Month: July 2012

How to boost your positive image on Twitter and Facebook using PR strategies

By Tatyana Gann

Let”s talk, shall we?

Tatyana is here.

I hope are ready for a busy exciting week! I am enjoying my afternoon coffee as I am typing you this  training post.  I want to share the simple ways you can use to boost your image and create influence in social media.  I hear people saying to me ” I do not even have a facebook page or twitter account and why do I do that because I do not know how to use it!” It is a common fear but when you approach with patience and self love you will do more for yourself. Do not beat yourself up for what you do not know YET!

I want to simplify for you and show few things that can help you! You might already know all the tools and your understand the basics but repetition is always helpful!
If you are a brand new biz owner, I am sure you got your fancy twitter background done and your Facebook fan page looks sharp and now what…

Twitter is still  one of the hottest PR and marketing tools  used around the world. It became the hottest online party where everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion, share news, make people laugh and even put together political campaign. Twitter is a publicity powerhouse.

Twitter track tools allow to monitor discussions, daily activities and help business owners to make their PR campaigns more effective.  Widgets for twitter, Facebook are making it more simple for a newbie to share message in the ocean of social media big fish!

Even though Twitter can be complicated sometimes,  you have to look at Twitter as a crazy and wild online party or you business networking platform where you can ask questions, connect, and share your wisdom. You share your stories in front of big audience.

Nobody is left behind. Everyone is involved and has an opportunity to meet celebrities, politicians, business owners and a little man can compete with bigger companies. You can say how..What is one thing you must do to stand out?

I say it is your IMAGE!

How do you want to be seen? How do you want people to perceive you and communicate to you? What do you have to offer to them that is fun, educational and entertaining?

Create a positive image. Always stay positive. Do not vent! It is not a boxing match. It is your place to speak the truth but it does not mean you must be ugly and prove something that is RIGHT to someone who is not open to receive it!

As Public Relations strategist I see many business owners make one mistake…They bring drama, personal poop onto FACEBOOK and Twitter. Big MISTAKE! They think they are not celebrities or well known YET but they do not realize it is their publicity and perception is everything today! Make sure you are known as a business owner with a positive spirit rather than a negative energy and bad publicity will not be an issue.  That negative publicity can be archived and found later. You do not want all negative PR to come out when you are doing great…Just build awareness about your brand and yourself in a positive light!

If you get involved in a negative drama learn to communicate and be diplomatic. But do your best to keep people motivated and inspired with real stories. Positive publicity is so needed because people are seeking hope. Be hope giver with real results!

How can you make your Facebook and Twitter presence successful?

1.      Twitter and Facebook allows you to interact, ask questions and re-post favorite quotes or statements. It is a social virtual gathering spot where you can make new friends and connections. If you come with attitude of giving and not taking it can be a quite place!

2.      Social media allows you to learn from the best of the best in their field, and it gives an opportunity to prove to yourself you can do it and feel accomplished.

3.      It is an amazing tool for your personal list building and finding new clients .

List Building starts with your image and how you present yourself. Remember people have issues with trust and putting a name in this little cute box that says “email address”:

Now, let’s talk about how we can add more followers on Twitter for our business:

1.      Quality followers: The key is to create as many as quality followers and follow people back because the volume of followers gives you leverage, more traffic and it is a social proof.

2.      Cost to market: How much does it cost to market on Twitter? ZERO. NOTHING. It is absolutely free targeted advertising method.  Twitter is about creating influence on people lives, careers and serving valuable content. But in reality the biggest cost is your time!

3.      Give fun and educational tips: What we share and say, it can affect the outcome of their day. If you say something funny, you might have put a smile on someone’s face. If you give a good business tip it might give them idea of what to do. I promote my SmokinHotPR newsletter to share with people what I do and how I can help them. My blog is about  educating my clients and students on creating online publicity. It is about helping THEM!

4.      Twitter is VIRAL. People who love you and care about what you say will repost your comments and share with others. That is why it is so important to build relationships. You must treat twitter as a big birthday party and everyone is having fun and enjoying time and sharing what they do naturally without sales pitches.

