public relations

The heart of a perfect PR plan

By Tatyana Gann

Ready to develop a PR plan ?

You might ask me, “Tatyana, why do I  need a  PR plan and how can it help me to reach my goals in selling  more of my products?”

How long have you postponed putting together a PR plan? May be it is time to get moving forward!

In the past few weeks I have been writing press releases and researching what our publicity clients were really seeking to achieve with their PR plan?  I realized that in order for me to be effective and efficient at what I do I had to put my entire heart into it!

One of my clients Mari Ann has approached me to help her with a mini publicity campaign to share a story of one of her clients success story. To be brief, Mari Ann is the founder of The MARI Method, a permanent weight loss program that helps her clients to achieve long term results and stay healthy.  We have tweaked her first press story and sent it out to the media list of health, fitness, yoga, celebrity lifestyle reporters, editors and writers. Her press releases got attention, and she has received several emails from the editors asking for more information and even a request for an interview.

It was exciting to see how we could easily match her with the right media sources and bring the media exactly what they wanted. The message reached out people who have a passion and a heart for what they do.

In my Star Publicity: Step By Step Guide I wrote recently what it took to get the star level publicity. We are not talking about celebrities, movie actors, musicians. We are talking about you being a star in your own backyard.

How do you do that?

It is all about heart!

I realized also that understanding what my client wanted and putting together PR plan that consisted of the right media list, keyword research and communicating with editors on her  behalf was the best strategy. always think ahead. Always research before you approach media. They want to be asked what to present to them.

My client has an extraordinary passion for what she does and when everything got aligned, things worked smoothly and brought REAL results with what seemed to many- NO EFFORT. WHY?

Publicity works ONLY when you heart is in what you do!

Like everyone you have a story to tell the people on the web. You have got a pretty blog or website, but sometimes you feel stuck! The reason could be is what you do is not what you really love . It is only one good idea and nothing more. You become an advertising machine instead of powerful passionate storyteller.  People do not want the advertising that only sells and sells! They want real connections! They want to trust YOU!

But can they trust you if they feel you are wishy-washy about your  business?

Let me ask you a question. If you were a customer would you want  your product and services after seeing how it got presented? It does not mean you must act like a fool about your products and lie that you are in love with them. Being real and honest with yourself will help you to determine the best and clear PR plan.

Here are my two golden publicity tips today:

Tip 1: If you do not have a clear publicity plan like in anything you do, you will fail and your expectations for PR services will be low. Some people say you can write a press release in 30 min, but for me it is a piece of art. It is a masterpiece. It takes research of topics, trends to get the buzz going and find what people discuss on the particular topic and if it makes sense even to write press release.

Tip 2: Writing press releases for your business is one of great options to reach your buyers and media. PR plan is very important for a business owner regardless the size of their company.

Enjoy your day!

Tatyana Gann

Tatyana Gann & Smokin’ Hot PR http://www.smokinhotpr.com/ Ready to get access to the simple formula for creating a proven marketing and online PR campaign? It’s time to get back to the basics and enjoy simple PR and marketing methods that work around the clock. Learn how you can tap into the markets you never thought possible and how to establish your online credibility very fast. Tatyana and SmokinHotPR consulting is an online PR service on steroids – it gives you a quick and simple formula to do your own PR and eliminate marketing headaches.

Marketing Lessons From Seth Godin’s Action Figure

By Tatyana Gann

What can we learn from the best selling author Seth Godin?

On Saturday afternoon I found myself in the action figures section of a toy store in Franklin TN, while my boys were looking at their favorite toys when I saw something and I could not believe my eyes, the action figure of the best selling author Seth Godin.

To my surprise, it was the last doll on the shelf, and even though, they had other action figures of many famous people, Seth Godin figure got my attention. The creator got everything right about its design, even his socks. Well, but no purple cow!

Later that day I posted that photo on Facebook, and it got so much attention!  My facebook friends went WILD! One of my friends asked me, “Tatyana,  did they have a purple cow toy too?” Everyone was so anxious to learn if I got the toy and how cool it would be to use it for my training series. Tweeps on Twitter were tweeting my Twitpic Seth Godin photo.

One big lesson I learned that day that Seth Godin has become a marketing legend.  His impact on the marketing world brought fans around the world  and made him the best blogger, the best selling author of books from “The Linchpin”, “The Purple Cow”, ” Tribes”. In public relations branding is vital. His brand is recognized even in a small historical town of Franklin TN.

His style, his unique personality enabled fans to put his products in front of their friends and create more than just a customer base. It is building Seth Godin ‘s fans empire!

Seth Godin earned his amazing publicity on the web by being authentic .  He became known as the guy who speaks about tribes, a purple cow and why you must be a linchpin.  He is a true wizard, a philosopher that everyone respects online.

When I thought about his influence online and even offline I saw the the following:

1. He is unique

2. He stays true to what he thinks and speaks

3. His books tell the brutal truth

4. He knows how to engage into conversations with his audience

5.  He is not AFRAID to be different

6. His offline PR is superb. He reached new customers with an action figure.

7. He is an innovator

8. He is a mindset teacher

9. He teaches how to be human in business relationships

10. He loves to be shocking and controversial.

What do you want to be known for in your business community?

