Rather than print out pages of handouts, I’m posting my Digital PR workshop materials here for the world to enjoy.

First, we’ll talk about how to become your own publicist using the PR P-R-I-M-E-R

Next, we’ll go over the Digital PR=Publicity Repositioned presentation.

Then, we’ll cover essential elements of online and social media press releases.

And, we’ll cover some real-life success stories. Have to join us in person to see those, but ...]]>

Rather than print out pages of handouts, I’m posting my Digital PR workshop materials here for the world to enjoy.

First, we’ll talk about how to become your own publicist using the PR P-R-I-M-E-R

Next, we’ll go over the Digital PR=Publicity Repositioned presentation.

Then, we’ll cover essential elements of online and social media press releases.

And, we’ll cover some real-life success stories. Have to join us in person to see those, but here are some videos to inspire and inform.

Disclosure: image provided by shutterstock.com

Have you tried do-it-yourself online PR? What lessons would you share?

Coming up on October 30 in Lombard, Illinois . . . here’s a press release about an event that’s expected to draw over 500 people and 50 exhibitors. Need a business to business social networking or social media marketing strategies speaker? We released new about the expo via PRWeb.

Social Media Talks Buzz Up Lombard Chamber Business EXPO

Lombard, Illinois October 16, 2009 — Successful businesses know that one of the best places to network is a chamber of commerce business EXPO. ...]]>

Coming up on October 30 in Lombard, Illinois . . . here’s a press release about an event that’s expected to draw over 500 people and 50 exhibitors. Need a business to business social networking or social media marketing strategies speaker? We released new about the expo via PRWeb.

Social Media Talks Buzz Up Lombard Chamber Business EXPO

Lombard, Illinois October 16, 2009 — Successful businesses know that one of the best places to network is a chamber of commerce business EXPO. Even better? Add in presentations on how to build up social media buzz and then attend a networking reception. Thanks to the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, businesses can do all three at the 13th Annual Expo at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard, Illinois. Social Media keynote speaker Barbara Rozgony of CoryWest Media, LLC – online at http:wiredPRworks.com – a virtual PR, social media and marketing consultancy will present three 20-minute social networking presentations: Facebook: Your Business or Your Life; Twitter 101: How to Tweet: Not for Birds, But for Business; and LinkedIn: 5 Power Strategies to Stand Out and Be Sought Out.

The “Wired PR Works” presentation is being sponsored by Chamber Gold Member Premier Payment Systems provider of Merchant Card Services. For more information visit: http://lombardchamber.com or call 630.637.5040.

Yvonne Invergo, Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive director, says exhibitors represent a wide variety of business sectors including banking, finance, insurance, marketing, computer, healthcare, senior living, education, publications, recreation, government and more. A social networking reception, at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., follows the EXPO.

Sponsored by Premier Payment Systems, Barbara Rozgonyi’s social media keynote presentations will cover:

Facebook: Your Business or Your Life? | at noon
How to have it both ways and become friends with people you can do business with
Learn how to harmonize your business, life and branding into a unified, cohesive presence that compliments your business – and your life!

Twitter 101: How to Tweet: Not for Birds, but for Business | at 1:00 p.m.
How to fly into twitter and attract a flock of loyal followers and customers
Birds tweet, but should you? Find out if twitter is a time-waster or a tool worth turning on and powering up. Discover how to leverage twitter to attract prospects, connect with customers, personalize branding and respond to everyone, including the media.

LinkedIn: 5 Power Strategies to Stand Out and Be Sought Out | at 2:00 p.m.
Becoming an authority on LinkedIn is easier than you think. In this session, take a look at the top five strategies authorities use to get attention and claim their space on LinkedIn: profiles, recommendations, answers, company sites and networks.

About Premier Payment Systems, specializing in merchant accounts for credit card processing
Premier delivers a personalized hands-on approach to businesses that are looking for competitive merchant solutions. Managed by an expert team with a collective 50 plus years experience in the bankcard industry, Premier’s leadership’s extensive background in risk management, leadership and sales management drives the company’s service and its vision. Premier’s diverse client portfolio consists of thousands of businesses, some of whom process as little as $60,000 annually in credit card charges while others process in excess of $100 million annually. Headquartered in Chicago’s western suburbs, Premier’s client base includes internet, retail, wholesale, mail order, phone orders and home-based businesses. Partnerships and alliances with the most well respected financial institutions in the world include First Data, named by Inc as the #1 Fastest Growing Business in Financial Services Industry 2008. For more information, visit http://ppsbankcard.com.

###

Disclosure: Thanks to Premier Payment Systems for sponsoring my presentation and the event promotions.

