TREND: Infographic Press Release

5 Reasons to Use an Infographic as a Press Release

People have been declaring the press release dead for a while now, and while I don’t agree with that assessment, I also think it’s time to push the boundaries of what a press release can be. These days, there are social media press releases, press releases with video embedded, and a range of other variations on the traditional press release.

One of my favorite current press release variations is the infographic. Infographics have been the rage online for a few years now. You see them everywhere. Just go the Digg or ReddIt, and chances are, one of the top stories contains an infographic.

In case you don’t know, infographics are visual representations of information or data. Here’s an example of aninfographic that shows the differences in government vs. private sector compensation.

Why are infographics so effective? And why should you consider doing a press release in infographic style?

1. Infographics clearly explain even the most complex issues – A lot of people are visual learners. So, combining text with compelling imagery can be helpful for getting your point across more effectively. It also makes your story just look more interesting.

2. Infographics stand out from traditional press releases – Reporters are bombarded with press releases all day long. Most of them look and sound the exact same. By sending an infographic rather than a traditional press release, you give yourself a much better chance of standing out and capturing the reporter’s attention.

3. People love sharing infographics – Because they’re so easy to understand and fun to look at, infographics tend to be great for linkbait and viral marketing. People love sharing them. So, post your infographic online, promote the heck out of it, and see how much traffic you can drive.

4. Infographics can be read quickly – Reporters (and everyone else for that matter) are always pressed for time. They just don’t have time to read every press release carefully, word for word. Infographics appeal to their inclination to scan, allowing them to quickly look over it without missing anything important.

5. Infographics give reporters details they can use to fill out their story – Infographics usually contain a range of interesting facts and figures. This is the type of information reporters typically look for when putting together a story, so you’re helping them out.

October 3, 2011 - http://www.ereleases.com/prfuel/5-reasons-to-use-an-infographic-as-a-press-release/

Success Strategy Series: GO FOR THE GATEKEEPER

Networking.  A tool and term that is so overused and overworked they really should come up with a new word for it - just so I can say something else!

There are probably a million books dedicated to every nuance of networking, so won't go into the obvious tips about dressing the part, business cards, icebreakers, etc.  This post is dedicated to one a golden nugget that has proven profitable for me time and time again....

One of the most well used strategies of working a room at a networking event is to find out where Power Players and People of Influence/Status are located in the room and garner some engaging face-time.  In the case of keynote speakers, after they concluded their remarks eager throngs of savvy professionals stand in line and wait their turn to speak and ignore the goldmine standing right beside them - THE GATEKEEPER!

Yes. The Gatekeeper. It is the road less traveled when it comes to successful networking.  Many power players travel with Assistants and their office phones are answered by Receptionists.  These people are overlooked everyday and regarded as the dreaded "gatekeepers".  Most people want to know how to get past the gatekeeper - not how to engage them.  But I would like to suggest engaging the gatekeepers is a proven strategy to networking.

Think about it, they know the Power Player's schedule, personality, preferences but moreover they are a wealth of knowledge because they are the filter by which the Power Player receives their information.  So they very literally see it ALL.  My advice, in most cases, bypass the Power Player and go for the gatekeeper.  

The very first thing you may find is that they are shocked and might initially find your interest disingenuous. They are used to people trying to get past them instead of engaging them.   If you can, persist through the initial snub and prove your interest.  Here are three quick tips:

1) DO YOUR HOMEWORK - Know a little bit about them before you call - the internet makes that helpful.  Before I landed my job as Assistant to VP of Publicity at Warner Bros. Television.  I did a search on the internet and read everything I could find about my potential boss and emailed her a note (while I was in the HR process) - letting her know I was impressed with her career track and listed a few of her jobs and awards. I mentioned that we both loved True Blood ( I found that tidbit on social website) and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to "Sookie" in the next season. The email was only two paragraphs quick and to the point.  I got the job!