Your business is about YOU, your passions and sometimes being controversial, unique is WHAT people are seeking.

Being  YOU is the best online PR for your business and it will get in the right places. It will bring your the ideal clients you are seeking without forcing your product awareness down your potential customers throat!

One more thing….

Are you ready to get the best publicity for your business, share your story and let your customers put your name in front of each person?

We have got special fall classes for you! Please share with your friends!

Click here to read about our PR 2.0 University
We look forward to serving you!

Tatyana Gann

Founder, http://www.SmokinHotPR.com

Public Relations Myth #1: Public Relations Promotions Are Only For Ones With Fat Wallets!

By Tatyana Gann

“Learn About The Public Relations Promotions Myths and How You Can Become Your Own Publishing Powerhouse!”


Do you get nervous when you start talking about running public relations promotions? How many times do you hear “I do not have a big company, I do not have a big budget and why do I need public relations campaigns?” Do you immediately think of big tall buildings, the office with big glass walls, busy looking faces trying to do something called “Public Relations”?

Just couple weeks ago I had an interview with two amazing online marketers, and we discussed the importance of public relations promotions and how small business owners, online marketing professionals have been viewing them. My friend told me when she thought about PR, she immediately thought about big tall buildings with billboards, offices with busy people working and being busy bees in the Public Relations department. We think of public relations as something really stale, boring, expensive and not necessary!

We do not realize that public relations is about people! In the book by Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge, “Putting People Back Into Public Relations” they say it very clear. It is about PEOPLE and lets put people back into public relations. Lets allow them to make decisions for our business growth. Lets talk!  Sadly, some do not get it and keep selling leaving the most important element is conversation with people! I interviewed Deirdre Breakenridge back in the winter, and we talked about power of public relations and what changed in the past year!

What has happened with the role of public relations today?

Free PR methods are gaining momentum. Today it is about engaging with people through stories, social media, videos and more. People are waiting to tell them a story and ready to listen! What about you? Are you ready to listen?

People are ready to listen to your story and engage into conversation with you, your business and products!

The truth is that every business owner should think of themselves as the OWNER. They own company. They want to go big in their business, but the moment they think about PR campaign they hide under the rock. They believe it is not for them. It is VOODOO! They overlook one of the most important elements of a successful business, they forget about the bridge that connects buyers and their product-Public Relations campaigns

Every serious business owner wants the best PR campaign. They want to build the name for themselves, they want to be known as expert. They establish a persona.  They become known as “someone who has done something very cool” in their community!  They get the celebrity status.

However, some business owners still today confuse the role of public relations in their business. They miss the whole point about power of PR for their business and leave it as an unanswered question with the hope that one day it will get resolved on its own.

Instead they must embrace the  possibilities of what PR can open up for their business, and see what changed and what still works the same!  They got used to old fashioned methods of public relations campaigns such as:

1. Television
2. Radio
3. Magazines
4. Events

They are still great PR methods that are being used up to this day and and major companies cannot live without them.  With one condition- a big fat wallet to pay for it! Just few days ago I was speaking to a man who owns jewelry store, and to be in one of fashion magazines the jewelry designer had to pay over 40,000 dollars for one page advertisement and pr campaign. Wow!

The bad news..is your budget!

If you are a newbie where do you find such PR budget? That is what makes small business owners upset. They do not always have budget for PR campaigns. They give up and start looking at other options. They only use social media pitching their products. They give up. They move on..But…There is a better way!

Did you know free PR methods exist but you just do not know how to call them? You can use free online public relations strategies today known as PR 2.0 strategies that combine the power of public relations with social media, such as Twitter and Facebook platforms.  The wide  usage of videos, images, stories, blog content and interaction with the right people strategically can be and will be the essential part of free pr campaigns. You must put all together in one package and do it right!

In my recent interview with Jason Kintzler we were discussing the growing influence of PR 2.0 and how a business owner can share stories via PitchEngine, PR 2.0 publishing platform.  Each business owner can have free pr and become a publisher on its own and reach their customers directly without paying high dollar public relations campaigns fees.

Consider public relations campaign?

Here is what you need to consider and be clear about:

1. PR is the bridge that keeps the bond between customer and company, your product

2 PR campaigns do not always mean TV, radio, magazine ads

3. PR campaings today mean less money, more effective and fun!

4. They are about people. FINALLY! They allow you as a business owner to engage with your customers. Once you solve problem, the customer is YOURS.

5. You can learn to run PR campaigns on your own

6. Social media has always been a part of PR campaign and you are already using it.

7. Online PR rooms are easy to set up.

Online PR rooms must be a tool for an effective PR campaign. Build your name by telling what you are about and find out what matters to your clients.. Find connection between you and your client. Be a problem solver!

8. It is not quick deal. It takes time to run effective PR campaigns. At least 90 days.
Yes you can do it fast if you have right connections in place!

It is time to see new possibilities that PR 2.0 can offer in a world wide web for your business regardless the size of your company, the size of your company wallet and the tools you have! PR 2.0 allows you to awake creativity in your mind and use the most important element is your relationships with your customers. Natural, easy and simple!

Enjoy your week!

Tatyana Gann,

Mompreneur, Founder, PR 2.0 consultant

http://www.SmokinHotPR.com