Yesterday, we opened up 300 spots for Social Media Club Chicago’s Open Mic Night event. All 300 were gone in about 18 hours. So . . . what’s so cool about that? This is the fourth time ...]]> When Problogger gave the assignment list to come up with a list post for the 31 days to a build a better blog project, the first topic that popped into my mind was: how to sell out an event in less than 24 hours.

Yesterday, we opened up 300 spots for Social Media Club Chicago’s Open Mic Night event. All 300 were gone in about 18 hours. So . . . what’s so cool about that? This is the fourth time we’ve sold out. On twitter, people were calling this, “The hottest event in town.”

With event registrations down all over the country, I’ve been researching what’s drawing people into rooms.

In a word: people.

There’s huge shift from wanting to learn to desiring to network. As one event planner told me, once people find their group, they just want to know when and where to meet and they’ll show up.

If you’re planning an event, be sure to allow – and promote! – time for networking. What would happen if you asked each speaker to build in a networking activity for every event?

Event Marketing: 10 Keys to Selling All Seats Fast

1. Date – send out a save the date notice before you open registration

2. Venue – recruit a sponsor to host the event in exchange for promotion

3. Speaker – engage real sparklers who have a ready-made fan base

4. List – build or borrow a list

5. Limit – start with a low capacity with plans to announce more openings

6. Free – need I say more? okay – get sponsors to underwrite the event

7. System – communicate across all multiple channels

8. Plug in – connect and route your invitation through all systems

9. Partner – pair up with another group or companion event

10. Wait – open up an overflow list and host a dual party for these folks, too

A reader writes . . .

Hi Barbara – My name is Mark McGinnis and I’m not sure just how I got on your mailing list – but it was good timing for this…

My wife (Kim) and I are new to offering Seminars.  I saw that you got 77 people signed up for your event.  You promoted this just on Facebook?  Have not tried that – is social media a good place to get localized attendees to register for ...]]>

A reader writes . . .

Hi Barbara – My name is Mark McGinnis and I’m not sure just how I got on your mailing list – but it was good timing for this…

My wife (Kim) and I are new to offering Seminars.  I saw that you got 77 people signed up for your event.  You promoted this just on Facebook?  Have not tried that – is social media a good place to get localized attendees to register for events?  We have noticed that about half of the people that do sign up for seminars – just don’t show up. We are looking at new incentives and such but that is something you may want to keep in mind for your events as well.

I have a new Manifest Passive Income Seminar scheduled for Boulder Co – in early December. Please let me know any tips you have for gaining registrants (other than print mailings and Radio spots which we do).  Social media sounds intriguing.

All the best,

Mark

Dear Mark:
Thanks for writing. By the way, you got on my list when you purchased How to fill seminar seats using the power of free publicity, an interview I did with Jenny Hamby, the seminar marketing pro. So, thanks for buying my ebook and for reading my newsletters! Visit Jenny’s blog SeminarSavvy to search for seminar marketing tips.

Yes, social media can be a good place to get localized attendees to register for events, especially when you start a group to build a following and then begin to promote your events.

The people who showed up for our event enjoy being social media activists. One participant invited a dozen friends; that’s the power of word of mouth. When your topic is compelling and valuable to your audience, they will spread the word for you. Setting up a Facebook event is relatively simple. Like most marketing and communications, the more strategic you are, the better your results. To get started with Facebook, check out this list of 100 Facebook marketing tools and read my article on how to use Facebook to market local events.

In thinking about the answer to your question, here are four steps to marketing seminars on social media sites.

Step One: Seek out the right social networks

Where do your clients congregate online?

Survey your clients to find out which social networks they use: LinkedIn, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, flickr, ning. Ask about subgroups – join the groups they’re in and start your own. To meet the social media leaders in your community, search “[community] social media” and people and events will pop up. Colorado’s social media scene is very vibrant; you’ll learn a lot and make some valuable connections.

Step Two: Tune into conversations

What are they talking about? How do you and your seminars fit into what’s on their minds?

If you’re on twitter, you know the value of being able to communicate in 140 characters or less. Many seminars talk around the value and the actual product. The more people have to think about why they would attend, the less likely they will be to sign up. I think you have to be absolutely clear up front about what you’re promoting: coaching, information products, home study courses, workshops, affiliate programs, etc.

Step Three: Choose Your Social media tools

How much updating do you really want to do?

Participating in a social network requires being active and reaching out. Answering questions on LinkedIn a few times a week may be more your style than publishing a blog post every day. But, checking into Facebook and updating may turn out to be more fun and rewarding than you expect it will be. Think about time and why what you’re saying is relevant. Money is usually not an issue, but having images is. You can record and upload videos with a flip camera that costs less than $150. To add lift, send out a series of multimedia news releases before and after your seminar that include links to your social networking sites.

