SEO and Press Release Basics

We’ve written about press releases and Search Engine Optimization before but we’ve had some questions on the topic lately.  You know we frequently recommend press releases which have been optimized.  Here are some basics: Read more

How to Create a Media Alert

Over the past few weeks, we’ve suggested the use of a media alert more than once; time for some basic info on what one is, how to use it and how to create one.  First off, what it isn’t:  a short press release.  In general, a media alert is used before an event and a press release is the actual news. Read more

New Year Resolutions – or Not!

I’m not a big fan of New Year Resolutions. What’s the point, really? You sit and think about all of the things you wish you did better the previous 365 days and then promise yourself you’ll fix them in the next 365 days. Doesn’t sound very healthy to me to jump on the “I promise to do better at…” bandwagon.

What I do enjoy in the New Year is planning out new goals and commitments for the coming 12 months. I look at it as my own personal marketing calendar. When I sit with clients and we craft ways to deliver their message, create new content, and engage new customers, it all comes down to setting expectations and formulating a plan.  Let’s see how my personal marketing calendar compares to a business. Read more

Seriously folks: Serious marketing for serious people

Or, conversely, funny marketing for funny people?

Last week I participated in a pitch contest event run by The Capital Network. Like most pitch events, most of the startup entrepreneurs were there for the connections and not really interested in the $100 gift card and bottles of wine prizes.  (Although nice…)

But one entrepreneur took the pitch to a whole different level with a song he composed and sang himself.  Amusing and well done, it didn’t land him in the winning spot but it generated a lot of conversation about the humorous approach.  Big risk, potentially big rewards. Read more

The Secret Sauce

Every PR and Marketing firm has their own secret sauce.  Their own special way of doing things.  I was recently told that part of our secret sauce is that we ask really good questions.  As part of the initial “getting to know you” process, we ask a lot of questions as we prepare to represent a company.  And while this list may look long, this isn’t exhaustive. Read more

So You Want a Job in Marketing…

We recently started looking for some additional team members.  As usual, I was simultaneously excited and appalled at the response.  I want to hire the best and brightest.  I want to feel the passion, excitement and enthusiasm rolling off the candidate in waves.

After a few hours of wading through the resumes, I often start to feel that I should focus on getting someone who takes the time to actually read the job description and respond in a semi-coherent manner.  (And, in the interest of fairness, I also got some damned AMAZING responses.  Wow, awesome, awesome responses.)  So, in the interest of getting even more good responses (and through those responses, more excellent candidates), here are some helpful hints. Read more

Winning the Coverage Lottery

You had the good fortune to win the lottery — a fantastic article about your company or product!  YEAH!  But before the team starts celebrating, what are you doing to leverage the coverage?  Here are a few ideas on keeping exposure working for you: Read more

What Does Your Landing Page Say About You

Both yesterday and today, a startup took a big, expensive (for a startup anyway) step and purchased an ad in the Help-a-reporter out (HARO) newsletter.  I like the idea of the website — a giveaway website devoted to promoting a single product every day. Like the “I wear your T-shirt” guy(s), the site would attract eyeballs, build a following and promote sponsored products out to a general audience.  Since many of the HARO readers are marketing people and small businesses, seems like a good match.  One problem… Read more

Wordcamping Above my Pay Grade

I’m spending a good part of my weekend at BU with several hundred others at WordCamp Boston – lots of developers and designers but also lots of folks like me; marketing and bloggers are not in short supply. Read more

Are You Making Marketing Hard? (Iced Tea)

With the hot weather in Boston, we’ve been drinking a lot of iced tea.   We make it in a gallon jug.  Boil the water, throw in the tea bags and then, “Bingo,” you have tea.  Refrigerate or serve over ice. Not difficult. In fact, simplicity itself. Read more