ActionCOACH Pinellas hosts sales guru and author Jeffrey Gitomer
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Writing a Good Press Release
There are countless sources you can turn to for advice on writing a good press release, so I'm just going share what my own experience has taught me. While many of my colleagues are exploring and testing social media, etc., most of the small business owners I've encountered still want to master some basic skills in the more traditional, and in some ways more mystifying PR tools of the past, like press releases.
After teaching PR Writing at USF at least six times, maybe seven, and cranking out press releases for about 15 years now, I'm sure I have something to contribute on this basic PR tool. For the most part, this post is for the Do It Yourselfers, particularly the small business owners who are experts in their own fields but who, every now and then, want or need to tap into some PR expertise as well. Read this, print this and keep this. You will thank me later.
But first, before we dive into tips and such, I have to address the constant line of questioning I've been reading in PR industry publications, blogs and various other PR communication forums. The question is, "Do we even need press releases any more, now that social media has become so prominent as a means of communication and promotion?"
Well, the answer is yes. There is still a place for press releases, even though their purpose might be changing in light of some easier, shorter ways to communicate. You must always remember that there is no "magic bullet" for communication with different groups of people, and, as always, it takes multiple attempts across multiple communication channels to reach multiple targeted audiences. So, the press release to the news media lives on as part of any solid external communications strategy, working in tandem with some of the newer tools now available for certain purposes.
So, if you are going to take time to write and distribute a release, here are some things to note. You can also use this is a quasi-checklist if you are hiring someone else to write your release.
Release Title -- VERY important. State the main topic in 12 words or less, and be sure to include an action verb -- remember that phrase? A subject is DOING something. For example, "Customers Save Time and Expense at Rapid Refill Ink" is an action statement, and leads to descriptive writing, which is far more effective with a reader than a label that says "Savings Abound at Rapid Refill Ink." With the action title, we know WHO is saving and we know WHAT they are saving; with the label, we don't know much at all. Try to work the company name into the title whenever possible. Subtitles can also be used to include one other important but supporting detail.
The title is important because it is the very first thing a news media gatekeeper reads. You must pique the interest of the news assignment desk, the editor or the reporter in order to get someone to report on your story -- so your title must be compelling, and action verbs will help strengthen your writing.
The Lead Paragraph -- If your title is good enough to keep them reading, then you really want to make sure you say the most important things about your story next. To a reporter, the five Ws are going to be the most important things in the story, so you don't have to guess what they want to know.
In the first paragraph of your release, immediately state the "who, what, where, when, why (and how)" of your news in two to three sentences -- right up there at the top. If you have news, they will keep reading. If you don't, then they will stop right there. Period. In a deadline-driven business like news reporting, no one has time to read anything that is not a possible story lead. You get just a few seconds of consideration to sell your news. Make it count.
If you need another real-world comparison, equate the press release to the resume. When a job opens up, resumes pour into the HR office all day long. The hiring manager cannot possibly read every resume and cover letter. You must capture their attention in just a few seconds in order to avoid the trash bin and move on to the next phase of the hiring process.
It's the same thing with a press release. They pour into newsrooms all day long. You are competing against hundreds of others with news to share. You must captivate the initial reader enough to make them pause and keep reading your release. So, the most important information goes at the top -- and it's what's most important to your AUDIENCE, the MEDIA and their CONSUMERS -- not what is most important to you and/or the company/client. It's a fine line to walk, and it's called "framing" the news. If you do it right, you will get your chance to emphasize other important things too. But you should always position the story from the perspective of your audience. Self-serving stories are deemed as advertising, and the news media will not report those stories as news, so be careful.
Quotes -- A little authority goes a long way, and real people are interesting, so be sure to include a quote pretty early on in the release. But be judicious. Quotes are special, and here's why:
1. No one can edit a direct quote. They can use parts of it or paraphrase the information, but they cannot change it. You said what you said in a quote -- end of story. It is absolute. It cannot be changed at all.
2. That said, a quote is the perfect chance for you (or your expert spokesperson) to say something really important or interesting that adds something to your news story. Don't WASTE the quote by restating something that is already included in the news release. Think about the most important things you would want to say in this instance, and then work those points into quotes. They are protected and offer an unparalleled chance for you to get a key message point out to your audience -- which is ultimately the media consumer.
Contact Information
Unless you want your client or your company CEO getting a direct call from the media, you better put some contact information on your news release. In larger companies, it's typically the name, phone number and/or e-mail of someone in the PR department or someone in a PR firm representing the company. Typically, it is not the person or people being quoted in the release.
We want our spokespeople to speak intelligently and accurately when they are interviewed, so we try to avoid surprise reporter phone calls directly to company spokespeople and we often step into the middle to coordinate the interview process. Reporters know the drill when they work from a press release, and this process shows respect for the spokesperson's schedule and time, and ultimately helps the reporter get better details when our spokespeople feel comfortable, focused and prepared. All of these things work together to build those "magical" reporter relationships that you always hear about, but it's not mysterious or difficult. It's just good customer service on both sides of the fence.
But I digress ... If you own a small business, then maybe you become the spokesperson and the contact -- and that's OK too; just make sure your full contact information is a separate part of the news release. I like to put it right up at the top, but some people put it at the end. To me, the top makes the most sense because that's where all of the other very important information is presented. Plus, if your release goes on to two pages, it's more likely to get separated from the first page and then the reporter is at a loss on whom to call for more information or to schedule an interview.
Other things
Of course, there are some other overarching things to consider when preparing a press release -- first and foremost is to make sure your topic is actually newsworthy. If you're not sure, consult with a PR pro for a quick assessment and to discuss various possible story angles.
The are some mechanical things to note too, like datelines, editing marks, formatting and spelling, along with upholding the writing guidelines of the Associate Press stylebook, but if you have REAL NEWS, any transgressions in these areas will most likely be overlooked in the interest of reporting on the story, so beginners need not overburden themselves with these concerns (but do try, and use your spellchecker and proofread your writing, at a minimum).
Writing a good release is one of the first steps in sharing your company news. In the future, we'll spend some time talking about how to distribute your news release to increase the chances that it will actually make it into a newspaper or television report or another means of mass media communication. You might also want to watch for tips on preparing for a media interview.
And, of course, if this is all very interesting but you just don't have the time or inclination to tackle press releases yourself, just contact us. We can help!
After teaching PR Writing at USF at least six times, maybe seven, and cranking out press releases for about 15 years now, I'm sure I have something to contribute on this basic PR tool. For the most part, this post is for the Do It Yourselfers, particularly the small business owners who are experts in their own fields but who, every now and then, want or need to tap into some PR expertise as well. Read this, print this and keep this. You will thank me later.
But first, before we dive into tips and such, I have to address the constant line of questioning I've been reading in PR industry publications, blogs and various other PR communication forums. The question is, "Do we even need press releases any more, now that social media has become so prominent as a means of communication and promotion?"
Well, the answer is yes. There is still a place for press releases, even though their purpose might be changing in light of some easier, shorter ways to communicate. You must always remember that there is no "magic bullet" for communication with different groups of people, and, as always, it takes multiple attempts across multiple communication channels to reach multiple targeted audiences. So, the press release to the news media lives on as part of any solid external communications strategy, working in tandem with some of the newer tools now available for certain purposes.
So, if you are going to take time to write and distribute a release, here are some things to note. You can also use this is a quasi-checklist if you are hiring someone else to write your release.
Release Title -- VERY important. State the main topic in 12 words or less, and be sure to include an action verb -- remember that phrase? A subject is DOING something. For example, "Customers Save Time and Expense at Rapid Refill Ink" is an action statement, and leads to descriptive writing, which is far more effective with a reader than a label that says "Savings Abound at Rapid Refill Ink." With the action title, we know WHO is saving and we know WHAT they are saving; with the label, we don't know much at all. Try to work the company name into the title whenever possible. Subtitles can also be used to include one other important but supporting detail.
The title is important because it is the very first thing a news media gatekeeper reads. You must pique the interest of the news assignment desk, the editor or the reporter in order to get someone to report on your story -- so your title must be compelling, and action verbs will help strengthen your writing.
The Lead Paragraph -- If your title is good enough to keep them reading, then you really want to make sure you say the most important things about your story next. To a reporter, the five Ws are going to be the most important things in the story, so you don't have to guess what they want to know.
In the first paragraph of your release, immediately state the "who, what, where, when, why (and how)" of your news in two to three sentences -- right up there at the top. If you have news, they will keep reading. If you don't, then they will stop right there. Period. In a deadline-driven business like news reporting, no one has time to read anything that is not a possible story lead. You get just a few seconds of consideration to sell your news. Make it count.
If you need another real-world comparison, equate the press release to the resume. When a job opens up, resumes pour into the HR office all day long. The hiring manager cannot possibly read every resume and cover letter. You must capture their attention in just a few seconds in order to avoid the trash bin and move on to the next phase of the hiring process.
It's the same thing with a press release. They pour into newsrooms all day long. You are competing against hundreds of others with news to share. You must captivate the initial reader enough to make them pause and keep reading your release. So, the most important information goes at the top -- and it's what's most important to your AUDIENCE, the MEDIA and their CONSUMERS -- not what is most important to you and/or the company/client. It's a fine line to walk, and it's called "framing" the news. If you do it right, you will get your chance to emphasize other important things too. But you should always position the story from the perspective of your audience. Self-serving stories are deemed as advertising, and the news media will not report those stories as news, so be careful.
Quotes -- A little authority goes a long way, and real people are interesting, so be sure to include a quote pretty early on in the release. But be judicious. Quotes are special, and here's why:
1. No one can edit a direct quote. They can use parts of it or paraphrase the information, but they cannot change it. You said what you said in a quote -- end of story. It is absolute. It cannot be changed at all.
2. That said, a quote is the perfect chance for you (or your expert spokesperson) to say something really important or interesting that adds something to your news story. Don't WASTE the quote by restating something that is already included in the news release. Think about the most important things you would want to say in this instance, and then work those points into quotes. They are protected and offer an unparalleled chance for you to get a key message point out to your audience -- which is ultimately the media consumer.
Contact Information
Unless you want your client or your company CEO getting a direct call from the media, you better put some contact information on your news release. In larger companies, it's typically the name, phone number and/or e-mail of someone in the PR department or someone in a PR firm representing the company. Typically, it is not the person or people being quoted in the release.
We want our spokespeople to speak intelligently and accurately when they are interviewed, so we try to avoid surprise reporter phone calls directly to company spokespeople and we often step into the middle to coordinate the interview process. Reporters know the drill when they work from a press release, and this process shows respect for the spokesperson's schedule and time, and ultimately helps the reporter get better details when our spokespeople feel comfortable, focused and prepared. All of these things work together to build those "magical" reporter relationships that you always hear about, but it's not mysterious or difficult. It's just good customer service on both sides of the fence.
But I digress ... If you own a small business, then maybe you become the spokesperson and the contact -- and that's OK too; just make sure your full contact information is a separate part of the news release. I like to put it right up at the top, but some people put it at the end. To me, the top makes the most sense because that's where all of the other very important information is presented. Plus, if your release goes on to two pages, it's more likely to get separated from the first page and then the reporter is at a loss on whom to call for more information or to schedule an interview.
Other things
Of course, there are some other overarching things to consider when preparing a press release -- first and foremost is to make sure your topic is actually newsworthy. If you're not sure, consult with a PR pro for a quick assessment and to discuss various possible story angles.
The are some mechanical things to note too, like datelines, editing marks, formatting and spelling, along with upholding the writing guidelines of the Associate Press stylebook, but if you have REAL NEWS, any transgressions in these areas will most likely be overlooked in the interest of reporting on the story, so beginners need not overburden themselves with these concerns (but do try, and use your spellchecker and proofread your writing, at a minimum).
