We’re at the point in the year when we’re finalizing our client’s 2011 social media marketing PR plans. Knowing when an outlet plans to cover stories in their market makes it easy to block out possible placements. And, contacting reporters in advance means you’ll have less competition for publication. So, how do you know who’s writing about when?

Thanks to Cision, you have now access to something that many companies pay PR firms to search for: a comprehensive, and free, editorial calendar.

Cision’s Free EdCals Features
* Nearly half a million worldwide editorial calendar opportunities
* Up-to-date research provided by Cision’s team
* Simple search lets you set date limits and enter subjects
* Download one record or an entire list to Excel or Outlook’s Calendar
* Works for Windows, Mac and mobile web users

“EdCals eliminates needless hours searching for the right opportunities and — because it reveals what the contact actually needs — avoids wasting the journalist’s time with an off-target pitch,” said Vanessa Bugasch, Cision’s Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Product Marketing.”

Source: Cision press release

What you need to know about Cision’s EdCals

After three searches, you will be asked to register. To search, enter a begin and end date, a topic or the name of a media outlet. Results include publication name, link, submission date, publication date, and topic details, where applicable. Here’s an example of you can use the information that comes back.

1. First search by date, topic or publication and then export the information to an excel or calendar file.

Here’s what a record for a small business search looks like:

Pacific Coast Business Times
Submission Deadline: December 09, 2010
Issue Date: December 23, 2010
Outlet: Pacific Coast Business Times (Magazine)
Tags: Small Business
Small business.

2. To take your search a step further, look up the site.

This one is http://www.pacbiztimes.com/

3. Then, search the Pacific Coast Business Times site for Small Business.

Here’s the link for that, http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=96

4. Sign up for the publication’s email newsletter to follow their stories and get to know their writers.

http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=98

5. Check out the special section nominations and select a category or two for your business to enter.

http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=105

6. Click on the advertising tab to get more insights about editorial. A media kit will let you know how the publication plans to target companies.

http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=107

7. Copy and store the outlet’s contact information in your database with columns for contact date, notes and links to your stories online.

http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=1&Itemid=80

8. Search the outlet’s site for your industry and competition to see who’s getting coverage.

Make notes on who, what, when, where and why – using the five foundation points journalists use.

9. Make a list of publications to contact, do your research and then phone in, tweet or post an introduction to the editor.

Make it quick: who you are, what you do and why people need to know about what you do.

Don’t like to make phone calls? Test out twitter and Facebook with a private message or share your pitch with everyone. Who knows who will pick it up? There’s no need to go through a long and thought-out press release process, especially if you’re proposing placement months in advance.

Where are you in your 2011 PR planning?

2011 calendar Image credit/disclosure: Shutterstock.com provides images to Wired PR Works in exchange for credit, which we are happy to give. Thanks to Heidi Sullivan, Cision’s vice president of media research and a former Social Media Club Chicago board member colleague for letting me know about Cision’s editorial calendar service.

I love silent auctions. Bidding on donated items is fun, especially if you’re the winner. At the event, charities or organizations raise funds and awareness. And, donating items to be displayed online or at an event is good publicity. Everybody wins: the organization raises funds, your business gets promoted and the winner gets a service they need. Ideally, you will reach new prospects and the auction winner will become a client.

Last summer I donated a social media consulting session to Biz Bash, an event that takes place this year on June 3 from 5:30-8:30pm at The Murphy, located at 50 E. Erie in Chicago. I got to know Lynn Hazan of Lynn Hazan and Associates, who does a terrific job of heading up the Windy City Biz Bash Auction Team who says, “The Biz Bash auction brings together buyers and sellers in a fun and creative environment. It’s easy to talk with people, especially when they are bidding for your donation! The bidders love getting items that may not necessarily be available to the general public. Everyone wins, the donor, bidder and BMA!”

Thanks to Pon Angara of Barkada Creative, assistant BMA auctions chair, for the background information for this post.

Surprisingly, to me, my 2009 social media consulting package turned out to be a popular item. I enjoyed working with the branding agency that placed the top bid. It was their first BMA event and mine as well.

