3 Cost Effective Ways Technology Can Boost Public Relations

Today nearly every business has a web site or blog, a list of targeted email addresses, and a Facebook or Twitter profile.  Why?  Because effectively using these tools has become the most cost effective method for promoting your business.

Let’s take a look at 3 ways technology can boost public relations:

1. The Electronic Newsletter, often referred to as an “ezine”, is a newsletter that is electronically delivered to a list of email addresses using email marketing software such as:

• Aweber: www.aweber.com
  – 30 day money back guarantee
  – $1 for 1st month / $19 month up to 500 subscribers
  – Price increases based on number of subscribers
  – Price includes unlimited email  & auto-responders
• Constant Contact: www.constantcontact.com
  – 60 day free trial
  – $15 month for up to 500 subscribers
  – Price increases based on number of subscribers
  – Limited auto-responders
  – Additional features extra (online surveys, event marketing)
  – Most user friendly & best templates
• – Vertical Response: www.verticalresponse.com
  – $10 month up to 500 subscribers
  – Price increases based on number of subscribers
  – Limited auto-responders
  – Additional features extra (online surveys, postcards)
  – Offers pay-as-you-go option to purchase email credits for the number of emails you want to send

Benefits:

• Cheaper than a printed newsletter; monthly & annual pricing options, annual pre-pay discounts, and non-profit discounts available.
• Faster delivery time; goes straight to recipient’s email inbox.
• People are used to receiving electronic newsletters.
• Can be integrated with Facebook and Twitter.

Tips:

• Publish regularly and provide valuable content.
• Create an opt-in form to use on your web site or blog.  Include a free giveaway or incentive for those who subscribe to your newsletter.
• Don’t purchase email lists.  Build your own targeted list from the ground up.

2. Make Use of Free Social Networking Sites

• Twitter is limited to 140 characters. Use it as a way to let your targeted audience get to know you.
• Facebook is more interactive. Use it to build more intimate relationships with your target audience (group, fan page, discussion boards, videos, links, photos)
• LinkedIn is great because you can recommend the work of professionals you’ve worked with and they can recommend  you and your work.

3. Web Video Marketing allows you to take a direct to audience approach with your message.

• You can embed or link to video on your web site, blog and social networking sites.

Ways to Use Your Web Video:

• offer reviews & tutorials
• record presentations or special events you’re included in; be sure to ask for permission
• introduce your office staff
• product demonstrations
• create welcome video for home page of web site
• highlight what makes your product/service unique
• create video posts for your blog if you don’t like writing

How to Record Your Web Video:
The Flip is a small portable high definition video camera that provides web ready video.  For under $200 it provides a quick easy way to record & publish video content online.  Free video editing software included; accessories available.

Tip:
Host your videos on YouTube.  It’s the 2nd largest search engine on the web.

All 3 methods:

• the electronic newsletter
• free social networking sites &
• web video marketing

are affordable, cost effective ways technology can boost public relations.

Would you like to develop a public relations plan for your business using these same 3 methods? Get started today! Contact me directly to schedule a free 30-min consultation.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.