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Missed out on past newsletters - or perhaps you'd just like to get a flavour of our regular advice and ideas. You've come to the right place!
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Keira O'Mara and Mamascarf
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Our first PR star of 2010 is Keira O'Mara of www.mamascarf.co.uk
Keira, tell us about your business
Mamascarf is a breastfeeding scarf allowing mums to feed discreetly and comfortably in public, whilst also providing support without the need for a cushion. I created Mamascarf following my own experiences of breastfeeding my baby.
What coverage have you had?
I launched just over a year ago and in that time have been featured on ITV's This Morning, BBC's Working Lunch, GMTV, Sky News and Central News. I have been in the Guardian, Express, Sun (twice), Metro and Irish Independent newspapers. Parenting magazines including Mother & Baby, Prima Baby, I'm Pregnant and Green Parent as well as numerous Baby websites, blogs and local press. I have also been on various local radio stations in the UK and Ireland.
How much time do you spend on PR?
I try and do something every week on my PR but the amount of time I spend really varies, depending on whether I am sending out any news or following up emails with phone calls.
What PR activities have you found that work for you?
I have found that things that work well are when I have linked into something that is happening in the news anyway, so it is already a newsworthy story and therefore it is more likely that I will get the coverage.
What do you enjoy least about PR?
Chasing people and following up emails with calls. Sometimes it can be disheartening as people can be really rude and dismissive.
What's been your highest point so far PR-wise?
Being featured on This Morning on a "Best Baby Products" feature. They initially just wanted a Mamascarf to feature but because they liked my story they invited me on as well.
And your lowest?
There haven't been any low points really.
And social networking...do you do this and how useful have you found it? (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc)
Yes, I use Twitter all of the time. I also use Facebook but probably not as much as I could.
What have you learnt about PR?
That you have to be persistent and that it is good to build up your contacts and keep in touch with them regularly.
Can you link a rise in turn over with PR?
Yes, definitely. When I was on This Morning, they put a link to my website on their site and I sold several hundred within a few days following the feature.
What advice do you have to give to someone starting to do their own PR?
It is definitely worth giving it a go yourself. Think of an interesting story about your business (maybe how you came up with the idea, or how you overcame an obstacle) and use it as a way to sell yourself. Try contacting a Press Agency with your story (there are plenty listed on Google). This was how I got my first press coverage and was featured in 3 national papers in one day. You must be persistent though. If you email someone and don't hear back, don't assume that is it. You need to follow everything up with a call.
What did you find helpful about Do Your Own PR?
I found the articles particularly helpful as well as the guidance on how to write a press release as it was all completely new to me and I had no idea what I was doing.
What are your plans for the business?
I am hoping to increase my distribution points this year by building on the number of retailers stocking Mamascarf, as well as increasing my website sales.
You can see more at www.mamascarf.co.uk
More VIP PR Coaching Passports Released
If you are anything like me you've probably been mulling over big ideas for your business this year, and hopefully some of them include using PR to raise your profile and build your brand.
With this in mind I am releasing another 6 VIP coaching passports. These passports consist of five half hour coaching sessions with me that will help you really get to grips with planning your PR strategy, ensure that you actually do get stuck into it, and generally move your PR up a gear or two.
By the end of our time working together you will have a realistic idea of how much PR activity you can actually do during a month, and you'll know what activities you enjoy and that work for you and your business. Most important, you'll have a plan to help you move ahead and grow.
I'd love to help you and your business really shine in 2010.
You can book your Coaching Passport here or give me a call on 0208 504 4557 to speak to me personally.
I wholeheartedly recommend PR coaching with Paula! It has galvanized me into action! I feel accountable to make sure my action plan has been completed by the time Paula calls and without that support I would not have achieved anything. My confidence in my own ability has soared! I have overcome my fears of how to do PR and by stepping outside my comfort zone I have already paid for the passport in new clients which is surely the test of whether something works."
Angela Durrant - vocal and performance coach
www.angeladurrant.co.uk |
| Posted: 26/01/2010 14:01:50
Last Updated: 26/01/2010 14:10:32
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