Writing a good release is one of the first steps in sharing your company news. In the future, we'll spend some time talking about how to distribute your news release to increase the chances that it will actually make it into a newspaper or television report or another means of mass media communication. You might also want to watch for tips on preparing for a media interview.
And, of course, if this is all very interesting but you just don't have the time or inclination to tackle press releases yourself, just contact us. We can help!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Field of Magic: Behind the PR Media Relations Curtain
If you've seen the ever-fantastic "Field of Dreams" movie, I do not have to remind you of the ghostly whisper, "If you build it, they will come." You thought about it the second I mentioned the movie, didn't you?
Well, unfortunately, that same immediate reaction is tied to press releases in public relations -- "If you send it, they will come." Oh! If only that were true!!!
There is so much that goes into a good media relations program -- things clients and executives never see. Too often, people think that if it's a well-written news release and their quotes are strong, of course they'll be on the front page! But nothing could be farther from the truth. A great release is just the beginning.
One of the first factors that can make a difference in placing a story is service. We walk a fine line in PR. We want our client or employer to come out on top -- they are experts, they have great things going on, etc. But, we also have a service role to fulfill for reporters. We have to give them accurate, objective and newsworthy information. If the release or "news" is too self-serving, vague or incorrect, it is actually harmful to send it out. It hurts our indvidual credibility as well as that of our client, and it decreases the chances of getting coverage ever again from anyone who wasted their time reading our non-news release. Not good.
So, good service -- recognizing real news and packaging it appropriately -- comprises one of the first steps in a successful media pitch.
I will never forget the time, in my first PR job, where I was asked to send a news release out about a bake sale. This was before the gift of social media. E-mail was just taking off, and there was no web site to speak of. In fact, the whole web site topic was confusing and mysterious. So, back in those days, it was challenging to let people know what was going on. And, since this was a non-profit organization, there was always something going on, but I really did not think we should "waste" a pitch on a bake sale.
I already felt compromised, sending out press releases over borderline events and topics under the organization's belief that any positive attention would help cut through the competitive non-profit contest for funds. They were probably right, in theory, but I really fought the bake sale news release to the point of fuming. "It's not news!" I said, until I was blue in the face.
In all honesty, I don't remember if I won or lost the fight, but I still know that I was right, and this is a small example of an epic battle many have fought in PR. If it's not news, you cannot "spin" it into anything else. It will fall flat and go nowhere. That's one guarantee we can make in the realm of media pitching.
I have more to share on this topic, for sure, including other reasons why a great news release might fall flat -- even when there's a newsworthy story to tell. Heck -- just a few weeks ago I had a TV news camera at an event, client interviews, the works ... and it never ran. Of course, those of us in PR can all relate to a story like that -- or the news conference/event where no on comes (I hate that one) -- but explaining this to others is difficult, so stay tuned as we continue to lift the PR "Wizard of Oz" curtain a little higher next time.
Well, unfortunately, that same immediate reaction is tied to press releases in public relations -- "If you send it, they will come." Oh! If only that were true!!!
There is so much that goes into a good media relations program -- things clients and executives never see. Too often, people think that if it's a well-written news release and their quotes are strong, of course they'll be on the front page! But nothing could be farther from the truth. A great release is just the beginning.
One of the first factors that can make a difference in placing a story is service. We walk a fine line in PR. We want our client or employer to come out on top -- they are experts, they have great things going on, etc. But, we also have a service role to fulfill for reporters. We have to give them accurate, objective and newsworthy information. If the release or "news" is too self-serving, vague or incorrect, it is actually harmful to send it out. It hurts our indvidual credibility as well as that of our client, and it decreases the chances of getting coverage ever again from anyone who wasted their time reading our non-news release. Not good.
So, good service -- recognizing real news and packaging it appropriately -- comprises one of the first steps in a successful media pitch.
I will never forget the time, in my first PR job, where I was asked to send a news release out about a bake sale. This was before the gift of social media. E-mail was just taking off, and there was no web site to speak of. In fact, the whole web site topic was confusing and mysterious. So, back in those days, it was challenging to let people know what was going on. And, since this was a non-profit organization, there was always something going on, but I really did not think we should "waste" a pitch on a bake sale.
I already felt compromised, sending out press releases over borderline events and topics under the organization's belief that any positive attention would help cut through the competitive non-profit contest for funds. They were probably right, in theory, but I really fought the bake sale news release to the point of fuming. "It's not news!" I said, until I was blue in the face.
In all honesty, I don't remember if I won or lost the fight, but I still know that I was right, and this is a small example of an epic battle many have fought in PR. If it's not news, you cannot "spin" it into anything else. It will fall flat and go nowhere. That's one guarantee we can make in the realm of media pitching.
I have more to share on this topic, for sure, including other reasons why a great news release might fall flat -- even when there's a newsworthy story to tell. Heck -- just a few weeks ago I had a TV news camera at an event, client interviews, the works ... and it never ran. Of course, those of us in PR can all relate to a story like that -- or the news conference/event where no on comes (I hate that one) -- but explaining this to others is difficult, so stay tuned as we continue to lift the PR "Wizard of Oz" curtain a little higher next time.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Linked In -- LIVE, and other insights
A few observations of late ...
.....I was describing BNI today and explaining how we build out our referral network by tapping other members' personal and professional networks .... it's like LinkedIN, but face to face instead. Not as fast, not as transparent, but possibly more powerful. My vote is still out.
....As someone else pointed out last week, social media marketing is not for everyone, and if you choose to use it, you don't need to leverage every tool -- only the ones that are right for you.
....Hiding yourself on FaceBook makes it really hard to be found. My friend has a high privacy setting but she wanted to be friends with another friend, who was not yet my "friend," so I had to invite her, she had to accept and now I can suggest to my third, hidden friend that she be friends with the first friend! WHAT!!! And we were all together in one room -- in person -- trying to figure this out. Hmmm.
....Old PR pitching tactics still work. I received a call this week on a news release I sent out in February by a reporter who saved it and pulled it out when he needed a story idea. Did I pitch it using social media too? Yes, I did, but that's not what stuck. We are in limbo right now in PR -- you cannot count on new or old tactics, exclusively, as a means of pitching news.
.... And last but not least! What does it say about oh-so-many-things in life to discover -- on FaceBook -- that my own brother is having a health issue? FaceBook first, then a phone call? I really prefer the opposite. No fault is being directed at my brother. Bringing it up at all is just my way of saying we might be living too fast ...
Theme song for the day -- Rick Springfield, Human Touch (yes, that dates me A LOT)
.....I was describing BNI today and explaining how we build out our referral network by tapping other members' personal and professional networks .... it's like LinkedIN, but face to face instead. Not as fast, not as transparent, but possibly more powerful. My vote is still out.
....As someone else pointed out last week, social media marketing is not for everyone, and if you choose to use it, you don't need to leverage every tool -- only the ones that are right for you.
....Hiding yourself on FaceBook makes it really hard to be found. My friend has a high privacy setting but she wanted to be friends with another friend, who was not yet my "friend," so I had to invite her, she had to accept and now I can suggest to my third, hidden friend that she be friends with the first friend! WHAT!!! And we were all together in one room -- in person -- trying to figure this out. Hmmm.
....Old PR pitching tactics still work. I received a call this week on a news release I sent out in February by a reporter who saved it and pulled it out when he needed a story idea. Did I pitch it using social media too? Yes, I did, but that's not what stuck. We are in limbo right now in PR -- you cannot count on new or old tactics, exclusively, as a means of pitching news.
.... And last but not least! What does it say about oh-so-many-things in life to discover -- on FaceBook -- that my own brother is having a health issue? FaceBook first, then a phone call? I really prefer the opposite. No fault is being directed at my brother. Bringing it up at all is just my way of saying we might be living too fast ...
Theme song for the day -- Rick Springfield, Human Touch (yes, that dates me A LOT)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Behind the Scenes at BNI
When you voluntarily invest a large amount of time in something, you want to make sure you're doing something that's smart. If it's fun, too, then that's a bonus, but not always a requirement.
So, off I went Monday morning to receive my BNI "hymnal" -- or leadership team guidebook -- and sit in a packed room of about 120 other BNI leadership team members for our formal training. This was one of five or six similar trainings being done locally over a two week timeframe.
BNI -- smart. Four hour training -- smart, but NOT FUN. Surprisingly, though, there were some bonuses any way.
BNI, of course, is the business referral organization that I joined back in May.
A few things about the training session:
I thought that training the entire leadership team on each person's role was actually very beneficial, and the training ran like a well-oiled machine -- just like the entire organization seems to. This approach gives us insight into the big picture and how each person contributes to whole. Sounds basic, but it was pretty interesting; after sitting through weekly meetings for a couple months I got to see the Holy Grail or ideal way that things could/should be done and I couldn't help but make some comparisons. Anyway, wouldn't it be nice if companies could operate in the same fashion where everyone understood what everyone else was doing and how their individual parts contributed to the overall goals? I think employee production would soar.
The presenters were professional and polished, so I appreciated that during the long sessions, and it further increased my confidence in the organization, overall, to see strong leaders delivering professional training to the group. Kudos to Tom Fleming and his team. And, this is a testament to how leaders can make or break an organization by leading by example, demonstrating their values and maintaining an organizational culture in all that they do.
I have been adorned as the "attendance champion" for my Profit Pros chapter -- no mystery there. But attendance is so critical to the success of the chapter and the overall productivity of the group that I am honored to serve in such a capacity. I recognize the value my time and effort will bring to the chapter and the region, overall, as well as how the time spent by others in different capacities will also make a big difference.
Changing gears ... next up: I'm contemplating doing a 13-week radio show, possibly in partnership with a few other people. I wish my brother lived closer because I know he would do it with me -- even though it's a business thing. He's just funny, no matter what, and I like funny.
I also have my BNI 10-minute presentation coming up in a few weeks, so I'm working on that, as well as instituting a follow up system for all of the individual meetings I've had with BNI members so far. Again, if you're going to invest time in something, you really should be smart about it. I was a little overwhelmed by the BNI experience at first, but now I see how to be more proactive in making it work better for me.
That's it for this week's random observations. Make it a great day.
So, off I went Monday morning to receive my BNI "hymnal" -- or leadership team guidebook -- and sit in a packed room of about 120 other BNI leadership team members for our formal training. This was one of five or six similar trainings being done locally over a two week timeframe.
BNI -- smart. Four hour training -- smart, but NOT FUN. Surprisingly, though, there were some bonuses any way.
BNI, of course, is the business referral organization that I joined back in May.
A few things about the training session:
I thought that training the entire leadership team on each person's role was actually very beneficial, and the training ran like a well-oiled machine -- just like the entire organization seems to. This approach gives us insight into the big picture and how each person contributes to whole. Sounds basic, but it was pretty interesting; after sitting through weekly meetings for a couple months I got to see the Holy Grail or ideal way that things could/should be done and I couldn't help but make some comparisons. Anyway, wouldn't it be nice if companies could operate in the same fashion where everyone understood what everyone else was doing and how their individual parts contributed to the overall goals? I think employee production would soar.
The presenters were professional and polished, so I appreciated that during the long sessions, and it further increased my confidence in the organization, overall, to see strong leaders delivering professional training to the group. Kudos to Tom Fleming and his team. And, this is a testament to how leaders can make or break an organization by leading by example, demonstrating their values and maintaining an organizational culture in all that they do.
I have been adorned as the "attendance champion" for my Profit Pros chapter -- no mystery there. But attendance is so critical to the success of the chapter and the overall productivity of the group that I am honored to serve in such a capacity. I recognize the value my time and effort will bring to the chapter and the region, overall, as well as how the time spent by others in different capacities will also make a big difference.
Changing gears ... next up: I'm contemplating doing a 13-week radio show, possibly in partnership with a few other people. I wish my brother lived closer because I know he would do it with me -- even though it's a business thing. He's just funny, no matter what, and I like funny.
