How do you get the attention of the local press when it comes to technology stories? Do press releases matter for a small business?

Second the press release comment - how, what, why, where and what is out there to help me figure it out?

“Is advertising really dead?”

Cheesecake?

here’s a session title for her…

pimp me on the cheap: innovative pr techniques for small businesses

PR monkey? Thanks, Vlad. We’ll see if I let you into Disney for free on Saturday. And maybe I shouldn’t give Katie that hot lingerie for her to take on your honeymoon…

BlogSeattle–Find out which reporter(s) cover the technology beat in your area if you want it to be local. (You can easily find this information or just call the newsroom of whichever organization you want press from and ask them this.) If not, determine which audience you want and go after it. Yes, publicity matters for all businesses. Press releases are a topic of debate right now. My thought is that relationships with key reporters are much more valuable than a bunch of fluff pulled from who knows where.

Bob Strauss–all sorts of information is out there online. In addition, many small businesses CAN afford to hire at least someone that does freelance PR on the side. Shoot me an e-mail at wakefield.jen@gmail.com and I can explain more if you want.

KyleW–No, advertising is not dead. It’s simply going through a metamorphisis, as is PR right now. Word of mouth is king right now, due much in part to the blogosphere. You’re asking me for advice…why? I’ve not advertised or pitched my services, but because I’m friends with Vlad and you respect his opinion and he mentioned I do PR…word of mouth working.

Bob–got me. Vlad, what does that mean?

Chris Rue–Pimp me on the cheap–that’s more of a Vlad title. Vlad should be nice to me for getting him this gig.

Jen,

Hey now, PR monkey was actually the cute version of what I was going to put: “far less literate than an English major but employable”

And thanks for hooking me up with this sweet, sweet gig.. I intend to retire on all its proceeds and move to my private island in the Carribean — and as the person that made it possible I am inviting you to be my first guest. Free oil rubdown!

-Vlad

Bob-

It’s the Future!

I live in a small town and they get their news articles from AP for the technology section. I would love to write stuff for them for free to promote my business — how does that stuff work? I’m sure you know from dealing with the press if those are even possible. Do you live with Vlad in Orlando? He mentioned to me once that Orlando does the same thing.

Katie–still don’t get it.

Tonya–It doesn’t quite work that way…or it shouldn’t if it is working like that somewhere. You could pitch the idea to the editor that you want to freelance technology news (you’d still typically get paid) and hope that they’d put a byline that might include your business, but your business would not/should not be included in your news. However, if they are already getting tech news from AP and you are in a small town, they may not have the budget to pay. You’d want to consider other angles for your news to make it local and how it affects the people in your community.

I live in Orlando but don’t live with Vlad…though he used to be my next door neighbor. Most news organizations use a wire service for some of their news. Small community papers use wire services for a good majority of their news since they may not have enough of a budget for a decent staff.

Good lord, what is it with you people and the women I know… If I slept with half as many as I’ve been asked about I wouldn’t have a pelvic anymore.

So yet again…
I have not slept with women on my blog
I do not know if they are available
I will not give you their cell phone
I do not have naked pictures of them
I do not know if they are real or not
No you may not have their email address

What a waste all those Microsoft credentials are, I should have been a pimp.

-Vlad

Pimp on playa…

So, how was BlogOrlando? Will you post about it?

Yes, I will! I have just been swamped here with all the stuff thats going on.

-Vlad

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