Step Four: Add Value

How do you and your seminars fit into their lives?

I’m not surprised that 50% of the the people who sign up for free seminars don’t show up. Why would they? They haven’t made a commitment to you – or to themselves. Charging a small token fee in exchange for information is one way to get them to commit in exchange for receiving something of value. You might get them to register on a site like Eventbrite – that way you capture their information and manage the registrations automatically.

Your turn: Where do you find about seminars? Does being able to see who else is going, like on Facebook, have any weight in your decision-making?

Image: Barbara Rozgonyi presenting Blogging for Business

This post is one in a series of four; browse the Making Media Connections 2008 category.

Were you at the conference? Let us know about your links or leave a comment.

Panelists

Mike Ervin, Freelance Journalist: writes mostly about disability issues, works at Victory Gardens on The Access Project to help people with disabilities: sign language, audio adaptation, if people want to be ...]]> Notes from Community Media Workshop’s 2008 Making Media Connections conference panel: Butts in Seats-How to Turn People Out: the Secret Ingredients.

This post is one in a series of four; browse the Making Media Connections 2008 category.

Were you at the conference? Let us know about your links or leave a comment.

Panelists

Mike Ervin, Freelance Journalist: writes mostly about disability issues, works at Victory Gardens on The Access Project to help people with disabilities: sign language, audio adaptation, if people want to be onstage, they have performance art workshops; also involved in ACT with civil disobedience

Mandy Burrell, Metro Planning Council: related to regional and urban growth and development, active in a group called Neighbors Project, also writes for Gapers Block, used to work as a community reporter for Wednesday Journal and Conscious Choice

Tanya Saracho, Teatro Luna: female Latina theater company only one in the country until a year ago, don’t have a lot of money, but they consistently sell out the shows

Christopher Piatt, theater editor for Time Out Chicago, theater scene is really broad, Denise is the media rep that reaches all parts of the city and Tanya does not, manages weekly magazine and online presence-blogs; have to watch trends in cities and rural area

Denise Garrity, publicity director for Goodman Theater, do almost 10 productions a year between 2 theaters, her job is to act as a liaison with the press, fortunate to have a separate marketing team, she pitches theater stories and works with critics. Fourth installment of the Goodman’s Latino Theatre Festival coming this summer. Moving to the new facility means they can invite off-Loop theater companies to present in that space.

Question about strategy

Christopher

Smaller companies are at Time Out Chicago’s mercy. Their response [Time Out Chicago] to the show is their [small theater] advertising. This Sunday at the Tony’s, you’ll see Steppenwolf and Shakespeare Chicago. The importance of that legacy is why Time Out Chicago’s subscribers want to know about the artist and the works. It’s harder to get their attention than it used to be. Send an email to let them know about the production. A lot of his job is emailing people about photographs. Presence of the glossy magazine means that theater is going to look different to the average consumer. There is a science and photographing theater is a craft. They have a lot of freelancers writers they have to trust. For people who are trying to push their companies out there, their attention spans can be very short sometimes. You can call him up. If you do, he will remember that. They get a lot of pitches, but sometimes they want to write about something else. Just be yourself and give them a personal contact.

Tanya

Teatro Luna’s motto: redefining the mainstream. How can you not be interested in a quarter of the population of Chicago? They were an accident, met her partner and got a group together. Don’t know how they filled that main stage at Victory Gardens. Got an email list, now they use Facebook and MySpace. They want to reach 25-32 year olds.

Question: What could you attribute the success to the initial show?

Tanya

We were doing something original and we had a product, but we didn’t know we had a product. Played to their strengths without the money, realized they were something special and we need to tell the people who might care. Started doing postcards. Whole Latin explosion; people wanted to see that on the stage. Originality and reflecting.

Christopher

It’s basically hip hop theater. For the show Machos they interviewed 54 men and women played them. It’s an accident, but a way that you’re answering the call.

Denise

In terms of delivering the information, you have to pay attention to the calendar. We’re in the midst of the festival season. They’ve taken the cast of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” to two baseball games. Now they’re investigating ways to get the performers out. Even the Goodman, we still rely on that. Put posters in boutiques on Southport.

Tanya

You got to talk to us the way we’re listening. We like to listen to the radio. There’s a free way to diffuse information via an events e-blast. Also use party promoters. From the beginning, they knew the importance of having on-point marketing materials. The logo needs to be something extraordinary. When they did start producing postcards and a web page they stood out, it’s kind of like equal opportunity on the net.

