|
|
e_Marketing Blog What Makes A Good Blog? Since I'm writing a series on "Creating A Successful Blog" I've been looking (not very diligently) for other opinions on what makes for a successful blog. One thing I've discovered is that there is no magic answer to this question. First of all, every blog speaks to a different audience in a different tone of voice. So what one group likes another group will find boring or maybe even overtly aggravating. I stumbled on an instance of this today when I followed a link from Lisa Barone's post called "Six Kickass Writing Resources for Bloggers". First on her list was "What Makes a Good Blog?" by Merlin Mann. Now I must admit there are several things in Merlin's list which I agree with, but I find the overall tone fairly aggravating. For instance, he says, "People start real blogs because they think about something a lot...They make and consume smart forebrain porn. So: where do this person's obsessions take them." Frankly I don't see why "obsession" is a necessary part of blogging. Is it because in order to do real blogging we must express our personality; and expressing our personality necessarily involves creativity; and because creativity is so relatively scarce and difficult that it will not happen without an obsessive focus on something? Or is this just the way an obsessive person looks at it? Of course it takes all types. But there is a certain arrogance and air of superiority about talk of obsession and creativity that I can do without. SmartyPig Social Saving Here's an interesting idea. SmartyPig.com is like an online piggy bank with a social twist. You create an account where you set a specific savings goal. Say you want to save for a new computer. You need $1,000. You create an account and then let your friends and family know what you're saving for. They can make contributions (or not). You can contribute to their accounts too. SmartyPig also has partnered with "top retailers" to offer you deals and cash incentives. It's free and you can even earn interest on your deposits. WiMAX for Portland WiMAX service will soon be available in Portland, Oregon. What is WiMAX? It is a wireless alternative to cable or DSL. For a number of years this technology has promised to revolutionize the delivery of "last mile" service connecting homes and offices to internet access points. But these days the focus is more on mobile applications that make it a viable alternative to standard cell phone services. The provider of this service in Portland will be Clearwire, a company formed through joint cooperation of Sprint, Clearwire, Google, Intel, Comcast, and Time Warner. WiMAX will not be significantly cheaper than the alternatives, but it does promise to offer greater potential for merging disparate services such as internet, cell phone, Voip and cable tv. |
EasyTrainerOnline.com is about online training - basic training courses, articles and demos of online technology that is used for training. Sources for corporate and institutional training programs.Online learning, online education resources. Media Darlings: The Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Working with the PressApr 28, 2006 - Linknet Business News Media Darlings: The Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Working with the Press by Susan A. Friedmann - Many exhibitors don’t know how to work effectively with the media. Exhibitors wring their hands in despair when not a single word about their new products show up in the trade publications. It's a no-win situation – but it doesn’t have to be!There’s a saying in the newspaper business: Advertising is expensive—but editorial is priceless! This simple phrase speaks to the fact that readers trust and value any information they read in an article or column far more than any data they glean from an advertisement. Even when the facts presented in an article and an advertisement are identical, the results are the same. Positive editorial coverage is worth its weight in gold. Yet many exhibitors don’t know how to work effectively with the media. I hear it all the time – from both sides of the aisle. Exhibitors wring their hands in despair when not a single word about their new products show up in the trade publications – and reporters get irritated, frustrated, and downright disgusted with those exhibitors who seem to go out of their way to make getting a good story possible. It’s a no-win situation – but it doesn’t have to be! Here are ten do’s and don’ts about working with the media at a trade show. Remember, the press is not your enemy! Reporters have a job to do, and nine times out of ten, it’s in your best interest to help them do it. You both win – they get good copy for their story, and you get editorial coverage. Do: Do your homework before the event. Develop several newsworthy angles that showcase your message. Emphasize timely information, such as industry trends, statistics, new technology or products, do-it-yourself tips, techniques or strategies, and useful advice. Human interest stories are great because they allow writers to put a ‘face’ on what could be a dry nuts and bolts story. Don’t: Decide what story the reporter is going to write before they even get to the show. Sure, you might have all these great human interest angles or wonderful quotes, but if the reporter is trying to put together a succinct, ‘just-the-facts-Ma’am’ story, that’s just extra noise the writer doesn’t want or need. Listen to what the reporter is asking for, and provide that. Do: Build a working relationship with the press. Get to know the editors and writers. Volunteer to be a resource for them. Reporters keep ‘source lists’ -- people who are informative, friendly, and quotable. That’s where they turn first when they need to write a story on a particular topic. You want to be on that source list. Don’t: Snub the little guy. Just because someone is writing for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce today doesn’t mean they won’t be editing the most prestigious trade journal tomorrow. Professionals move in the media with amazing speed and regularity – but they take their memories with them. Burn a reporter when they’re nobody, and they’re going to remember when they’re somebody! Do: Have a good press kit. Include interesting and timely information; a one-page company bio sheet - corporate structure, executive staff chart, sales figures; complete product information - specs, distribution methods, pricing; good product photos or links to on-line FTP sites where photos can be found; key contacts. Everything must be accurate and verifiable. Unique packaging is good if you’re unknown, otherwise, don’t bother. Don’t: Pad your press kit with tons of ‘fluff’. Short and to the point is much better. Avoid gimmicks, head shots of your CEO, outdated, false, or exaggerated information. Misleading statistics can be the kiss of death – give context for all numbers. Standard sized folders or smaller is best, as these easily fit into bags and briefcases. Do: Make every effort to spread the word. Coordinate with show organizers at any media events they host, and make sure that plenty of your press kits are available in the media room. Post all relevant information on line, so information can be accessed after the event. Hold press conferences when appropriate. Don’t: Hold a press conference ‘just because’. Press conferences are specifically for major announcements, new product introductions, but only if they are truly new or improved, or general industry trends - what’s hot and what’s not. If you host a poorly organized event when nothing newsworthy is shared, you’ve just irritated a whole room full of reporters. Not a good idea. Do: Keep your promises. If you schedule an interview, be available and on time. If you arrange to have materials sent to a reporter, make sure they’re actually sent. Promised photos should be as described. Reporters work tight time frames, so when you fail to deliver what they’re expecting, they don’t have time to come back looking. They’ll move onto another, more accommodating source. Don’t: Assume that the reporter knows everything about your industry, especially if they are from a general interest publication. Provide background data, give real-world examples, and avoid industry specific jargon. Spell out acronyms at least once, and explain the relevance of any awards, certifications, or honors you may be discussing. Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and tradeshow training. For a free copy of “10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make”, e-mail: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; website: http://www.tradeshow-training.com Article Source - Trade Show Tips
Linknet-News.com provides daily news summaries in article and RSS format. |
|
|