Quit Wasting Money On Press Releases, Buy Shankman’s Book
Seriously. Stop sending boring press releases that don’t work. It’s a huge waste of money. Grab a copy of Peter Shankman’s book for a few bucks and learn why, and how you’re going to save thousands. Book title: Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work–And Why Your Company Needs Them Peter is the guy who brought us HelpaReporterOut.com (HARO), which is a great resource if you haven’t signed up yet, go now and do it. Back to the book… This... Read More »
A Press Release Should Tell A Story
Great write up here outlining why press releases as we know them should die a slow death. Press releases are nearly useless. They typically start with a tremendous amount of top-spin, they contain pat-on-the-back phrases and meaningless quotes. Often they will contain quotes from C-level executives praising their customer focus. They often contain praise from analysts, (who are almost always paid or have a customer relationship.) And so on… Press releases are created... Read More »
Wag The Dog, YouTube Style
Faking “viral” success is now a tactic that media companies are using according to this piece at the WSJ. A 24-year-old singer and guitarist named Marié Digby has been hailed as proof that the Internet is transforming the world of entertainment. What her legions of fans don’t realize, however, is that Ms. Digby’s career demonstrates something else: that traditional media conglomerates are going to new lengths to take advantage of the Internet’s... Read More »
Forget Press Releases… The Video News Release Is Coming
With the ever advancing world of online video comes the next generation of the press release. The video news release, or VNR. With Social Media Releases (New Media Releases) in the spotlight again, I felt this was the ideal timing to introduce you to the Video News Release (VNR) redux. Ready or not, start brushing up on flash, screencasting, video production, and video networks. Online video is the next frontier for the communications industry adding a new layer of engagement... Read More »
How To Sell A $100,000 Sponsorship For Your Blog
Joel Cheesman is a blogger in a niche of career/recruiting. Early in 2007 Joel sold a one-year sponsorship for his award-winning blog, Cheezhead.com, to Jobcentral.com for $100k. I recently interviewed Joel via email to find out how he did it, and how you can do it to. Jim Kukral: Was it your idea to sell your entire blog or did the sponsor suggest it? Joel: Mine. Jim’s Analysis: It just goes to show that success comes to those who ask for it. Decide what you want,... Read More »
How To Manipulate The Media & Get Free Publicity With Creative Marketing Ideas
Got 10 bucks, an hour of time and a creative idea? Because that’s all it really takes to get all the media publicity and exposure you or your business could ask for, all for almost free. Don’t believe it? I can prove it. This is a story about how I did it, why I did it and the results I got from it. You can do it too. What, you don’t like free publicity for little work? I know you do, read on. The Setup I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and I’m a die-hard... Read More »
Want To Monetize Your Blog? Start Thinking About “Fun”
Recently I launched a little thing called Kukral’s Top Bananas. Anyone can buy the top banana spot for $10.00, and upload a graphic and get a link. I can hear you now saying, “Jim, are you nuts? What is this top banana stuff?”. Look, it’s all about having some fun and testing new ideas and finding new and creative ways to monetize blogs and get publicity and all that cool stuff. But mostly, it’s just about having some fun. If it was about money,... Read More »
Introducing: Ask The Blogger.com
For years now I’ve struggled with recommending tools, services or guides that I liked because I always worked for a company in a brand management type of role. That meant that I was unable to endorse Internet related products. Sure, I could pass recommendations to friends and colleagues, but that was about it. Until now. I’ve recently launched my latest website called AskTheBlogger.com. AskTheBlogger.com is built for me to answer questions from anyone about... Read More »
Ted Murphy Of PayPerPost Is A Fucking Marketing Genius!
After I wrote this post 30 minutes ago, I went to wash the dishes before I put my kids to bed. As I was washing I had an epiphany. Ted Murphy of PayPerPost is a fucking marketing genius! The Scoble thing nailed it for me. Checkmate. Game over people. I used to dislike PPP, but now, well, I think I must start rooting for them as I admire Ted Murphy for his marketing skills. Think about it for a moment. I have followed it from the start, and I estimate that the work Ted has... Read More »
Would You Change Your Name For $30k?
This guy would, and will, officially on Groundhog Day in 07. My name is Scott MacDonald (for now) and on February 2nd, 2007 I will change my name to whatever the highest bidder decides! I think this is is pretty clever, and heck, it’s working too. The current bid is $36,789.10 to change his name to “Finest Freshest Fastest” by a company called CupOJoeOnline.com. I can’t imagine paying that kind of money for a publicity stunt without guarantees that... Read More »
Free Online Marketing Ideas Radio Show - December 19, 2006
Today’s show was just me, all alone. If you didn’t catch it live like the rest, you can listen to the archives here. Reminder, their won’t be a show next week due to the holidays, but I will pick it back up on Jan 02, 2007. SHOW NOTES: I spoke about my latest quick media hit website/story at www.fanprotest.com. I also talked about my latest idea “Donut Juice” :) Hopefully Dunkin Donuts will be sending me a check soon. The rest of the show was... Read More »
Andy Beal Has 5 Must Read Success Tips For Interactive Marketing Agencies
Andy Beal writes an enourmously powerful and helpful blog entry entitled ‘Five Secret Strategies to Add $1 Million in Revenue to your Interactive Marketing Agency in 2007′. Go read it, now. Ok, assuming you’re in the online/marketing/interactive agency business. If you’re a shoe repairman, you might not find it so intriguing. :9 One of the most common questions I am asked by marketing agencies seeking my advice – especially those that are newly-started... Read More »
Edelman’s Lack Of Creativity Sinking The Ship
I fully expected a big-time PR agency like Edelman to bank hard into the turn and speed up when they got bumped with this entire Walmart fiasco. To me, this wasn’t something you tried to let fade away as a tactic. But then again, what do I know? I’ve never run a madison avenue type PR firm. However, I know bloggers, and blogs, and I know how they think/work, and this was a blogging issue. So perhaps maybe I’m even more qualified than they are? I contacted... Read More »