In thinking about what to donate to Biz Bash this year, I came up with 10 silent auction donation guidelines for business based on my many years of experience as an event planner, silent auction enthusiast and PR consultant. Matching your business to the organization’s member demographics or charity’s cause is really the first step. Look for opportunities to grow relationships.

10 Silent Auction Donation Guidelines for Business

1. Partner with a charity or organization that will promote your donation and involvement. Once a group called to ask my business for a donation. I said what do businesses get? Nothing was the answer. Oh, well, here’s what I think you should do, I said. Do you have event communications? Yes. Mention them there and at the event. How nice to see that this group now lists businesses along with their logos in all pre-event communications.

2. Package your donation to fit the event, both in terms of price and presentation. Silent auctions often display lavish baskets. Dropping off a shopping bag of stuff is impolite. Donate the frames that display certificates and baskets you use for packaging.

3. Consider donating art, tickets, or gift certificates to a restaurant or spa instead of services. Services firms might donate a night on the town package, which is simple to put together, may get higher bids and has no service strings attached. I’m thinking of the time someone donated a winter’s worth of snow clearing worth hundreds of dollars. The package sold for $125. Would it have been better to put together a warm up winter gift worth $125?

4. Set a deadline for professional services and be willing to extend it once or twice. I like to set mine within three months of the event. If you can, find out who purchased your services and for how much. Contact them right after the event to thank them and schedule the service.

5. Be absolutely clear on what you’re giving away – number of hours, appointments, etc. Don’t let the donation scope creep out of the agreed upon range. Position the package as an introductory consultation to determine whether or not you want to begin a business relationship.

6. Think about donating several smaller prizes instead of one jumbo package that most likely won’t get what you’re asking for. More prizes get you more attention. Ask the event planners about expected bidding ranges and minimum bids, though.

7. Are you an artist and a business owner? Show off your artistic side by donating a piece you’re willing to part with. Every time the winner looks at your art, they will be reminded of you and your business.

8. Go to the event, especially if you’re offering a bigger prize or your company will get good exposure out of being there. This is a huge opportunity that most people miss. You might even ask for a minute or so to thank the attendees and let them know if they have any questions – at all – about what you do you’ll be standing right by your prize to answer them.

9. Write compelling copy. Draw people in with a headline or a question. Then, list the benefits and features of winning. Add in a short bio and giveaway a book.

10. Promote your involvement via your social networks and company communications. BMA Chicago asked if I would consider writing a post about attending their 2009 BizBash. I said yes. Why? The event is well run, has a great reputation and gave my business good visibility. Here’s what I’m donating this year.

Social Media Espresso – One Strong Shot, Straight Up
Go from “I don’t get it” to “I’m working it and it’s working!!”
Tired of taking seminars, going to meetings, reading blogs and thinking without clicking? Then, it’s time to take strategic action! In this laser-focused 90 minute session, you’ll find out where to locate your people and how to become someone everybody wants to know on LinkedIn, Facebook or twitter. Wake up to what social media can do for you – personally and professionally. Session may be conducted in a conference call. You keep the recording. Must be redeemed by September 30, 2010. Choose one primary platform: LinkedIn, Facebook or twitter. Includes review of existing profiles based on the Wired PR Works approach. Value $500

About Barbara Rozgonyi . . .
Founder of Social Media Club’s Chicago chapter, Barbara leads CoryWest Media, LLC a marketing and communications consultancy founded in 1990. Package includes a copy of “Success Secrets of the Social Media Superstars” by Mitch Meyerson to be published by Entrepreneur Press in summer 2010. Barbara is the author of the LinkedIn chapter and was named one of the top 30 PR experts to follow on twitter by ereleases.com.

Can’t wait to get the package? Check out over 730 marketing and PR articles on Barbara’s blog, http://wiredPRworks.com and subscribe to weekly social media updates at http://savvysocialmedia.com

Written by Barbara Rozgonyi, publisher of Wired PR Works, CEO of CoryWest Media, LLC and founder of Social Media Club Chicago who loves to help businesses develop digital relationships.