I also have my BNI 10-minute presentation coming up in a few weeks, so I'm working on that, as well as instituting a follow up system for all of the individual meetings I've had with BNI members so far. Again, if you're going to invest time in something, you really should be smart about it. I was a little overwhelmed by the BNI experience at first, but now I see how to be more proactive in making it work better for me.
That's it for this week's random observations. Make it a great day.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Heidelberg PR & Tampa Jumpstart say THANK YOU!
In public relations, sometimes it's difficult to show appreciation, but thanks to blogs and tweets and other related things, it's easier now to thank reporters and editors who have shown interest in story ideas you've shared.
I want to thank a few people who have shown great support for our Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart program by working on stories to promote our contest and our winner, Wesley Chapel resident, Mike Mayo. This before and after coverage has been very helpful to our TJS team, as well as to our winner, so big THANKS to
Tom Curran, Fox 13
Fred Shrum, Tampa Business Examiner (see his article!)
Editorial team, Tampa Bay Business Journal
There have been others who have taken interest in our story, as well, and we have not forgotten about you either. Thank you for playing a part in sharing some good news with the community, and for letting people know that our award package was available. We also appreciate the reporting on our winner as he launches his new pet photography business, Golden Vision Photography. This has been a community service program from the start, and the support of the local media has helped us realize our vision.
Incidentally, today is the first photo shoot of the mobile photography studio, and the privilege goes to Susan Thurston at TBT, who has been beyond patient in covering this story. Thank you, Susan, for waiting it out. I know your story will be really timely even though it seems like we've been batting this around for months.
And, finally, thanks to my new commitment to my business coach, Barb Kyes at ActionCOACH, I will probably be chatting your ear off here at least once a week. Stay tuned!
I want to thank a few people who have shown great support for our Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart program by working on stories to promote our contest and our winner, Wesley Chapel resident, Mike Mayo. This before and after coverage has been very helpful to our TJS team, as well as to our winner, so big THANKS to
Tom Curran, Fox 13
Fred Shrum, Tampa Business Examiner (see his article!)
Editorial team, Tampa Bay Business Journal
There have been others who have taken interest in our story, as well, and we have not forgotten about you either. Thank you for playing a part in sharing some good news with the community, and for letting people know that our award package was available. We also appreciate the reporting on our winner as he launches his new pet photography business, Golden Vision Photography. This has been a community service program from the start, and the support of the local media has helped us realize our vision.
Incidentally, today is the first photo shoot of the mobile photography studio, and the privilege goes to Susan Thurston at TBT, who has been beyond patient in covering this story. Thank you, Susan, for waiting it out. I know your story will be really timely even though it seems like we've been batting this around for months.
And, finally, thanks to my new commitment to my business coach, Barb Kyes at ActionCOACH, I will probably be chatting your ear off here at least once a week. Stay tuned!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Heidelberg PR Updates for Summer 2009
It might work to your benefit, but some of my posts I've been writing in MS Word are apparently not transferable here, so please enjoy this abbreviated and condensed version of several posts I've planned for over the summer.
BNI -- I joined, and you should check it out. My chapter, the Profit Pros, is great and very energizing. If you are a small business person or in sales or marketing, you should come visit us. We essentially train each other to make referrals to one another. It's time consuming but worth it when a big referral comes in. A spot in our chapter is worth approximately $45K in new business each year for each member. Hard to believe? Come see for yourself. And, if you are in another part of the country, don't worry. BNI -- Business Networking International -- is everywhere.
Charity Chics -- just for "chics," this group is about networking while giving back. All proceeds from meeting registration and door prizes go to a designated charity. So far, Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Center has been our primary charity. This group was founded by fashion consultant Lisa Ford of Invent Your Image and Karen Gillman, sales manager for Intelligent Office. It's a first come, first serve registration process and only one guest per professional industry is permitted to attend any given meeting. A good use of time -- check it out if you are local.
Tampa Jumpstart - I feel like I have a lot to brag about here. We picked our contest a winner a few weeks ago -- Mike Mayo with Golden Vision Photography won over $26K of pro bono start up services from the TJS team. Here's a TV clip announcing his victory, along with a few features Heidelberg PR placed in local business publications. Good luck, Mike!
Fox 13 News Clip on TJS Winner
Maddux Business Report Article on TJS Winner
Tampa Bay Business Journal Article on Winner
And now for some Heidelberg PR news on our newest clients! Since May, we have been helping Waterside at Coquina Key with sales outreach through resident, prospect and Realtor events. Upcoming events and photo recaps are posted on the Waterside FaceBook page under Waterside at Coquina Key. So far, we've had a lot of fun -- and even made some sales from these events, so if you are interested in the property in any capacity, stop by.
Recently, we also helped out Rapid Refill Ink in Carrollwood with a Back to School promotion, although they offer eco-friendly, convenient and affordable printer cartridge refill services all year long, around the country. Check out their latest press release. It might change your mind the next time you go to throw a used printer cartridge into the trash.
And, although the account is not new, I had the pleasure this week of attending a check presentation from WalMart to a Florida division of the Boys and Girls Club for a $150,000 grant in support of a new educational program to help keep kids in school, along with the ever enjoyable interactions with Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo as we gear up for the final 2009 $5 Day Sept. 13, sponsored by WalMart's Hillsborough and Pinellas County stores.
And then, finally, for some good news and some bad news. The good news first: Heidelberg PR and Action Coach Pinellas have entered into a strategic alliance to further the business goals of each firm. Heidelberg PR will provide subject matter expert coaching and services to ACP's managing partner, Barbara Kyes, and, in return, I am receiving weekly coaching and training from Barb and her team. This promises to be a very interesting 12 months!
And now, for the bad news. HARC -- the Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Center -- is facing some extreme financial hardship on account of some unfortunate decisions by the State of Florida and the Agency for Disabled Persons. The situation is overviewed in this press release that Heidelberg PR issued a few months ago, but the issue remains, and many disabled adults will suffer as a result of some poor decision making. Help us tell the story to anyone who might be able to help!!
These are the summer highlights. School starts next week, so maybe I won't have to go three months again before I have time to say what I want to say.
BNI -- I joined, and you should check it out. My chapter, the Profit Pros, is great and very energizing. If you are a small business person or in sales or marketing, you should come visit us. We essentially train each other to make referrals to one another. It's time consuming but worth it when a big referral comes in. A spot in our chapter is worth approximately $45K in new business each year for each member. Hard to believe? Come see for yourself. And, if you are in another part of the country, don't worry. BNI -- Business Networking International -- is everywhere.
Charity Chics -- just for "chics," this group is about networking while giving back. All proceeds from meeting registration and door prizes go to a designated charity. So far, Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Center has been our primary charity. This group was founded by fashion consultant Lisa Ford of Invent Your Image and Karen Gillman, sales manager for Intelligent Office. It's a first come, first serve registration process and only one guest per professional industry is permitted to attend any given meeting. A good use of time -- check it out if you are local.
Tampa Jumpstart - I feel like I have a lot to brag about here. We picked our contest a winner a few weeks ago -- Mike Mayo with Golden Vision Photography won over $26K of pro bono start up services from the TJS team. Here's a TV clip announcing his victory, along with a few features Heidelberg PR placed in local business publications. Good luck, Mike!
Fox 13 News Clip on TJS Winner
Maddux Business Report Article on TJS Winner
Tampa Bay Business Journal Article on Winner
And now for some Heidelberg PR news on our newest clients! Since May, we have been helping Waterside at Coquina Key with sales outreach through resident, prospect and Realtor events. Upcoming events and photo recaps are posted on the Waterside FaceBook page under Waterside at Coquina Key. So far, we've had a lot of fun -- and even made some sales from these events, so if you are interested in the property in any capacity, stop by.
Recently, we also helped out Rapid Refill Ink in Carrollwood with a Back to School promotion, although they offer eco-friendly, convenient and affordable printer cartridge refill services all year long, around the country. Check out their latest press release. It might change your mind the next time you go to throw a used printer cartridge into the trash.
And, although the account is not new, I had the pleasure this week of attending a check presentation from WalMart to a Florida division of the Boys and Girls Club for a $150,000 grant in support of a new educational program to help keep kids in school, along with the ever enjoyable interactions with Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo as we gear up for the final 2009 $5 Day Sept. 13, sponsored by WalMart's Hillsborough and Pinellas County stores.
And then, finally, for some good news and some bad news. The good news first: Heidelberg PR and Action Coach Pinellas have entered into a strategic alliance to further the business goals of each firm. Heidelberg PR will provide subject matter expert coaching and services to ACP's managing partner, Barbara Kyes, and, in return, I am receiving weekly coaching and training from Barb and her team. This promises to be a very interesting 12 months!
And now, for the bad news. HARC -- the Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Center -- is facing some extreme financial hardship on account of some unfortunate decisions by the State of Florida and the Agency for Disabled Persons. The situation is overviewed in this press release that Heidelberg PR issued a few months ago, but the issue remains, and many disabled adults will suffer as a result of some poor decision making. Help us tell the story to anyone who might be able to help!!
These are the summer highlights. School starts next week, so maybe I won't have to go three months again before I have time to say what I want to say.
Monday, May 18, 2009
$25,000!!
See the FOX 13 news clip below, followed by a press release regarding a program I am involved in to award a deserving new Tampa Bay entrepreneur $25,000 in pro bono services.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/good_day/tampa_bay_small_business_jumpstart_051809
Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart
3111 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste. 100
Tampa, FL 33607
http://www.tampajumpstart.com/
info@tampajumpstart.com
Contact:
Julie Heidelberg
Heidelberg PR
813-784-6288
julie@heidelbergpr.com
Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart Contest
Will Award Budding Entrepreneur $25,000 Prize
The Jumpstart package provides a wide collection of FREE start-up services to help a
local victim of downsizing create their own small business
TAMPA, Fla. (May 18, 2009) – In honor of national Small Business Week, eight local business entities, including have banned together to launch the Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart contest. The contest winner will receive $25,000 in pro bono business start up services to launch a company of their own.
To qualify, aspiring entrepreneurs must meet two primary criteria:
They lost their job due to the economic crunch (laid off, downsized, etc)
They are not looking for a new job with another company or organization, but instead, have either decided to start a business of their own in the last six months or plan to start a business within the next two months.
The Jumpstart winner will receive a package of services that includes internet marketing and web site development, on-site IT support, a public relations campaign, office space and receptionist support for nine months, start-up accounting services, life coaching, printing services and ongoing business planning and counseling. Full details on the award package are posted at http://www.tampajumpstart.com/.
Jumpstart contest applications will be available online at http://www.tampajumpstart.com/ on May 18, 2009 and are due at 5 p.m. on June 18, 2009. There is a $20 application fee, and all contest proceeds will be donated to the Hillsborough Achievement Resource Center, which serves disabled adults.
Jumpstart Origins
The Jumpstart concept originated with Jeremy Knauff, CEO of Wildfire Marketing Group and author of School's Out: A Real World Guide to Marketing Your Business from A to Z.
“There are a lot of people out there who have lost their jobs due to the economy,” Knauff said, “and that reality drove me to recruit like-minded business people who wanted to help at least one person overcome an unfortunate hardship.”
Jumpstart participant Karen Gillman, sales coordinator at Intelligent Office in Tampa, was one of the first to team up with Knauff.
“Today, with so many people facing unexpected changes in their careers, the Small Business JumpStart contributors felt compelled to provide some assistance to someone who wants to change their life in a very significant way,” Gillman said. “To start a new company after losing a job requires so many things – not to mention courage, determination and creativity – but you also need tangible resources like office space, marketing materials and advisors. That’s where we knew we could help.”
Who are the Jumpstart contributors?
