Friday, February 27, 2009

What is your Twinfluence?

Posted by Katie

All you strategic Twitterers out there should check out this nifty feature. Just type in your Twitter handle and password and Twinfulence will provide comprehensive stats on your Twitter influence.

This feature is great for companies who want to see what their reach is among customers.

Emotional Intelligence for Lawyers

Posted by Gina Rubel

Earlier this week, I was talking to Kim Huggins, the owner of K HR Solutions, and she told me about something called Emotional Intelligence for Lawyers – an attorney’s personal and social competence.

Here is a link to the abstract of the white paper from Talent Smart. Very interesting.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

To Friend or Not To Friend: Linkedin for Lawyers

Check out Part 2 of my weekly series on To Friend or Not To Friend: Social Media for Lawyers published on The Legal Intelligencer Blog. This week’s topic: Linkedin for Lawyers.

Here’s a quote from the article:

In answer to a question on Linkedin to the Legal Marketing Group, “How do you answer: To friend or not to friend, Janet Steinman, a New York lawyer said, “You are supposed to know the people who you ‘friend.’ It is completely appropriate to ask for introductions. If you do not know someone and do not have someone who could introduce you, send a message stating why you would like to connect with this person. Ask them to request a connection if they are interested.”

I look forward to your feedback and hope you will share this post with others. Stay tuned to The PR Lawyer and The Legal Intelligencer’s Lawyers and the Media blog.

Searcher Friendly SEO

Posted by Katie Noonan

It's a novel idea. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is so heavily focused on pleasing the Google Gods, that we often forget to consider that our target audience is really the searcher not the search engine. Sure we want pages to appear higher in Google search results, but not at the cost of quality Web site content.

Gerry McCovern of Ragan reminds readers of just this in his blog "Avoid Search Engine Optimization Madness."

After all, a high rank in Google search results doesn't really do a lot of good if it's not driving the right traffic to your Web site, e.g., people who want to buy your product or who seek your services.

There are other ways to build a quality (highly search engine optimized) page beside including a million links to Britney Spears, an example McGovern provides.

To boost your Google ranking and reach your target audience consider building Web sites that:
  • are content rich
  • are frequently updated
  • incorporate keywords that make sense and accurately describe your site
  • include quality links and link backs from reputable sites

SEO is an exciting and increasingly critical part of what we do at Furia Rubel. As newspapers continue to close their doors, the Internet is becoming the best vehicle for disseminating your message. As PR practitioners, we have had to be on the forefront of this shift. The strategy behind SEO is challenging but interesting stuff. Most importantly, it has to make sense and effectively reach your audience.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

3 Blawgs Shut Down this Week

Posted by Gina Rubel

According to Legal Blog Watch, an excellent site for legal blog information, three legal blogs have ended their run this week, and The Wall Street Journal's legal blog also cut its lead writer.

While some bloggers are being cut, others are choosing to end their legal blogging for personal reasons. Read the full story here.

Web 2.0 for CEOs

Posted by Katie Noonan

President Obama is the first president in the PDA age to keep his trusty BlackBerry by his side. During the campaign, he and his staff were known for their ability to leverage social media to garner support and recruit volunteers. I would argue that it was this ability coupled with his eloquent rhetoric that really won him the election.

He has continued to leverage both his oratorical skill and Web 2.0 savvy during the first month of his presidency. The administration continues to send out frequent E-mails informing Americans of decisions he’s made, but more importantly, asking to hear their personal stories. Even whitehouse.gov, the administration’s Web site, has received a shake-up, featuring a blog, videos and an rss feed. It now has the look and feel of his campaign page, which was inspired by social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

I share all of this as an example of a solid communications strategy in the Web 2.0 age. President Obama is a CEO, so to speak, so why shouldn’t other CEOs employ similar tactics to better communicate with their employees and the public? Consider setting up weekly e-mail blasts to communicate news, and as you do so, encourage employees to share their feedback with you. Honest two-way communication is what employees really need and want from management right now as the economy and their job security are uncertain.