Mandy

Similarities, new project: community planning process, do people really want to go to another meeting? Started in 3 different areas, began a web site and started blogging about it, looking at transit missed connections and also looking at retail amenities. It’s been a challenge because there are new people in the neighborhood. Pushed out via e-alerts and they come up with some reason to send it out. How do you have a list? Started out with a list of leaders from business and community groups to connect them to larger groups within the neighborhood. There’s some back and forth there. Then, when people came to the meetings, they collected emails. Collected stories from people who came to the meetings and had interesting things to say. Passing out at neighborhood events, festivals and libraries.  Most meetings are interactive. Use surveymonkey.com. Brochure has a tear off to win a $50 transit card.

Denise 

Enter to win works well.

Tanya

They do holiday parties; secret Valentines bought in so much money and 350 people.

Denise

Tailor-made event, they identified their goal. Chief diversity heads at corporations very interested – had their boards blast out the information via eblast and a paper donation, caterer donated food, had to invest a little bit of money to get the artists to preview the show.

Tanya

They use Constant Contact to manage email

Question: How can we tie into arts to get our message out?

Tanya

Comedy, art and music are good partnerships

Christopher

Journalists love it

How did you come up the fake protest and have you done anything else like it?

Tanya

Fake protesting low priced jeans as performance art landed coverage in the Trib: Latinas have had enough. Also wanted to find out how men use urinals, got attention online.

How do you get volunteers?

Tanya

We only use volunteers, always important to build your board

Mandy

Use idealist.org

Denise

Created a program called university ambassadors that exchanged tickets for service

Mike

Theaters use Saints as ushers

Christopher

Saints are the best kind of volunteers to have

Tanya

pizza and beer

How do you do eblast trades?

Tanya

Partner with other groups to exchange lists

Mandy

Host an event with another group that’s well established to cross-promote stuff, make it easy for them

Tanya

Have an incentive, give them a discount

Christopher

Have to remember the law of diminishing returns with email, the more they see you, the less they pay attention. People block some companies. The really good publicity offices know how to pick those battles and how to really carefully arbitrate that.

Denise

Always attach attachments

What makes a good photo?

Christopher

Very few people in the photo, the eye is going to be drawn to simplicity and movement. Michael Braslow? is so good at capturing even in the still moments. There is a difference between a production and promotion photo. Production photos will help you get coverage. Make two investments: one in production photography and one in promotional photography. Be very simple so that the picture tells a quick story. Look at the advertising campaigns across the board and see which fonts and looks that draw attention. Never place an ad or take a photo for a show you wouldn’t go to. Don’t want a photo to run with the review that looks like the ad.

Observations

Discussion centered mostly on theater production. The secret ingredients? Be original, find a need, feed people, perform where the people are, collaborate and present two faces: production/doing and promotion/marketing.

What do you think?

What’s your secret for getting butts into seats?

This post is one in a series of four; browse the Making Media Connections 2008 category.

Were you at the conference? Let us know about your links or leave a comment.

Power of Word of Mouth, Paid Media & the PSA Panelists

Julie Somogyi: The ...]]> Notes from Community Media Workshop’s 2008 Making Media Connections conference panel: Power of Word of Mouth, Paid Media and the PSA. A PSA is a public service announcement or free air time on major media that’s given to non-profits.

This post is one in a series of four; browse the Making Media Connections 2008 category.

Were you at the conference? Let us know about your links or leave a comment.

Power of Word of Mouth, Paid Media & the PSA Panelists

Julie Somogyi: The Chicago Public Education Fund, PSAs, buzz campaigns, moderated the panel

Annette Minkalis: WestGlen Communications, PR Week PR ToolBox, topic of PSAs and value to non-profits, USO, Habitat

Shannon Stairhime: WOMMA, case study library, the WOMMA word, daily news to 15,000 WOM marketing professionals

Wanda Wells: Community Relations, Fox Chicago News, former news director and morning anchor for B103 radio, started out in radio as a jazz jock and switched to news, created many relationships in the community, get to know your stations, get to know their mission and do not be afraid to ask the station’s director for help on where you want to go

First Steps to PSAs 

Annette

What is your message? What are you trying to accomplish? Really needs to have a call action. Celebrity spokesperson are not necessary – try not to get one from a popular TV show because other stations will be reluctant to use.

Shannon

Craft your message based on what people are already saying, give them a tool with the call to action.

Low-Budget Plans with Biggest Impact

Annette

TV PSAs are the most expensive in terms of production value, they cost more to distribute and produce. You get a big media value, though.

