http://amandacooperpr.com Public Relations (PR) and Marketing Communication services for Technology, Property Development, and Start-Ups in Western Canada Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:22:00 +0000 http://snappages.com en http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/26/10-must-have-tools-for-the-one-man-show http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/26/10-must-have-tools-for-the-one-man-show Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:22:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/26/10-must-have-tools-for-the-one-man-show Looking professional has never been easier!

Hootsuite - Your social media headquarters, Hootsuite enables you to set up an impressive dashboard from which to control your primary social media profiles and networking. You can send messages from your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts easily and seamlessly, shorten URLs within the application, and check analytics all in one place. It's great and it has an iPhone companion app to boot!

Google account - If you don't have a Google account, go get one now - I'll wait. Oh, the things you can do - create a local business listing (excellent for online visibility and the creation of a Google map to bring your visitors right to your door). You can set up Google Alerts for your key terms (don't understand this? All will be explained in my next post), set up Google analytics on your website, set up an adwords account, and set up a catch-all email account for all your online/social media accounts/profiles. Your Google account can be the place from which all your online functions flow and will prove invaluable to you.

Freshbooks - I have written about the wonders of Freshbooks in my newsletters before but the joy of Freshbooks is worth repeating. This is the Shamwow of online estimates, invoices, timekeeping, and billing. Create them, share them online, send to your clients via email all in one system that organizes the whole shebang. It's set up for customization for branding purposes, and even allows your customers to pay their bill online, straight from the invoice. If Freshbooks were a man, I'd marry it.
 
Grasshopper - "Ah Grasshopper!" Aside from making me channel The Karate Kid every time I access it, this service simplifies my sometimes complex telephone needs for the most modest price imaginable. Get yourself a 1-800 (or 888, or 877) number that relays to any phone number you choose. Complete with welcome message for your callers that can direct them to the various departments or employees in your company (ok, so you don't have departments, imagine the fun you could have with creating some). For those of us who shun telephony for email/online chat, this is the perfect solution to the bloated, overpriced traditional business telephone systems.
 
Batchbook - Contact management anyone? Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all the prospects and people that you met at all those delightful networking events. Batchbook to the rescue! Yeah, you still have to do the data entry (or bribe your kid to do it) but after you've done that, sit back and enjoy the magic of Batchbook. Keep track of contact info, interactions, follow-up items, and to-do lists. The system will even remind you when a to-do item or deadline is imminent (ok, that's a bit irritating, but a necessary evil for those of us who are spinning 100 plates at one time). It's free or cheap, depending on the package you choose.

Mailchimp - Keep in touch with your peoples with style. For the email marketing inclined, this is the program that makes creating and sending newsletters, email blasts, and corporate or product updates painless and professional. Not only does it keep you honest by requiring that you adhere to current CanSpam regulations, but it offers some pretty cool analytics that let you know who is opening your emails and what they're clicking on when they do.

Social Mention - Are your ears burning? Find out what people are saying about you, your company, your products, or anything else in the social media sphere with handy alerts from Social Mention. It couldn't be easier - just go to the site, plug in your search term, your email address, and the frequency with which you would like the alerts delivered and you're off to the races. Why do you want this? To catch media hits, blog mentions, reviews, customer complaints in the forums (that's a fun one!), and prospective customer queries. It all falls under the umbrella of reputation management and its invaluable.

Awardsync - Some people say that awards are old school, meaningless, and unnecessary. Be that as it may, they are great credibility indicators that influence prospective clients and offer endless opportunities for news releases, social media announcements, and general horn tooting. You could do an exhaustive search online for appropriate awards, but that would be, well, exhausting. Awardsync, an Mblast program currently in beta, offers a most excellent service (free of charge) in which you plug in your award parameters (industry, geography, etc) and the program's database reveals those awards that fit your criteria. They'll even send you alerts by email when suitable awards are open for nominations. So cool.

CrowdSpring - Odds are that you aren't good at everything. If web design, graphic design, or copywriting are not your forte, you can get expert help at competitive prices from the pool of considerable talent at Crowdspring. This is crowdsourcing at its simplest - explain what you want, set a budget, and see what the talent comes up with. Economical, fast, and hassle free. It doesn't get much better than that.

Spyfu - Ever wonder what keywords your competitors are using to draw traffic, how they're allocating their Adwords budget and what words in their campaign are most successful? Yes, I am sure you lie awake in bed thinking about just that. Wonder no more! Spyfu is here to answer all those questions and more. Just type in any website (it does need to have a fair amount of traffic to get useful results) and it will spit forth all the keyword secrets you've been dying to know about your competitors.


]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/19/8-ways-for-start-ups-to-leverage-their-inner-child http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/19/8-ways-for-start-ups-to-leverage-their-inner-child Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:06:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/19/8-ways-for-start-ups-to-leverage-their-inner-child
Engendering those kinds of feelings in your stakeholders is a powerful thing. Your bigger, more established competitors can't do it and chances are good that your fellow start-up competitors don't know how to do it. Here's a few tips on how to make the most of your distinct advantage!

1. Be Yourself: Let's face it, what makes your company different than it's competitors is you. You can have all the USPs (Unique Selling Propositions) in the world, but it's you (your personality, your integrity, your approach) that sets you apart and makes people want to be a part of your world.

2. Ask for help: People want to help. Hard to believe, I know, but true nonetheless. Asking your stakeholders for help in the form of feedback, advice, mentorship, or referrals shows a certain amount of appealing vulnerability and if help is rendered the helper often feels a sense of protectiveness and investment in your company. This is not a bad thing.