Placing a Web 2.0 spin on your Web site by adding video, blogs, and rss feed, or borrowing from social networking site layouts to make your company’s Web site more current, is an effective way to communicate with both internal and external audiences and stay relevant in the Web 2.0 age.

Like the president, CEOs are now becoming increasingly more responsible and accountable to the public as they begin to take taxpayer money to bail themselves out. Open communication on the public’s terms, through the vehicles with which they are most comfortable and familiar, will undoubtedly lead to some good PR.

Guidelines for CEOs Using Twitter

Posted By Amanda Walsh

This article, "When Good CEOs Issue Bad Tweets" by Jessica Levco found on Ragan.com highlights some of the pitfalls of CEOs using Twitter, the micro-blogging service. Twitter allows executives from all industries to write small posts that can mix business and pleasure. When you follow tweets from a CEO, you may see what industry article they are reading at the moment or what they ate for breakfast. When that line is blurred, it can be easy to forget that tweets can be seen by anyone across the Internet. When a CEO decides to sign up for a Twitter account, the PR department should be on board to serve as an adviser and provide a brief overview of what should and should not be tweeted. Once a tweet is issued, it is released into cyberspace where anyone can view it.

Here are some tips from PR experts on what to avoid:
  • Confidential information concerning finances, legal or product information. This information could be seen by competitors or prove to be a liability issue. Negative comments about employees, clientele, or competitors. It is better to focus on the positive of yourself and your company's achievements.
  • Specific location-based Tweets may compromise safety.
  • Be careful about sharing personal information that you would not like your clients or employees knowing.
  • Avoid religion, politics, or other comments that may be controversial. In general, never use vulgar language or inappropriate references.
  • Keep your company's brand in mind when using Twitter. Be sure to understand the way tweets may be perceived from a different point of view.

Your corporation’s public relations team will be very helpful in the decision to use Twitter. Be sure to use their knowledge and expertise for guidance and advice on how to best use the service for your company.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Take it to the 212th Degree: The Power of Positive Thinking and Viral Videos

Posted by Gina Rubel

This video is spreading virally over the Internet and is absolutely brillant. If you do nothing else today, definitely check it out. It’s fabulous and speaks volumes about the importance of positive thinking.

My staff and I felt extremely empowered after watching it. We hope PRLawyer readers will as well.

Click here: 212 The Extra Degree Movie - NC1

Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Media Panel Recap

From L to R: Hank Grezlak, Mike Dunn, Gina Rubel (Furia Rubel), Lu Ann Cahn, Brandyn Bissinger (Furia Rubel), and Jeff Blumenthal.
Posted by Gina Rubel

This week, I monitored a legal media panel for the Bar-News Media Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association for which I serve as chair. On the panel was Jeff Blumenthal from the Philadelphia Business Journal, Mike Dunn from KYW Newsradio 1060, Lu Ann Cahn from NBC 10, and Hank Grezlak from The Legal Intelligencer. Here are some of the take-aways:

- Jeff Blumenthal covers the business of law and the legal issues regarding the finance and banking industries. He said, “Read our paper and know what we cover and then reach out when you have a story idea or something you’d like to share. Think of three words: local, business, and news.”

- Lu Ann Cahn handles in-depth investigative reports. She said, “Lawyers need to think of their stories in terms of what they have that’s visual for the TV viewer. If you think you have a story, just call me but don’t say, ‘I have a story but I won’t go on TV and neither will my client.’”

- Mike Dunn is the City Hall Bureau Chief and it’s his job to cover the newsworthy courthouse stories. He said that “raw natural audio tape is always helpful when it can be supplied.” He also said that his stories typically run for 45 seconds so lawyers need to speak in concise sound bites minus the legalese.