Radio is less expensive to produce, all you need is a soundtrack, also easier to hone in on your audience.

No-cost option is really just writing a live read script and sending it to stations that accept a live read script, can ask the stations to let you know if they’ll use it

Wanda

Find out if station will accept your script. Ask if it will it be read by a staff announcer or a disc jockey. How long will it be? 10 or 15 seconds is fine

Is there a copy book in the station? How often is it updated? Might I get a jock to read it?

Consider dividing groups up to take on a radio station or a TV station, have them determine if their mission matches yours.

Shannon

Find communities where your target demographic is already talking. First – listen and then actively engage them with something that interests them, there are all kinds of ways of engaging them. Use Web 2.0 = shiny new apps, micro-blogging, so many platforms and places where people are community, small community around twitter, but it’s a very engaged community.

Wanda

TV with no budget? Seek out foundation money so you can create the PSA. If you have one big event, create something around that or create something that’s more generic. PSAs get more play when there’s some interaction in the spot or there’s a lot of movement in the video. Talk to the head of Columbia College’s TV department and see if you can convince them to take you on as a project. Create a video presentation to the corporate community – give them credit.

Julie

Did an extremely successful PSA on TV. Did not have the executive director, had a group of girls who represented their mission, because of like interest the TV offered the PSA on air. Filmed off cuff, very real.

Wanda

Giving the PSA to a station that has your interests, gives you a leg up. December and January are the two months when TV is begging for PSAs, much more air time open. Send to Robin Robinson, if she’s been working with you, she might promote it for you.

Julie

Key is be flexible on your end.

Question: What’s the best way to establish those real relationships with people so they want to hear from you?

Wanda

Put a very short email or a letter – she likes both. 1. Folks get sick. 2. People go on vacation. 3. Not everyone looks at the email in a timely manner. Pick 2/3: email, letter, fax. Listen and watch to see who it is that fits your organization. Find out if there is a community affairs and a public affairs person, different contacts – reach them both. Send a letter introducing yourself and make sure you say you’re a not for profit. Then, call that person and set up a meeting to come in and talk.

Julie

What’s your definition of success? When people don’t know about PR, they may expect you to have a campaign everywhere. Define: what is success.

Annette

Clients measure success is different ways, media value can be taken as an in-kind contribution. Audience impressions, media values, certain markets. Has to be based on you and what you’re trying to accomplish. Adjust strategy to fit goals/markets.

Shannon

Slow burn and sustainable is best. Nielsen, Comsort does buzz monitoring. Do Technorati searches [has to explain-only 1 or 2 people know about Technorati]. All kinds of buzz monitoring mechanisms. Is the message morphing in the forums.

Question: How do you measure PSA metrics?

Annette

Put encoding on a master tape, it’s a service of AC Nielsen. They know what station and what time. On a TV campaign, it can take 2-3 months to get on the air; some can last a year. SQAD, third party media. Sigma for TV monitors all stations. Radio is harder, do follow up with phone calls

Question: How to link a PSA to an event?

Wanda

Anita, one of their anchors, will be the emcee for the Diabetes Walk. The Diabetes Foundation came to them to see if they would partner. Anita brought her relationship with them to Fox. Finding a talent at a  TV station and incorporate them into your event. When a radio or a TV station hears their talent will be involved, you can be sure that they will cover it. Then, you’ll have footage for the next year. Let the station’s community or public affairs person know what you’re trying to achieve. They will find out and create a marriage for you. Let them be your point person and your lobbyist. They can go through all of the bureaucratic stuff.

Julie

Expect it to take awhile to build the relationship.

Annette

Also create a generic version of the PSA on the same tape; it gives the station one for the event and one if they want to air afterwards.

Question: Tips for timing on PSAs?

Wanda

Try to get the PSA to the station 4-6 weeks before the event. You have to remember with TV, we have to take in terms of time whatever is left over that is not sold. You would be amazed at the number of people that are awake and functional at 2 in the morning.

Annette

Another common myth is that PSAs only air in off hours. Out of 1 million airings, only about 1/3 were in the overnight hours. In radio 20% were in morning prime time.

Wanda

Once asked for a 60 second PSA. Don’t usually have that much time. Matched the PSA to the prime time programming. Plus, it also ran during the baseball games. NASCAR is fast-moving. If they’re rained out, what do we do? She gets about 30 spaces for PSAs when that happens.

Questions: How do corporations brands partner with not-for-profits?

Wanda

Couldn’t use a PSA because two logos came up at the end because the corporations gave the money to make the PSA. Could work, if you say something like this public service announcement is sponsored by company name. Can’t include corporate sponsor for event, they can talk to her and they will come up with options to buy time.

