Month: February 2010

Hot Topic and It is Not “The View” : Can We Put People Back into Public Relations?

By Tatyana Gann

“How to Put People Back into Public Relations and Why Online PR is the Flame to Your Business Success”

Special Guest on My Blog Talk Radio Show Deirdre Breakenridge

Have you ever thought about what is wrong with Online PR? Do the ancient PR methods work? What have changed in the past years with the explosive growth of social media networks?

Have you missed the interview with awesome Deirdre Breakenridge? Listen to my interview with Deirdre Breakenridge on  SmokinHotPR Blog Talk Radio Show

Are you ready to learn how to transform your thinking about using Online PR services and why new PR as the flame to your business and also the core to your business success.

  • Learn how to stop being a journalist and unlearn the way you do your online marketing: the new language of PR.
  • Learn how to become an enthusiast for your company.
  • Learn how to build relationships that matter and create effective results that will bring consistent flow of online traffic.
  • Learn how to use social media to create a masterpiece marketing campaign combining with PR methods
  • Learn how Social Media Releases and Video Releases can be a powerful tool to create viral traffic
  • Blogger Relations: Blogging is not BLAH, Blah.. as Deirdre says in  her book
  • Plus many cool ideas to help you to grow your business and attract the clients and referrals.

I have personally read the book “Putting People Back into Public Relations” written by Deirdre Breakenridge and Brian Solis and I strongly recommend to read this book and read between the lines because every time you read it you will find the wisdom and powerful advice.

SmokinHotPR Blog Talk Radio Show Details:

Feb 25, 2Pm EST

Call-in Number: (646) 716-8501


Look forward to seeing you there!

Tatyana Gann

Your SmokinHotPR Radio Show Hostess

Blogger, Mompreneur and Just Cool Girl

Our guest speaker Deirdre Breakenridge is President, Director of Communications at RFS Marketwyse. She leads a creative team of PR and marketing executives to gain brand awareness. She has written several books about PR 2.0 and Brand Building. To learn more about Deirdre Breakenridge connect with her on Twitter http://www. Twitter.com/dbreakenridge

Who took the “Face” out of Facebook?

By Tatyana Gann

“How to put “Face” Back into Social Media and why we don’t want “faceless” friends”

Have you ever had a “Facebook friend” who you’ve never seen what they look like? These are the kind of people who use their product or something else as their avatar and they are never quite revealed.

Just last week I had a heated discussion my Facebook Wall about deleting Facebook friends who have no “Face” . I meant photo or use fake images to represent who they are.  I did not expect that this short usual note would bring over 69 comments and I promised my readers to write about it because I think I pushed everyone’s hot button. I am sure it felt like getting burned by “curling iron” and jumping from realizing it is HOT topic. People are afraid to talk about it and keep poluting their network with faceless friends.

People are afraid to talk about the problems with their their network of faceless friends…. I mean come on…… they have NO FACE!

Here is what I said “I am going to be deleting people with no facebook photos… We are here to connect with real humans and build relationships. So if you want to be friends please honor what Facebook is about.. It has “Face” in it.”

Wow in less than 24 hours 69 comments and my facebook friends expressed their views  and energy was very high. We loved our discussion and that is why I am writing.  You can view this facebook discussion thread . Just make sure become my true friend and love to hear your contribution to our hot topic.

So who took the “Face” out of Facebook? If you really think about the true purpose of facebook or any other social media platform you will see it is all about communication. It is sharing your ideas, thoughts, videos, stories, advice and much more. Facebook is growing rapidly and reaching 400 million users. That is huge.  According the recent stats Facebook is much bigger than some countries. I knew it, we created an awesome city with cool people. We can build relationships with no boundaries no need for foreign passports and no need for visa approvals and long flights across the ocean. We can  meet our friends and learn about their life, their family photos, videos from their recent trips and feel what they experience.

Can you imagine being with your friends having coffee at Paris cafe or having a great coach teaching you the most cool business stuff, who lives thousands miles away but one mouse click away.  Have you ever thought  you would  be connected with hundreds and thousands of people using simple platform such as Facebook? You have just created your own little neighbourhood where you know your people. Isn’ it that powerful?

