Toot Your Own Horn...

Public and Media Relations have not really changed... just the tools. At one time if you had a milestone... an announcement... anniversary... product announcement... general interest article... sale... etc... you would send it out as a press release to local, and possibly national, print, television and radio outlets in hopes that they would broadcast the release. It was a form of free marketing. If you could make it interesting and relevant, you could get some good mileage out of it.

With social media, you know have a tool that increases the exposure and reach of those same releases. You can inform a much wider audience in a very short time of what you want to say.

Unfortunately though, I do not see many businesses, professional, non profit and charitable organizations doing this. The ones that I do see doing this are not using it to its full benefit. Everything you post should have a call to action for those that read it. This way you can measure the reach and effectiveness of your efforts. You must be your own champion for your business and cause. If you don’t do it, why should anyone else? In addition, each release should be tailored to the objective you are trying to achieve.

I have sent out local press releases that were picked up by major outlets that had a profound benefit and effect for the organizations that were the subject of the release.

Any release should be sent out to desired media outlets as well as social media. Also, don’t forget the power of blogging.

If at anytime you need help with the process, I would be happy to talk to you about what can be done, how it can be done, and how it can be measured.

Rob MacArthur
Marketing and Communications Specialist