What questions do you have about publicity and promotion?

[ShannonCherry]

Sherry, I was merely giving examples of the things they had to overcome. When I think about Muhammad Ali, I think about the greatest boxer who ever lived, before I think of anything else.

When I think about Michael Jackson, I think about the greatest entertainer who ever lived, before I think of anything else. When I think about Kobe Bryant, the first thing that comes to mind is his amazing talent.

Am I suggesting that good PR isn't important? No, I'm not. All I'm saying is most people have short memories, when it comes to bad publicity.

David Jackson

Hey David,

But even if the first thing that comes to mind is good, you also think of the bad.

It's not that someone can't recover from bad press. They certainly can and do... your examples prove this very well. However, there is a stigma attached, right?

And my hope is that people will understand that none of these people sought out bad publicity in the hopes of exposure. That certainly is a bad approach.

Shannon

PS- I question if Ali is the greatest boxer ever. He's my favorite too, but he probably wasn't the best. What he was great at doing was using PR and publicity, which is why we remember him so well.

[Regina]

I question if Ali is the greatest boxer ever. He's my favorite too, but he probably wasn't the best. What he was great at doing was using PR and publicity, which is why we remember him so well.

I wonder if a poll was ever taken on this -- like Ali being the greatest at boxing or was he the greatest at PR? Nah - probably not.

I will say that was profound how you put it Shannon -- whomever his publicist was/is did a fantastic job.

Therefore my question is, are you saying that consistent (monthly) press releases would be the key to good pr? If not, what is?

BTW, David & Shannon, thanks for the interesting convo

[Ellen C Braun]

As a a matter of fact, I have several Penny Pinching Publicity members with non-service related businesses. I've had to product selling clients featured on Oprah and one in the New York Times.

Shannon, did you really get your clients featured on Oprah?? Who were the clients?? I'd love to get on Oprah!!

Ellen

[ShannonCherry]

Therefore my question is, are you saying that consistent (monthly) press releases would be the key to good pr? If not, what is?

BTW, David & Shannon, thanks for the interesting convo

Well Regina,

PR is more than just press releases. It's about building relationships with your target market(s). So think about other ways you may already be doing that:

1. ezines
2. blog posts
3. social media
4. speaking at events

But what press releases can do is help all of the other PR methods out there. For example, do you know you can write a press release about a specific topic you are discussing on your blog? If you have a blog editorial calendar, as Lynn suggests, it can be very easy to do!

[ShannonCherry]

Shannon, did you really get your clients featured on Oprah?? Who were the clients?? I'd love to get on Oprah!!

Ellen

Yes Ellen, I've gotten three. Two were on one of the mother of invention shows.

The real question is WHY would you want to be on Oprah? Is her audience your target market? If not, then you are really wasting your time, as you will not make money from it! (Yes, it's true... the Oprah effect really doesn;t happen to everyone!)

[Ellen C Braun]

Hi Shannon,

I believe her target audience is similar to mine- do correct me if I am wrong!

I'm looking for mothers of kids age 2-18 who are in the 26-55 age bracket.

[ShannonCherry]

Hi Shannon,

I believe her target audience is similar to mine- do correct me if I am wrong!

I'm looking for mothers of kids age 2-18 who are in the 26-55 age bracket.

Actually, her target market is much more specific, as I think yours probably is too!

Moms (married, stay at home with little interest to work) with kids in their tweens. Age is 35-43. Average household income: $40,000

[Ellen C Braun]

All right, Shanon- How do I get on Oprah?

How much will it cost? Time and money....

Thanks,

Ellen

[ShannonCherry]

Contact me offlist:

http://cherrycommunications.com/?page_id=14

[Ellen C Braun]

Shel- when I get on Oprah I'll give you a shout out!

Shanon- I got your autoresponder email, and I see your package starts at $6k. I'm not prepared to invest that kind of money as of today. If you have smaller packages (way smaller!) I'd definitely take a look, however, since PR is not currently on my list of upcoming expenses, I'm going to honestly tell you that I won't invest more than a couple of hundred right now.

Best,

Ellen

PS Oprah is retiring next year- gotta move quickly!