Burger King Delivers?!

If you haven't learned anything else from me, hopefully you know that I say it's typically tougher for businesses to get themselves in the news. Why?

Because -- say it with me -- the general feeling is that businesses that want advertising should buy an ad. No free publicity here. Unless you're Apple status. 

Or you've done something with your business so out of the box that the media HAS to take notice.

Like Burger King testing delivery options at 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia.

Fast food? Delivery? Wow. As many times as I've lazily thought, "Man, I wish I could have that Whopper delivered..." I never thought it could happen. The idea definitely has America talking. 

The moral of the story? Find the buzz about your business that can capture the public's attention. Besides your $99 sale, that is.

But don't worry, it's alright if it's not quite as buzzworthy as the idea of a Whopper showing up on your doorstep.

The Power of the Protest

Earlier this week, we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the activism -- largely fueled by protests, sit-ins and marches -- that changed America.

It shouldn't be any surprise that the power of the protest still reigns supreme and has gone viral, with the online protests of two congressional bills, SOPA and PIPA. Sites like Google and Wikipedia are "going dark" today to protest the bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act. The Detroit Free Press explains, "the two bills anathema to many of the biggest voices on the Web, including Google, Wikipedia and Facebook.The gist of these two acts is this: the government is seeking the ability to shut down access to foreign sites that it determines are 'facilitating the commission' of copyright infringement."

CNN gives an excellent breakdown  of what's at stake, summarizing: "Both sides say they agree that protecting content is a worthy goal. But opponents say that the way SOPA is written effectively promotes censorship and is rife with the potential for unintended consequences."

It looks like lawmakers are already trying to figure out how to go back to the drawing board to find a solution that will satisfy both parties.

But had it not been for protests of some of pretty massive companies, we may not have known a thing about it. 

The power of the protest still lives -- and when done correctly -- gets the attention it deserves.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Knowing When to Grab a Publicity Opportunity

Blue Ivy Events is enjoying unexpected residual publicity
from sharing a name with the newborn of Jay Z and Beyonce.

Before this week, how many people could say they had heard of a Boston small business -- an event planning company called Blue Ivy?

Now the whole country -- and dare we say, the world -- has exposure to the company because it happens to share its name with the already ultra-famous kid of Beyonce and Jay Z.

So what did the owner Veronica Alexandra do to ride this unexpected media gem as far as it can go? In addition to explaining how she came up with the unique name (the media is having a field day trying to figure out how  Bey and Jay did for their new bundle of joy) she is also taking full advantage.

Huffington Post reports: "... Alexandra's business name has been dethroned in Google searches by the power couple's baby. She is now working the 'if you can't beat them, join them' approach -- she has done whirlwind media appearances, posted a banner on her website that says 'CONGRATS to our SOUL MATE Couple with Baby Blue Ivy!' posted messages on her Facebook and tweeted 'event planning company came first ... Beyonce 2nd ...' and 'Beyonce's daughter just validated how artistic we care to be. Love IT!'"

Great way to recognize a publicity opportunity. The moral of the story? Keep an eye on what celebs are naming their kids. 

Note: I have to thank my buddies over at Complete Concepts Consulting, Inc. for the inspiration of this post.


Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Don't Burn the Publicity Bridge

Happy New Year!

Here's a toast to all of the great publicity you are seeking for your awesome nonprofit and/or your profitable business.

So in my first post of the year, I'm going to share an experience that I've had within the last couple of months.

I pitched to a reporter and they weren't interested in the story I was presenting -- at that moment. But the reporter assured me that it was an issue she was ware of and that she would keep us in mind.

The point of all? Sometimes it takes time for your story. You may not catch the reporter's attention or fit in their timeline the very second that your pitch. And that's OK.

Don't write the reporter off. Don't throw a fit or send a nasty email. Just wait for your time. If you have a good story and you are presenting it well, your time is coming.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We'll see you in the new year!

There's a Time to Look the Part

I once wrote a story about an adorable woman and her equally adorable great-grandson about how she was raising him after his mother could no longer care for him.

We spoke for hours about a typical day and scheduled a time to come back and take photos for the story.

When we showed up for the photos, my adorable grandmother was decked out in her Sunday best, with her hair in spectacular curls and heels -- to cook with her grandson and push him on a swing.

Notice anything a little off? Well, when you're thinking visually and a photographer is filming or taking pictures of what you would NORMALLY do -- i.e. making bread, fixing cars, painting -- you need to look as natural as possible.

Though my interviewee enthusiastically wanted to put her best face forward, what she didn't do was look the part of an everyday grandmother, which was the reason for the story at all. We made it work (because I've worked with some truly awesome photographers) but capturing the heart of who she is would have been so much better if she had done more or less what she normally does.

The moral of the story? There is a time to look the part, especially when it comes to the visual telling of your story. Train horses? Get out there in your duds and show the photog what you got. Bake bread? Put on your poofy hat and go to work. Restore old cars? Don't wear a suit to get under the hood.

It makes for a more authentic telling of your story when you are authentic in your presentation.

The Time to Blow Your Own Horn

We are taught fairly early that humility is a great trait. And it is.

Except for when it comes to your bio ...on your website...that you send reporters to in your quest to establish yourself as a knowledgeable source. You want to be the source they can call when they need an amazing quote about some issue in your industry.

So, about the four doctorates you have? Post that. The 17 rare studies you led? Mention those. The Nobel Peace Prize you earned? Tell 'em all about it.

Remember, what establishes you as a credible expert is your experience coupled with your education. These accomplishments shouldn't be buried at the bottom of your webpage; you may even want to consider a separate page just listing everything you've done.

Though you're not always encouraged to blow your own horn, in this case: toot, toot.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.