3. Make a New Friend: There's a whole community of prospective customers, complementary service providers, and mavens out there just waiting to meet you and be your friend. Get yourself out on the virtual (Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, Flickr, Ning) and real world (Chambers of Commerce, community associations, industry events) playgrounds and make some new friends who will be eager to share your excitement with their own networks.

4. Act your age: The number one mistake that many young companies make is trying to appear older and more established than they really are. Picture a three year old dressed up in her mom's clothes and makeup. Uh-huh, cute, but not the image you want others to have of you. Don't throw away your most powerful advantage - a freshness and energy that older companies can't touch.

5. Tell your story: It's all about the story. Whether in the professional or personal realm, it's the story that engages and compels. Give people something to relate to (the excitement and anxiety of starting something new), paint a picture that's vivid in their mind (describe how you started your pet jewelry company after Fido swallowed your Tiffany charm bracelet), and leave them with your vision of things to come.

6. Mind Your Manners - In this world of mass communication, "Thank You" seems to be the second hardest word (after "Sorry", according to Elton John). A sincere thank you for kindnesses given is a powerful message. Many bigger companies (and their management personnel) get caught up in their own importance and forget the simple courtesies. Thanking people who reach out to your company, share news, or email you with questions will make you stand out.

7. Sharing is caring - Take the time to offer your pearls of wisdom in your areas of expertise, whether in a volunteer setting, through LinkedIn Answers, or through an industry association. You can be the go to person for questions, advice, or referrals, in your area of expertise without an awful lot of effort. Just be willing to share some of your knowledge openly and freely for the sheer joy of loving what you do and wanting others to benefit from that.

8. Remember where you came from - We all had to start somewhere. It always irks me to run into managers from small-turned-midsize companies who act as if their corporation sprung from Zeus' head fully formed. Come on, we all know better. There are struggles, fear, uncertainties, and doubt for any fledgling company and its coming through that fire intact that makes them successful in the end. As your entrepreneurial venture takes flight, remember where you came from and give those upcoming fledglings a receptive ear and a gracious welcome.

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/07/wake-up-old-school-transparency-is-no-longer-optional http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/07/wake-up-old-school-transparency-is-no-longer-optional Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/04/07/wake-up-old-school-transparency-is-no-longer-optional
The days of coverups, payoffs, employee abuse, fraud, and general corporate misbehaviour may not be over, but their [...]]]>
The days of coverups, payoffs, employee abuse, fraud, and general corporate misbehaviour may not be over, but their swan song is getting louder by the moment. Our little global village has a powerful tool with which to spread information, voice opinions, and reveal evidence. Think big names are immune? Tell that to Toyota, the Catholic Church, Nestle, and Tiger Woods. All dealing with PR nightmares of their own making, they are learning the brutal lesson of forced corporate transparency and public accountability.

What force has wrought this corporate hell? Well, it's technology of course. Anyone with a cell phone can capture that lurid glimpse of police brutality. Keyloggers and other monitoring software can reveal an untold number of computing secrets. The real gem in the whistleblower crown however, is the good old Interwebs. How will it trip up down and dirty companies? Let me count the ways....

1. Youtube, Vimeo, Viddler - upload 'em if you got 'em
2. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, Ning - social networking, rage venting fun
3. Forums, Blogs, & Chat Rooms (Oh My!) - nothing goes viral like dirt
4. RateMyEmployer/MyDoctor/Yelp - You could spend your 15 minutes of fame...aflame
5. Review Sites (pick one, any one) - Your reputation will precede you - again and again

On the Internet, a whisper can gain momentum that turns it into a deafening roar. If the big names were taken down by such ubiquitous tools, what makes smaller companies who think they are above the laws of corporate decency believe that they will get away with their transgressions?

Um, delusion and a pathetically small, egocentric world view.

Better start walking the talk, old school, before you find yourself in a ****storm that you are absolutely not equipped to handle.



]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/15/persistence-beats-all http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/15/persistence-beats-all Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:35:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/15/persistence-beats-all
I have battled my garden for about 12 years. When I first moved to my century old rambling house by the sea, I was thrilled with the old fashioned roses, the stone walls covered with moss, and the ancient gnarled trees. 6 months later, eyes and nose streaming, I cursed it all. I have wicked allergies and the biggest offender in my not so secret garden was the grass. So severe are my allergies that I am out of commission for several days after a lawn cutting (by someone else) takes place. Deciding that I had firmly secured my martyr status, I finally waged war on the grass last year. My only regret was the loss of the hundreds of bulbs lodged beneath the lawn that would produce a brilliant scattering of flowers in the spring. Oh well, every war has its casualties.

I smothered that grass with plastic, cardboard, landscaping fabric, limestone, and river rocks. I dug up massive patches of it (and had hives for a week afterward to prove it) and built raised gardens for my vegetables in its place. I created walkways and artistically loopy little edging beds, meticulously pulling every stray strand of the green stuff as I went. Instead of bad-karma-inducing pesticides, I used boiling water on stubborn patches. It all worked...for about a month. Life happened, my mom got sick, work called, and my garden hyper vigilance faded. The weed and grass army was stealth in reclaiming their territory, but by winter, victory was theirs.

Now it's spring and I am ready to fight again. Through tedious (and somewhat obsessive) efforts, I have managed to gain back my advantage. I showed no mercy to the dandelions, the grasses, the weeds, and the earwigs (shudder!) that had taken over my garden party. Interestingly, it was my little casualties of war that managed to overcome the biggest obstacles. Pushing up through layers of cardboard, landscape fabric, and river rocks, the shoots from the underground bulbs have proved to be surprisingly strong and incredibly persistent. Their constant pressure made the solid materials give way, as they made their unstoppable journey to the light. Great, now I sound like a Morgan Freeman voice over.

