ePerini February 2012

VOLUME 3 FEBRUARY 2012

ePerini Newsletter taking public relations to new levels

perini & associates

12 FREE tips to Promote Your Nonprofit

  I am always asked from nonprofits,"Is there any promotional tools that I can use that are FREE!" Nonprofits traditionally do not have PR or marketing budgets. Unfortunately, many see building relationships as a "cost" vs. an investment. See this blog post on ways that your nonprofit can be successful.

Below is a list of 12 tips. By free, I mean you don't need to write a check to pay for these services. However, yes, you will have to take time to research and provide materials. So, there is a people cost that I think most of you understand, right?

You will find that these are Colorado-based, but there are similar resources in most communities, if you just take the time to look.

1. Send a Drumbeat to your network. By this I mean, talk your nonprofit up! At personal socials, networking events, and the like. Have a separate business card just for your nonprofit.

2. www.your non-profit name.com. If you don't have a website, have a professional design one. Some web designers will even offer their services as a "in-kind" donation. The challenge for you is to keep the website current.

3. http://www.facebook.com. Facebook allows for nonprofits to set up their own page where you can tell potentially millions about your organization and managing donations.

Click here for the rest of the list.

Mike

Michael B. Perini, ABC

perini & associates//719-6515943

taking public relations to new levels

IN THIS ISSUE

Dun & Bradstreet - CCR

Clients. Interns

Two Way Street

It's All About

Content -- X2

Think about it. Technology has been like a rocket for public relations professionals. Blasting off and heading for new frontiers. However, what remains grounded back here on Earth is good old content. That's right, companies need content for text (smart phones, electronic reading devices, and tablets) audio (internet radio), video (Youtube) and photography (social media sites). And, the challenge remains in two key areas. First, how to mine for it. Second, where to find talent to hire to produce it.

A mining operation: Coming up with content is no easy task. It is like looking for gold. The demands for being fresh and new really serves to test the creative juices. Also, we must not forget the three ABCs: accuracy, brevity and clarity. Before 2002, one could write volumes to make a point. Today, you better try to do it with conciseness or you will loose people. Also, one has to be able to understand how to write a compelling headline that will draw clicks. And, at the same time be able to write a lead while using bullets to make the article/post easier to scan. The ability to have content that drives action across all platforms is also necessary.

Read more.

Speech Writing Help:
From Blank Paper to Standing Ovation, Part 1

IPublic speaking often takes the #1 spot as a phobia or fear. This intense anxiety prior to, or simply at the thought of having to verbally communicate with any group can cause physical distress, nausea or feelings of panic.

I have had the opportunity to be both a public speaker and the individual drafting up comments to be delivered by someone else - from U.S. Presidents and general officers to small business owners and non-profit leaders. An estimated 75% of all speakers experience some degree of anxiety/nervousness when public speaking, according to Communicating for Results: A Guide for Business and the Professions/Edition 8.

I know I have felt some uneasiness just prior to stepping to the stage but have been able to overcome this distress with experience. Organizations such as Toastmasters International, POWERTalk International or Association of Speakers Clubs (in the United Kingdom) are great sources for training and gaining the confidence to reduce the fear to manageable levels.

Writing a speech, can for some, be an equally daunting task and can seriously add to the discomfort associated with public speaking. As I mentioned, I have written numerous speeches for all organizational levels and all possible public events. Here are tips from my many years of perseverance, perspiration and inspiration. There is nothing better than to start with a blank page and end with a standing ovation.

Here are 7 important tips to take your blank piece of paper to a standing ovation. Read more.

Video Continues to Dominate

The statics are alarming!

Here are just a few:

The domain name YouTube.com was registered on Valentine's Day in 2005
The amount of video uploaded in 2010 is the equivalent of 150,000+ full-length movies in theaters each week
The average user spends 5 hours and 50 minutes per month (not as much as Facebook)
The longest Video ever on YouTube is 48 hours (2 days!)
The number of advertisers using display ads on YouTube increased by 1,000% in the last year

So, basically, if you aren't using video in your public relations program to build awareness and drive support and/or business then today is the time to start. What are you waiting for? We have been asked by a number of clients to produce videos. This video below is just one example of how this medium can create awareness, and in this case play an important role in fund-raising. The video was produced in two versions. This version was what an audience of several hundred saw at a special event recently.

Help The Needy: "Hope Lives Here" -- 30th Year Legacy" Event

Why A Business Seeking Government Contracts
...Needs Public Relations Expertise

There is a significant value of investing in public relations strategies, programs and tools when seeking government contract work. It isn't just about churning out proposals.
Government contracting is a complicated process and successful business development is key to creating the relationships that will open doors to winning contracts.

Here are some useful tips - "The Important Dozen".

1. Seek a public relations expert.

2. Think like a reporter.

3. Have a good story...then TELL it!

4. You need a great message!

5. It isn't just about churning out proposals. That is the first step, sure, but not the last one.

6. A PR consultant can help a company from being considered a "novice" business by avoiding these mistakes and helping with charting the correct course: Click Here.

"P" Pick: The Moose Is Loose

For more than a decade a fine furnishing business in Colorado has had a very successful sales and marketing campaign, "The Moose Is Loose." The sale is always during the weakest economic period for the area, mid-February to early March. For 2012, the owners of TWEEDS, in Woodland Park, CO., decided to open the promotion up to all businesses in the community. Perini & Associates was selected to manage the campaign. More than 30 local businesses have signed up.

The idea, by owner Tanner Coy, was to spark business collaboration and to share marketing costs during a challenging time for most businessesl. Click here for more about this unique program and learn about the face of the campaign, "The Moose."

Research For Your Organization, Special Event Or Issue Advocacy

We take the time to find information that will support you

Most Say They'd Feel Little or No Impact if Newspapers Closed

39% of people surveyed said they would feel no impact if their local newspapers shut down. 30% said it would have a minor impact, but only 28% said the impact would be major, according to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. About three-quarters of respondents to the survey of 2,251 U.S. adults said they wouldn't be willing to pay anything for online news if their newspapers failed to survive. Read more.

www.periniassociates.com

"Mr CAT"
Communications Assessment Tool
Here Now!

Resources

Library
Company News
Tips