One word connects everyone is the “FACE”... Your face is your key to the door of powerful connections. Your image, your persona is what defines the true meaning of Facebook. People meet you by your face first and read about you second.  They connect with you by what you want your friends perceive you.

Establishing a persona is MUST. You are not a commodity. You are a BRAND!

Personally, for me creating a personal brand and being authentic is always the only way. It is about representing what I want to be known for on Facebook. When people mention my name, I want to be know as the creator of “SmokinHotPR Ezine”, the girl who came to America with 200 bucks to her name and started her life and business from scratch and created a new spin on PR  and inspired business owners to re-spark the fire with Online PR.

What do you want to be known for? What is your persona?  Think about it. For example every time I think about Facebook I think about Mari Smith. When people talk about Facebook  I think of Mari Smith, the woman who knows everything about Facebook and knows Facebook marketing inside out.  She is my encyclopedia resource when it comes to getting answers right away! Also Mari is known as  the most bubbly person you can meet  with scottish accent and who loves color turquoise. Just imagine if she did not have a face but just Facebook logo… Hmmm . She would not be then Mari Smith!

The power of the “Face” carries true meaning of Facebook. It is about being authentic. It shows your values you have in your business, family and life in general. Using the right “face” you will connect with the right people. You will never have to lie to people who you are and your network will consist only of people who are your reflection. What do you see in the mirror? What do you want your friends to be like?

Facebook is about MEMORIES. Can you create photo albom without photos and faces?

Recenly I reconnected with an amazing woman Sandi Krakowski whom I met few years ago through direct mail advertising. How much times have changed? I found her on Facebook couple years later and was very surprised to discover that  she became very successful copywriter and an internet marketing coach. It was a joy to find people you cherish the most. That is another point I want to make. Facebook is about MEMORIES. Memories you have created with your friends, school mates, college friends and you have reunited. It is a true union. Facebook is also a place where memories are created. It is about true connections, new friendships and sometimes I heard people finding their true love on Facebook. That could be another story! Your story is a memory you leave for people. Your face becomes your footprints!

Then why in the world people forget to put a photo or use images that have nothing to do with they represent. Some people can argue and say we represent this company brand. Great! Wonderful! Then create separate Facebook fan page but remember no matter if you are CEO of the company or run a small bakery in town of 2000 people, everyone wants to know you. People constantly hear the teachings of false teachers who preach on how to use the Facebook and they confuse people. One of the coolest people I met Scott Stratten shared this video  about mistakes people make on Facebook. It is called “Don’t Be This Guy on Facebook” Excellent points and I hope you enjoy!

I believe having no photo for long time or using fake photos is disrespectful to your friends on Facebook. Plus it is like showing fake ID when you are asked for. Honor the rules of Facebook and you will reap the amazing rewards of beautiful connections. If you don’t care or do not get it then it is a lie life you want to live. You do not see the true picture of what Facebook is about or any other social networking community from Twitter to Ning or even Myspace.

Great point David Meerman Scott made on his blog about US Airforce. It was called “The US Air Force: Armed with social media” The point was that fear sometimes keeps people from being personal and I think that if you choose to be on Facebook then you need to be YOU and not somebody else image or fake ids. If US Airforce can do it and encourage everyone to use it then you can feel safely to use your photos.

He said that that if US Airforce encourage their people to use social media being top security government agency then why in the world people find excuse not use real faces and do not use social media correctly as it is intended.

Yes I touched the nerve and glad people liked it. We are about connecting with real people not vitamin bottles or a picture of ocean or your cat. Nothing wrong with these photos or images but they have to serve its purpose and be in the right folders.

My advice : If you are truly serious about connecting with the right people and want to build successful relationships and make solid business connections, then you MUST clean your friends list and create an open space for the right people to join your inner circle. Once you de-clutter your facebook community you will feel relieved and clear about your purpose in life. You will be able to build your brand using your own photo and what you represent. Be you! It is much more simple and do not require to spend extra energy to be someone else!