Providing life coaching:
Clestine Herbert, Divine Discipline, http://www.divinediscipline.com/
Providing public relations services:
Julie Heidelberg*, Heidelberg PR, http://www.heidelbergpr.com/
Providing virtual office services and meeting space:
Karen Gillman*, Intelligent Office, http://www.intelligentoffice.com/
Providing on-site IT support services:
Louis Ayoub*, IntelliTECHs, http://www.intellitechs.com/
Providing printing services:
David Bell*, PA Printing Service, http://www.paprintingservices.com/
Providing accounting services:
Rosella Rinaldo Paul*, CPA, Rosella.Paul@rosellapaulcpa.com
Providing ongoing business planning and counseling services:
Kim Wagner, USF Small Business Development Center, http://sbdc.usf.edu/
Providing Internet marketing and web site development services:
Jeremy Knauff, Wildfire Marketing Group, http://www.wildfiremarketinggroup.com/
*These contributors are also members of the “Profit Pros” chapter of a Tampa Business Networking International (BNI) chapter.
For more information about the Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart contest, the contributors, the application and the award package, please visit http://www.tampajumpstart.com/.
###
EDITOR’S NOTE: Headshots of the contributors are available through Heidelberg PR.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/good_day/tampa_bay_small_business_jumpstart_051809
Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart
3111 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste. 100
Tampa, FL 33607
http://www.tampajumpstart.com/
info@tampajumpstart.com
Contact:
Julie Heidelberg
Heidelberg PR
813-784-6288
julie@heidelbergpr.com
Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart Contest
Will Award Budding Entrepreneur $25,000 Prize
The Jumpstart package provides a wide collection of FREE start-up services to help a
local victim of downsizing create their own small business
TAMPA, Fla. (May 18, 2009) – In honor of national Small Business Week, eight local business entities, including have banned together to launch the Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart contest. The contest winner will receive $25,000 in pro bono business start up services to launch a company of their own.
To qualify, aspiring entrepreneurs must meet two primary criteria:
They lost their job due to the economic crunch (laid off, downsized, etc)
They are not looking for a new job with another company or organization, but instead, have either decided to start a business of their own in the last six months or plan to start a business within the next two months.
The Jumpstart winner will receive a package of services that includes internet marketing and web site development, on-site IT support, a public relations campaign, office space and receptionist support for nine months, start-up accounting services, life coaching, printing services and ongoing business planning and counseling. Full details on the award package are posted at http://www.tampajumpstart.com/.
Jumpstart contest applications will be available online at http://www.tampajumpstart.com/ on May 18, 2009 and are due at 5 p.m. on June 18, 2009. There is a $20 application fee, and all contest proceeds will be donated to the Hillsborough Achievement Resource Center, which serves disabled adults.
Jumpstart Origins
The Jumpstart concept originated with Jeremy Knauff, CEO of Wildfire Marketing Group and author of School's Out: A Real World Guide to Marketing Your Business from A to Z.
“There are a lot of people out there who have lost their jobs due to the economy,” Knauff said, “and that reality drove me to recruit like-minded business people who wanted to help at least one person overcome an unfortunate hardship.”
Jumpstart participant Karen Gillman, sales coordinator at Intelligent Office in Tampa, was one of the first to team up with Knauff.
“Today, with so many people facing unexpected changes in their careers, the Small Business JumpStart contributors felt compelled to provide some assistance to someone who wants to change their life in a very significant way,” Gillman said. “To start a new company after losing a job requires so many things – not to mention courage, determination and creativity – but you also need tangible resources like office space, marketing materials and advisors. That’s where we knew we could help.”
Who are the Jumpstart contributors?
Providing life coaching:
Clestine Herbert, Divine Discipline, http://www.divinediscipline.com/
Providing public relations services:
Julie Heidelberg*, Heidelberg PR, http://www.heidelbergpr.com/
Providing virtual office services and meeting space:
Karen Gillman*, Intelligent Office, http://www.intelligentoffice.com/
Providing on-site IT support services:
Louis Ayoub*, IntelliTECHs, http://www.intellitechs.com/
Providing printing services:
David Bell*, PA Printing Service, http://www.paprintingservices.com/
Providing accounting services:
Rosella Rinaldo Paul*, CPA, Rosella.Paul@rosellapaulcpa.com
Providing ongoing business planning and counseling services:
Kim Wagner, USF Small Business Development Center, http://sbdc.usf.edu/
Providing Internet marketing and web site development services:
Jeremy Knauff, Wildfire Marketing Group, http://www.wildfiremarketinggroup.com/
*These contributors are also members of the “Profit Pros” chapter of a Tampa Business Networking International (BNI) chapter.
For more information about the Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart contest, the contributors, the application and the award package, please visit http://www.tampajumpstart.com/.
###
EDITOR’S NOTE: Headshots of the contributors are available through Heidelberg PR.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Bragging on Intelligent Office
Plant City’s Karen Gillman and Tampa’s Intelligent Office® Both Nominated for Small Business Leadership Awards
Gillman works for the Intelligent Office® franchise in Tampa, and both she and the company received nominations for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annual awards
TAMPA, Fla. (May 7, 2009) – Plant City resident Karen Gillman has been nominated for “Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year Award,” a prestigious award given annually by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
And, the family business she helps manage, the Intelligent Office®, located at 3111 Dr. W. Martin Luther King Blvd. Suite 100, in Tampa, was also nominated for the Greater Tampa Chamber’s “Small Business of the Year Award.”
“We are very honored to be nominated,” said Gillman, whose primary responsibility at Intelligent Office® focuses on sales and client services. “Like any small business, we’ve faced many uphill battles over the years, and we are grateful to be recognized in this way. Our entire team is thrilled!” she said.
Veronica Wages, an account manager at Alternative Capital in Tampa, submitted both nominations to the chamber. “Karen Gillman is one of the most professional and diligent people I have had the pleasure to work with,” Wages said. “She not only exhibits this in her role with Intelligent Office, but through the various charitable organizations to which she belongs. Nominating her was a no-brainer because she is the epitome of what the Tampa Chamber is looking to recognize with these prestigious awards.”
Small Town Girl with Big Time Accomplishments
Although she didn’t realize it, Gillman’s training as an exemplary leader began in her teenage years upon high school graduation. Summoning her inner courage, she decided to move away from her Jerome, Idaho family farm, where she grew up picking strawberries, feeding baby cows and gathering eggs, to accept a live-in nanny position for a two-year-old boy in Boston.
“I had $75 saved up from working at the local drive-in restaurant, which I hid in a small tin behind my mom’s washing machine. After high school, my friends were all getting married and starting families and I knew I needed to do something,” Gillman said.
“I looked into joining the Air Force, travel jobs … and then I saw an ad in the paper for the nanny position. My mom said, ‘Oh, you’ll never do something like that!’ and at that age, that was all I needed to hear to set the wheels in motion. Off to Boston I went,” she said, “with $75 stashed in an emergency tin at home just in case I needed a way to get back… that was my big plan!”
The small town girl’s “big plan” plan paid off, and Gillman spent 11 years working for the Boston family while simultaneously earning her B.A. in Psychology from Framingham State College.
Eventually, Karen returned to the Midwest where she worked as an executive secretary for a large church and for Supra, a General Electric company best known for the production of realtor lockboxes.
During this time, Gillman met her husband, Mark through a business friend. “She didn’t really know Mark, but she knew of his personality and demeanor from leading worship at her church, and felt certain we were a match, so she set us up – on Valentine’s Day of all days!,” she said. The couple immediately fell in love and got married the following Valentine’s Day nine years ago.
Karen and Mark moved from Salem, Oregon to Tampa five years ago to settle closer to his family. Coincidentally, Mark’s father, Leo Gillman, owner of the Intelligent Office® Tampa franchise, needed help at the office and asked Karen to start work there immediately after their move.
As it turned out, it was yet another fortunate turning point in Karen Gillman’s seemingly blessed life. Today, both she and her husband manage six employees and all Intelligent Office® operations – an arrangement that perfectly suits the couple, who each spend about 80 percent of their work week in the office.
When asked about her leadership style, she said, “We like to lead by example. Our motto at Intelligent Office is that you can ‘work anywhere, professionally,’ which is what we strive to do.”
“Partnering with Intelligent Office affords small businesses the luxuries of a large office with small overhead,” Gillman explained. “Once you are a member of Intelligent Office your business image is immediately elevated to the next level of professionalism.”
Quality Time and Quality Life in Tampa Bay
Today, Karen supports her Plant City community in a variety of ways, and is also very involved at her church and an assortment of professional groups in Tampa, including the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the local Profit Pros chapter of BNI.
“I believe in face-to-face marketing – really getting to know people and understanding what their business needs are all about,” Gillman said, explaining that this is one of her most effective growth strategies for Intelligent Office. “Today, everyone wants instant gratification. We live in a world surrounded by fast food, overnight mail, e-mail and instant messaging. In business, it takes time to sow enough good seed to reap a fruitful crop.”
Gillman volunteers her time as an ambassador for HARC – Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Centers – and supports their fall fashion show and other fund-raising efforts, and she also runs her own networking group, Charity Chics, with business colleague Lisa Ford, owner of Invent Your Image.
Gillman serves as a national spokeswoman for Johnson and Johnson in support of their gastric banding product, the Lap-Band®, a tool that has given her an amazing weight-loss success story to share.
Through Intelligent Office®, she is currently collaborating with a handful of local small businesses to launch a short-term philanthropic program called JumpStart.
For more information on Intelligent Office, visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/ or call the Tampa office at 813-350-7800.
About Intelligent Office
Intelligent Office® is the national leader in virtual office solutions, shared serviced office space, and receptionist services. Intelligent Office® offers professional, temporary and virtual office space with all the amenities of a real office, and memberships include address services, remote receptionists, phone numbers, ala cart business services and nation-wide meeting spaces. All services are customizable to fit varied business needs, offering a smart, affordable and easy way to work from home, another office, or on the road. As part of the national franchise, the Tampa location currently serves over 250 business professionals.
###
http://www.pr.com/news-by-category/32
Gillman works for the Intelligent Office® franchise in Tampa, and both she and the company received nominations for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annual awards
TAMPA, Fla. (May 7, 2009) – Plant City resident Karen Gillman has been nominated for “Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year Award,” a prestigious award given annually by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
And, the family business she helps manage, the Intelligent Office®, located at 3111 Dr. W. Martin Luther King Blvd. Suite 100, in Tampa, was also nominated for the Greater Tampa Chamber’s “Small Business of the Year Award.”
“We are very honored to be nominated,” said Gillman, whose primary responsibility at Intelligent Office® focuses on sales and client services. “Like any small business, we’ve faced many uphill battles over the years, and we are grateful to be recognized in this way. Our entire team is thrilled!” she said.
Veronica Wages, an account manager at Alternative Capital in Tampa, submitted both nominations to the chamber. “Karen Gillman is one of the most professional and diligent people I have had the pleasure to work with,” Wages said. “She not only exhibits this in her role with Intelligent Office, but through the various charitable organizations to which she belongs. Nominating her was a no-brainer because she is the epitome of what the Tampa Chamber is looking to recognize with these prestigious awards.”
Small Town Girl with Big Time Accomplishments
Although she didn’t realize it, Gillman’s training as an exemplary leader began in her teenage years upon high school graduation. Summoning her inner courage, she decided to move away from her Jerome, Idaho family farm, where she grew up picking strawberries, feeding baby cows and gathering eggs, to accept a live-in nanny position for a two-year-old boy in Boston.
“I had $75 saved up from working at the local drive-in restaurant, which I hid in a small tin behind my mom’s washing machine. After high school, my friends were all getting married and starting families and I knew I needed to do something,” Gillman said.
“I looked into joining the Air Force, travel jobs … and then I saw an ad in the paper for the nanny position. My mom said, ‘Oh, you’ll never do something like that!’ and at that age, that was all I needed to hear to set the wheels in motion. Off to Boston I went,” she said, “with $75 stashed in an emergency tin at home just in case I needed a way to get back… that was my big plan!”
