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How Contributed Articles Can Boost Your PR Program

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When considering a public relations approach to get your company in the news, you may focus on newsworthy announcements. Initiatives like product launches, customer wins and new hires have traditionally been popular topics for press releases. But what do you do in between the news peaks?

One option is to pursue contributed articles. What’s a contributed article? Unlike an article written by a reporter about a company or its products, contributed articles are written by the company and are meant to lend a vendor-neutral perspective on topics relevant to a publication’s readers[i].

What can contributed articles do for you and your company? They can:

  • Position you as a thought leader
  • Help you be seen as the expert
  • Increase your visibility
  • Lead to other opportunities – speaking, more opportunities to write articles, be quoted in roundups and so forth

And with media publications continuing to downsize their editorial staffs, many are looking for contributed content to help fill their digital and print pages. Continue reading How Contributed Articles Can Boost Your PR Program

10 Noteworthy Sessions to Look Forward to at This Year’s Content Marketing World

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This is one of my favorite times of the year.

Content Marketing World 2018 is coming up Sept. 4-7. This will be my third trip to Cleveland to attend. To say I’m excited would be an understatement.

When people ask me why this conference is so impactful, I tell them it’s THE place for content marketing nerds! Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m among those nerds.

CMWorld is well planned and produced, with standout speakers, networking and a chance to check out all the latest technology, along with little touches that make it even more special. We’re talking orange-colored snacks, people!

The event is packed with so much phenomenal stuff, it’s tough to choose where to spend your time. To help select the speakers you most want to hear, review this list of top Content Marketing World Opinion Leaders.

And, after perusing the agenda, here’s a preview of a few of the sessions I’m most looking forward to this year.  Continue reading 10 Noteworthy Sessions to Look Forward to at This Year’s Content Marketing World

7 Ways Manufacturing Companies Can Take Advantage of PR

Manufacturing companies need PR, too

If you have a company in the manufacturing or industrial markets, PR may be an element that’s missing from your marketing program. Many companies in these verticals overlook PR because they may feel it won’t be worthwhile for them. They may think, “What in the world do we have to talk to the media about?”

The truth is, a lot! The trick is figuring out the most effective way to leverage PR to make it work for you.

For example, I’ve worked with many companies in these markets who have interesting stories to tell. What they needed help with was unearthing these stories, then figuring out the best channels to use to get them out.

“You need to not only create great content, you need to make sure people see it,” says Jay Scheer of Thomasnet.com. “Too many manufacturing companies seem content waiting and waiting for those prospects to magically find their websites, pick up the phone, and sign on the dotted line.”

Traditionally, manufacturing companies have turned somewhat of a blind eye to marketing and PR. But, “As vendor loyalty erodes in the B2B market, manufacturers find ‘they’re almost having to resell their clients,’” said a recent article in Crain’s Chicago Business.

What PR approaches work for manufacturing businesses?

For manufacturers who want to take advantage of public relations, here are seven ways to get started: Continue reading 7 Ways Manufacturing Companies Can Take Advantage of PR

My Favorite Posts of 2017

My favorite posts of 2017

As I look back on 2017, it’s been a banner year for my business. I’ve done more writing than ever and attracted some great new clients.

What I’ve learned is that when you do what you love, people notice. I love PR—but I’ve always loved writing. So writing about public relations and the disciplines it touches on—content marketing, social media, influencer marketing, email marketing and others—just makes sense. It’s when I’m at my happiest, delving deeper into topics that are of interest to me and my PR brethren.

So, in that spirit, I wanted to share a round-up of my favorite pieces I worked on this year. Continue reading My Favorite Posts of 2017

Top 11 Things I Learned at Content Marketing World

Content Marketing World was this past week. I looked forward to it for months. I went. I learned a lot.

But the highlight for me is the people. Making those face-to-face connections is priceless.

Yes, we live in a digital world. In fact, I was marveling recently at how many people I “know”—but have never met in person, or even spoken to on the phone. While I value those relationships, there is just something about actually being able to make that personal connection with someone.

Content Marketing World

TrackMaven had one of the best vendor booths at this year’s Content Marketing World with its “See What Sticks” marketing target, complete with spaghetti to throw.

Beyond that, here are my top 11 takeaways from my time at #CMWorld: Continue reading Top 11 Things I Learned at Content Marketing World

9 Standout Speakers and Trends to Watch For at this Year’s Content Marketing World

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This time of year, I get really excited. No, it’s not the pumpkin spice season that’s got me going. It’s nearly time for Content Marketing World.

Just over a week from now, I’ll be in Cleveland to hear some of the greatest minds in content marketing share their wisdom.

What speakers and trends stand out at this year’s event? Here are a few to watch: Continue reading 9 Standout Speakers and Trends to Watch For at this Year’s Content Marketing World

Yes, You Need A Website For Your Small Business

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I was doing some research recently when I came across an article that said nearly half of small businesses don’t have a website. You read that right, nearly HALF. 45 percent is the number quoted in the article, which by the way was titled, “You’ll be shocked to learn how many small businesses still don’t have a website.” And yes, I was shocked.

I’ve seen research like this before, and on one hand, it isn’t hard to believe. Small business owners are strapped for time and funds–I get it. They’re overwhelmed by the demands placed on them, including not only sales but marketing, operations, business development, HR and the list goes on.

On the other hand, how can a small business NOT have a site? It is simply a must for any business today. Even if you’re not selling anything online, a site is the hub of all digital marketing activity—social media, content marketing, PR, advertising and SEO. Where is the first place many will go when they look for a product or service? Online. If you’re not there, they may not bother to seek you out–and go elsewhere.

Continue reading Yes, You Need A Website For Your Small Business

It All Started with a Flying Machine

As I celebrate 18 years of Garrett Public Relations, I’ve been thinking back to my very first client.

When I launched my business, I was in the Bay Area—one of THE places for entrepreneurs with great, if sometimes crazy, ideas.

As I was preparing to leave my day job to go full-time as a solopreneur, I was fortunate to be introduced to one of these entrepreneurs, an inventor. What had he invented? A flying machine. For real. It was called SoloTrek and was a vertical take-off and landing aircraft based on ducted fan technology. (The two-person model, the DuoTrek, resembled the flying car that’s been in the news this week.)

Continue reading It All Started with a Flying Machine