- Hank Grezlak is the Editor in Chief of The Legal Intelligencer. He said that the paper is about covering the legal industry in Philadelphia, the surrounding counties, and often in Pennsylvania when the issues are of great import to the legal community. He said, “Call me if you think you have a story. If you are concerned about anything that may be sensitive, ask me if we can go off the record.”

- I shared a few thoughts on how lawyers and legal marketers can be great resources to the media and still serve the best interest of their clients. I reminded everyone to read Rule 3.6 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct concerning trial publicity.

To hear the full podcast go to the Philadelphia Bar Association website and check out their speakers’ program podcasts. If it’s not immediately, check back in a few days.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Ragan's Public Service Announcement on "G.O.D. Disorder"

Posted by Katie Noonan

Here is a great video from Ragan on what they call "Grammar Obsessive Disorder." Definitely worth checking out if you want a laugh.

It is worth mentioning though, that good grammar is essential in PR. A press release replete with grammatical errors will get tossed by members of the media and thus, your story will never be told. Poor grammar makes you appear unprofessional, uneducated or simply lazy. As a rule of thumb, PR practitioners should always consult the AP Stylebook whenever they issue a press release to the media.

Grammar gets a little tricky though in the Internet age, especially as the media makes the move to the Internet. For example, according to the AP Stylebook the proper term is "Web site," yet "web site" is more commonly used in search engine search terms. That means that it's important to tailor your message differently depending on your targeted audience. When posting a press release to issue on your Web site, it's more important to use terms that "Googlers" would be likely to search rather than those mandated by the AP Stylebook. However, when submitting news to an online news site, still use AP Stylebook guidelines.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

To Friend or Not to Friend - Social Media for Lawyers

Check out the first of my weekly series on Social Media for Lawyers that I will be publishing on The Legal Intelligencer Blog. I look forward to your feedback and hope you will share this with others.

Facebook Needs Some Good PR Folks

Posted by Katie Noonan

It was the Consumerist Blog who first publicized Facebook’s latest PR gaffe on Sunday of this week; a story which has since caused a lot of trouble for Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team. In a sneaky and a little greedy move, the company changed their Terms of Service so that they would have claim over users’ content even after users terminated their account.

According to the new (since revised) TOS, Facebook had rights over:

“User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof.”

The issue that I and many others in the blogosphere had with this was twofold:

1) I use Facebook to socialize with friends and share information with colleagues. I’m not so sure I want Facebook owning my page content, being able to share it with third parties, or using my likeness in promotional material.

2) It was a shady move. Plain and simple. Obviously you agree to give up a certain degree of privacy when you share information on your Facebook page, but that Facebook itself should have claim over that content even after I terminate my account or be able to “sublicense it to a third party” makes me a little uncomfortable. Call me paranoid.

The legal issues that arise are aplenty, but what’s even more amazing to me is the way Facebook handled it from a public relations perspective.

According to PR Junkie, when Facebook originally changed their Terms of Service claiming all but users’ first born children, it was done through a blog post on their site from their corporate counsel. … Personally, I’m not racing to my computer each morning to read Facebook’s blog. Maybe it’s just me, but CNN and the WSJ rank slightly higher on my list of daily “must-reads.” Yet when they came under fire for the change in TOS and were finally forced to revise them, they issued that news on every users’ individual page. So that was worthy of our attention but not the initial change?

I’m no Nancy Drew, but it seems like they were trying to pull a fast one on their 150 million active users…of which I’m willing to bet a fair share are attorneys, members of the media, bloggers, and PR practitioners. Of course you were going to get caught!

In any event, the original TOS have been restored, but it is at the very least a cautionary tale to users to beware of what you post on Facebook. More importantly it is a PR lesson to Facebook. Transparency and candor will get you far with the public. Being sneaky and using legalese to mask your agenda, not so much.

Facebook Nation - What's in their Privacy Policy?