I have a lot of admiration for those little bulbs. It takes a lot of focus, drive, and determination to fulfill your destiny and they managed to do it against all odds. They managed it where the grass and weeds could not, a testimony to dedication, I think. Obviously, I left the little scrappers in place. They deserve their place in the sun.

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/09/google-gives-us-snow-view-for-the-olympics http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/09/google-gives-us-snow-view-for-the-olympics Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/09/google-gives-us-snow-view-for-the-olympics


]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/03/need-insider-information-about-services-shops-and-restaurants-in-your-area-yelp-can-help http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/03/need-insider-information-about-services-shops-and-restaurants-in-your-area-yelp-can-help Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:44:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/03/need-insider-information-about-services-shops-and-restaurants-in-your-area-yelp-can-help
Turn to Yelp.com! This is my go-to site for all things food, hospitality, or service oriented. Built as a giant review site, Yelp utilizes the user generated content model which means that anyone can sign up and offer their reviews on any business in dozens of different categories, in cities across Canada, The U.S.A, The U.K., and Ireland. Like any review site there are bound to be a few shills, but they are easily spotted. Utilizing the user generated content model means that it's in their best interest to encourage lots of reviews, whether they be positive or negative. The very nature of such a site auto-corrects blatant shilling as other users can offer their own opinions and experiences. When you check out the site, you might want to search for your favourite restaurants, hairdressers, drycleaners, house cleaning service, mechanic...you name it! Add your own reviews as you see fit to further enrich the site and help out your fellow wo(man).

As much as I wrote this post for the consumer perspective, sharp business owners who are reading this will read between the lines. Yelp is the future of word of mouth marketing and the future is now. Transparency, good customer service, and ethical practices are no longer an option. Though word of mouth is nothing new, the double edged sword that it represents is now a lot bigger, faster, and more accessible to every person who interacts with you and your business. Don't say I didn't warn you!




]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/02/the-delicate-art-of-self-promotion http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/02/the-delicate-art-of-self-promotion Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:11:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/02/02/the-delicate-art-of-self-promotion There are two camps in my world. Those who wrap their ever loving arms around any kind of media (social or traditional) that they can get, and those who would rather stick pins in their eyes than chase the media train. Approaches to self-promotion are guided to some degree by your personal disposition (introverts vs. extroverts), your [...]]]> There are two camps in my world. Those who wrap their ever loving arms around any kind of media (social or traditional) that they can get, and those who would rather stick pins in their eyes than chase the media train. Approaches to self-promotion are guided to some degree by your personal disposition (introverts vs. extroverts), your upbringing, and your industry or type of business (scammers usually try to keep a low profile). I think the thing that really turns people off of self-promotion though is their perception of the term itself.Watch the eyes roll, the stance become defensive and their receptiveness end when you mention networking, social media, press releases, media interviews. They equate engaging in that activity to being a self-absorbed blowhard, and with good reason. There's a lot of it out there.

It doesn't have to be that way. In fact, if you don't engage in some form of self-promotion you are doing yourself and your company a huge disservice. As in all things PR, you have to approach your promotional messaging with these two factors at the forefront:

1. Your own genuine and authentic style
2. How your news impacts or interests other people

The first factor is relatively straightforward. Don't put on a big act and try to be something you're not. People can sense fakery which makes them uncomfortable and less willing to trust you. Don't pose and posture as a guru or a god. People engage with those who are human, just like them.

The second factor requires that you take the "you view". Just won a big contract to supply China's main utility company with fibreoptics? Yay for you...and yay for other tech companies in your region who are looking to crack that market. In your press release announcing the deal, why not mention one or two tips to partnering with Chinese companies? Did your company win an award for superior customer service? Excellent, now why not tweet a big thanks to your customers? Have you just hit 50 million in revenue (one can hope)? Awesome, to celebrate why not put together a case study (report) of how you did it and how other businesses can do the same? Contact media (online and off) and let them know that you have made this report available, giving them a few of the highlights?

Recognize that people do want to hear your good news. They don't want to hear boasting ("Just signed 6 new contracts - go me!"), they don't want to hear the minutiae of your corporate life simply for the sake of attention and keyword stuffing ("Tim Horton's donuts were great at Fools Inc. meeting to discuss FoolishWidget3, the fastest way to lose weight, get an erection, and make use of online pharmaceuticals ").

People want to hear about success. They want to hear that hard work, passion, and commitment to the goal will win out. They want hope and you can give it to them.

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/21/your-pr-efforts-up-in-smoke http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/21/your-pr-efforts-up-in-smoke Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:26:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/21/your-pr-efforts-up-in-smoke We are half way through National Non-Smoking Week in Canada and you can bet that the few remaining smokers out there are holding their breath (no pun intended) until the week is over. I know this because up until a couple of years ago, I was one of them. How I loved my cigarettes!!! First thing in the morning, last thing at night and [...]]]> We are half way through National Non-Smoking Week in Canada and you can bet that the few remaining smokers out there are holding their breath (no pun intended) until the week is over. I know this because up until a couple of years ago, I was one of them. How I loved my cigarettes!!! First thing in the morning, last thing at night and about 18 times in between, my love affair with cigarettes raged on. It was the realization that their control over me was total and wholly malicious, each one another nail in my coffin, that made me find the strength to quit for good.

Much is said about the health risks of smoking, but it was only upon quitting that my eyes were opened to the subtle but powerful public relations and professional consequences of lighting up.