Thank you for listening,

Have a great week!

Tatyana Gann

PS. Love to see your comments! Share with your friends and lets create our little neighborhoods!

Quantum Leaps, Frogs Steps and 200 bucks..

By Tatyana Gann

“How to create quantum leaps in your business by making frog steps….”

Valentine’s day is almost over. I was enjoying it with my family even though they are sick wit pneumonia and even pertussis. I still cooked an amazing pork roast and chocolate almond cake and even  had a glass of red wine for dinner. It was fabulous!

When your children get sick as a mom I want to gather all my energy and forget to slow down and express gratitude for ability to handle many situations and people who help me.

Today I am grateful. It has been almost since 16 years since the day I took my first test to come to USA as an exchange student. I came to this country with 200 bucks to my name and 2 little old suitcases. I had fears of speaking, understanding American English but one day down deep inside I knew if I did not do it now, when then? I had to jump and move forward fast. I realized it had nothing to do with luck or super talents. It had to do with timing, taking action.. Fears can only paralyze you for short time and distract you from your goals. I believed into something I did not see. I believed in the future that I created- to come to America and prove myself that I could do it.

Leap of faith does not happen accidentally. Leap of faith is based on couple things: Love for yourself and believing in yourself so much that you do not take NO for answer.

For me today Valentine’ s Day is not about love only. It is about serving, giving, sharing my talents.
It is not about one day. It is about doing this consistent action every day. It is not about just loving your spouse and your kids and being completely different with your coworkers, business partners. Love does not have boundaries. Love spreads evenly. Love is about service…

Sometimes we ask ourselves if we are good enough to serve and be valuable to the community. How far can we go in our knowledge. believe me! I have been there… I felt little, depressed and not loved.
I realized it was my personal issues and I had to grow up and experience that growth. Every stage of life has new meaning, new purpose. You must be grateful for every step of your journey, even it seems so little to you and you think it does not do any good. One day you will see it DOES.
Time is the best remedy for the past and time is the best test to know who you can truly become!

Love yourself, love your mind, love your body. Honor what you have got. You are very gifted and planted on this land for reason. I believe EVERY person has a gift. Sometimes we often look in somebody else bowl so to speak to see what they got but we must realize we need to look what in front of us.

I met many special people who opened my heart and my mind to possibilities and saw in me what I never did. When you follow your passion, right things happen. When you are in harmony and have strong faith in yourself and higher power, the right people come and lead you. Situations occur that you never thought possible. You discover who you are and get surprise and ask yourself “Really, it is me”. Take Action with little things you must do every day. Rome was not build in one day. Believe you can build it!

Have a great week!

Tatyana Gann

The importance of mind cleansing and recharging your batteries for your business success

By Tatyana Gann

In the past week I literally felt I was falling apart. I got a bad cold and bronchitis and on the top of it, I lost my voice. I have not been able to talk for almost two weeks. I sounded like a cigar smoker. My computer started acting up and then my video camera and photo camera decided to play tricks and stopped taking photos. I could not make videos for my new coaching program due to voice and camera issues… but wait the problem was not in camera and computer… It was more than that… It was ME…

Then one day last week, I opened the book the Key from Joe Vitale and I was reading about attracting certain things in our life and sometimes our mind made us to take vacation and get some needed rest. Our mind starts a cleansing process because it tells us “Enough, lady, you must rest”. Well, I do not listen and I go on. Then my subsconsious mind tells me, “Are you going to listen to me because if you are not, I would break your laptop and all you need for your new product so you can stop and relax?” I do not listen and move forward like a bull and I say to myself ” I am strong, even with no voice, swollen from coughing face, red nose, I am still strong” .. Well today I planned to run errands and it started snowing. It was a sign for me to slow down, relax, enjoy. I did some EFT exercises that my coach Helena Medena Summer recommended. She is an amazing coach that helps people to create a delicious life with EFT coaching.