Annette

Do two versions: one branded and one not. Give stations options to help get on the air.

Wanda

Pick up the phone before you begin producing to see what works.

Question: What are the merits of community calendars and connecting with Chicago stations for a suburban arts organization?

Wanda

Invaluable. Keep in mind that stations have a skeletal staff. Offer to come in to the station. Join in with other arts organizations to share costs. Send your information to the assignment desks. She will tell you what works and what does not work.

Question: Do you know a company or organization who can produce a PSA?

Annette

Someone gave you a business card

Questions: How do you get someone on the news shows?

Wanda

Spend a couple of weeks watching the show, looking at the caliber of guests. Will this work for your group? Look at these things in terms of being issue-oriented rather than event driven. Be thinking about the issue and how it’s relevant. Be an opportunist and jump on the bandwagon.

Question: What is the likelihood to get something on a number of times?

Wanda

If you send a generic announcement, it goes in for 60 days, comes out for 120 days and then may go back. A lot of non-profits think you need to get an athlete: it’s not necessary. Let the video be about your organization and your program.

Question: Best to send in multiple requests?

Wanda

Event? Send it in 4-6 weeks before the event -that’s the deadline; she will do the best she can and will give you the best possible play.

Observation

In talking to an attendee afterwards – the one who gave the business card to the person looking for a PSA producer – we wondered why no one mentioned the Internet as a PSA platform. WOMMA touched on it. Our PSA experience? A slide for an event and scripts. I like the event and generic approaches. 

Technorati Tags: PSA,Public Service Announcement,TV ads,not-for-profit publicity,non-profit PSA,Barbara Rozgonyi,Wired PR Works

But, I can share my review and takeaways and you can listen to The System Seminar Internet Marketing interviews for free [affiliate link].

Start With Stories

Ken McCarthy, The System Seminar’s founder, opened the meeting with an invitation: take seven minutes and share a success story. In all, 22 people took the microphone to talk about what ...]]> I’m a member. You’re probably not. So, I can’t share all the details with you about what I learned at The System Club’s annual members-only meeting.

But, I can share my review and takeaways and you can listen to The System Seminar Internet Marketing interviews for free [affiliate link].

Start With Stories

Ken McCarthy, The System Seminar’s founder, opened the meeting with an invitation: take seven minutes and share a success story. In all, 22 people took the microphone to talk about what they’re working on. Beginners held up threads of ideas. Accomplished marketers demonstrated the power of persistence. I talked about how we need to teach others what we know, which is – as you know – what we do here. What do you need to know more about?

Help Out Weird People Like You

An amusing speaker, Howie Jacobson, PhD author of AdWords for Dummies, said his gift is to be easily annoyed at repetitive tasks. When challenged with a problem, he suggests you see if it’s an opportunity to develop a solution to help other people. If you’re annoyed when you experience a weird or unusual situation, other people probably have the same problem. Search for SEO answers at Howie’s blog, Juggling AdWords for Fun and Profit.

Aim Low Get High

Martin Atkins, author of Tour Smart: And Break the Band presented on how to market music. An interesting choice for a speaker, Martin’s presentation was lively, edgy, entertaining and incredibly relevant. A few highlights . . . [hint: works better if you read in an English accent]

• The old model is DEAD build a new one: Radiohead gave away their music. If Radiohead can give away their album, what’s yours worth?
• Stop blaming anyone for anything. Everything is YOUR responsibility.
• Forget New York City and LA, move to Boise
• Focus your efforts on the line east of the Mississippi
• Pour gasoline on the sparks that exist wherever they are, not where you think they should be.
• It is no longer about selling 100 CDs to 1000 people, its about selling ten items to 100 people.
• You must have more than one t-shirt design. The question is not: would you like to buy a t-shirt? The question has to be: which one of these shirts are you going to buy?
• Always do more than any sane person would to make your show, your music, your career, succeed. Way more.
• Make cool stuff [word substitution for sh__]

At the end of his presentation, Martin tossed out blueberry muffins. What could you toss out that people would want to catch?

Where’s Your Video?

Len Naylor, of Screen Cast Profits closed the program by taking us back to the early days. Zooming into video’s on demand future, Len recommended many cool tools including SproutBuilder and Mogulus.

Add Your System Coverage Link

Did you live blog or write a review? Share your link in the comment section. Thanks to Kim Dushinski of Mobile Marketing Profits , who sent me a message on twitter while I was talking. Follow me on twitter @wiredprworks.