You Stink - I know this is not news to non-smokers but I can tell you that smokers have no idea exactly how much they stink and how noxious the fumes are to others. Doesn't matter if you smoke outside, on another block, or 20 kms away, the stuff clings to your clothes, skin, and hair. Trying to cover it up with sprays, lotions, and scents just makes it worse. Like bathroom sprays,, the effect is simply lilac scented #(&$%!

P.R. Consequence: Nobody wants to be near you. They will not want to sit beside you, have you in their car, share a meal with you, or introduce you to prospects.


You are Discoloured - Weird I know, but true. Smokers have yellow nails and fingers, sallow or gray complexions, and ashes or burn marks on their clothing. Some even have a brownish streak in their hair, directly where the plume of smoke would rise.

P.R. Consequence: You look unkempt and sickly. It's one thing to look like you just rolled out of bed, it's quite another to look like you just rolled out of the morgue. This does not fit the robust, youthful, and powerful image that attracts prospects and instills confidence.


Your Jonesin' is freaky - We've all been there. Spending time with someone who is climbing the walls for a fix of their fancy is stressful. The eyes dart, fingers drum on the desk, words get shorter, and tempers flare. One imagines that the afflicted is going to spontaneously combust if the fix is not administered. I was one of the worst - Family, friends, and colleagues, I'm sorry.

P.R. Consequence: You make people nervous and edgy. Pretty much diametrically opposed to the P.R. precept of facilitating communication. Your moodiness, impatience, and nervous energy stops collaboration, conversation, and healthy human interaction in its tracks. Desperate to rid themselves of this overbearing aura, people will encourage you to "Just go have a smoke."


You Interrupt Workflow - I can just hear the chorus of rebuttals now. "I work extra hours to make up for my smoke breaks", "I always wait until there is a natural break in the workflow". Um yeah, for the latter, please see the point above and for the former, please recognize that it's not all about you. If you work in a collaborative environment, you have a team that depends on you.

P.R. Consequence: Brainstorming, break-out sessions, conference calls, webinars, even just plain old meetings all require you to be present, engaged, and focused. Escaping for a quick smoke or throwing a tantrum so that you will be encouraged to do so is counter-productive.


People May Think Less of You - Oooh, I know, it's like a kick to the gut. I get it. Regardless, it must be said. You might be brilliant, hard working, an upstanding citizen, and morally and ethically superior in every way. If you smoke, many people will judge you on that first. Some common perceptions about people who smoke: low class, unintelligent, unsophisticated, unhealthy, slovenly, lazy, weak. There's more, but why continue?

P.R. Consequence: That's patently evident. Smoking casts a shadow over all of your wonderful attributes and skills. It gives a false representation of who you are as a person and leads others to interact with you in a less than favourable way assuming that they choose to interact with you at all.


Public relations is about representation, reputation, relationship, and communication. Smoking erodes each of these by alienating others and making you appear less than you are. It's bad P.R. and it's bad for business. Mostly though, it's bad for your body, your heart, and your mind, and if you are still engaged in a lover's waltz with cigarettes, I encourage you to step away and change the tune.


]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/19/butcher-baker-candlestick-maker-sorry-youre-not-our-kind http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/19/butcher-baker-candlestick-maker-sorry-youre-not-our-kind Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:46:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/19/butcher-baker-candlestick-maker-sorry-youre-not-our-kind
What brought on this egalitarian musing? I read a press release today for a new Canadian dating service that specializes in matching people of a certain socio-economic bracket. They go so far as to state specific professions that would be acceptable in their network and let's just say that nobody on that list will be asking if you want fries with that. In a pre-emptive strike against naysayers like myself, the founders of the organization state that the reason for the exclusive nature of the dating service is to protect the privacy of the professionals. Yeah, 'cause it would be pretty embarrassing if you were to invite Sexyboy69 from PlentyofFish.com over only to open your door to your gynecologist. Dressed up in his leather chaps. Awkward.

I never thought to include profession as part of my dating criteria. That's not to say that I am not selective, I just don't consider what one does for a living to be all that important nor do I think it is indicative of traits that are important to me. I don't know - the concept of that dating service just kind of turned me off and led me to think uncharitable thoughts about its members. In an effort to be fair, I wonder, "Is this really any different than any other niche dating site?". Jdate, Adam4Adam, Christian Cafe, Farmers Only, Sugar Daddies (ew), DateaGolfer - Back away from the computer now, Mom. I know you are dying to sign me up.

Is choosing your mate by profession just as valid as choosing one by religion? What about choosing by race? I'd like to hear your opinions. Please comment if you have one.

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/18/martin-luther-king-day-conquers-most-depressing-day-of-the-year http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/18/martin-luther-king-day-conquers-most-depressing-day-of-the-year Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:50:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/18/martin-luther-king-day-conquers-most-depressing-day-of-the-year Martin Luther King Jr. Day and "Blue Monday" aka, "The Most Depressing Day of the Year ". Interesting because Martin Luther King is lauded for his courage, honesty, and unwavering commitment to humanitarianism and [...]]]> Martin Luther King Jr. Day and "Blue Monday" aka, "The Most Depressing Day of the Year ". Interesting because Martin Luther King is lauded for his courage, honesty, and unwavering commitment to humanitarianism and social justice. Ostensibly, Americans get this federal holiday off in order to reflect on their own commitment to their community and participate in a do-gooder activity or two. Whether the majority of our American friends actually do that or not is of no consequence to me - it's the purpose for the holiday that I find uplifting, inspirational, and motivational, much like Reverend Dr. King himself.