According to CNET's Daniel Terdinman Facing, the CEO of the social-networking service says in a blog post that the company would return for now to its previous privacy policy. Read this blog post by Daniel Terdiman on Webware. Check out the full article at http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10166456-2.html.

This is a huge public relations issue considering the users on Facebook amount to what Facing equates to the size of the sixth largest country in the world. And if they wanted publicity, they certainly got it!

So here's others are reporting about the Facebook Nation. These are only a few of the results I found in a Google News search:

Facebook faces furor over content rightsCNN - 10 hours agoBy Caroline McCarthy (CNET) -- On an otherwise placid holiday weekend, one blog's commentary on a change to Facebook's terms of service created a firestorm ...

Facebook data policy change sparks protests, controversyUSA Today - 11 hours agoA recent change in its terms of use -- the legalese tacked onto the bottom of most websites -- has sparked concerns that the social networking giant plans ...

Facebook Privacy Change Sparks Federal ComplaintPC World - 12 hours agoThe backlash against Facebook's updated privacy policies is about to expand. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is preparing to file a formal ...

Facebook Users Angry Over Change In Legal TermsNPR - 13 hours ago“I think what this change did was draw attention to a reality about information on Facebook that has already been true on Facebook and lots of other sites. ...

Facebook CEO to Scared Users: Trust UsFOXNews - 14 hours agoThat's what Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the estimated 175 million users of his social-networking Web site Monday afternoon after the ...

Facebook backtracks on TOS; Privacy changes still coming laterZDNet - 55 minutes agoOver the weekend a ruckus ensued after it was discovered that Facebook changed two sentences to its terms of service. Originally, Facebook allowed users to ...

Facebook U-turn on privacy changesguardian.co.uk, UK - 1 hour agoFacebook has backed down on controversial changes to its terms of service that angered users and caused protests across the social networking site. ...

Users force Facebook to withdraw controversial 'copyright' planTimes Online, UK - 1 hour agoFacebook has withdrawn controversial changes to its terms of service after receiving a storm of complaints from users of the social networking website. ...

Facebook 'withdraws' data changesBBC News, UK - 2 hours agoThe founder of Facebook says the social network will return to its previous terms of service regarding user data. In a blog post Mark Zuckerberg said the ...

Facebook Backs Away From Policy ChangeWall Street Journal - 2 hours agoBy JESSICA E. VASCELLARO Yielding to pressure from its users and privacy advocates, Facebook Inc. Tuesday night backed away from controversial changes to ...

Facebook backs down on privacy termsCNET News, CA - 4 hours agoby Daniel Terdiman Facing a federal complaint from a leading privacy advocacy organization and a revolt of tens of thousands of its users, ...

Facebook farceLos Angeles Times, CA - 5 hours agoThe social networking site's change in its privacy terms is a cautionary tale for its users. Be honest. Sometime soon, you -- like millions of others around ...

Facebook polls users on TOS updateCNET News, CA - 7 hours agoby Harrison Hoffman The recent uproar over Facebook's changed TOS has been significant. Even after CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued a statement on behalf of ...

EPIC readying federal complaint over Facebook privacy policyCNET News, CA - 9 hours agoby Daniel Terdiman A leading privacy advocacy group is preparing to file a federal complaint against Facebook's new privacy policies, a published report ...

Facebook faces furor over content rightsCNN - 10 hours agoBy Caroline McCarthy (CNET) -- On an otherwise placid holiday weekend, one blog's commentary on a change to Facebook's terms of service created a firestorm ...

Facebook data policy change sparks protests, controversyUSA Today - 11 hours agoA recent change in its terms of use -- the legalese tacked onto the bottom of most websites -- has sparked concerns that the social networking giant plans ...

Facebook Privacy Change Sparks Federal ComplaintPC World - 12 hours agoThe backlash against Facebook's updated privacy policies is about to expand. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is preparing to file a formal ...