The small town girl’s “big plan” plan paid off, and Gillman spent 11 years working for the Boston family while simultaneously earning her B.A. in Psychology from Framingham State College.
Eventually, Karen returned to the Midwest where she worked as an executive secretary for a large church and for Supra, a General Electric company best known for the production of realtor lockboxes.
During this time, Gillman met her husband, Mark through a business friend. “She didn’t really know Mark, but she knew of his personality and demeanor from leading worship at her church, and felt certain we were a match, so she set us up – on Valentine’s Day of all days!,” she said. The couple immediately fell in love and got married the following Valentine’s Day nine years ago.
Karen and Mark moved from Salem, Oregon to Tampa five years ago to settle closer to his family. Coincidentally, Mark’s father, Leo Gillman, owner of the Intelligent Office® Tampa franchise, needed help at the office and asked Karen to start work there immediately after their move.
As it turned out, it was yet another fortunate turning point in Karen Gillman’s seemingly blessed life. Today, both she and her husband manage six employees and all Intelligent Office® operations – an arrangement that perfectly suits the couple, who each spend about 80 percent of their work week in the office.
When asked about her leadership style, she said, “We like to lead by example. Our motto at Intelligent Office is that you can ‘work anywhere, professionally,’ which is what we strive to do.”
“Partnering with Intelligent Office affords small businesses the luxuries of a large office with small overhead,” Gillman explained. “Once you are a member of Intelligent Office your business image is immediately elevated to the next level of professionalism.”
Quality Time and Quality Life in Tampa Bay
Today, Karen supports her Plant City community in a variety of ways, and is also very involved at her church and an assortment of professional groups in Tampa, including the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the local Profit Pros chapter of BNI.
“I believe in face-to-face marketing – really getting to know people and understanding what their business needs are all about,” Gillman said, explaining that this is one of her most effective growth strategies for Intelligent Office. “Today, everyone wants instant gratification. We live in a world surrounded by fast food, overnight mail, e-mail and instant messaging. In business, it takes time to sow enough good seed to reap a fruitful crop.”
Gillman volunteers her time as an ambassador for HARC – Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Centers – and supports their fall fashion show and other fund-raising efforts, and she also runs her own networking group, Charity Chics, with business colleague Lisa Ford, owner of Invent Your Image.
Gillman serves as a national spokeswoman for Johnson and Johnson in support of their gastric banding product, the Lap-Band®, a tool that has given her an amazing weight-loss success story to share.
Through Intelligent Office®, she is currently collaborating with a handful of local small businesses to launch a short-term philanthropic program called JumpStart.
For more information on Intelligent Office, visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/ or call the Tampa office at 813-350-7800.
About Intelligent Office
Intelligent Office® is the national leader in virtual office solutions, shared serviced office space, and receptionist services. Intelligent Office® offers professional, temporary and virtual office space with all the amenities of a real office, and memberships include address services, remote receptionists, phone numbers, ala cart business services and nation-wide meeting spaces. All services are customizable to fit varied business needs, offering a smart, affordable and easy way to work from home, another office, or on the road. As part of the national franchise, the Tampa location currently serves over 250 business professionals.
###
http://www.pr.com/news-by-category/32
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I'm famous!
OK -- maybe not -- but here's a link to an interesting parenting article where I was quoted for one of my pet peeves about other parents. Nice, huh? Here's the link to the iParenting article by Beth Hering:
Baby Pet Peeves: What Do Other Parents Do That Drives You Nuts?
http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/motherhood/baby-pet-peeves-6416/
Now, I'm not out there marketing myself as a parenting expert, that's for sure. But you might be interested in how I plugged into this opportunity.
Every day I receive 100 or more queries from reporters looking for both experts and non-experts for a variety of articles in both regional and national publications -- including USA Today and other well known dailies. Bloggers also post requests, and so do some academics and authors working on books.
It is absolutely fascinating to see what pops up each day, and I really love connecting clients and other associates and friends with these writers looking for information and quotes. If you want me to be on the lookout for opportunities for YOU or your company, organization, or hobby, send me a note and we can talk!
Baby Pet Peeves: What Do Other Parents Do That Drives You Nuts?
http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/motherhood/baby-pet-peeves-6416/
Now, I'm not out there marketing myself as a parenting expert, that's for sure. But you might be interested in how I plugged into this opportunity.
Every day I receive 100 or more queries from reporters looking for both experts and non-experts for a variety of articles in both regional and national publications -- including USA Today and other well known dailies. Bloggers also post requests, and so do some academics and authors working on books.
It is absolutely fascinating to see what pops up each day, and I really love connecting clients and other associates and friends with these writers looking for information and quotes. If you want me to be on the lookout for opportunities for YOU or your company, organization, or hobby, send me a note and we can talk!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Interesting insights at USF
OK -- admittedly, there is a repressed nerd lurking within.
I spent a really invigorating hour today with 6 young ladies who are majoring in PR at the USF School of Mass Communication. For their Advanced PR class, they had to conduct research and prepare a strategic communication plan for the USF College of Arts School of Music, and I was there as a visiting practitioner to give my two cents on their plan.
I think I've done this three times now, and I love it every time -- especially when I am just there to give input and help with ideas without being the one to have to actually grade the assignment. In fact, I am getting ready to go on our annual trip to Sanibel Island with the family, and I was just telling my colleague how I used to have to schlep along a bunch of project notebooks, final writing projects, and all sorts of grading that really made sitting on the beach difficult. I often wondered what the students thought when their assignments came back gritty and smelling like Hawaiian Tropic.
But anyhow, a few interesting things came out of my time with these gals. First, I was struck by the prevalence of social media recommendations in the tactical section of their plan. It's right on target, in my opinion, to include Twitter, FaceBook and blogging as communication tools -- but what got me was the fact that four years ago these elements were nowhere to be found in student communication plans. Girls, you're on the right track.
When we first sat down, I went on just a wee bit about Heidelberg PR and my past experience so they could have some perspective and use the knowledge in the future if I can help them out somehow. Then I asked them to tell me a little about themselves. And get this -- out of six PR majors, only one of them seemed to have a strong interest in working in the field after graduation!! Hmm ... is this a new reality? A developing trend? Or just coincidence?
PR might be the fall-back field for a future physical therapist, an event planner, a comedian, and three undecided gals who already have full-time college-type jobs. And the thing is, from my limited impression, they could all probably be great practitioners.
I am very curious about this. Is something happening to erode our field at the entry-level, or is it just a reality of our economy right now? Are there "no jobs" or are today's students finding no value in their degree? Are they in the major because they thought it would be an easy way to simply earn any old degree so they can move on to other things?
Another sign of the times ... the grad program no longer offers a "public relations" track. It's now called "Strategic Communication." This change happened awhile ago, so I'm told, and I'm not opposed the name because it is fitting to the higher levels of our practice. But some would argue that we must protect the body of knowledge called "public relations," and they worry about the "encroachment" of other fields into the PR arena. The whole concept of integrated marketing communications threw a shockwave through many academic purists, but if you want to be relevant as an educational program, you have to at least acknowledge what is happening in the workplace.
Anyone who thinks a coordinated, wholistic communications plan is a bad idea is not living in reality. Yes, there are different elements and approaches to communications, but there are different sections in an orchestra too -- and the power of combined, overlayed or staggered communications all containing the same message points is undeniable. This is strategic communications, but PR and marketing each operating in a vacuum is definitely NOT.
Of course the concern is that marketing will consume PR out in the "real world," and that's probably a valid concern simply because marketing departments tend to be bigger and they, in theory, are tied directly to the bottom line company results which gives the illusion of more influence and importance. Consequently, they get bigger budgets to play with. Afterall, why does PR need any money when what they do is "free?" Yes ... the debate goes on, and trust me, obtaining earned media coverage is really the only "free" thing about practicing public relations if you are doing it right.
The PR body of theory, though, will advocate for the opposite results. If any discipline is going to dominate, marketing should yield to PR since PR's concerns encompass all audiences and marketing really only concerns itself with one audience -- the customer. How about you guys come over here and play in our sandbox for a while -- and bring your budget while you're at it!
Unfortunately, in the end, valuable things like relationship building, environmental scanning and issues management are hard to measure, so it's much easier for the rest of the professional working world to simply measure PR success on something they understand -- media coverage. What a shame, what a shame ... but I digress.
Thank you, Dr. Kelly Werder, for inviting me to assist you this morning, and good luck to all of your students as they approach the end of their PR studies.
I spent a really invigorating hour today with 6 young ladies who are majoring in PR at the USF School of Mass Communication. For their Advanced PR class, they had to conduct research and prepare a strategic communication plan for the USF College of Arts School of Music, and I was there as a visiting practitioner to give my two cents on their plan.
I think I've done this three times now, and I love it every time -- especially when I am just there to give input and help with ideas without being the one to have to actually grade the assignment. In fact, I am getting ready to go on our annual trip to Sanibel Island with the family, and I was just telling my colleague how I used to have to schlep along a bunch of project notebooks, final writing projects, and all sorts of grading that really made sitting on the beach difficult. I often wondered what the students thought when their assignments came back gritty and smelling like Hawaiian Tropic.
But anyhow, a few interesting things came out of my time with these gals. First, I was struck by the prevalence of social media recommendations in the tactical section of their plan. It's right on target, in my opinion, to include Twitter, FaceBook and blogging as communication tools -- but what got me was the fact that four years ago these elements were nowhere to be found in student communication plans. Girls, you're on the right track.
When we first sat down, I went on just a wee bit about Heidelberg PR and my past experience so they could have some perspective and use the knowledge in the future if I can help them out somehow. Then I asked them to tell me a little about themselves. And get this -- out of six PR majors, only one of them seemed to have a strong interest in working in the field after graduation!! Hmm ... is this a new reality? A developing trend? Or just coincidence?
PR might be the fall-back field for a future physical therapist, an event planner, a comedian, and three undecided gals who already have full-time college-type jobs. And the thing is, from my limited impression, they could all probably be great practitioners.
I am very curious about this. Is something happening to erode our field at the entry-level, or is it just a reality of our economy right now? Are there "no jobs" or are today's students finding no value in their degree? Are they in the major because they thought it would be an easy way to simply earn any old degree so they can move on to other things?
Another sign of the times ... the grad program no longer offers a "public relations" track. It's now called "Strategic Communication." This change happened awhile ago, so I'm told, and I'm not opposed the name because it is fitting to the higher levels of our practice. But some would argue that we must protect the body of knowledge called "public relations," and they worry about the "encroachment" of other fields into the PR arena. The whole concept of integrated marketing communications threw a shockwave through many academic purists, but if you want to be relevant as an educational program, you have to at least acknowledge what is happening in the workplace.
Anyone who thinks a coordinated, wholistic communications plan is a bad idea is not living in reality. Yes, there are different elements and approaches to communications, but there are different sections in an orchestra too -- and the power of combined, overlayed or staggered communications all containing the same message points is undeniable. This is strategic communications, but PR and marketing each operating in a vacuum is definitely NOT.
Of course the concern is that marketing will consume PR out in the "real world," and that's probably a valid concern simply because marketing departments tend to be bigger and they, in theory, are tied directly to the bottom line company results which gives the illusion of more influence and importance. Consequently, they get bigger budgets to play with. Afterall, why does PR need any money when what they do is "free?" Yes ... the debate goes on, and trust me, obtaining earned media coverage is really the only "free" thing about practicing public relations if you are doing it right.
The PR body of theory, though, will advocate for the opposite results. If any discipline is going to dominate, marketing should yield to PR since PR's concerns encompass all audiences and marketing really only concerns itself with one audience -- the customer. How about you guys come over here and play in our sandbox for a while -- and bring your budget while you're at it!