In stark contrast we have Blue Monday. Accepted by many as the day of the year that has been scientifically proven to be experienced as the most depressing by our society as a whole. What a relief! We now have an excuse to openly say "life sucks" and know that we are not alone. Ah, but here's the thing...Blue Monday is a myth. Really!! I kid you not. Created as a clever little publicity stunt to pimp a travel portal, the myth of Blue Monday spread like wildfire with nary a thought to the validity of the research or the researcher (both incredibly suspect). Our instant acceptance of such a nonsensical declaration may be a result of our very human need to find external and universal factors upon which to blame our misery. While absolving us of any actual accountability for this status, it also robs us of our power and dominion over our own life. Dr. King would be so, so unimpressed.

Well, to each his own. Being the power hungry little Miss that I am, I prefer Mike Strobel's (Toronto Sun Columnist) approach, counting my blessings and making the most of what I've got.



]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/15/need-a-little-good-news http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/15/need-a-little-good-news Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:16:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/15/need-a-little-good-news
When you are feeling like this:



Check out Tonic.com, the site that never fails to jostle me out of even my stroppiest of moods. This site is all about goodness. Good news, inspirational stories, humanitarian efforts and events (without the sanctimonious palaver, thank you), and general feel good stuff. In an effort to put their money where their mouth is, the site eschews the typical online advertising model to generate revenue, instead offering an online store to etailers who provide some sort of social benefit. The site even allows you to search for good news by geography, industry, or special interest. All very cool. Next time the black clouds threatened to overwhelm, check out Tonic.com. You're sure to find something that shakes you out of your self-absorbed funk so that you can pick yourself up and get on with life.

Here's my favourite - as you're watching, note that Gracie was a shelter dog:



]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/14/its-not-you-its-me http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/14/its-not-you-its-me Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:21:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/14/its-not-you-its-me Well no, let's be honest...it is you.

There is only so long that you can excuse disrespectful, thoughtless, or selfish behaviour. We've all had those defining moments in our private lives that are heralded by an extreme reaction to a seemingly small incident. Whether a dull realization or a cataclysmic explosion, the [...]]]> Well no, let's be honest...it is you.

There is only so long that you can excuse disrespectful, thoughtless, or selfish behaviour. We've all had those defining moments in our private lives that are heralded by an extreme reaction to a seemingly small incident. Whether a dull realization or a cataclysmic explosion, the bigger truth will no longer be denied and the relationship has to change.

Professional relationships are no different. If you are a decent sort, and I pretty much assume that you are, you will give people the benefit of the doubt, offer help when asked, and trust that your professional boundaries and resources will be respected. How disappointing then to encounter individuals who take advantage of your good nature and exploit your willingness to share your time and expertise. Yeah, it's sad. Get over it. If you don't take control of the situation you risk exhaustion, devaluation of your time and expertise, and a potential emotional meltdown.

Take Control Now:

Decide whether to ditch, pause, or scale back the relationship: "My focus is elsewhere right now. You would be better off directing your questions to someone else."

Redefine your boundaries: "The demands on my time are significant and I'm no longer able to accommodate requests for free consultations. Would you like to make an appointment to discuss this at my regular consulting rate?"

Stay the Course: "As I mentioned in our last conversation, I am unable to help you. I have every confidence that you will find someone (some other sucker) who can answer your questions.



]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/13/the-value-of-eduation http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/13/the-value-of-eduation Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:39:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/13/the-value-of-eduation

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/09/what-are-the-odds-that-actuary-would-be-named-the-best-job-to-have-in-2010 http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/09/what-are-the-odds-that-actuary-would-be-named-the-best-job-to-have-in-2010 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:17:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2010/01/09/what-are-the-odds-that-actuary-would-be-named-the-best-job-to-have-in-2010 Comcast.com. For all my beloved techies everywhere, fear not, computer programmer ranked #2 in the study!

In honour of all esteemed actuaries everywhere, let me tell you about a cool website that I found called Book of Odds. Want to know your odds of falling off your New Year's resolution wagon before the year is up? 1 in 1.15 actually. How about the odds of an adult in the U.S. being a smoker? 1 in 4.81. If the cigarettes don't get you, an alligator might if you are the 1 in 104,600 people whose accidental death will be the result of being bitten or struck by said reptile. On that depressing note...Check out the site to discover whatever odds strike your fancy.

Where there is a best, there must also be a worst, and in this case, it's the job of roustabout that takes home Comcast.com's career boobie prize. Despite having the very best title possible (come on, wouldn't you love to tell people that you are a 'roustabout'?) this oil rig job does indeed sound a bit like a day in hell. 12 hour shifts that begin at the crack of dawn, extreme weather, potential for kidnapping (yikes!), and backbreaking, physically dangerous work that pays about 31, 000.00 a year.

Feeling better about your job now?

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/23/five-steps-to-finding-and-engaging-your-target-markets http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/23/five-steps-to-finding-and-engaging-your-target-markets Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/23/five-steps-to-finding-and-engaging-your-target-markets Stop Preaching to the Choir Now

There's a lot of great talent, products, and causes out there. Unfortunately, you don't know about them. That's because they are too busy networking and communicating within their own circles. Well, why not?? They know how to speak to their own kind; it's familiar and cozy and when things [...]]]> Stop Preaching to the Choir Now

There's a lot of great talent, products, and causes out there. Unfortunately, you don't know about them. That's because they are too busy networking and communicating within their own circles. Well, why not?? They know how to speak to their own kind; it's familiar and cozy and when things get a bit uncertain, they can comfort themselves with the idea that they are part of a supportive and collaborative community. Don't get me wrong, building relationships within your industry is lovely but chances are, it's not going to expand your knowledge of your markets, increase your client/customer base, or pay your mortgage.


