Posts Tagged ‘ journalism ’

Blogging Tips: 8 tips to help you make a living from blogging

Blogging TipsYou spend countless hours in front of your computer researching, writing, brainstorming and editing your blog and blog posts. Now, it’s time to see financial gain as a result of your hard work.

The New York Times recently highlighted a few bloggers who are making a living from what used to be their hobby. Based off their feedback, PRDaily has put together a list of eight tips for anyone looking to make a living from blogging.

1. Choose a book- or movie-friendly topic for your blog. Most of the bloggers who are raking in the most dough are those whose journeys have been optioned for the bookshelves and big screen.

2. “My advice is to choose a topic you’ll never get tired of,” Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, told the Times. This makes sense. If nothing becomes of your blog, you might not be making money, but at least you’ll have some fun along the way.

3. Learn how advertising happens on the Web. A major source of income for paid bloggers comes from ad revenue. For most writers, however, the business side of publishing doesn’t come naturally. Learn how Google AdSense works, and become familiar with companies likeBuySellAds.com and Federated Media, which help sites generate revenue.

4. Incorporate video on your blog. This ads another vehicle for advertisers, and it increases your potential exposure.

5. Sell memorabilia. According to the Times article, Hak5.org blogger Darren Kitchen makes $5,000 a month selling stickers, T-shirts, computer hacking tools, and baseball caps through his site.

6. Charge for premium content. One blogger told the Times he brought in $150,000 a month by charging for tutorials and e-books.

7. Ask for donations. As long as you don’t mind resorting to the Web’s version of panhandling, it’s apparently OK to ask readers to donate to your cause.

8. Organize events. Bloggers are charging to lead destination workshops attended by readers.

2011
05/31
CATEGORY
blogging
communications
effectiveness
Marketing
public relations
Social Media
working
TAGS










2 comments

What journalists want: A jam-packed press release

Signed, sealed, delivered…but not read. Gone are the days of using snail mail to deliver press release to your journo contacts. A new study conducted by PWR New Media found that 87 percent of journalists prefer press releases sent to them via email and 79 percent said they were more likely to cover the news if the release included a high-resolution image. So, what else can you include in this email to make it to the top of a journos “possible coverage” list?

When it comes to press releases, not only do journalists want them via email, but they want you to provide them easy access to relevant information. Here’s the breakdown:

  • 91 percent: Access via link to background, bios and supporting info
  • 87 percent: Hi-resolution, downloadable images
  • 76 percent: Verbiage from a press release that could easily be cut and pasted

So, how important is social media to journalists?

According to the survey, social media use among journalists is on the rise. Journalists appreciate the use of social media elements in press releases. Here is the breakdown of what they like:

  • 38 percent: Information about a brand’s social media platforms that made it easy to follow
  • 25 percent: A social media bookmark, enabling sharing and archiving of the release
  • 21 percent: A link to a brand’s RSS feed in a release
  • 16 percent: “Tweet this” icons, making it easy to share a release on Twitter

So, are you doing what needs to be done to have your press releases seen by journalists?

2011
02/28
CATEGORY
communications
consumer trends
Marketing
PR 101
public relations
Social Media
TAGS










3 comments

Grammar geeks unite! To double space, or not double space, that is the question

Can I be honest with you for a second? I mean blatantly honest? It actually irks me to see double spaces after a period and before the next sentence. There I said it. I mean, when I see two sentences spaced so far apart that I can do back flips in between them, I go through the roof. However, part of my frustration came from the fact that I wasn’t entirely sure of which one was right. One space or two spaces? For the answer, we must look no further than the Associated Press Stylebook. So, what is the correct way?

One space. Writers only need to keep the reader in suspense for only a moment before they move  the next sentence.  Now, I know this might be a lot for some of you to swallow. Just think of all the paper you are saving by not adding that unnecessary space! No? Not convincing to you? Well, I tried.

I’m not the only one who feels passionately about this grammar rule. Check out what Eileen Burmeister, a blogger for MyRagan.com had to say about the one space grammar rule.

To all you two spacers out there don’t be a tease! Don’t make us wait an extra second. In the world of media and journalism, we have a one space minimum. So it looks like you’re going to have to change things up. It’s the rules.

2011
01/27
CATEGORY
communications
grammar
PR 101
public relations
TAGS











3 comments

Top 100 PR Websites and Resources of 2009

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Well, you know it’s the end of the year when the top 100 lists start coming out. Here is a list I would highly recommend reading. Liliana Dumitru-Steffens has put together a best in PR top 100 list. Today, she released her second batch. The first half was released yesterday. 

Looking for a potential employer. Check out her top 10 corporate PR sites!

PR Corporate Sites

  1. Waggener Edstrom – the second most powerful PR agency in the world (after Edelman), showcasing its image and expertise with a visually striking web presence. This is our top choice for the Studio D aspect of the site – simple, elegant and very refined. Since we reviewed the site, many things have changed for the better.
  2. Padilla Speer Beardsley is known for experienced, strategic counsel built on a research-based planning methodology, communicating for action. Now it will also be known for one of the best PR corporate websites in the world. We reviewed the site before and after the changes and we can tell you that this company is going places. Actually, we predict that in 2010 Padilla will be among the top 10 PR companies in the world. This year, in March, it occupied a honorable place 13 according to O’Dwyer PR.
  3. APCO Worldwide – redesigned in July 2009, reviewed by Everything PR soon after the re-launch. The new corporate site is better than the old version of the site, more modern, and like everything else, it needs continuous improvement. The web is a constantly evolving entity. Note that APCO is the third most powerful PR company in the world.
  4. Dan Klores – we gave them a PR Goofy award in February this year. Today we should give them an award for excellence. The new site is visually striking, perfect representation of a company that describes itself as ” being a smart, aggressive and inventive team with a wide range of public relations and marketing talent and experience serving a diverse array of clients.”
  5. Taylor – excellent usability, features, content and information. Nothing has changed since our review (some companies are unaware that they are being watched by the media, maybe they need some of the tools below?). Taylor is the “go to” lifestyle, sports and entertainment public relations agency.
  6. Alisson and Partners – also known as Allison PR – for many reasons a to site this year, our review is yet to come. A rather aggressive approach to PR, but this is what makes Allison a winner.
  7. Makovsky + Company Inc. – good aesthetics, although we did find a few things to criticize when we first reviewed the site. However Makovsky is trying hard to prove why it’s the 25th most profitable PR company in the world, and the site reflects the expertise.
  8. Ogilvy – nothing extraordinary, however the information needed by a potential customer is there, accessible, in plain view, and very relevant. Our in-depth review will follow.
  9. KCSA – another site we will be reviewing in-depth soon, visually striking through simplicity. KCSA is extremely skilled in brand marketing, and it shows. 29th at O’Dwyer.

For the complete list, click here.  A link to the first 50 PR resources can be found on that page as well.

2009
12/15
CATEGORY
PR 101
TAGS







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