5.      Your profile description: Make sure your profile is fun to read. It is not a job application, so make it funny, easy to read and smile. Smile is the best advertising tool that cost nothing.  I often see people without faces who post on twitter. Common, imagine if you came in a mask to a birthday party hiding your face. What would people say? I would be scared to come up to a person in a mask without knowing who they are. Would you? Then stop using silly avatars and start being YOU.

6.      Build network: Follow people who follow the influential people you know and do not be afraid to ask questions. They have started their business exactly as you did. Some of the most successful people had a lot of help and be humble enough to accept it.

7.      Being FAST: Reply to people right way if they said something to you and they are not your friend yet. Follow them back. Establish rapport within minutes. Give something valuable to them to read and think about. Do  not be afraid to give your best in order to receive the best!  Edify people genuinely and wish everyone success! My social media mantra: I wish everyone prosperity, more clients to be empowered by my words and actions and be guided to my practice.

8.      Show courtesy: Make comment before even clicking follow button on Twitter especially. Get to know people first.

9.      Use tools: Use search feature to find people, topics you want to discuss in your niche and also bring offline clients online and follow you online or motivate them to start a Twitter profile.

My favorite twitter resources:

http://www.Tweetzi.com

http://www.Twazzup.com

http://www.Twellow.com

http://www.Wefollow.com

http://www.Twitterhawk.com

http://www.Truetwit.com– check validation of services

10.  Time: Usually afternoon or late evenings after 7 pm are best time to get on twitter and weekends are always the best days to chat and share. Do not create new life on Twitter be you and set time for twitter life. As much as you care about your social media family take care of your business. You can make few things automated as your posts and tips…but still engage!

11.  Humor sells. Share with people funny stories, news and not much of what your business is about. They will see it in your profile. Interact first then approach if you want to.

12.  Spread love: Do not forget to praise people, compliment them.  How do you feel when someone says to you that you look fabulous in that red dress? I am sure you would feel amazing. We love compliments and naturally we give them back to others. Pay it forward.

13.  Questions, Questions and more questions. Ask and you will receive. People love questions. They are hungry for them. Ask and you w ill start conversation… Create dialogs first and make sure when they answer to you reply back to them. Courtesy is the best policy on twitter.

14.  Be the best host: Invite friends from other social network. For example, I invite friends from Facebook to follow me on twitter and vice versa. They love it and it is fun. Keep it simple and light!

15.  Register with local directories and share via Facebook and Twitter! Such directories will put you on Google maps and get better SEO and it is wonderful strategy. I use Thumbtack directory to place my company listing and example,  Public Relations Consulting Nashville

16.  Blogs: Make sure you send all traffic to your blog, your free educational training that can lead them to your report page to build list. As my mentor David said, “Lose control of your marketing” Give away for free without asking to opting to build solid relationships, book your speaking engagements, JV offers and more. If you give more you have a chance of building long lasting relationships. It is about their network. Become a guest blogger. You can google today what bloggers accept brand new guest bloggers.

17.  Pinterest/Press releases tactic: Use Pinterest. Embed images in your press releases and then pin that image. Let’s say, you have a new product. Take a picture. Write a press release and embed that image then pin it.

18.  Branding tool: If you have ebooks, reports, webinars you can make them go viral using a cool branding platform called LoyaltePays.com

Enjoy ,

Tatyana Gann

PR Strategist

Nashville TN

615 354 7625

Get My Free PR Training Course Today

Work with Tatyana and let’s map our your 90 days to 6 months publicity/PR plan

 

 

LEGOs, Starbucks, personas and new rules of PR

By Tatyana Gann

 

PR ( Public Relations) today is more than your company being seen on TV…It is about buyers seeing your products on the Web . Create stories and share. Stop selling your products. Focus on bringing accurate information about the issues and problems…What people whine about you – you talk about.

You must focus on 3 things:

  1. Essence of what your product can do
  2. Know your company and personal goals
  3. Know your customer’s persona

When you determine your content will match your buyer wants your next step is to get them to take an action. How?

Remember nobody cares about your products.  TRUE.  People care about themselves and their problems. Be a problem solver. Communicate via email newsletters, videos, and social media. Build relationships. Is your content outstanding and interesting? Is it entertaining and educating? Would they share your content with others?