Let's find your markets

1. Who needs what you have to offer on a regular basis?
Although we've all heard about the salesman who could sell ice to an Eskimo (hm, I think I have just made a couple of very non-P.C. faux pas), why would he want to? Far better to approach restaurants and bars (places that go through a lot of ice), retail outlets (that will resell the ice), or processing plants that use ice to freeze their products.

2. Who needs what you have to offer on a seasonal basis?
Let's stick with our ice guy. He could find a very good seasonal market for his ice with winter sport and festival providers. Think polar bear swims in Arizona, Quebec Winter Carnival, 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler...

3. Where are all these people?
Just like you, they're hanging out in their own industry circles. Check out local and national associations for networking events and conferences and see if it's possible for you to attend as a supplier. Better yet, offer to be the official ice sponsor for the event, or if impractical for your product/service, offer to host a cocktail party, breakfast, etc. at either end of the event. As you begin to meet members of your target market ask them what publications they read, what associations they belong to and what events they attend. Please learn how to do this in a non-stalkerish way before attempting.

4. How do you engage these markets?
You really need to approach this with the mind set that you have a service or product that will benefit them. Don't try to manipulate or otherwise bamboozle them. That's smarmy and completely unnecessary. If you picked your markets accurately, they want what you've got. Put together industry specific (specific to their industry, not yours) whitepapers, reports, or articles that illustrate current issues related to their industry and yours (i.e.How Global Warming is Wreaking Havoc on Winter Sports/Festivals and How to Cope). Hold a webinar, podcast, or seminar and offer it free of charge to your markets' associations and members.

5. Ask for Feedback
I don't want to be told what I need. I am also not particularly interested in hearing about how great you are. I want my needs to be accurately identified and fulfilled, something that can only be achieved by a little fact finding on your part. Ask me how often I use ice and for what purposes. Ask me about my experiences with ice suppliers and what my ice supplier relationship would look like in a perfect world. Ask me how you can help me and give me an easy and commitment free way to get my feedback to you (I'll give you some ideas on how to do this in my next post).





]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/13/rsvp-to-health-canada http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/13/rsvp-to-health-canada Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:03:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/11/13/rsvp-to-health-canada
Thanks so much for the lovely invitation to your H1N1 vaccination party. I was particularly impressed with the effort you made to present collateral materials that were bright and upbeat, making appropriate use of white space and the "trust colour" blue. I noticed that you went to great pains to ensure that your [...]]]>
Thanks so much for the lovely invitation to your H1N1 vaccination party. I was particularly impressed with the effort you made to present collateral materials that were bright and upbeat, making appropriate use of white space and the "trust colour" blue. I noticed that you went to great pains to ensure that your online invitation mirrored the very expensive, 4 colour heavy card stock direct mail invitation. I certainly appreciate the elaborate planning and expense that went into issuing the invitation as well as the great pains you obviously took to engage the media in your mission to ensure that we were all aware of the potential severity of the virus.


Regretfully, I must decline your invitation due to poor health. It seems that I, and two of my three children, have contracted the dreaded virus. Both children weathered the illness with no serious consequence, though thanks to your very persistent communication plan, I was well aware of how the virus can take a dire and deadly turn. Between bouts of my own fever induced delirium, I held an anxious vigil over my children, alert for signs that their condition would require medical help. Of course, parents are discouraged from bringing their children into medical facilities if they suspect that their children have H1N1, so having been given a plethora of information on what could go wrong, in the end, we could only rely on our own judgment. Never mind, most individuals who have contracted the virus (and there do seem to be quite a lot of us ) have muddled through.

Perhaps if you had held your party earlier, more of us could have attended. I received your message that you had to postpone the event due to inadequate supplies although I later heard that a number of very important people such as hockey players, celebrities, and wealthy hospital patrons are now well vaccinated, so I suppose you must have sorted that out. Such a pity that when you did have supplies on hand, the invitations to the rest of us were lost in the mail.

Once again, thanks for thinking of my family. We would so have enjoyed standing in line for hours at a local makeshift clinic, listening to crying babies and disgruntled neighbors, wondering if the supplies would run out before our turn came. Ah well, perhaps next time! Do let us know if typhoid, ebola, or smallpox comes to town, won't you?

All the Best,

Amanda


]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/visit-moocom-to-go-beyond-vanilla http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/visit-moocom-to-go-beyond-vanilla Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/visit-moocom-to-go-beyond-vanilla
Meet Moo.com. A little upstart company based in London (England, where the queen and Jamie Oliver live), these guys do it all to perfection from beginning to end. Need business cards? How about postcards, notecards, or even retail hang tags for your latest craft fair creation? Now your first inclination might be to mosey on over to your (un)friendly local big box office supply store. You could do that, but you will end up with a product that is as apathetic as the person who sold it to you.

Knowing that every piece of collateral that has your name on it represents you, are you ok with what an anemic, white, flaccid business card says about you? I thought not.

This is where Moo comes in to save the day. Go to the site, figure out what product(s) you need, and start designing. Hold up! I know that you started to hyperventilate when I said the "d" word (that would be "design"), but no need to freak fellow artphobes. Moo has a plethora of artist created graphics to choose from as well as endless combinations of colours, fonts, and formats. Happen to be of the artistic persuasion yourself? Upload your own images, graphics, or logos and use those to create your cards. The card stock itself makes these cards stand out from the aforementioned floppy variety and if you combine that with the glossy finish, I guarantee that your card will turn heads.