2) ASK ABOUT THEM / HELP THEM - Try not to reference the Power Player they work for - since they are expecting it to be your ultimate goal.  Remember, they are skeptical about your genuine interest.  Is there something you have that makes their work easier?  I once shared an Excel spreadsheet with formulas pre-loaded to an Assistant and was forever in her debt.  Ask them for their insight instead of the Power Player.

3) TAKE THEM TO LUNCH - You've got to get from behind emails and the phone to navigate a real relationship - face-to-face is better.  Be careful, don't use the lunch to pitch them, really get to know them. Listen more than you talk. Build questions/comments off current discussion. Don't just run down a list of prepared questions. Ask engaging questions like 'What are the challenges to your work?', 'What advice would you give me about _____?' or "What on your To Do List is on the back-burner but definitely on your radar - How can I help you with that?" or "If you had to redo your college days over, what would you do differently?" Side Note: In college, I made it a practice to take journalists/editors to lunch to just chat.  Its how I first discovered that nothing but a hard deadline will keep a media professional from a free meal.  They were impressed and intrigued by my professional assertiveness (I also learned I had to leave my credit card with the waitress since many of them felt guilty having a college student treating them. But it WORKED!)

THE STRATEGY:
Building a relationship with the gatekeeper is just as profitable as the Power Player. They are often the muscle behind the Power Player's punch.  In other words, the Power Player cannot do it without their gatekeeper don't overlook them - get them on your team.

Success Strategy Series: GET MOTIVATED

To truly motivate yourself and achieve - ACTION - is required.

A goal without an action plan is just a dream ...

Read the Biographies of people that impress you

Instead of looking "up" to our heroes - its better to look into them. We are all born with 24 hours in our day. The only difference between Oprah, Bill Gates, Barack Obama and YOU is what you do with your 24 hours.

Leave Your Comfort Zone

Constantly look for challenges to motivate yourself. Recognize when you are buried in your comfort zone.

Turn off the TV

If you are watching too much television and you know it. Decide which side of the glass you want to live on. When you are watching television you are watching other people live their dreams. If you have time to watch TV you have time to work on your goal. Do something constructive that moves you closer to your objectives. You have time how are you using it?

Progress is not a straight line - its a wavy line. Its always two steps forward - one step back.
You need to know that there will be UPS and DOWNS. (I've had to take a job, after being an entrepreneur for 5 years - most people would be too proud to go back to working for someone else. But its my path and no one but God knows my life's path of success.) Sometimes you will have to confront your pride take a detour - but you are still in route - with detours along the way

Don't wait for CRISIS to motivate you - Stop Reacting to Life

Life is now. Life is not later on. You know what you need to do - Do it now.

Sit in Silence. Absolutely Alone

Sitting in silence allows your goals in life to take shape and develop clarity.

Read on the Road

You may not have time to read - but you commute to work. Turn off the radio - riding in the car is PRIME thinking time. Don't devote that time to just music and DJs - GET AN AUDIOBOOK....

www.SimplyAudiobooks.com (rent and purchase)

www.Audible.com

www.RecordedBooks.com

www.Audiobooks.com

We plan to do great things someday when we get more money... when we find the time.... when we feel better....

Don't live like you have plenty of time - you don't. Find what makes you happy and do it. Don't wait for someone to offer it to you - it may never happen. If you like writing - start a newsletter. If you like speaking - start free weekly workshops.

When you first think about doing a something hard and overwhelming you are most aware of how you don't want to do it at all.

Do one thing towards the goal. Give it 15 minutes and come back to it. Do another 15 minutes and come back. Don't put it off completely. Start slowly, and eventually you are done. Break a BIG goal down into easy parts. create small objectives. If you think its easy - it will be.

Cut-off friends that don't support your goals

Cynics do not create. Enthusiasm for life is contagious. You should be taking inventory of all the influences in your life - constantly. If your relationships don't help you grow or positively enrich your life - it must go.

