PR is still about relationships

There are so many buzz words swirling around PR these days -- brand strategist, social media expert, buzz agent -- yet the the folks here at Abbi PR still believe the most important part of PR is relationships. Sure social media is important -- but the relationships you have with bloggers are going to get you a lot further than just sending a release to a list of people you pulled off technorati. It's still important to post comments on their blogs, RT their stories, ask questions and interact -- especially when you're not digging for a story. Start the conversation, engage in the conversation and offer suggestions without pitching any ideas at all. The same goes for traditional print journalists -- it's crucial to develop relationships and fosters those relationships. Lunch, coffee, drinks and conversation still go along way. Anyone can claim to be a social media expert -- but it's how they interact with the "message makers" that's going to determine what kind of expert they are. We can all claim a lot of things -- but perhaps a quick call to the reporters that PR firms claim to have "friendships" with will go the farthest.

Forbes.com is looking for the most promising new companies

Forbes.com announced last week that it is looking for the most promising new companies for their April 2009 issue. The application process is a bit intensive and of course they're trying to sell you something, but I think applying for awards such as this is a valuable process for small business to medium size businesses to go through. Awards are a great way to promote your company, motivate your employees and highlight their work. Most local business publications, newspapers and many online sites have awards opportunities. Check out Forbes.com and go for it!

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/promising-companies/

Pick up the Phone!!!!!

Ahhh -- the power of the telephone. I had lunch with a fellow PR colleague today and eventually the topic turned (as it tends to do) to media relations and how so many people just rely on e-mail to pitch a story. I'm still a believer that each e-mail should be followed up with a quick call to reinforce the message. Disclaimer -- "just following up to check you got my release, please let me know if you need anything else" -- does not count. That's a waste of every one's time. Have a reason for the calling the journalist, already know what topics the journalist has recently covered and be prepared to answer any questions with well thought out and intelligent answers. I regularly pitch journalists through social networks, but I still call if I believe my pitch/idea warrants that type of follow up. There's nothing more effective than personal contact and it will help develop stronger relationships over time-- so pick up the phone!

Pitchengine.com

We have recently been looking into using Pitchengine.com and incorporating their social media rooms into the more traditional media rooms that we are currently using for some of our clients. It seems like a really efficient way to manage social media releases and link them directly back to newsrooms without a lot of tech language or any programing. We used their free service to upload a release on a Land Banking client and within a week had over 60 unique views without posting the link anywhere else. I'm hoping to transition some of our B2B clients and switch their media rooms over to pitchengine. So far I only see benefits to this -- any feedback?