Sweat, blood and vigor awaited Rivers Agency as we took our ringside seats at the “Momma Said Knock You Out” fight night Saturday, May 8th. After several weeks of working with fight sponsors Rapid Fitness and Jawbreaker Promotions, we were able to witness the effects of our promotional campaign efforts.
Through local and social media outreach, the event, held at the Raleigh Convetion Center, had a packed house as headliner Paul “The Italian Hitman” Marinaccio fought in his hometown for the first time in two years.
We were thrilled to see clients Ed Brantley and Heba Salama, season six winners of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and Rapid Fitness Wellness Ambassadors, come out and enjoy the festivities as well.
Success in the Public Relations field comes in getting good press. But, getting good press is not only about having a good story. Building solid relationships with the media is essential – at Rivers Agency, our relationships with our editors are a HUGE priority! In today’s fast paced environment, email has become the default mode of communication. But in PR, it’s imperative that you don’t let yourself get stuck in front of the computer screen all day. As we have found time and time again, getting on the phone with the media will yield better press coverage. Here are some points to keep in mind:
Emails Are Easy to Ignore
An email is easy to overlook, but a phone ringing on your desk is not. An editor gets tons of emails every day, and she’s often going to have particular projects in mind as she goes through them. Plus, an emailed press release can’t showcase all of a story’s possibilities. That’s where a good phone pitch really does the trick!
Once An Editor Gets to Know You, She Puts You on Speed Dial
Taking the time to call an editor and help her develop a story will leave a lasting impression. By being responsive, respectful and resourceful, you’ll find that you become her “go to” when she’s working on her next piece.
Be Tactful
Of course, not all editors and reporters will respond favorably to your calls. And who can blame them, with all the irrelevant pitches that likely come their way! We ALWAYS take the time to research our media outlets and editors, learning about past articles and the content of the publications. Then, when picking up the phone, we are armed with relevant information. Even then, we always respect a deadline. Don’t be a pest.
Be Persistent
If you get an editor’s voicemail, leave a message, but call back after giving them some time to process your message. Don’t leave additional messages — clogging up her inbox won’t win you any points — but make an effort to catch her while she’s there (and not on deadline!). A message can be ignored just as easily as an email, but a friendly, well-informed and creative pitch is more likely to have an impact.
While your New Year’s resolution to eat better or exercise more may have already fizzled, carrying through on that resolution to update your Web site is a must for boosting your business in 2010. Updating the content, design and image of your Web site is a simple and effective way to attract more visitors to your Web site. Use the following five tips to add a fresh look to your Web site:
Make your writing concise and catchy
Web site visitors may have a short attention span, so catch their eye with catchy and clever headings. Once you have their attention, be concise and avoid language that might be confusing. Organize the Web site’s content in logical ways so that visitors can easily find the information they need. Visit http://www.inclusionproject.org/ for a great example of a Web site with eye-catching content.
Employ a user-friendly design
Your site has to be easy to navigate, otherwise visitors won’t use it. Create straightforward, relevant links that will lead visitors to different sections of the Web site. The home page should be simple and accessible. Make it easy for people to explore! Visit http://www.lebolaw.com for an example of a Web site with a user-friendly design.
Present a clean, crisp image
Don’t use flashy background designs or unappealing images on your Web site. This tactic can make some text and links unreadable and may give visitors a headache. Instead, use complementary colors and sharp images so that visitors will be drawn to your Web site. It’s important to catch your visitor’s eye, but focus on using a single image or logo and stick to a consistent color palette. Visit http://www.opusphoto.com to see a Web site that makes a big impact with a simple design.
Have a clear plan
Don’t try to put all your information on the Web site’s home page. Instead, let it serve as the visitor’s guide to the rest of your site. Provide short, simple and well-organized links that will easily direct your visitors to the information they seek. Visit http://www.newgrowthlandscapes.com to see a Web site that has a well-organized plan.
Brand yourself
Your Web site needs to be consistent with your image. Everything you do defines your brand, and a good Web site design can help reinforce your visual identity. Use colors, logos, pictures and symbols that complement your brand. Also include slogans, tag lines, or a short mission statement that will tell visitors what your brand is about. Visit http://www.liveintheorchard.com to see a Web site that creates a strong brand image.
Don’t simply resolve to redo your Web site–do it! Investing a small amount of time in your Web site now can yield positive business results now and later. Best of luck, and let us know how your redesign efforts go!
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