Want to learn the truth about your business? Hire a blogger.

January 24th, 2007 by John Herman, under blogs, client communication, marketing, public relations. No Comments

Want to learn the truth about your business? Hire a blogger … says a recent article in Inc. Magazine. They chronicle the hiring of an outside blogger to blog about the company BzzAgent in a project they call: 90 Days of BzzAgent.

I am not sure how much I agree with blogging completely about the ins and outs of your company. I am more of an old school "using a blog to become an expert" kind of guy. I do see how showing how you work, especially when it is a fairly new concept like BzzAgent’s word-of-mouth marketing service, could be the best sales material.

Their take on the experience of using a professional blogger to write about BzzAgent:

No doubt this was an interesting experiment, but could it or should it be tried by other companies? "I absolutely feel other companies could benefit–if they have the stomach for it," says Pearl. "If you trust that the message will be honest and clear, then go for it."

This kind of blog really does open communication with clients and potential clients, but is it too much information?

Read the full article here.

I Want To Be On Oprah

December 6th, 2006 by John Herman, under public relations, publicity. 1 Comment

One sure way to launch your career is to make an appearance on Oprah. She’s helped launch the TV careers of Dr. Phil, Rachel Ray and Ty Pennington. Of course, they were doing fine on their own, but having Oprah endorse them, helped their businesses and their careers reach new heights. The whole reason you want to be on TV is to promote yourself. So the best way to do it is to solve a problem. And the best way to get on the Oprah show is to solve a problem for Oprah and her audience. If Oprah loves you, so will millions of others. Click on the "Be a Guest" link on The Oprah Winfrey Show Web site, for a list of show subjects the producers are currently working on. It’s a lot easier to land an appearance if you fit their needs. Steve Harrison, publisher of trade magazine Radio-TV Interview Report and resource directory Bradley’s Guide to the Top National TV Talk & Interview Shows says "Anyone can get free publicity if they know how to do it." He has helped 12,000 people land top spots on America’s top-rated programs:

• Today: Pitch ideas that are tied into a current news trend or recent event.
• The View: Study the hosts’ personalities, and pitch ideas that would appeal to a particular host.
• Live With Regis and Kelly: Pitch your ideas on Monday or Tuesday rather than later in the week, since all show decisions are made at the beginning of the week. "And you’ve got to be funny," Harrison says.
• The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: You have to do something off-the-wall or wacky to land on this show. Having a celebrity spokesperson for your product or service also helps.
• Larry King Live: "It’s difficult to get on this show if you’re not a celebrity, unless you’re very qualified to discuss something that’s in the news," Harrison says.
• Good Morning America: Do something visual, and use props. For example, the authors of a relationship book who talked on the air about common couples’ arguments brought a "Gripe Bag" containing a remote control, a checkbook, car keys and other props.
• Finally, to get on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the "holy grail" of publicity, Susan Harrow, author of The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah, suggests offering to solve a problem for Oprah Winfrey and her audience. Also, don’t pitch ideas during sweeps weeks or summer hiatus (they’re too busy concocting ratings-boosting blockbuster shows), and don’t suggest topics that involve sex, psychics or diets.

If you can’t pitch your idea to Oprah, there are many other TV shows that might be interested in what you do. It’s all about marketing. Read the full article on AOL’s Small Business Blog http://smallbusiness.aol.com/grow/marketing/article/_a/ready-for-your-close-up/20051213182709990001