Then later I decided to stop doing EVERYTHING I planned and enjoy my cooking time. I made my famous Beef Boulignon, the recipe I have discovered when I got inspired by Julia and Julie movie and the french flair. I felt I was in my own world where I could express myself with food, spices, and I was recharging myself through cooking. As you might have read, the aromas of seasonings play a huge role in our well being. They work as aromatherapy, a very simple healing method.

The point of my story is this: No matter how long you try to postpone your mind cleanse, taking care of YOU and understanding that your mind as well as your body needs to detoxify so it can get to the original state. When you feel like you are falling apart, do not panic, but embrace it and love it. Honor your feelings. Honor yourself NOW and not later when you feel it is the right time. The right time never comes unless it is now. You must take care of yourself because world can wait but your body will tell you and your mind will lead you into the conversation with yourself where you will see yourself as a person falling apart physically and mentally. The reason I am telling you that because I have been there. I have experienced breakdowns and learned to recharge and how to be conduit of energy rather that battery. It takes time, practice and patience.

I learned that if I were not well, I could not focus, accomplish things well and it took me much longer to recover. That is why my computer, my camera and even phone were saying to me “Hold your horses, Tatyana and slow down!”

Want to create success in life? It is not only about marketing methods, my friends. It is about learning about yourself, discovering your weaknesses and how to use your strength to your advantage! Once you learn how to live in balance and harmony, your success will come. When you feel emotionally drained success cannot find where to park. It has no room for it. Then success does not need to be chased. It will come to you when you feel right and refreshed inside. Remember it! You must remove extra baggage and the best way to do that through daily work- to meditate, hire energy healing instructor or EFT coach to guide you on how to remove blocks that cause everything and yourself to fall apart. Rest, love yourself, be yourself. Be aware of your feelings.

Enjoy your day!

Tatyana Gann

Connect with Tatyana Gann On Twitter

New Press Release Rules: How can business owners increase their sales

By Tatyana Gann

Press releases have been an effective marketing method for many business professionals, corporations and small businesses for generation. From announcements and news in a traditional publication to online distributions the press release is still considered to be the authority.. However, some business owners have believed that press releases as a marketing method were only written by journalists or for journalists and that you had to hire an entire PR team to get your message to your audience.

Let me tell you the best news. You are the messenger! You can share news to your customers and potential clients now! You can grow your business with press releases, as one of public relations tools available today for any business owner. You do not have to know the mechanics of the internet and understand why it works. You do not need to read “guru” manuals that teach only theory or old school. You are dealing with people today who are seeking true authentic companies, businesses that care about their customers and clients.

The roles changed. Your customers became your “boss”… Really? Yes.. They control your brand. They tell if your product or service sucks. They give you feedback and it is up to you to accept it and be grateful and then you must adjust your marketing campaign. Only then, you can truly experience a real business success: have your customers happy, increase in retention and more new customers. The press releases can do that for you. They are longer written to the media, journalists or some “boss” who has to approve to share your news or not.

You can directly approach your customers with your press release and compel them to do the following:

1. Get on your list via landing page
2. Buy from you right then (if your offer in the press release is strong enough)
3. Refer others by sharing it with their friends, business partners.

The beauty is that social media became your business saving platform and you have to cherish it. You have to treat it right. You must develop relationships with your customers on Facebook, Twitter, Ning or other networks because they are the ones who will share your press release.

The main core of press releases have not changed and you still talk about what, why, when, where and who. However you must research your buyers and who they are and what language their speak, meaning how do they like to start and keep conversation going. You want to know their PAIN and JOY and write to them and not dry language of news reporters. You must learn to be a storyteller even in a press release. You must use case studies, videos, links related to what you talk about to give them the full picture of who you are about and why they should trust you. Only then they will reach out for their wallet and trust YOU by becoming your new client or a customer.

As you improve in learning how to blend PR and social media and find the right ingredients that your customers want from you, every time your press release goes out, they will know it.

Again I encourage you to build relationships with your customers via social media, blogs, video communities and learn about them.