Unfortunately, in the end, valuable things like relationship building, environmental scanning and issues management are hard to measure, so it's much easier for the rest of the professional working world to simply measure PR success on something they understand -- media coverage. What a shame, what a shame ... but I digress.
Thank you, Dr. Kelly Werder, for inviting me to assist you this morning, and good luck to all of your students as they approach the end of their PR studies.
Friday, March 27, 2009
It's Friday
Well, it's been an interesting week.
Tuesday night's networking event (all the women) has really unearthed some surprising developments, like a 3rd-party reconnection with a former client and the possibility of helping out a new client a little bit.
I spent Wednesday drowning in more online resources. I am amazed with what is going on in the Internet PR world. I have been asleep and missing the action for years, it seems. Glad to be stepping out now, but it can get overwhelming.
In the real world, I had a great lunch with my former contact at Waterside in St. Pete. She is the community association manager now at Vinoy Place -- another beautiful waterfront property -- and we had a lot of catching up to do since she's been in her position only 3 months. A fun and productive use of time, for sure.
Also reconnected with one of my USF professor friends and we are meeting next week to talk about collaborating on a possible research project. I could not be more excited about this -- there is a lot of potential here, and we just have to get serious about doing this thing that we have talked about for years.
Last night I did manage to find my way to the Tampa Bay Business Journal mixer, but it was definitely the type of thing that you go to with a pal or a group from the office. They held it at the new Hula Bay Club, which is right on the water and quite magnificent, but it was loud, cramped and maybe a little disjointed. I clung to who I knew, and we did not even attempt to "mix" it up with anyone else, which is OK because I had a nice time anyhow.
Feeling very disenchanted with Twitter and a little mystified on how to get the most out of it. I see a lot of very appealing home pages for folks, but I find navigation of the program to be confusing and slow -- and I'm not sure why. It's bugging me. I'm reading articles about it and I see the potential for multiple goals I have for Heidelberg PR, my clients, and even for my husband's business, Heidleberg Capital Corp. So, I must learn how to make this work!
Heading out soon for the Oldsmar spring carnival and looking forward to a house party tomorrow with friends -- a bitter sweet event as we bid farewell to former Tampa Tribune reporter Mark Guidera, who is off to greener pastures up north.
Also, on a personal note, quite excited at the possibility of some family members moving to Tampa. We have no one here right now, and I will do everything in my power to help make a satisfying and happy life for Clay and Kristy if they decide to make the move. Good luck with your decision-making, guys, as you face this long weekend together. We love you, no matter what you decide!
Tuesday night's networking event (all the women) has really unearthed some surprising developments, like a 3rd-party reconnection with a former client and the possibility of helping out a new client a little bit.
I spent Wednesday drowning in more online resources. I am amazed with what is going on in the Internet PR world. I have been asleep and missing the action for years, it seems. Glad to be stepping out now, but it can get overwhelming.
In the real world, I had a great lunch with my former contact at Waterside in St. Pete. She is the community association manager now at Vinoy Place -- another beautiful waterfront property -- and we had a lot of catching up to do since she's been in her position only 3 months. A fun and productive use of time, for sure.
Also reconnected with one of my USF professor friends and we are meeting next week to talk about collaborating on a possible research project. I could not be more excited about this -- there is a lot of potential here, and we just have to get serious about doing this thing that we have talked about for years.
Last night I did manage to find my way to the Tampa Bay Business Journal mixer, but it was definitely the type of thing that you go to with a pal or a group from the office. They held it at the new Hula Bay Club, which is right on the water and quite magnificent, but it was loud, cramped and maybe a little disjointed. I clung to who I knew, and we did not even attempt to "mix" it up with anyone else, which is OK because I had a nice time anyhow.
Feeling very disenchanted with Twitter and a little mystified on how to get the most out of it. I see a lot of very appealing home pages for folks, but I find navigation of the program to be confusing and slow -- and I'm not sure why. It's bugging me. I'm reading articles about it and I see the potential for multiple goals I have for Heidelberg PR, my clients, and even for my husband's business, Heidleberg Capital Corp. So, I must learn how to make this work!
Heading out soon for the Oldsmar spring carnival and looking forward to a house party tomorrow with friends -- a bitter sweet event as we bid farewell to former Tampa Tribune reporter Mark Guidera, who is off to greener pastures up north.
Also, on a personal note, quite excited at the possibility of some family members moving to Tampa. We have no one here right now, and I will do everything in my power to help make a satisfying and happy life for Clay and Kristy if they decide to make the move. Good luck with your decision-making, guys, as you face this long weekend together. We love you, no matter what you decide!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Networking Event Reviews
February and March, 2009
OK, let’s face it. Heidelberg PR is not immune to the economic downswing. So, before things get too ugly, I decided to get proactive.
First, I added a new service offering to my business – a seminar series that kicks off in a month with “Mastering Public Relations.” I’ve made a lot of progress tapping my professional network to help promote the event, and actually issued the very first Heidelberg PR company news release to the media today. Even though I have done it countless times for clients, it felt odd doing it for my own firm.
Anyhow, that is moving along nicely, including planning for the next two topics: “Successful PR Writing” and “Strategic PR Campaigns.”
Next up, I went a little wild making sure people can find me online. I added the blog, and my web site, http://www.heidelbergpr.com/ is undergoing some optimization upgrades. I twitter and tweet, I’m “linked in” and you can see my smiling mug on Facebook. I signed up for numerous directories to make sure I’m included with all the other local firms when someone goes searching, and I registered for some industry-specific services to strengthen my consulting services. Can I do more here? Oh yes, and I will.
This has all been pretty fun – pursuing a new venture, playing online – but I expected the real fun to be in the networking events I’ve attended thus far. Of course, I treasure my lunches with my colleagues, clients and friends, but I’m talking about events that I’ve either attended with the goal of staying connected with people, or the ones where I went hoping that I’d plant some seeds for future business. So far, it’s a mixed bag.
Now, networking is one of those words that gets loosely thrown around these days, and it can mean just about anything involving a group of people getting together to talk under nearly any circumstances.
Here’s a sampling from my calendar in the last two months. Things that seem purely social can be deceptively productive, and things that should be productive can be total busts, as I have recently experienced. So, before you decide to go “network,” consider your objectives, weigh the results, and determine if you’re going to spend your precious and limited time productively.
Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl Party
My Objectives – support a client partner, support a friend, socialize with other friends, and meet new people
Results – 3 out of 4 objectives met – did not make any significant new contacts even though I worked the media check-in table and interfaced with the Steinberg PR folks for 3 hours and mingled at the party for another 2 hours.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – but only because of my previous relationship with the zoo, who hosted the event
Personally: 5 -- Had a great time!
Julie & Jim Heidelberg on the “green” carpet at the Leigh Steinberg party
Susan G. Komen “Pink Tie” Gala
My Objectives – Socialize with PR contacts and friends, meet new people
February and March, 2009
OK, let’s face it. Heidelberg PR is not immune to the economic downswing. So, before things get too ugly, I decided to get proactive.
First, I added a new service offering to my business – a seminar series that kicks off in a month with “Mastering Public Relations.” I’ve made a lot of progress tapping my professional network to help promote the event, and actually issued the very first Heidelberg PR company news release to the media today. Even though I have done it countless times for clients, it felt odd doing it for my own firm.
Anyhow, that is moving along nicely, including planning for the next two topics: “Successful PR Writing” and “Strategic PR Campaigns.”
Next up, I went a little wild making sure people can find me online. I added the blog, and my web site, http://www.heidelbergpr.com/ is undergoing some optimization upgrades. I twitter and tweet, I’m “linked in” and you can see my smiling mug on Facebook. I signed up for numerous directories to make sure I’m included with all the other local firms when someone goes searching, and I registered for some industry-specific services to strengthen my consulting services. Can I do more here? Oh yes, and I will.
This has all been pretty fun – pursuing a new venture, playing online – but I expected the real fun to be in the networking events I’ve attended thus far. Of course, I treasure my lunches with my colleagues, clients and friends, but I’m talking about events that I’ve either attended with the goal of staying connected with people, or the ones where I went hoping that I’d plant some seeds for future business. So far, it’s a mixed bag.
Now, networking is one of those words that gets loosely thrown around these days, and it can mean just about anything involving a group of people getting together to talk under nearly any circumstances.
Here’s a sampling from my calendar in the last two months. Things that seem purely social can be deceptively productive, and things that should be productive can be total busts, as I have recently experienced. So, before you decide to go “network,” consider your objectives, weigh the results, and determine if you’re going to spend your precious and limited time productively.
Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl Party
My Objectives – support a client partner, support a friend, socialize with other friends, and meet new people
Results – 3 out of 4 objectives met – did not make any significant new contacts even though I worked the media check-in table and interfaced with the Steinberg PR folks for 3 hours and mingled at the party for another 2 hours.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – but only because of my previous relationship with the zoo, who hosted the event
Personally: 5 -- Had a great time!
Julie & Jim Heidelberg on the “green” carpet at the Leigh Steinberg party
Susan G. Komen “Pink Tie” Gala
My Objectives – Socialize with PR contacts and friends, meet new people
Results – Once again, quite happy with my ability to socialize with people I know, but the only new person I met was the live auction woman who zipped over at high speed to whisk my credit card out of my hand when I got carried away bidding on a Bahamas trip. Note to all event planners – play emotional video and have personal testimonial immediately prior to live auction. Talk about priming the pump … congrats to those folks on a very nice event, too.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 5 – no, I did not meet any new people, but I did have some great follow up with both of the PR contacts I sat with. They are both friends and we share resources, ideas and referrals.
Personally: 5 Had a great time again!
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 5 – no, I did not meet any new people, but I did have some great follow up with both of the PR contacts I sat with. They are both friends and we share resources, ideas and referrals.
Personally: 5 Had a great time again!
PR Pals – Margie Martin, Julie Heidelberg, Cindy Sharpe
PRSA Networking Mixer
PRSA Networking Mixer
My Objectives – Reconnect with PR contacts and friends, meet new people
Results – Sensing a theme here – did well reconnecting with the few folks that I knew from past years serving in the chapter but failed again to connect with anyone new. There were lots of new faces, but the group seemed to hang in clusters with little attempt to blend us all together.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – Once again, the follow up saved me. Unexpectedly, one of my former contacts whom I chatted with that night reached out to me and invited me into his networking group of seasoned PR folks who meet monthly. I had attended a time or two, years ago, but I look forward to checking in out again in May.
Personally: 2 – I enjoyed catching up with those I did talk with, but I didn’t feel quite up for the event that night (had to drive 45 minutes to get there) and I had a hard time making myself get out of the car.
Network of Executive Women Regional Meeting
Results – Sensing a theme here – did well reconnecting with the few folks that I knew from past years serving in the chapter but failed again to connect with anyone new. There were lots of new faces, but the group seemed to hang in clusters with little attempt to blend us all together.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – Once again, the follow up saved me. Unexpectedly, one of my former contacts whom I chatted with that night reached out to me and invited me into his networking group of seasoned PR folks who meet monthly. I had attended a time or two, years ago, but I look forward to checking in out again in May.
Personally: 2 – I enjoyed catching up with those I did talk with, but I didn’t feel quite up for the event that night (had to drive 45 minutes to get there) and I had a hard time making myself get out of the car.
Network of Executive Women Regional Meeting
My Objectives – Support a client, meet new people
Results – Finally!! A breakthrough! While the first two events I listed had some blend of professional relevance and personal enjoyment, I was feeling bummed after the PRSA event where I had high expectations for mingling and outreach. However, I left the NEW event feeling uplifted on a personal and professional level. This is a group of exceptional women from leading local consumer product companies and I really value the opportunity to interact with them. I submitted my membership application at the event, and I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Plus, I met some new people who I certainly hope to talk to again at future NEW events. These are long term possibilities for business cultivation, but I felt I made some headway in initiating a few relationships.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 4.5 – Made contact with my client, and met new people
Personally: 5 – The speaker, Jan Hill, was fabulous and thought-provoking.