Facebook Users Angry Over Change In Legal TermsNPR - 13 hours ago“I think what this change did was draw attention to a reality about information on Facebook that has already been true on Facebook and lots of other sites. ...

Facebook CEO to Scared Users: Trust UsFOXNews - 14 hours agoThat's what Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the estimated 175 million users of his social-networking Web site Monday afternoon after the ...

Facebook Scrambles to Nip ...InternetNews.com - 15 hours agoDespite changes to its Terms of Service, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg insists users own and control their own information. By David Needle: More stories by ...

Facebook and the owneship societyReuters - 16 hours agoFacebook has experienced its fair share of user revolts and public relations black-eyes in its five-year lifespan. So CEO Mark Zuckerberg knows the drill ...

Facebook users upset by change in terms of useBaltimore Sun, United States - 16 hours agoDavid Sturgill has posted his cell phone number, personal e-mail address and work information on his Facebook page and now wonders if that was a good idea. ...

Facebook users protest retention of informationThe Associated Press - 16 hours agoNEW YORK (AP) — Tens of thousands of Facebook users are protesting new policies that they say grant the social-networking site the ability to control their ...

Facebook Owns YouMotley Fool - 17 hours agoBy Tim Beyers Does Facebook, now with more than 175 million users worldwide, have a content death wish? Perhaps. Just read its newest terms of service. ...

Using Social Media as a Venue for Debate

Posted By Amanda Walsh

A new social networking site has been launched to provide a place for people to share thoughts, concerns and predictions about the economic crisis in the United States. The Daylight Network group was founded by entrepreneur, Aaron Day, who created the site to foster "outside of the box" thinking to find solutions for the American public.

According to the article, "'The $5,000 Obama Prediction Market' allows users to follow government money, make predictions on the administration, and suggest non-government responses to the economy."

Day hopes to target economic/financial bloggers who are considered specialists in their field. Outreach is being done to gain popularity among college students, political analysts, and people living in the areas of the United States most affected by the crisis. One goal for the networking site is to grow membership numbers but above all, Day wants to encourage quality content and healthy debate.

"People are turning to the Webs and blogs [in response to the failing economy]," he said. "There is this large mass of untapped energy with ideas for debate."

The group seems to just be getting on its feet and after visiting the Web site, I'm not overly impressed with the layout of the pages or large amount of content but I do like the general concept and goal of the group. I thought this was an interesting story from PRweekus.com to share with readers of The PR Lawyer because it shows the ever growing influence that social media and networking can have on a public. Although, I'm not in the United States right now, I stay abreast of the news going on at home and am aware of the financial crisis that is going on around the world. As a social media strategist, I thought this was a new and creative way to encourage debate and hopefully find solutions for the best future for our country.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Furia Rubel Grows with Five New Clients from the Philadelphia-Area

We are pleased to announce that we have added several new clients in a variety of industries to our growing public relations account roster. We will provide strategic services to Alegant Law, P.C.; The Bucks Club; Chatsworth Consulting Group; Renaissance Wealth Management Group, LLC; and the Women’s Resource Center.

We’re thrilled to see so many companies investing in their strategic communications at the start of 2009. As the word “recession” spreads, companies typically look at advertising, marketing and public relations budgets as the first areas to trim. That is a huge mistake. As the competition cuts away, this is the best time to gain market share, build brand equity, generate publicity and build relationships on- and off-line. Learn more about our new clients and how the Furia Rubel team will be working with each new client below.

Alegant Law, P.C. (www.alegantlaw.com) is owned and operated by Kim Ruch-Alegant, Esq. The Huntingdon Valley, Pa., law firm is committed to helping victims of negligence get the compensation they deserve. Alegant Law specializes in plaintiffs’ personal injury and worker’s compensation cases in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Furia Rubel has been retained to assist the firm with media relations.

