (For all you visual learners out there-myself included!) Where you document your goals by photos, clippings, etc. to see yourself accomplishing your dreams as the year goes on. View this CEO's example that gets her motivated about the months ahead.

Happy New Year! Look forward to sharing insights with you this year, and learning from each other as we make progress toward our personal and professional goals this year.

COMING SOON: A NEW Renown Website! Look for the totally redesigned PR Website of the year-(er, maybe)-in the next few weeks!

SHARE! Not Just a Button...

Sharing vs. Search-

Using Social Media to it's fullest? When sharing useful information, photos, or videos between your social networking sites, hitting the share button can help you reap more rewards than you'd thought. Reported from "ShareThis:"

• Sharing can make up 5-10% of your overall traffic.
• Sharing can make up 15-30% of your search traffic.
• Sharing drives 25-50% more engagement (page views/unique) than search.

ShareThis network saw a 200% increase in “shares per page view” in 2009: This means that on average, for every page view served on your sites, you doubled your rate of sharing. 

And on Another Note-

What have you shared lately? It's the time of year when wallets are emptying for those near and dear, but what about the less fortunate? Take a few minutes today to see what you can do in sharing your time, energy, or resources with those in need around you-they're not that hard to find! Whether it's a neighbor who has been out of work for a few months that needs toys for their kids, or a canned food drive at your local walmart-pitch in and share what you've got! A little goes such a long way!

How to Regain Trust in Your Brand

Had a recent slip-up or mishap in your company or business' products, services, communications?

All is not yet lost.

As we're embarking on a new year, there is hope for regaining trust with your clients, consumers, and constituents.

Read this great post for more!

Check out this Recent Post from TrendWatching.com. If you're wondering what could be big in 2010, this is the insider's peak for you: http://trendwatching.com/briefing/ . Timeliness is everything, in communications, marketing, sales, etc...Whether you're releasing a new product or service, or just want to see what your cmpetitors might be up to...