Moo's newsletter and blog is full of original and fresh ways to use their products. One idea that I thought had particular merit was pairing the Moo card design with IBM's Wordle application. What a fun way to get your word out. The marketing possibilities are endless. Unlike standard stationary orders, you can order every single card in a different design. Really! If you were a photographer, artist, or web developer, you could put one item from your portfolio on each card. If you were, oh, I don't know, a PR professional, you could make several "Top Tips" lists and print them on the cards. In this way you would create business cards that are a collectible set, all the while giving a snapshot of your style and expertise.

The process of creating and ordering the cards couldn't be easier. While the price is a little more than what you would pay at the big box stores, the quality and service far exceeds anything I have experienced at said stores. This company's commitment to excellence and consistency is stunning. A huge thumbs up to their marketing department for making sure that the user's experience is positive and reassuring throughout their transaction. The Moo group used their creativity to offer up a fantastic way for you to showcase your creativity. In a sea of boring vanilla, dare to stand out with your own unique flavour.


AC

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/messages-media-and-abitibibowater http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/messages-media-and-abitibibowater Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:34:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/messages-media-and-abitibibowater
Being a true - not red, white, and blue - Canadian, I read the Globe and Mail online every day. Aside from the whole Eastern-centric thing, it's a pretty good read. "In these tough economic times" (that phrase will never get old) many of the articles focus on layoffs, foreclosures, and bankruptcies (oh my!). Today there was a gem of a headline that screamed:

"Ottawa Refuses to Rescue AbitibiBowater"

Well, in the manner of all good headlines, that's pretty provocative. The article featured quotes from an assortment of parliamentary types as well as from disenfranchised AbitibiBowater employees, and generally echoed most of the anxieties and difficulties that we as a society and as a nation are facing. Nothing really new there. What was the kicker in this case was that headline with its inference that our government was turning its back on one of its venerable corporate institutions. Oh yeah, didn't you know? AbitibiBowater is one of Canada's oldest companies and is the largest producer worldwide of - wait for it - newsprint.

So here we have the message and the medium in a spectacular mash-up. We have aprimarily print news publication conveying the message that a newsprint manufacturer is going under. The message could have been delivered in the dispassionate and unbiased tone for which serious journalism is known (tongue, meet cheek) but where would be the fun in that? Nope, the sentiment was set with the headline and ran a merry course from there and the readers had something to say about it. Many online newspapers have a comments section directly beside or below each article which provides a forum for readers to sound off on the topic or story at hand. If a story is controversial enough to evoke feeling, the reader is motivated to respond and there is gold in them thar responses. Finally a place where you get to learn what others "hear" and what buttons it pushes for them. You get a myriad of perceptions that, if you're smart, you will absorb so that they can enrich your knowledge of your audience and inform your messaging to them.

It doesn't matter whether your communications are intended for personal or professional purposes. You always have an audience and what they hear is infinitely more important than what you say.

AC

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/domino-employees-video-leaves-bad-taste http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/domino-employees-video-leaves-bad-taste Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:29:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/domino-employees-video-leaves-bad-taste Well, thanks to a Dominos Pizza employees' video recently uploaded to Youtube, I will forevermore believe that they are not in my favour at all.


There are obvious PR ramifications to the actions of these extraordinarily immature employees. Everything from corporate reputation, health and safety regulations, investor relations, franchise accountability and responsibility, human resource and management policies and practices...the list goes on. When I saw this video, my first thought was, "Oh man, who has to clean up that mess?"

In my career, I have often felt like the poo sweeper at the zoo. Funny enough, my higher ups were resistant to letting me use that as my title on my business cards. My heart goes out to the corporate communicators at Dominos who now have to dance a jig to rival Michael Flately in River Dance. I am willing to bet that at least one or two members of what is sure to be a very large Communications department spent a lot of time developing communications policies for employees and franchisees. Yep, I even bet that out of the 8,000 outlets and God knows how many employees, someone even read those carefully prepared guidelines.

The moral of this story is simple. No matter how many people you employ who are doing their best, it only takes one (or in this case two) to spoil it all.

Nobody cares about your company, your brand, your reputation, more than you. The person who cares second most is your PR person. Seriously. While I have always believed that anyone who works for an organization has an investment in it, it's the PR person whose very career relies on the appropriate, respectful, and successful messaging and reputation of a company. Countless hours of communication planning, media relations, community relations, and policy development can be wiped out by two idiots who are just passing through on their way to another job that they care nothing about.

Put that way, it sounds kind of depressing. It's not. It's just another challenge. How do you engage your employees so that they do feel that investment in your (their) organization? How do you communicate the importance of respectful and congruent messaging so that even the most immature employees might think twice before acting on their Id saturated impulses?

I have a few ideas on that and I'll be happy to share in my next post. For now, I think I'll just cancel that pizza delivery order.


AC

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/handy-free-ringtone-app-works-for-canadian-iphones-too http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/handy-free-ringtone-app-works-for-canadian-iphones-too Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:21:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/handy-free-ringtone-app-works-for-canadian-iphones-too Audiko too but if you are feeling [...]]]> Audiko too but if you are feeling not so proper, mature, or sophisticated, you might want to check out their other options. You can get cuts from just about every song out there, new and old, as well as audio clips from movies (think Monty Python and "the outrageous French accent"). You can create your own ringtones there as well if you are so inclined (some of us are lazy and prefer others to do that sort of thing for us). It's a bit of an indie, open-source site, so don't expect a lot in the way of user interface or intuitive search. That's part of the fun though. The best part is that it does indeed work with Canadian iPhones (for the uninitiated, Canadian iPhones are notoriously difficult to upload ringtones to since Apple likes being proprietary and all). I have found that the best way to use the app is to open a new folder on your desktop (name it ringtones, 'cause that's original), find ringtones on the site (http://audiko.net/) that you want, save them to the folder, and then open them with iTunes. Sync up your phone with your iTunes and Bob's your uncle, Betty's your aunt.