The Bucks Club (www.thebucksclub.com), located in Jamison, Pa., is Bucks County's premier golf, spa and fitness destination. In addition to the outdoor pool, 18-hole golf course and full fitness facilities, the Bucks Club offers on-site restaurant dining at the Jamison Grille, and a sanctuary for the mind, body and soul with the newest location of Philadelphia’s award-winning Heaven Spa. Furia Rubel serves as agency of record for The Bucks Club.

Chatsworth Consulting Group (www.chatsworthconsulting.com) of Wayne, Pa., provides professional leadership development, change management, and business coaching to corporations, teams and individuals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware. Chatsworth Consulting has retained Furia Rubel as their agency of record. The PR firm will provide strategic and integrated communications planning for 2009-10. Chatsworth Consulting helps clients better their lives and their organizations by providing strategic thinking and inquiry, by offering actionable concepts and tools that make a difference, and by accelerating client growth in a supportive environment.

Renaissance Wealth Management Group, LLC (www.rwealthgroup.net) has been providing wealth, tax, estate and risk management planning since 1981 out of Newtown, Pa. Renaissance Wealth Management Group has retained Furia Rubel as its agency of record for all strategic marketing and public relations.

The Women’s Resource Center (www.womensresourcecenter.net) of Wayne, Pa., is dedicated to providing accurate information and referrals for women in the Delaware Valley who are in crisis or transition. The Center supports women, strengthens families, and builds communities through counseling, legal, and educational services. Furia Rubel has partnered with the Center to handle media relations and promotions for its 3rd Annual Luncheon that will take place on May 28 at the Union League of Philadelphia. The luncheon is one of the organization’s major fundraising events and will feature emcee and Doylestown resident Neen James and keynote speaker, Kim Woodworth, Regional Vice President of Comcast Spotlight.

About Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.: Furia Rubel Communications, Inc. is an award-winning, women-owned certified public relations and marketing firm located in Doylestown, Pa. The firm provides strategic planning, public relations, interactive communications, marketing, media relations, crisis communications and merger and acquisition communications to a wide array of clients including law firms, educational institutions, non-profit groups, retail property management companies, pharmaceutical companies and professional service firms. For more information, visit www.furiarubel.com.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Thursday, February 05, 2009

40+ Eye-Opening OpenID Sites and Services

40+ Eye-Opening OpenID Sites and Services

The Brand Gap

Check out this SlideShare Presentation. It's by far the best presentation I've ever seen on branding.

Effective Writing Tips

Posted by Amanda Walsh

This article caught my attention as I have become very interested in the differences of the Spanish and English languages since coming to Spain four months ago. I have learned to appreciate the variety of word selections and meanings in both languages. The author of this article, Denise Baron, serves as director of global communications with Merck & Co. In the article she compares the meanings of words like "while" and "although;" "different from" and "different than;" and "since" and "because." Baron advises her readers on using words in the English language effectively to avoid ambiguity through writing.

According to the article, the primary definition of while, is "during or throughout the time that." Below is her example that shows the differences in meaning:

While we partner with XYZ Inc., we can also partner with one of XYZ's competitors.
It is better to use: Although we partner with XYZ Inc., we can also partner with one of XYZ's competitors.

Baron points out that "Different from" is correct and should always be used. This is clearly evident in the example below.

Incorrect: That version is different than the one I reviewed earlier.
Correct: That version is different from the one I reviewed earlier.

Baron’s last example demonstrates the difference in meanings and implications. The use of "because" is preferred according to the Associated Press Stylebook which is the main reference for public relations writers and journalists.

Drew's been miserable since Dinah went away.
Drew's been miserable, because Dinah went away.

The second example shows that Drew's unhappiness was caused by Dinah's leaving, whereas the first example implies his unhappiness began when she left.

These writing tips along with the Associate Press Stylebook can help you avoid confusion or misunderstandings when you write.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Upping Your Web Site Visibility on Google

Posted by Amanda Walsh

This article by Michael Sebastian found on Ragan.com, about helping your company land on the first page of a Google search, has some valuable information for PR professionals and business owners alike.