Three principles you must know to establish yourself as someone they can trust and buy from:
1. Be a good listener. Do not just hear what you think you need to hear and move on. Listen to every feedback, their needs, their feelings. In some way, hide behind the curtains and watch them.
2. Respect what your customers are saying. So often we deny the fact that our products or service is bad. We cover up. We put temporary makeup, but eventually you have to learn to respect your customers and learn from them and about them.
3. Write to them. Write press releases that can solve their concerns and pains. Share it with them via Twitter and Facebook groups. Share your press release with other business owners via blogs. (we will talk about blogging relations later in my newsletter)

The rules changed for your good to bring you new clients. I consider it HUGE advantage for many business owners. They did not have that luxury before and today with one click of the mouse they can connect with their clients, competition, potential customers and many more right from their Twitter or Facebook platform. Your business and product have not changed, but the rules did and if you want true business success, you must obey them and apply them in your business practices to experience growth.

All you need is to roll up your sleeves and start paying attention to the most valuable source of your success- PEOPLE! As David Meerman Scott in his new edition of “New Rules of PR and Marketing“, which I absolutely believe one of the best PR education books, would say, “Get to know your buyer’s persona” Amen to that David! It is a brilliant and common sense approach that we often overlook!

Best to you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tatyana Gann

Tatyana Gann is the author of Smokin’HotPR weekly newsletter on PR tips and advice for business owners. Connect with Tatyana on Twitter at @smokinhotpr Get her weekly PR newsletter at http://www.smokinhotpr.com

How can effective publicity affect our client attraction and retention?

By Tatyana Gann

When it comes to creating publicity for your product or service people get scared and run away. Business owners think of creating publicity as something like Tabu deal. The beauty of successful publicity is that it will give you either credibility in front of the sceptical buyers or even more sales in front of you must be very clear where you want to be. You must set certain goals and also understanding that we are not anymore in 19th century where publicity was one way street. Plain news, reports will not bring good results. Time changed. We are entering social media age where publicity is a two way street.

In order to give your product best publicity you need to know what you truly want to get out of it. You must determine your business goals. Your goals should be centered around the core values of the company and very specific. Just saying something about product that has no foundation, does not mean you will help your product serve its purpose.

Effective publicity can help you to achieve some of the following.
1. People will buy. Remember people need to be told. When you write publicity material you must include the information how to purchase your company product, the reasons and benefits and how to use it
2. Get feedback, even negative feedback can bring positive results. Suggestions via blog comments, contact forms and surveys can affect the the outcome. People will have misconceptions and it is natural so your job is to be diplomatic and professional and do the best to answer the concerns.
3. Invite people to events, local and online events to provide information about products, services
4. Effective Publicity can address hot topics you want to discuss with your customers
5. Good publicity is better than advertising and can create curiosity that drives people to visit your online community, your website or your local events you are hosting. It adds a personal touch.
Remember PR has never been an advertising method. It is about communicating your message through news wires services, social networks, blogs and even video messages.

Lets show you an example of how effective publicity works in a real life and why it is important to set goals.
Lets say you are a life coach and your business is booming, and you are getting more personal clients who want to do one to one coaching in the evening times. You are getting so booked that you are afraid to turn them down. You want to figure out how to get them all to the phone at once. However, you know that it will be more effective if you do small group coaching that presents opportunity to save you time, give affordable coaching prices to other clients and still they can feel your personal attention.

What you need to do is to develop a campaign and write about your new coaching option that allows your new clients an opportunity to get great training for less price, have an instant access to your networking community or listen to the recorded calls without fear of missing the live calls.

Make sure measure your publicity success. Create surveys and see what percentage of them responds positively about changes. Tweak, share, use social media to receive feedback and suggestions. More you talk and address the concerns of your customers the more success you will have. As David Scott, one of the best PR experts and author of “New Rules of PR and Marketing” said that we always should focus on our buyers and understand buyers persona.

c) Copyright 2009 Tatyana Gann. All Rights Reserved

Tatyana Gann is an online entrepreneur an online marketing mentor, a social media and online PR consultant, a professional connector, a mom of two great boys and an amazing hostess. To Learn More About Tatyana Gann, connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.