Don't Dismiss Print Just Yet

Yesterday, a former client pointed me to a blog about where PR is headed. It basically suggested that chasing down coverage in mainstream media is an outdated practice and one that will never yield a "viral" result.

I agree. Online coverage increases the chances that the reader will click through to a Website; it bumps the client and their brand up in the search engine findings; it creates buzz. And, lucky for us PR pros, there are plenty of new media sources to pitch, creating more opportunity for our news to be blogged, Tweeted or Dugg.

That said, I don't think we can turn our noses up at print media coverage just yet.

Yesterday, my experience proved that readers of print media are quite capable of taking their new found offline knowledge online without a link.

A Kids Eat Free page on a Website I run for Des Moines-area parents was discussed in a front-section article on family budgeting in the the Des Moines Register. As a result, my site saw a 500 percent increase in traffic as compared to all previous Wednesdays in the month of February.

The article also appeared in the online version of the Des Moines Register, but it did not provide a direct link to DesMoinesFamilies.com — evidence that my new visitors had to either Google the site or punch it into their address bars.

So, while a click-through is definitely aces, print coverage is nothing to scoff at… at least not yet.

JUICY NEWS: Kelly Moore Consulting Turns a Shade of Purple

Today marks the first day of our alliance with Purple Wren, a Des Moines-based Web development group. Working together, we're now able to expand the services offered to our communications clients.

After collaborating on a Web and blog development project for a southwest Iowa biodiesel producer, Purple Wren president Sandy Renshaw and I saw an opportunity to repeat the success for more clients.

Purple Wren creates affordable and simple-to-update Web sites for companies with a need for dynamic content, such as news, photos, documents and blog posts. The set up is ideal for clients looking to find their brands higher up in search engine results.

With a team of expert writers and new media consultants, Kelly Moore Consulting brings editorial skills to Web development projects. The team helps organize information, writes copy and edits existing documents for online publication. 

Tweetin' with the best of 'em

I've been on Twitter for some time and am an absolute fan. The benefits to business are beyond immeasurable, and now with all the new tools, it's super easy to use it (psst... even if you're busy).

I've been tweeting under the handle @jandqsmom since July 2007. However, I've since come to realize that one handle was not enough. Some of my followers were interested in PR; others wanted to learn about my life as a mom; still others were excited to follow my pursuits as the moderator of DesMoinesFamilies.com.

In an effort to create more targeted lists of followers, I've decided to Tweet at three accounts instead of one. I added a handle for the PR and business-related Tweets: @kellymoorepr. And one for the Des Moines parenting news: @DMFamiliescom.

Social and new media are areas you can't afford to ignore, even in the B2B environment. My team and I can help you navigate these evolving modes of communication. Just give us a call.

We're on Elance

If you're a fan of Elance, good news, we're now on board. The database of independent specialists connects clients and consultants.

You can find us at http://kellymooreconsulting.elance.com.

New Orleans or Bust!

The perfect place to put my clients together with the media they need to know, tradeshows are a must-attend for me.

But this week's show, the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans, will be a wildly different because I'm going clientless. In fact, I'm going on a client hunt.

Because people are so busy at these shows, I'm realistic that I'll be lucky to get a few moments with them to hock my wares.

As such, I've prepared a DVD with work samples and a little hello from me (huge thanks to createWOWmedia for helping me pull this together so quickly!).

Follow this link to see the DVD's intro video staring yours truly...

If you have plans to be at the show, send me an email or DM me on Twitter @jandqsmom and perhaps we can get together.

Why NOT to DIY

By Guest Blogger Elizabeth Grace Saunders, trainer, speaker and coach on "Time Strategies to Create a Brilliant Life in a Burnt-Out World" 

Depending on your strengths, your business and your team, PR may be a good item to add to your to-delegate list.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you should move PR off your plate to open up your schedule and strengthen your business:

1. Am I working more hours than I would prefer to work because I am doing PR, marketing, etc.?

2. Do I have a PR plan? (If not, do I have time to make one?)

3. Am I implementing that plan on a consistent basis? (If not, is it due to lack of time?)

4. If I don’t have media contacts, do I have time to develop them?

5. Is spending time doing PR the best use of my time? of my staff members’ time?

6. If I hear from the media, am I able to promptly meet their needs?

If your work schedule is already overloaded, PR (or other specialized business development activities) might be a great thing to move to your “to contract” list. Hiring outside help can decrease your work load, alleviate psychological pressure if you haven’t been doing what you feel you “should” do, and give you the benefit of working with industry experts who already have the systems, contacts and tools to complete the work efficiently.

Reveal your true business brilliance by deciding not to DIY.