Results – Finally!! A breakthrough! While the first two events I listed had some blend of professional relevance and personal enjoyment, I was feeling bummed after the PRSA event where I had high expectations for mingling and outreach. However, I left the NEW event feeling uplifted on a personal and professional level. This is a group of exceptional women from leading local consumer product companies and I really value the opportunity to interact with them. I submitted my membership application at the event, and I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Plus, I met some new people who I certainly hope to talk to again at future NEW events. These are long term possibilities for business cultivation, but I felt I made some headway in initiating a few relationships.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 4.5 – Made contact with my client, and met new people
Personally: 5 – The speaker, Jan Hill, was fabulous and thought-provoking.
Leadership Hillsborough Alumni Hayride
My Objectives – Reconnect with LH contacts and friends; and, as always, meet new people
Results – Hmmm … there were about 10 or 15 productive minutes where I chatted with some like-minded folks on some relevant public relations topics. There were not very many people there whom I did not already know, so meeting new people was a bit limited. Plus, it’s a very social kind of event, but you never know what might happen.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – the current board chair attended and I had previously asked her to help me promote my seminar to the LH alumni and current class members. She sent out my marketing materials after the event, so it was good to see her and catch up in person. I greatly appreciate her help.
Personally: 5 – I don’t know what to say, except that this is my kind of event. Had a really fun time.
Women’s Networking Event (that’s the official name but they are looking for a new one)
Results – Hmmm … there were about 10 or 15 productive minutes where I chatted with some like-minded folks on some relevant public relations topics. There were not very many people there whom I did not already know, so meeting new people was a bit limited. Plus, it’s a very social kind of event, but you never know what might happen.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 3.5 – the current board chair attended and I had previously asked her to help me promote my seminar to the LH alumni and current class members. She sent out my marketing materials after the event, so it was good to see her and catch up in person. I greatly appreciate her help.
Personally: 5 – I don’t know what to say, except that this is my kind of event. Had a really fun time.
Women’s Networking Event (that’s the official name but they are looking for a new one)
My Objectives – Support a client and business contact, meet new people
Results – As I knew it would be, this was an official networking event. There was ample mingling time, and then we all had our three minutes to give our branding speech and distribute marketing materials, business cards, etc.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 5 – got to learn about some really unusual businesses as well as share my own firm’s highlights. Also arranged for some follow up with a few people and left with a contact list. All in attendance were encouraged to openly communicate and market to each other.
Personally: 5 – I left satisfied with what occurred and I plan to attend again in May.
Upcoming events:
Tampa Bay Business Journal Mixer
BNI – 3 meetings as a guest
Results – As I knew it would be, this was an official networking event. There was ample mingling time, and then we all had our three minutes to give our branding speech and distribute marketing materials, business cards, etc.
Productive Use of Time Ranking, 1 low, 5 high
Professionally: 5 – got to learn about some really unusual businesses as well as share my own firm’s highlights. Also arranged for some follow up with a few people and left with a contact list. All in attendance were encouraged to openly communicate and market to each other.
Personally: 5 – I left satisfied with what occurred and I plan to attend again in May.
Upcoming events:
Tampa Bay Business Journal Mixer
BNI – 3 meetings as a guest
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mastering Public Relations: New Seminar Series
Heidelberg PR is launching a new seminar series called Mastering Public Relations.
Who should attend?
Any one who wants to kiss expensive advertising good-bye.
Why should you attend?
Why should you attend?
Public relations basics can generate greater exposure for your small business, leading to more customers, greater profits and the furthering of your mission.
What will we discuss?
Our interactive seminar, Mastering Public Relations, will
- identify real news you can use (work with what you've got)
- explain how to gain the interest of reporters (tools & techniques)
- explore grassroots marketing strategies customized for your company (who do you know)
Join us on
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Tampa Bay Business Park, Lake Pointe II
3111 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33607
Cost is $149 and includes continental breakfast.
RSVP to 813-784-6288 or julie@heidelbergpr.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Intelligent Office is Smart Choice for Small Businesses
Here's a great piece of information for small business owners who might be trying to reduce expenses. I have a contract with this company, and it is perfect for sole practitioners and others who may not need an office all the time, but who definitely need professional services sometimes.
Intelligent Office Offers Solutions for Shrinking Budgets
Small businesses can save thousands without sacrificing professional environment
TAMPA, Fla. (March 3, 2009) – As small business owners pull back on expenses in an attempt to withstand the recession, many wish they paid less to rent office space and maintain their professional image each month.
Intelligent Office, located at 3111 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. near Raymond James Stadium, offers a variety of options to local companies needing daily or occasional office or meeting space, along with other professional services.
“This is a great economic, yet professional solution for companies looking to reduce their overhead,” said Tampa’s Intelligent Office sales coordinator, Karen Gillman.
“Our services flex to fit our clients’ needs,” she said. “Some clients need receptionist services, some want a regular office that is ‘theirs’ to use everyday, and others just need an office or conference room to periodically conduct business meetings.”
Mike Alaiwat, a forensic psychophysiologist, has been a member of Intelligent Office for eight years and uses four office locations throughout the country. He travels a lot and finds the multiple locations and low-commitment agreement of Intelligent Office work well for his circumstances.
“In the last several years, I have moved out of state and back twice, had two children, taken time off from work, worked part-time and full-time, taken summers off, left the country for several months -- all while maintaining my Intelligent Office membership with minimal expense or commitment," Alaiwat said. “Using Intelligent Office helped me maintain my small business through a variety of circumstances.”
Another member, Suzette Alfonso, runs a private law practice. Originally, she operated out of three offices across Hillsborough and Pasco counties but, when she decided to consolidate her business, she turned to Intelligent Office.
Alfonso now operates her business from the Tampa Intelligent Office location. “Using Intelligent Office has allowed me maximum flexibility and economy while continuing to project a professional image,” she said.
“When I came across Intelligent Office in Tampa, I knew I had found the right solution and signed up immediately,” Alfonso said. “I decided to have my phone lines go through Intelligent Office as a centralized way of dealing with my calls. I am very happy with the way that the staff answers my phones. They project a very polite and professional image, which is something I often had problems with when I employed my own staff.”
The standard monthly membership rate at Intelligent Office ranges between $75 - $500 monthly. Executive offices or conference rooms can then be used any time, for any length of time, for an additional hourly fee. Monthly memberships include many services that most businesses are already paying ala’cart to other vendors. These bills can be analyzed, eliminated, and the costs associated can be applied to one membership that encompasses numerous benefits.
In addition to office and meeting space, Intelligent Office provides copy / fax / scanning machines, on-site notary, wireless internet, address and mail services, translation, toll free, long distance, and other telecommunications services, as well as a variety of other office necessities. Clients can use the professional answering service, secure a business mailing address and mail box, and plug into the national network of Intelligent Office locations in major cities across the country.
Clients can also be listed on the main office suite window if they wish, and have their guests greeted by a receptionist. There is also weekend and after-hours access to the office suite if necessary, as well as access to a fully stocked kitchenette.
For more information on Intelligent Office, visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/ or call the Tampa office at 813-350-7800.
###
Small businesses can save thousands without sacrificing professional environment
TAMPA, Fla. (March 3, 2009) – As small business owners pull back on expenses in an attempt to withstand the recession, many wish they paid less to rent office space and maintain their professional image each month.
Intelligent Office, located at 3111 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. near Raymond James Stadium, offers a variety of options to local companies needing daily or occasional office or meeting space, along with other professional services.
“This is a great economic, yet professional solution for companies looking to reduce their overhead,” said Tampa’s Intelligent Office sales coordinator, Karen Gillman.
“Our services flex to fit our clients’ needs,” she said. “Some clients need receptionist services, some want a regular office that is ‘theirs’ to use everyday, and others just need an office or conference room to periodically conduct business meetings.”
Mike Alaiwat, a forensic psychophysiologist, has been a member of Intelligent Office for eight years and uses four office locations throughout the country. He travels a lot and finds the multiple locations and low-commitment agreement of Intelligent Office work well for his circumstances.
“In the last several years, I have moved out of state and back twice, had two children, taken time off from work, worked part-time and full-time, taken summers off, left the country for several months -- all while maintaining my Intelligent Office membership with minimal expense or commitment," Alaiwat said. “Using Intelligent Office helped me maintain my small business through a variety of circumstances.”
Another member, Suzette Alfonso, runs a private law practice. Originally, she operated out of three offices across Hillsborough and Pasco counties but, when she decided to consolidate her business, she turned to Intelligent Office.
Alfonso now operates her business from the Tampa Intelligent Office location. “Using Intelligent Office has allowed me maximum flexibility and economy while continuing to project a professional image,” she said.
“When I came across Intelligent Office in Tampa, I knew I had found the right solution and signed up immediately,” Alfonso said. “I decided to have my phone lines go through Intelligent Office as a centralized way of dealing with my calls. I am very happy with the way that the staff answers my phones. They project a very polite and professional image, which is something I often had problems with when I employed my own staff.”
The standard monthly membership rate at Intelligent Office ranges between $75 - $500 monthly. Executive offices or conference rooms can then be used any time, for any length of time, for an additional hourly fee. Monthly memberships include many services that most businesses are already paying ala’cart to other vendors. These bills can be analyzed, eliminated, and the costs associated can be applied to one membership that encompasses numerous benefits.
In addition to office and meeting space, Intelligent Office provides copy / fax / scanning machines, on-site notary, wireless internet, address and mail services, translation, toll free, long distance, and other telecommunications services, as well as a variety of other office necessities. Clients can use the professional answering service, secure a business mailing address and mail box, and plug into the national network of Intelligent Office locations in major cities across the country.
Clients can also be listed on the main office suite window if they wish, and have their guests greeted by a receptionist. There is also weekend and after-hours access to the office suite if necessary, as well as access to a fully stocked kitchenette.
For more information on Intelligent Office, visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/ or call the Tampa office at 813-350-7800.
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"Value" at Outback Steakhouse disappoints
I'm not a restaurant critic, but I do have my share of lunches and dinners in local restaurants.
I was pretty excited to go to the Outback Steakhouse last night since I just read last week about their attempt to redefine themselves during the tough economy. They were losing traction with their customer base and decided to offer 15 meals for under $15. Sounds interesting.
Plus, a little over a year ago, I was part of a PR team invited to present on an Outback RFP for a new PR firm. Without betraying any confidences and mentioning what any consumer today might note, I know that the Outback has tried to reinvent itself through new slogans and an updated decor in the last 12 months. I think, based on last night's dinner, that maybe they should have just focused on good food and good service instead.
The menu I received was crisp and new, and I did find some great prices for dinner entrees. But, instead of going with one of the super-new deals, I opted to split a porterhouse steak dinner with my husband. At $24.99 (or something quite close to that), it was only $12 a person, right? Sounds great.
We also padded our bill with a kids' cheeseburger meal, an extra salad, two huge draft beers and two margaritas. Sounds about right.
First margarita -- very good. Decided to order another even though I really went there thinking "water = zero calories." But, a friend was feeling down and having a beer, so I was joining in. I should have stuck with the first drink, but only because the second became one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced in a restaurant.
So, here they are ... down economy, trying to woo and retain customers with value prices -- you'd think the people who DO come through the door would get treated well, right? I mean, considering tough times and all, customers are really pretty important.
So, back to the drink. It is full, and I mean FULL, of ice. Like, I cannot even get my straw to the bottom of the glass. So, my husband politely points this out and asks the waitress if she can do something about that. I had taken one drink from the glass, but we sort of expected either a brand new drink, or one with less ice and more liquid -- like the first one I had. Sounds reasonable.