Technorati Tags: System Seminar,AdWords,Music Marketing,Internet Marketing,Marketing Online,Mobile Marketing,Barbara Rozgonyi,Wired PR Works

There was a time – two years ago – when I was so swayed by the promises and offers I couldn’t wait to get to one. My friend, Jenny, can testify that I was star-struck when I saw the big gurus. Actually, it was quite comical.

After that, I went ...]]> It’s seminar season. Isn’t it always? You’re being invited to all kinds of places to learn from experts about how to make “it.” What seminars are your going to in 2008?

There was a time – two years ago – when I was so swayed by the promises and offers I couldn’t wait to get to one. My friend, Jenny, can testify that I was star-struck when I saw the big gurus. Actually, it was quite comical.

After that, I went to a few more big seminars. You quickly learn who’s serious, who cares about you and who wants to make money – not for you, but for them.

Last May, I attended Ken McCarthy’s The System Seminar [afflilate link] and knew I’d found a seminar I can confidently recommend.

I’ll be at The System Seminar, May 30-June 1, and would like to help you get to Chicago.

When you register for the The System Seminar via my affiliate link, I’ll share my 30% commission with you.

If you’re one of the first eight people to register as part of my group, I’ll give you a check that’s equivalent to a 15% discount. After you register, email me to confirm your attendance and I’ll send you the link to listen to my virtual PR event featuring eight million dollar PR pros, “Ultimate PR Secrets.”

Questions about whether this is the right seminar for you? Call me at 630.942.9542 or read my 2007 review: The System Seminar Ultimate Internet Marketing Education and Networking.

Why I Recommend The System Seminar

1. You get all kinds of tested and proven experience when you register for the pre-system seminar- a free program designed to give you a head start before you get to the event. Even if you don’t attend, you’ll enrich your knowledge with these resources. Here’s how Ken describes the program:

It’s a comprehensive A-to-Z training in all the skills you need in order to build a successful online business.

Internet marketing is a set of skills:

• market research and niche finding
• product development
• targeted traffic generation
• list building and list management
• conversion strategies
• monetization strategies
• infrastructure and customer service

Some of these things are glamorous.

Some of them are not.

Your success is going to be determined not by how many how many expensive “new” programs you buy, but how thoroughly you learn the foundations of the business and act on what you learn.

2. Ken McCarthy recruits a faculty of teachers who don’t pitch from the platform, yet most offer ways to expand your knowledge with ongoing courses. Take a look at the 2008 faculty.

Christina Hills: Email Marketing
Lloyd Irvin: Advanced Info Marketing
Howie Jacobson: Google AdWords
Cindy Kappler: Beginners track
Tom Leung: Google executive
Glenn Livingston: Finding the perfect niche
James Martell: Affiliate marketing mastery
Colin McDougall: Expert ‘Social Marketing’
Robert Middleton: How to sell consulting
Christian Mikelsen: Create a lucrative coaching program
Richard Mouser: Tracking & testing
Lon Naylor: Internet Video
Sharon Odom: The business of lead generation
Ed O’Keefe: How to sell services, Big profits in licensing
Timothy Seward: Google analytics
Colin Wiebe: New SEO strategies

3. Networking: yep, you know this one. But do you know who you’ll be talking to and how easy they are to access? Imagine asking any of the speakers anything. While talking to the speakers was worthwhile, the best conversations happened with people who were willing to share their secrets of what works and doesn’t. Many of these conversations were more like encouragement sessions – “if I can do it, so can you.”

As a member of The System Club, I count on Ken to connect me – and my clients – to what works in Internet marketing.
Can’t get to Chicago, but still want to listen in on what the presenters will talk about? Get access to The System Seminar Interview Series.

Thinking about going? The early-bird price of $2295 [you get a $344.25 check back when you register through www.systemseminarchicago.com] expires on April 30. On May 1, the price goes up to $2495 [you get a $374.25 check back when you register through www.systemseminarchicago.com].

Update 06.01.08

At the time I wrote this entry, my System registration was confirmed. Then, I found out I had a chance to take a trip, but it was the same time as the System. So, I changed my System reservation to the first day, May 31, only. Yesterday, I reconnected with my System friends, heard some great speakers and had lunch and dinner with some amazing people. If you’re at the System and you’re reading this, feel free to comment on what you’re learning and who you’re meeting.

Technorati Tags: The System Seminar,Internet Marketing,Google ADWords,social marketing,consulting,seo,Barbara Rozgonyi,Wired PR Works

Then you’re in the right place!

As seminar marketers and PR pros, Jenny Hamby and I want to share our success secrets. We want YOU to be successful! That’s why Jenny interviewed me, we transcribed our interview and turned it into an ebook you can purchase and download today. Put the Power of Free Publicity to Work for You

Our ebook, “How to Fill Seminar Seats Using the Power of ...]]> Looking for a quick-start guide to free seminar publicity?