Adults have become accustomed to using their imagination only to WORRY

Commit to using your imagination to create. Worriers cannot achieve - all their visualization is concentrated on the potential of what could go wrong. Most people design their lives based on what people might be thinking of them to avoid embarrassment. "Show me someone who is afraid to look bad - and I'll show you a somebody you can beat every time"

Create a vision of who you want to be and LIVE in that vision as though it were already true.

Focus. Stop thinking on too many things at once. Focus on what you want and being a happy motivated person and thats what you will be. The only thing we have complete control over is our own mental attitude

Don't put it off til you feel better

Happiness should not depend on your achievement. Don't link happiness to something you don't have yet. Find happiness throughout the process - not just at the end of a goal.

Run Toward Your Fear

Work through even a small fear - you increase confidence in your ability when you conquer your fears. Fear kills more people than death. Death kills us once - fear kills us over and over again. If you are ever in an unmotivated mood - find something you fear, conquer it and WATCH what happens to your self-esteem.

Don't Think with your Feelings

When there is a relationship problem. Use your brain and not your heart for the solution.

Be awake in the present moment

Stay focus on today. Don't live in the past unless you like guilt. Don't live in the future unless you like fear. Plan and seize everyday.

Talk To Yourself

Thinking is the soul talking to itself. No one knows you better than you. Jump start your morning with this internal conversation "Whats good in my life" and "What is there still to be done?

Write Things Down

Place things that motivated you prominently in your home and office. Your screen saver at work put motivating picture or quote. On your desk at work, take the frame and replace the photo with motivating quote or picture. At home, put motivating photo on under magnet on your refrigerator.

Get Out of the Box

All of us look at our challenges from inside a box. We take what we've done in the past and then try to envision future. Don't use your past to map your future - at best you get a new improved past. You want something completely new - Get out of that box. For the best possible future for yourself - don't look through your past. Create the future from nothing. If you DO what you've always DONE - you GET what you've always GOT.

Excerpt: 101 To Motivate Yourself by Steve Chandler
Courtesy of www.Mischandra.com

Mentoring Your Mentor - How My Mentees Helped ME!

About a week ago, I got in the car with my best friend for what I thought would be a casual ride to Athens, Georgia to listen her speak to UGA students about strategies for success in their budding journalism careers.  I had been dealing with a lot of personal and professional stress and looked forward to a break from my routine.  But in typical fashion I brought my laptop with me anyway - is there a support group for work-a-holics? (I mean look at the time stamp on this post! I need to shut it off sometimes.)

After the presentation, my friend alerted the students that I was a public relations professional and would be available for comments and insight for those in the room with an interest in public relations.  The first student to approach was Demitria and then shortly a small crowd of about 6 students started to form and I had an audience. I spoke to them about much of what this blog will elaborate on and as I spoke something came over me.  I could not stop talking. I was having a Jerry McGuire moment. You know the one where he is up all night typing his philosophy on the ethics sports agents and their  relationship with the athletes.  The lessons I had learned in the business of both entertainment and public relations were spouting out beyond my control.  I found myself sharing more than I probably should - but they needed to know the realities of the industry.  No one told me these things. I now I think I would be better off if I had a ME in my life back then.  My career has been largely a story of a self-taught expert (is that an oxymoron?) that has sank/swam playing by my own rules.  

Talking to those students made me realize I actually have something to say.  I have a unique perspective on success in the industry.  And to continue the Jerry McGuire analogy, this blog is the equivalent to his trip to Kinko's when Jerry copies his mission statement and distributes it to every inbox in the company.  Like the character in the movie, I grabbed my goldfish and walked out with my passion for my profession in tact but looking for the promise of something more meaningful in my work.  But the ending to my story remains to be told.

The overwhelming response from each of the students was the exactly the same, "I learned more in 20 minutes talking to you than I have learned in my classes, internships and volunteer organizations combined".  

I'm dedicating this blog to my first three mentees, Demetria, Brianna and Loni for mentoring their mentor!