Instead -- you just won't believe this!!! She brings back my glass. It definitely has less ice in it now. BUT, it is also showing far less liquid in the glass. WHAT? We all take one look at the glass, look at each other, and start laughing out loud. Like, what exactly just happened here? I mean, if I wanted to just take out some ice, I obviously could have done that myself. The point was not about the overage of ice. HELLO! It was about the lack of the expensive drink that was supposed to be filling the glass.
The perception of this transaction was terrible. I felt like I was on Candid Camera. And, then, what did my drink end up tasting like? Total water. Sounds bad -- and looks bad too.
So, then, I was tainted. The salad and bread came. Salad good. Bread good. Then the steak came. Looked good at first, but one cut into it revealed it was undercooked and the filet side was a terrible piece of steak -- stringy and sinewy and just raw. It was supposed to be medium rare, which I love, but the outside of the entire steak even looked a little pink.
Along w/ the steak was a baked potato -- "fully loaded" with one lick of butter, 1/2 a lick of sour cream, one bite of cheese and a handful of green onions. Love the onions, but where was the rest of my stuff? Dry, dry, dry. I asked for more sour cream and butter. Got nothing. Asked again, and finally received a small dish of sour cream topped with a scoop of butter.
So, again, to sum up ... bad customer service, bad food, bad experience. Sorry, Outback, but your attempt to bring better "value" to your customers has backfired into what appears to be a cheap attempt to stuff bellies with cheap food -- customer be damned, and satisfaction be gone.
I was pretty excited to go to the Outback Steakhouse last night since I just read last week about their attempt to redefine themselves during the tough economy. They were losing traction with their customer base and decided to offer 15 meals for under $15. Sounds interesting.
Plus, a little over a year ago, I was part of a PR team invited to present on an Outback RFP for a new PR firm. Without betraying any confidences and mentioning what any consumer today might note, I know that the Outback has tried to reinvent itself through new slogans and an updated decor in the last 12 months. I think, based on last night's dinner, that maybe they should have just focused on good food and good service instead.
The menu I received was crisp and new, and I did find some great prices for dinner entrees. But, instead of going with one of the super-new deals, I opted to split a porterhouse steak dinner with my husband. At $24.99 (or something quite close to that), it was only $12 a person, right? Sounds great.
We also padded our bill with a kids' cheeseburger meal, an extra salad, two huge draft beers and two margaritas. Sounds about right.
First margarita -- very good. Decided to order another even though I really went there thinking "water = zero calories." But, a friend was feeling down and having a beer, so I was joining in. I should have stuck with the first drink, but only because the second became one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced in a restaurant.
So, here they are ... down economy, trying to woo and retain customers with value prices -- you'd think the people who DO come through the door would get treated well, right? I mean, considering tough times and all, customers are really pretty important.
So, back to the drink. It is full, and I mean FULL, of ice. Like, I cannot even get my straw to the bottom of the glass. So, my husband politely points this out and asks the waitress if she can do something about that. I had taken one drink from the glass, but we sort of expected either a brand new drink, or one with less ice and more liquid -- like the first one I had. Sounds reasonable.
Instead -- you just won't believe this!!! She brings back my glass. It definitely has less ice in it now. BUT, it is also showing far less liquid in the glass. WHAT? We all take one look at the glass, look at each other, and start laughing out loud. Like, what exactly just happened here? I mean, if I wanted to just take out some ice, I obviously could have done that myself. The point was not about the overage of ice. HELLO! It was about the lack of the expensive drink that was supposed to be filling the glass.
The perception of this transaction was terrible. I felt like I was on Candid Camera. And, then, what did my drink end up tasting like? Total water. Sounds bad -- and looks bad too.
So, then, I was tainted. The salad and bread came. Salad good. Bread good. Then the steak came. Looked good at first, but one cut into it revealed it was undercooked and the filet side was a terrible piece of steak -- stringy and sinewy and just raw. It was supposed to be medium rare, which I love, but the outside of the entire steak even looked a little pink.
Along w/ the steak was a baked potato -- "fully loaded" with one lick of butter, 1/2 a lick of sour cream, one bite of cheese and a handful of green onions. Love the onions, but where was the rest of my stuff? Dry, dry, dry. I asked for more sour cream and butter. Got nothing. Asked again, and finally received a small dish of sour cream topped with a scoop of butter.
So, again, to sum up ... bad customer service, bad food, bad experience. Sorry, Outback, but your attempt to bring better "value" to your customers has backfired into what appears to be a cheap attempt to stuff bellies with cheap food -- customer be damned, and satisfaction be gone.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Young PR pros
Young people are so inspirational, and I've been really lucky to meet some talented, aspiring individuals during my public relations career. These folks remind me of why I chose this career to begin with, and their energy is contagious.
One young lady, Alyson Seligman, never fails to impress me. She just defended her masters thesis today at the University of South Florida after several years of tenacity and effort. Having jumped through those hoops myself, I know what a great accomplishment she has just achieved. Congratulations, Alyson, and may your career at Carey O'Donnell Public Relations Group continue to flourish.
I'd also like to commend the skills of Peter Lazazzaro, another USF graduate, who worked for Heidelberg PR for over a year. He arrived as a professional, and he left with a robust clip book showcasing a variety of writing, planning and organizational skills -- because he took advantage of every opportunity that came his way and he was never satisfied with less than perfection. Pete has gone on to diversify his accomplishments, and I wish him the best.
Another young lady, Amanda Rich, just left her position at Golin Harris in Miami to share her talents with another organization -- and I hope they know how lucky they are! Amanda has a fantastic way with people and it's no wonder she was exceptional in her media pitching! Good luck to you, Amanda!
It's refreshing to encounter spunk coupled with intelligence and determination, and I'm thankful for crossing paths with these individuals for time to time, especially when I need a little motivational boost.
One young lady, Alyson Seligman, never fails to impress me. She just defended her masters thesis today at the University of South Florida after several years of tenacity and effort. Having jumped through those hoops myself, I know what a great accomplishment she has just achieved. Congratulations, Alyson, and may your career at Carey O'Donnell Public Relations Group continue to flourish.
I'd also like to commend the skills of Peter Lazazzaro, another USF graduate, who worked for Heidelberg PR for over a year. He arrived as a professional, and he left with a robust clip book showcasing a variety of writing, planning and organizational skills -- because he took advantage of every opportunity that came his way and he was never satisfied with less than perfection. Pete has gone on to diversify his accomplishments, and I wish him the best.
Another young lady, Amanda Rich, just left her position at Golin Harris in Miami to share her talents with another organization -- and I hope they know how lucky they are! Amanda has a fantastic way with people and it's no wonder she was exceptional in her media pitching! Good luck to you, Amanda!
It's refreshing to encounter spunk coupled with intelligence and determination, and I'm thankful for crossing paths with these individuals for time to time, especially when I need a little motivational boost.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Super Bowl in Tampa
Tampa just hosted Super Bowl XLIII. The closest I got to the action this time was checking in media at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo entrance. They were coming to cover the Leigh Steinberg party which typically hosts Hall of Fame players and various celebrities.
The last time the Super Bowl was here, I actually had some USF student volunteers work at the media credentialing center and we saw, first hand, the entire credentialing process. It was simple, but required.
So, it was strange to watch as members of the media showed up to this event without their credentials, which were supposedly required. Honestly, anyone could have approached the media check-in table and gained entry. We asked for credentials, then business cards (which very few had) and then just a sign-in with the name of the media organization. I mean, I could have been a reporter from ABC and no one would be any wiser.
Let me clarify, this was not a "zoo" screening process. Steinberg's PR team was very casual about who gained entry into the party. I think it was a gesture of goodwill, but I'm almost certain there were some liars who faked their way in just to get close to some VIPs or whatever.
The event was well organized, complete with a news conference on the "green" carpet, and newsworthy elements such as the use of green energy, a fundraising component, and the chance to talk live to troops overseas. There were over 100 media representatives who attended, and ESPN did a great piece on it.
On the up side, the party was awesome, and after 3 hours of volunteering, I joined a group of friends inside and helped myself to endless servings of Carrabba's chicken marsala and lobster ravioli, which was so incredibly good I could not believe they were preparing it in mass quantities. I also helped myself to the open bar, which was generous as well.
We bid on a guitar autographed by BB King too. We were the only bidders, and we thought we won, but then when we went to pay they told us they could not accept our measly bid for such a thing. We were $700 under the minimum bid (sigh) but we thought maybe something was better than nothing for the named charity. Guess not.
As a final note on the event, the zoo is a great venue for a function of this sort, and their staff was on the ball and prepared to accommodate the party host, his staff and all of the guests. So, my Heidelberg PR Shout Out actually goes to the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo for it's fantastic hospitality and professional representation of Tampa.
The last time the Super Bowl was here, I actually had some USF student volunteers work at the media credentialing center and we saw, first hand, the entire credentialing process. It was simple, but required.
So, it was strange to watch as members of the media showed up to this event without their credentials, which were supposedly required. Honestly, anyone could have approached the media check-in table and gained entry. We asked for credentials, then business cards (which very few had) and then just a sign-in with the name of the media organization. I mean, I could have been a reporter from ABC and no one would be any wiser.
Let me clarify, this was not a "zoo" screening process. Steinberg's PR team was very casual about who gained entry into the party. I think it was a gesture of goodwill, but I'm almost certain there were some liars who faked their way in just to get close to some VIPs or whatever.
The event was well organized, complete with a news conference on the "green" carpet, and newsworthy elements such as the use of green energy, a fundraising component, and the chance to talk live to troops overseas. There were over 100 media representatives who attended, and ESPN did a great piece on it.
On the up side, the party was awesome, and after 3 hours of volunteering, I joined a group of friends inside and helped myself to endless servings of Carrabba's chicken marsala and lobster ravioli, which was so incredibly good I could not believe they were preparing it in mass quantities. I also helped myself to the open bar, which was generous as well.
We bid on a guitar autographed by BB King too. We were the only bidders, and we thought we won, but then when we went to pay they told us they could not accept our measly bid for such a thing. We were $700 under the minimum bid (sigh) but we thought maybe something was better than nothing for the named charity. Guess not.
As a final note on the event, the zoo is a great venue for a function of this sort, and their staff was on the ball and prepared to accommodate the party host, his staff and all of the guests. So, my Heidelberg PR Shout Out actually goes to the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo for it's fantastic hospitality and professional representation of Tampa.
Why am I here?
Well, I could say I am here because someone told me I really should do this. Or, I could say that I finally succumbed to the curiousity about blogging and figured, "what the heck?"
But, in brutal honesty, I am here for professional reasons first and foremost. I'm not sure how it will unfold, but I am seeking an outlet to discuss things I see on a regular basis. When I was teaching public relations courses at USF, I was a fiend for the learning example. I clipped newspaper articles constantly. It seems like there is always something going on in the daily news that pertains to public relations in some way ... so I might go on about things in that strand of thinking.
Or, I might feel like getting personal. I am a mother of two girls, one who is 5 and the other who is only 9 months. Both bring great humor and joy to my life, as well as great stress from time to time. Who knows what I might spew out about them?
So, it's sadly sort of a huge accomplishment for me to take time to create this blog. And it was so easy ... I don't know why I waited so long.
But, in brutal honesty, I am here for professional reasons first and foremost. I'm not sure how it will unfold, but I am seeking an outlet to discuss things I see on a regular basis. When I was teaching public relations courses at USF, I was a fiend for the learning example. I clipped newspaper articles constantly. It seems like there is always something going on in the daily news that pertains to public relations in some way ... so I might go on about things in that strand of thinking.
Or, I might feel like getting personal. I am a mother of two girls, one who is 5 and the other who is only 9 months. Both bring great humor and joy to my life, as well as great stress from time to time. Who knows what I might spew out about them?
So, it's sadly sort of a huge accomplishment for me to take time to create this blog. And it was so easy ... I don't know why I waited so long.
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