Then you’re in the right place!

As seminar marketers and PR pros, Jenny Hamby and I want to share our success secrets. We want YOU to be successful! That’s why Jenny interviewed me, we transcribed our interview and turned it into an ebook you can purchase and download today. Put the Power of Free Publicity to Work for You

Our ebook, “How to Fill Seminar Seats Using the Power of Free Publicity” tells you:

• Exactly all that PR encompasses (most people overlook the vast majority of what “PR” is – which means they’re leaving a lot of money on the table)

• How to capture the attention of overloaded journalists – and get them salivating to talk to you about your upcoming seminar

• How many types of press releases you should write at a minimum

• 7 key elements every press release should contain … if you want it to get noticed, picked up and printed

• How to find hidden publicity opportunities in even the most mundane events

• Ways to structure and plan your seminar to maximize your chances of winning free media exposure

• Identify which media outlets you should be targeting … and who to contact at each organization

• The best way to contact the media – email, snail mail, fax or phone (you might be surprised!)

• How to build a relationship with your media contacts … so that when you’re ready to promote your next event, they’re ready to listen

• How much you should really plan to spend on PR each year

• The #1 mistake most seminar promoters make with their publicity (if you make this same error you’ll losing thousands of dollars each year guaranteed!)

On the call, you’ll hear a lively, collaborative exchange that will inspire you to get started. The seminar content alone is worth over $500, but I want to help you fill your seminar seats with free publicity, not excess education expenses, I’m offering you this ebook for $39.

Purchase and Download Your $39 “How to Fill Seminar Seats Using the Power of Free Publicity” Transcript Now

How to Claim Your Complimentary Copy

Contact Barbara Rozgonyi, professional marketing speaker, about speaking at your event and your copy is on me.

Technorati Tags: seminars,seminar PR,free publicity,ebook,Jenny Hamby,Barbara Rozgonyi

On our PR Parade podcast yesterday, Jenny Hamby reminded me that we first met at a sold-out Writing for the Web conference I put on for the Independent Writers of Chicago about five years ago. It’s been way too long since I produced a major event and if I had to do it today, I’d do it differently.

Here’s how:

Know Your Audience

Who needs this information? Why? What will they do with it? How will their life change? Be careful: ...]]>  

On our PR Parade podcast yesterday, Jenny Hamby reminded me that we first met at a sold-out Writing for the Web conference I put on for the Independent Writers of Chicago about five years ago. It’s been way too long since I produced a major event and if I had to do it today, I’d do it differently.

Here’s how:

Know Your Audience

Who needs this information? Why? What will they do with it? How will their life change? Be careful: you may want more for them than they want for themselves. It’s easy for us to see potential – you need to tell them what’s possible and show them, if you can.

Set Goals

What’s the purpose – for you and your attendees? Although this can be a free event, it’s okay to make some money. Okay, make that lots of money. One contact recently told me about a seminar that cost $500 for one day. If 100 people show up, you get $5000. An institute charges $297 for a two-day training that leads students to a $5000 personal development program. Think beyond the day to the next level for your and your students.

Meet an Urgent Need

Writing for the Web sold out because writers needed to know how to make money in a new market AND how to write in a new space. Mark Joyner’s book, The Irresistible Offer: How to Sell Your Product or Service in 3 Seconds or Less“ talks about how to sell to a thirsty crowd. The more thirsty the crowd, the less resistance and opportunity to keep serving and selling. How thirsty are they? Ask a test group to rate the importance of your topic. Then, go for a need to know versus a nice to know approach.

Bring in Top Experts

Draw up your dream panel of experts. Although they don’t have to be household names, their experience must be directly aligned with the subject. “You could speak on anything!” a friend often tells me. While I appreciate the compliment, I know that the value of the presentation is directly related to the experience and research that goes along with being an expert.

Sell the Experience

List out the top 5 benefits, not features, and keep coming back: location, more money, less stress, professional development, new connections, business growth, results. Come up with a tagline that sums it all up in under seven words.

Make it Affordable

This one goes for both you and your students. Local hotels charge around $175 for a room that holds up to 30 people and includes free wi-fi. Downtown Chicago hotels might charge three times as much. Adding in food is hospitable, but not absolutely necessary.

Integrate Marketing

Align communication goals with your audience’s need to know.

Strategize Delivery

Chart out a grid that lists the audience, communication channel and timing. Then, follow it!

Your Comment Counts!

What would you add or do differently?