John Spagnuolo, president of the New Media Institute, provides tips for enhancing company visibility on the Internet. Spagnuolo is an expert in search engine optimization (SEO), which as defined by the article is, ¨the tactics a site employs to improving its prominence on search engines like Google. SEO applies to "organic" (unpaid) searches, not paid advertisements.¨ Two important factors that play into your Web site´s SEO, are content and credibility. See a previous post of mine about this topic on The PR Lawyer.

Content and credibility play into where your site will land on a Google search. Content deals with what is written on your site. Credibility is a bit more complex, because it deals with what other sites link to yours and in turn, their credibility as well. Other sites will inevitably link to your site if your content is interesting and informative. Thus, these two factors are tied closely to one another.

How you can improve your corporate Web site:

  • Determine your site's credibility. Type "link:yourdomain.com" into Google. For instance, to check the links to Ragan, type "link:ragan.com." This search will reveal all the sites that link to your page.
  • Download the Google toolbar. The toolbar allows you to view the ´page rank´ of every site you visit. Higher ranking page numbers equals greater site credibility. If your page rank is high but your site is still appearing low on search engines, re-evaluate your content and be sure to use SEO keywords that relate to your business. The article provides tips on how to incorporate keywords into your site content.
  • Don't forget that the credibility of sites linking to yours matters when using a search engine. Spagnuolo notes that one link from The New York Times Web site is more valuable than 100 links from MySpace.
  • Build your credibility. Get people to link to you! Spagnuolo suggests you ask others to link to your Web site, or that you issue a press release with your Web site address. If your Web site is on the press release and other sites post it, then it becomes recognized by Google. PR Web is a great free source for issuing press releases.¨ Videos on YouTube are also a great way to build credibility and boost links to your site.
  • Avoid hurting credibility. Spagnuolo warns against launching a campaign with a new Web site because people will link to the new site and not the primary business site. Instead add a sub page to your Web site to maintain the same URL and credibility.
  • Be sure to continuously monitor site traffic. Spagnuolo suggests visiting www.google.com/analytics, a site that tracks number of visitors to your Web site and which pages on your site they browse the most. This will help determine what pages need to be expanded and updated most often.

14 Ways to Use Your Reprint to Generate a Buzz

Posted by Gina Rubel

Article reprints are typically used to share a company’s key media placements. This PR tool often helps you / your company create a buzz, generate awareness and build a solid corporate reputation. A reprint also assists in communicating you / your company’s good news to your clients, prospects, colleagues, friends, family and competitors. The more often these audiences see the great work you / your company is doing, the more likely it is that they will remember you / your company when searching for products or services.

Reprints are used in many situations. They can be featured in company newsletters, sales collateral, handouts, presentations, flyers, direct mail and / or promotional materials. Reprints are typically used to showcase the media coverage your company has landed. However, this tool can also be used to generate a buzz among your target “publics” – hence the term “public relations.” Some great ways to use a reprint besides having copies for your files include:

1. Send it to customers / clients / prospective clients
2. Send it to vendors / strategic partners
3. Send it to employees / colleagues
4. Send it to associations / organizations in which you / your company belong
5. Add it to your e-mail signature
6. Place copies in your company lobby / your office
7. Add it to your Web site and linking it back to the actual article from the online publication
8. Display it in sales and promotional collateral material
9. Put it in your media kit
10. Include it in your newsletter (print and on-line)
11. Tweet about it on Twitter and create a “tiny url” to link to the article on your Web site
12. Upload it to LinkedIn and share with your groups
13. Post a link to it on your Facebook profile and share with your friends.
14. Place on your blog

Whatever the news may be, there are many ways to use a reprint to increase awareness of you / your company, your offerings, your community involvement, your products and to help retain current customers and generate new business.