How do you promote seminars and workshops these days? When I pulled the media contact list for LinkedIn Power Strategies, I knew it was time to branch out into other places. A calendar item or even a feature will only reach a select group of readers once. To publicize your business events, create an event site on eventbrite. Buy a domain for your event, in this case – http://wiredbranding.com – and then post information on craigslist, GarysGuide and other online calendars.

Here’s the copy I used for the publicity communications along with the LinkedIn Power Strategies eventbrite site.

Email Release Subject Line: 4/17 LinkedIn Power Strategies: How to Stand Out and be Sought Out

News for Midwest Business, Career and Community Editors from CoryWest Media, LLC

New LinkedIn Power Strategies Workshop Teaches How to Stand Out and Be Sought Out

Course created by Barbara Rozgonyi, social media marketing PR maven, combines strategy, content, PR and connections

CONTACT: 630.207.7530, voice or text

Contents: calendar item, event details, press release

LinkedIn Workshop Chicago Calendar Item

Wondering what it takes to stand out and be sought out on LinkedIn? Strategy, content, PR and connections – everything you’ll get in this course created and led by Barbara Rozgonyi, publisher of www.wiredprworks.com. Tuition is $97 before April 11, $129 after and includes course materials. Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, 201 East Loop Road in Wheaton, Illinois. Register online at www.wiredbranding.com. Date: April 17, 2009 from 8:00am – noon. Call or text 630.207.7530 with questions.

LinkedIn Event Details

Contact: 630.207.7530 voice or text

Date: April 17, 2009 from 8:00-noon

Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, 201 East Loop Road, Wheaton, Illinois

Presenter: Barbara Rozgonyi, Publisher of Wired PR Works and founder of CoryWest Media, LLC

Best for: Best for: coaches, speakers, consultants, job seekers, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to position themselves or their business as a subject matter expert 

Registration: http://www.wiredbranding.com

Tuition: $97 before April 11, $129 after April 11

Bring: Laptop computer

LinkedIn Power Strategies Event Press Release

News for Midwest Business, Career and Community Editors from CoryWest Media

New LinkedIn Power Strategies Workshop Teaches How to Stand Out and Be Sought Out

Course created by Barbara Rozgonyi, social media marketing PR maven, combines strategy, content, PR and connections

CONTACT: 630.207.7530, voice or text, connect@corywestmedia.com

Glen Ellyn, Illinois – With over 30 million LinkedIn profiles now online, creating and managing a profile that stands out and represents you as a thought leader is a must especially for job seekers, coaches, business owners, entrepreneurs, speakers and consultants. That’s why Barbara Rozgonyi, publisher of Wired PR Works, created “LinkedIn Power Strategies,” a workshop that teaches how to build visibility and connections online that incorporates search engine optimization, marketing, human resources, communications and public relations.  Launching on April 17 at Illinois Institute of Technology in Wheaton, registration is open at http://www.wiredbranding.com.

Linked Power Strategies Students will learn:

-          what you need to get started

-          why you need keywords

-          examples of good profiles

-          where to find connections

-          what groups to join

-          when to answer questions

-          how to stay in touch

-          which picture to use

-          what to say in your tagline

Rozgonyi says this workshop is best for coaches, speakers, consultants, job seekers, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to position themselves or their business as a go-to authority on the LinkedIn platform. After presenting her LinkedIn 101 program to groups like West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs, Rozgonyi created this workshop to teach, motivate and empower people to leverage the power of LinkedIn.

For more information about CoryWest Media’s events, visit http://wiredprworks.com or call or text 630.207.7530.

About [Social Media Marketing PR] SMMPR Maven . . . .Barbara Rozgonyi

Barbara Rozgonyi is the founder of CoryWest Media, LLC, a virtual branding, public relations and marketing consultancy. Barbara’s consulting highlights include managing the intranet launch at Sears in 1998. As publisher of Wired PR Works, Barbara reports on ways to use marketing, social media and public relations to grow business, build brands and connect communities. A founding member of Social Media Club Chicago, Barbara loves to share her passion for communicating effectively online with everyone, especially at live events like workshops and seminars. To interview Barbara Rozgonyi about social media, public relations, twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or blogging, call or text 630.207.7530. Learn about new media strategies at http://wiredprworks.com. Follow Barbara @wiredprworks on http://www.twitter.com.

