Wordless Halloween: Which Witch is Witch?
October 31st, 2008
Are online press releases really effective for lead generation?
October 27th, 2008
I was reading Michael Stelzner’s New B2B Study Shows White Paper Importance, where press releases ranked 2nd in online content effectiveness for lead generation, according to findings from MarketingProfs.
Looking at the comments he got (apart from the big question mark about newsletters being the 1st), another question remains: How do press release generate leads?
My neurons instantly reacted… “Ask David Meerman Scott!”
According to his book titled The New Rules of Marketing & PR, press releases in a web world suggest that Marketers can reach buyers directly, and the primary audience is no longer a handful of journalists. Online press releases are now a direct-to-consumer medium.
He suggests tips to optimise press releases for search and quotes WebEx’s press release at the top of Google search results.
Some tips that David gave for the new rules of press releases:
- Create news releases that appeal directly to your buyers
- Write keyword-rich press releases
- Add social media tags
- Place landing pages links in releases
- Include offers for people to respond in some way
- Optimise news release delivery for searching and browsing
David has a complimentary e-book if you wish to know more: The new rules of PR: How to create a press release strategy for reaching buyers directly
Other resources I found useful: Rocky Fu on tips to boost your online press release efforts, social media press release template from SHIFT Communications, and Press Release Grader from HubSpot.
So while media relations is still important to overall communications strategy, it is no longer a deal breaker if your press releases are not “picked up” by the mainstream media. The Web enables us Marketers and PR professionals to reach buyers directly through direct-to-consumer news releases, and even generate leads for sales with optimisation techniques.
Finally, my seemingly feeble (not!) attempt to sum everything up in startling simplicity:
SEO Friendly Press Releases = Lead Generation.
As my organisation starts to embrace the whole Web 2.0 shebang in its overall marketing strategy, I can only taste the sweet fruits of hard labour in the next few months (it’s work in progress right now). I am putting my hopes high on this one.
Unrelated side note: Wondering who’s Pocoyo? This cute little blue boy is full of antics and making both kids and adults fall head over heels in love with him.
Personalised Efforts Seen @ Marketers’ Marketplace (Oct 2008)
October 15th, 2008Last week, Marketers’ Marketplace hosted by The Direct Marketing Association of Singapore (DMAS) seemed like a regular networking event - Free flow of drinks, finger food, keynote speeches, and a room full of marketers networking with each other. But this seemingly humble event has scored a glowing review for their personlisation department, at least with me. Here’s why:
Item 1. Name magnets
This magnet was NOT suppose to read ‘WELCOME’, it should have my name ‘JASMINE’ (instead of ‘WELCOME’) printed in it. It was unfortunate that I had registered to attend only a day before the actual event, so it was too late to get my name printed on it. Oh well.
Item 2. Photos of you
Throughout the event, a photographer went around snapping photos for groups of people. The photos were then projected on screen minutes after they were being taken. The organisers then went around identifying people among the masses and personally handed pocket size photos of you. View photo gallery.
Item 3. Immortalised on Singapore Post stamps
This was sponsored by Singapore Post MyStamp. It was real quick and easy, they snapped a photo and we had our very own photo stamps within 5 minutes!
Item 4. Star Networker of the Evening
(After the event) 2 days later I received this email ….
A “glamour” shot photo plus becoming the Star Networker of the Evening… just like everyone else. Still, it was good enough.
All I can say is, full marks for personalisation efforts DMAS!
Extra bonus points for famous desserts sponsored by Hilton Hotel’s Checkers Deli and Royal Plaza on Scott’s Carousel. Plus very attractive free resort stays as lucky draw prizes (albeit I didn’t win a single prize).
Hmmm…. maybe I should consider dropping my entire box of name cards for lucky draw the next time? 
Should Marketers Have Funnels Too?
October 7th, 2008
Like all Sales people have sales funnels, should B2B Marketers have marketing funnels too?
YES according to Brian Carroll, one of the most well respected thought leaders in the field of lead generation. Read his blog entry on Building a Marketing Funnel and More Lead Management Tips.
Plus my favourite folks from Marketing Experiments held yet another insightful webinar. With Brian Carroll! A Proven Playbook For Growing Your Leads. View the Complete Version (slides and audio).
A great piece of work once again by Marketing Experiments. Their webinars are just *speechless* awesome.
Marketers and Toilets
October 1st, 2008
Yes, that’s right, we can’t leave you alone even in public toilets.
Check out these creative ads in public toilets. It’s advertisements in every possible place, even on your toilet paper. Hilarious! And my favourite ad happens to be a freaky one…
Schizophrenia Awareness
Source: Ads of The World
Can you imagine being alone, in a quiet, dimly lit public toilet, caught unaware by this ad? SCARY!
Next up, a bizarre toilet theme restaurant in Taiwan makes you eat out of a toilet bowl. They serve your food in mini shaped toilet seats, all while you enjoy the meal sitting on actual toilet bowls and looking at urinals turned into lamps.
Hmmm… I wonder how their employees will react when asked “Where’s your bathroom?”
Source: Fun Fever