When it comes to understanding customers we must set aside our passionate drive to sell our products. Devote your time to know your customers and their persona…I will explain how you can determine a persona.

I love Starbucks. I go to Starbucks for meetings, writing and reading my books. My favorite location is in a bookstore when we can get a cup of coffee and a book, pull a chair and read while sipping on a cup of latte or hot chocolate. Even my son Daniel become a Starbucks gourmand . He loves his kids cups and knows it is STARBUCKS!  Imagine we build a brand awareness in our kids since their childhood. We program their minds with the experiences, thoughts, desires. We show them what we love and they develop their taste. They trust our judgement. They are curious.

 

Also, my little son Daniel loves LEGO sets. We have collected and built over 30 sets just  in the past year alone.  It is our on Christmas list, our birthday list, our Easter list and even special rewards days.  We buy them. We love them. Are LEGOs better than other toys similar to them?  Can we find a generic brand? I am sure we can. We purchased them. But we go back to LEGOs. Why? It is called EXPERIENCE.  We know LEGO has something magical about it. Kids know it. Parents know it.

We have just celebrated his birthday and he made a list of his birthday wishes- LEGOS. Grandparents wanted to give him money to buy any LEGO set he wanted. We tried to buy LEGOs that were educational and his brother could build as well. As you can see grandparents love to spoil and be the coolest grandparents and spend money. Parents want to save, get something kids can share and be educated at the same time. You must target two personas- grandparents and parents.  They think different. They act different. Their mindset is different.

Your key is to show you have what your buyers are looking for. Create a separate PR campaign for your products targeting different personas.

Again focus on top 5 things:

  1. Who are my readers?
  2. What is motivating them to buy ?
  3. How do I reach them ( via video, press release, Amazon ( ebook), social media)
  4. How can I help them?
  5. Can my content entertain and educate them?

 

If you are brand new in your business your first 6 months is building awareness. Stop selling your products. Start sharing stories of your buyers using your products. That is best PR!

Have a great weekend!

 

Tatyana Gann

Tatyana Gann is a PR strategist, a branding consultant and an author of   a brand new “Build Your Product Buzz- Free 30 days publicity course”.  Get Tatyana’s free course and find out how you can get more buzz, more buyers and be in the spotlight TODAY! 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Things You Need To Map Out Your PR campaign

By Tatyana Gann

Hi, there!

 

Tatyana is here.

It is Friday 13.  Some say it is not a lucky day! Well, I decided to change it  and give you a sneak peak to my free training course called Build Your Product Buzz- 30 days FREE training for business owners. It is my way to show gratitude to my readers.

When people approach me they ask if PR stands for a press release.  Public relations campaign is more than press releases and getting them out- mailing or emailing to media contacts. It is a psychological process. It is about connecting two dots- your story to address issues that can bring solutions and the right medium to get media coverage.  There are few things you must consider before mapping out your PR campaign.

But…there is one more thing…

In PR it is much more. It is about perception.  What public thinks of your company and about you and your products are more valuable to decision making process than where they found the information about you. If your company has received negative publicity you can alter the perception that public and media has about you by giving your side of a story.

Today social media is the perfect platform to get message heard and shared. Your blog or your website can be controlled by you and the content you put on your blog can bring a change in how public sees you.  Again your can control what they see and feel about you. Of course no lying please!

Your goal is to make public understand you and your product’s value regardless what others say…Your goal is to present facts in a creative fun way …You must elevate yourself and your product and make it a breath of fresh air for your customers and media.

Do not be afraid to use new PR and social media technology. From social media monitoring tools to PR tools you can see if your topic or your niche is being talked about and what they say…Your mission is to join into the conversation and share your story and how it can compliment or transform your customer’s life.

For example, my former client Jessica Miller started talking about social media discrimination via social media last year and we have shared her press releases via major publications and online PR directories. She gained a lot of media attention and was booked for interviews and people saw her as an expert in that field. Today she is writing for Fortune and Huffington Post about social media, HR and recruiting. She educated public about the things that some were afraid to talk about and become a HR pioneer and a leading voice in social media. She did not get scared but embraced what she knew and shared it with the right people who supported her vision.  She was fast…Remember in PR you must be fast before others start talking about the same topic. It does not have to be perfect.

