Media Relations

Seth Godin Speaks In Salt Lake

Just got back from the Seth Godin speech in Salt Lake. Packed house and words of wisdom:

"If what you do can be written down, you are interchangeable."

"People will pay you well if you can figure things out."

"The risk is not in standing out, it is by fitting in."

"Definition of a genius: Someone who solved a problem in a new way."

"The more you fail, the more opportunities you have to succeed."

And finally, this gem about the current economy: "Just because the tide is out doesn't mean there's any less water in the ocean."

A special thanks to Startupprincess and all those who organized, sponsored and brought the event to Utah!

Forbes Forming Network Of Women Business Bloggers

I just received an email asking me to join the ForbesWoman Blog Network (FWBN).  This is a very interesting trend - several months ago I discussed General Mills' efforts to creat a blogging network of individuals willing to try and write about General Mills products.

The Forbes proposal is very different.  Its team wants to be my "sales force" and approach blue chip advertisers...ultimately putting ads on this blog.  Think about it.  What if you had created a company blog and its content was so popular that you received a similar proposal from Forbes?  I'd call that good PR. 

The new world we've been predicting is here NOW.  The big guys are stepping into the non-traditional media mix.  I applaud this and plan to give it careful consideration.

A portion of the ForbesWoman Blog Network contract:

"We will promote the FWBN to our roster of blue-chip advertisers and while we will only run campaigns that are appropriate for your audience, our technology gives you the ability to review and approve every campaign, if desired.   Our advertising platform enables you to:
 

1. Review and approve any advertisement; 
2. Access to on-demand, real-time reports regarding the performance of campaigns and naturally your earnings; and 
3. You set your own rate card"

In addition, Forbes will provide me with a blog network badge to denote membership.  It then prompts me to go to a link to apply and accept the terms and conditions of the Ad Network Member Agreement.

This is the portion of the agreement that I REALLY liked - an effort to bring credibility to blogging content:

"You shall not display or make accessible on Member’s Site(s) materials that: (A) infringe or otherwise violate any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrete or other intellectual property right; (B) are libelous, defamatory, indecent, obscene, threatening, libelous, abusive or hateful; (C) are fraudulent, deceptive or intentionally misleading, or (D) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or any other right of any third party, or suggest, encourage or intended to incite any criminal conduct."  

 

"The Rise of Freelance Nation"...Money Magazine's Prediction About The Emerging Economy

Been thinking about starting your own PR firm, or becoming a consultant?   The time is almost over-ripe and I suggest you take your plunge sooner, rather than later.  Competition is about to heat up, according to the July 2009 issue of Money magazine.

In an article on top trends in the new economy, Money predicts "The Rise Of Freelance Nation,"  citing that an estimated 30 percent of today's workforce (about 42 million people) are either freelancers, independent contractors, part-time or temp workers. 

AND...in the next 10 years we can expect that number to grow to 40 percent.  Ravin Jesuthasan of Towers Perrin is quoted as saying, "Companies want a workforce they can switch on and off as needed."

Read all about it here.  By the way, I've never regretted the creation of my own business back in 1996.