Here’s the registration page for our upcoming event . . . Online Event Registration –

Do you know what RSS stands for? Do you care? You do, if you want to get news delivered somewhere to you automatically online. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It’s like ordering online subscriptions to blogs, news sites, twitter updates or any content that has an RSS feed. Sounds kind of fancy to have your own syndication system when you think about it, but every blogger and person on twitter does.

If you’re on our email news update list [powered by aweber: affiliate link], you get emails twice a week: a weekly blog collection on Tuesdays and a personal communication that doesn’t appear anywhere else from me on Thursdays. What most people don’t know, and I forget to tell them, that you can subscribe to all of my updates with RSS distribution. I wish every email provider offered this service. How many times have you had to go back and mine your inbox for news from a community group?

Once you order your RSS subscription or feed, it has to have a place to go where you can find in online. Lots of people like to use Google’s reader to organize their feeds. Some people follow hundreds of blogs so they like to have a system that lets them choose favorites and share like Google’s reader does. Here’s a video from Common Craft about how RSS works.

Even if you have a feed reader [AKA RSS newsstand], you might still like to get your feeds in your email inbox. And, there is way to do that – as long as you have Outlook 2007. Some bloggers also offer email updates. Here’s a video that walks you how to sync your RSS feeds with your Outlook 2007 inbox from Robert Imbriale.

I like the way Robert shows you exactly how to set up your Outlook Inbox to receive blog feeds. Every time you click send/receive any recent blog or news updates go directly into your Outlook 2007 inbox. You can monitor all of your RSS and email activity all on one screen. Thanks to Robert for telling me about this resource so I could share it with you.

How do you manage your RSS feeds?

Groups give speakers get all kinds of gifts: flowers, chocolate, gift certificates. One of the best “gifts” you can give a speaker is a recommendation. Although I use critique sheets for reviews, it’s not often that a get a group review like this one from West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs.

What I like about this format:

• includes group comments
• talks about usable ideas
• gives ideas on how to expand the presentation

Professional Speaker Recommendation for Barbara Rozgonyi’s How to Build Your Business with Online Networking for Women Entrepreneurs

Thanks so much to everyone in the group who wrote the following recommendation:

West Suburban Woman Entrepreneurs would like to acknowledge Barbara Rozgonyi from CoryWest Media. She joined us January 15, 2009, at William Tell in Countryside to share her wisdom and insight about “How To Build Your Business With Online Networking.”

The WSWE Speaker-Evaluation opinions about her presentation were all in agreement: Barbara definitely met our expectations! Her program gave insight on the timely topic of online networking. Her material was useful to our current business needs. Her presentation style was interactive, engaging, and thorough. She was friendly, focused, exceptionally knowledgeable, and relaxed. She inspired and motivated members and their guests, many of whom reported they plan to sign up for or update their listings in online networking communities like “LinkedIn.”

Some comments that WSWE members shared include:

• Great information for those not familiar with the topic

· The handout allowed audience to focus on the speaker. (Many) liked the size and content of handout.

• “Great speaker and great topic for today’s techno savvy consumers!”
• Speaker presented ideas for every level of experience

The most usable ideas gained from his presentation were:

• Taking small steps to implement this way of networking
• How to set up for a new user
• Reserving individual domain names
• Forming accountability groups
• Suggested action steps and accountability groups

If we had more time or if we could have added something more, our members would have appreciated:

• Walk through a sample “LinkedIn” setup
• How to specifically use sites to stimulate business

We recommend Barbara to any professional group seeking to educate and inspire its members.

Sincerely,

Members of WSWE ~ West Suburban Woman Entrepreneurs ~ www.wswe.org

Are you an event planner? How do you recognize your speakers?