AC



]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/figure-skating-goes-butch http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/figure-skating-goes-butch Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:20:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/figure-skating-goes-butch
Skate Canada wants to change all that and has launched a (re)branding campaign that they hope will woo the male variety of our species. According to a recent story in the Wall St. Journal,the new key messaging will include the liberal use ofwords such as [...]]]>
Skate Canada wants to change all that and has launched a (re)branding campaign that they hope will woo the male variety of our species. According to a recent story in the Wall St. Journal,the new key messaging will include the liberal use ofwords such as "risk", "strength", and "speed" and tales of relentless training and horrific injuries will be featured. I suppose this is a bid to align the sport of figure skating with, um let's see...hockey?

Call me crazy, but I always thought the point of figure skating was to execute breathtakingly graceful moves all the while making it look completely effortless. Figure skating has always required a huge dose of showmanship as well, hence the music, the costumes, and the makeup. Rumour has it that Skate Canada has quietly asked its athletes to tone down the flamboyant costume trimmings (think feathers and such - "ixnay on the equinsay") in an effort to support the new branding. Given that figure skating has always been big on glamour, I am curious to see how this new restraint will be manifested. Maybe they can just glide around in bulky sweatsuits reminiscent of hockey padding, whilst flashing their toothless grins on their makeup free faces. Yep, that ought to attract those male viewers.

I don't know about you, but I never thought figure skating looked easy. I was pretty certain that what I saw was the result of much practice, pain, and determination. The fact that they could pull it off with such panache was what made it special and set it apart from other sports. Now it would appear that yet another venerable institution is trying to be what it is not in order to win the popularity contest and ultimately, cash in. That's a real shame. Personally, I would have gone another way with it. I would have worked the hell out of the glamour angle and built up some of the sexiness aspect to attract the guys. Why not? Hollywood does it. So do the music and dance industries.

Figure out what you are and then embrace it with everything you've got. An authentic presence is a beautiful thing and beats out pretense and artifice every time. For the sake of Skate Canada, its athletes, and its fans, I hope that the recent rebranding efforts meet a swift demise. Bring on the sequins.

AC

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/daily-lit-getting-your-reading-fix-by-email http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/daily-lit-getting-your-reading-fix-by-email Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:18:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/daily-lit-getting-your-reading-fix-by-email Daily Lit, a website that offers up a wide array of publications, many of which are free for the asking, in a bite-size delivery format.

The concept is pretty straightforward. You sign up (fairly painless, all you need supply is an email address) and browse. Any books that you choose, are sent to you in installments via email or RSS. You can choose the frequency and timing of the emails as well as the length of the installment. This metered dosage of my guilty pleasure is great for me as it restricts my addiction to measured portions that once done, allow me to get on with the business of actually making a living rather than being sucked into a book that I can't put down. Should you get to the end of the installment and greedily want more, instant gratification is served by simply clicking on the "Get the next installation right now" link at the bottom of the email. Those for whom reading is not second nature may appreciate the bite sized portions of information, since it does not overwhelm.

Packed with features this site actually does a great job of integrating social media (you can build a profile and link it to Twitter), online community engagement (forums that act as book clubs), and e-commerce (some of the books do require payment). This is a prime example of web 2.0 at its best. The site itself has a clean layout that is easy to navigate and the service is packed with features. Best of all, it provides that elusive win-win. Users are provided with value, authors and publishers have an alternate distribution channel that addresses the preferences of modern readers, and Daily Lit has all the ingredients for a highly trafficked and affiliate friendly website. Nice.

I am currently reading:

*Seth Godin's, The Bootstrapper's Bible (most excellent)
* 100 Ways to Succeed by Tom Peters (not bad)
* Art of Money Getting by P.T. Barnum (hilarious! )
* 3 Short Reads by Edgar Allan Poe (very Poe-ish)


Go check it out. You'll like it.

AC

]]> http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/no-gurus-here http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/no-gurus-here Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:16:00 +0000 Amanda Cooper http://amandacooperpr.com/blog/2009/10/15/no-gurus-here
After years of working in corporate communications (read: public relations, online marketing) I have grown weary of the utter inauthenticity and artifice that informs most corporate communication policies and practices. It seems to go quite nicely though with the "scarcity" approach that many organizations and individuals are taking these days. Times are tough, it's a dog eat dog world, and we feel vulnerable and miserly. We shield our true selves (corporate and individual) with a thick veneer of PR slick and hoard all our treasures. Make no mistake, we all have treasures that we could share if we chose to. Information is the biggest chunk of gold, but time, contacts, kindness, and yes, even money are hot ticket items.

The Sow's Ear is my attempt to offer up some treasure. Information about awards, events, media queries, and cool people and things that I have come across. Ideas to spark your own PR and marketing efforts will also be forthcoming - you know, kind of a "teach a man to fish" thing. Some people don't like fishing or don't have time, in which case they hire people like me to fish for them. Either way, you're covered. Though I am not a gearhead, I do have a great fondness for new technology, especially as it pertains to business, marketing, and PR processes, so be prepared to hear me wax poetic about low-cost and free web apps that make life worth living (huh, Dad was right - the best things in life often ARE free - who knew?).


AC

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