Millions of viewers access the Web every day. Facebook alone has over 800 million of users.  Imagine if you can put your message out in front of 1% of Facebook users. You do the math. It can get great publicity and loyal fans and long term customers. You must think strategically. You should do research what publications your customers love and adore. What do they pay attention to?  Who are the editors, TV producers or freelance writers that write or talk on your subject. Start working on your new media list. Find them on Twitter. Get their names from the magazines you find in any bookstore. IT is updated. Go for it. All they can do is to say NO or refer. Ask for the right person to talk to.  I have personally connected with TV producers and editors because I set an intention and was very genuine in my email to them. I did not use a cookie cutter email. It came from my heart and I expressed how I can serve their readers and viewers. But…I was sticking to my vision.  In my case it is my book The Russian Wife that will be supporting my fight against human trafficking. Know what you want. Be clear and have passion. It shows and editors are human too. They will feel it and bend backwards to get the message heard.

The biggest mistake business owners make – they advertise their product and force into your mind. They repel customers that way. If you have a great product, compelling fun entertaining story you can earn a media coverage. If you start advertising and do heavy promotion you might get an angry email from editors. Stop advertising, become a story teller.

Forget about perfection. Often we think our story message is not good enough. Throw that limiting belief out of the window…It may be so simple for you but it is very valuable for your viewers.

Now we have put together a list of the most important factors for your effective PR campaign:

  1. Think about perception
  2. Do not lie
  3. Do not steal content
  4. Be fast
  5. Connect with the right media folks
  6. Do not be afraid to ask
  7. Get on the phone with magazine editors- they know you are a real deal then! It takes courage and faith!
  8. Stick to your vision and your passion (just because media folks can change their mind you do not. Do not try to fit in. Be consistent)
  9. No Perfection
  10. Stop advertising your message- become a storyteller instead

Your assignment:

  1. Collect names of all editors or TV producers you want to connect with.  Find them on Twitter Facebook or LinkedIn
  2. Write down 5-7 bullet points of your story.
  3. See what they are interested in and where they post their content.
  4. Who are the main people in their circles they engage into weekly or daily conversations via Twitter or Facebook.
  5. Start building relationship with them by giving your opinion or advice.
  6. Want to be viewed as an expert – become ONE!
  7. Write a letter to a friend about your product- share your excitement and show how they are going to love it or where they need to get it.  In storytelling your story flows. The way you share your story with a friend is the same way you share your story with public and media.

 

In my next lesson of our free publicity course, “Build Your Product Buzz” – FREE 30 days publicity course we will cover the types of stories media loves and where to aim your message and plus more…Make sure sign  up for our free training today!

Do not forget our summer PR one – on- one coaching /consulting program for business owners. It’s TIME to INFUSE your publicity with powerful passion, clarity, proven strategies that will get you REAL RESULTS! Get the spot in our Secret Power of Online Publicity: 23 Ways to Be In Spotlight, Increase Profits and Get A Rock Star Status!

 

With best wishes,

 

Tatyana Gann

 

How to write a press release for a brand new product

By Tatyana Gann

Summer time is a great time to share news about your products and future promotions. People are relaxed and less stressed! People are eager to read and learn more. Do not think that summer is a slow season. Media never sleeps. Buyers buy!

Today I want to give you an example of a press release I have written for my client ESP Botanicals. We have released it before a Mother’s Day to share news about special  healthy skin care options.

Here is the press release. I have included examples of headlines that includes important keywords.

Examples of titles: Announcing! Brand New Natural and Organic Skin Care for Moms –ESP Botanicals ( simple)

Brand New and Complete Beauty Regimen in a Glass- ESP Botanicals –Organic and Natural Skin Care for Moms

Finally, ESP Botanicals!… the Ancient Secret to Beautiful and Radiant Skin!

 

Summary:

In honor of Mother’s Day Celebration, ESP Botanicals gives every mother  Mother’s Day gifts that she really wants- the perfect gift of healthy glowing Skin. ESP Botanicals is a brand new line of organic, non toxic skin care and baby care products inspired by a mother and a daughter’s mission to bring changes in the skin care industry.   The products are available on http://www.ESPBOTANICALS.com

The main text:

ESP Botanicals is a new upscale line of all natural and organic skin care which is formulated without parabens, restoring health and purity back into women’s delicate skin. ESP Botanicals CEO and product developer Trisha Springstead shares her vision for her organic skin care line that every woman should have in her vanity room. Her mission to bring the safest products in every family started when her mother was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. Springstead’s mother became her inspiration and the main reason to build awareness about the dangers of the commercial skincare products for women and babies.

Trisha Springstead’s mission is to educate consumers about the harmful skin care products they use on a daily basis and about new
ESP Botanicals organic skincare products . Trisha Springstead points out “What you rub on your skin can kill you!”

Arriving just in time for Mother’s Day, ESP Botanicals make the perfect gift and come packaged in a Swiss Miron Glass to add that personal touch! It is a perfect gift to all moms and honoring her mother’s life!

Trisha Springstead’s ESP Botanical line uses only glass and non- leeching, reusable boxes. The company does not endorse any chemical or herbal placed in plastic.

Infused with the best oils and fruit botanical extracts, the new skincare line is a piece of heaven!  ESP Botanicals’ customers (including many international celebrities) have achieved tremendous radiance and total skin perfection!  It is truly a magical awakening experience when the balms gently touch your skin!

Springstead believes that women should not settle for cheap quality skincare. She has extensively evaluated all the ingredients and combined perfect natural and organic blends into her products, so that women can feel confident and beautiful, inside and out! With so many so-called “healthy” skin care lines, which are loaded with fillers and potentially harmful chemicals, the nourishing formula of ESP Botanicals protects and restores your skin… naturally!

Trisha Springstead pointed out, “I have conducted extensive research of countless organic skin care products brands, only to discover that not all of the ingredients are safe and effective. ESP Botanicals have been specifically formulated and developed to contain the highest quality organic ingredients for moms and babies, ensuring only the purest, most natural results!”

Preventing toxic chemical overload, ESP Botanicals brings the most green products to the organic skin care marketplace, creating products that women can feel confident in using for not only their delicate skin, but also for their baby’s gentle skin!

Finally, an organic, green, non toxic line of body and bath skin care products that will leave your skin feeling clean, light and nourished! When choosing a Mother’s Day gift or even a baby gift, you cannot go wrong with an “ancient beauty secret in Swiss glass”!

In a recent interview with PR strategist and publicist Tatyana Gann, Trisha Springstead stated that her skin care line is the hope that men and women have been waiting for… no longer do they have to be controlled by the way their skin looks and feels!

Who can it help?

  • Moms with infants and children up to the age of 12, who are seeking organic, natural skin care for the entire family
  • Individuals with skin problems can use the products to clean, protect, sooth and heal
  • Consumers who believe in the green way of living, a chemical free lifestyle

 

Finally moms can experience an “Awakening to Healthy Skincare”! There is always time for a new beginning… and new skin!

 

To get instant access go  to ESP Botanicals organic skincare products

For the media, contact Tatyana Gann, PR strategy consultant and publicist

615 354-7625

 

 Here are the rules for a product press release:

1.  Create few variations of headlines with two important keywords

2. Summary should include two keywords and about 3 sentences. 150 characters

3. Body should include introduction, announcement about your product and be very interesting, exciting information that will bring solutions to your new clients.

  • Focus on solutions
  • Focus on what it will do for your clients
  • Facts…Provide facts
  • Use interview pieces in the press release to refer to
  • Make it at least 500 words
  • Give instructions  how they can get an instant access to a sample or a free report
  • Tell media how to reach you…(make sure you have a page on your site for media )
  • Give link to your media kit if you have one made for your business or your product
  • Include contact info
  • Use images in the press release (which you can pin on pinterest)
  • Submit story to ONLY paid PR services as PRWeb.com, CisionWire, and less expensive as SanePR.com, premium version of PRLOG.com

Key is to give your clients a taste of your product by sharing experiences, case studies and how they can get buy it…Make it authentic!

Now you can go and create your own press release…If you are serious about creating a business PR plan contact me at 615 354 7625.

Have you seen our promotion for my summer training program? Get your 6 weeks consulting/coaching program with me today!

 

Tatyana Gann

PR strategist, Mompreneur

 

Look forward