KPG Newsletter

March E-News You Can Use

2011-03-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

Having a good-looking web site that contributes to high traffic and good conversion rates is a tricky affair that many webmasters don’t understand. Where designing an attractive website and traffic generation is every business owner’s initial goal most of them don’t realize that a lot of things go into making a website a true success, and most business owners simply do not have the time, experience or knowledge to do it correctly. They either end up doing what their competitors are doing showing their limited or no knowledge of the subject all of which causes their businesses to suffer. This is where online marketing companies play a pivotal role. Online marketing or search engine marketing services analyze a website with reference to its design and content and plan out an effective strategy that will for boost your sales and conversion rates. Search engine marketing experts provide marketing tools that boost the success of your website, making it a lucrative and successful enterprise. These days, SEM is an absolute requirement of any marketing plan without which your online marketing strategy is not realizing its full potential. Good search engine marketing strategies are very important for any website in order to promote the products or service being advertised on the website. Refined search engine marketing techniques with compatible SEO tools offers a potential opportunity for business owners to globalize their products within cost-effective and timely budgetary constraints. More ...

Other News in this FREE E-Newsletter:
== Most Outrageous Excuses for Being Late to Work
== Good idea? Feed it to a Dragon

February E-News You Can Use

2011-02-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

News in this month's issue includes a Q&A with the Law Office of William P. Matz, an informative article about building a marketing budget and leadership qualities.

Mini Feature:

Law Office of William P. Matz, B.S., J.D., LL.M
Attorney at Law, SBN #99059, Sonoma County, California, matz@sonic.net

Q: Why did you select this industry/career?
A: I have always enjoyed the challenge of solving problems (or avoiding them).

Q: What problems do you believe you solve for others?
A: I help people plan financial decisions with long-term goals in mind. Right now a major focus of my practice is educating homeowners in loan distress about their full range of options so that they can make informed decisions about their best courses of action.

Q: What three skills are the most central to be successful in your line of work?
A: 1) Unique combination of 29 years experience as an attorney and 28 years as a broker allowing deep understanding of loan crisis.
2) Very high mathematical aptitude.
3) Strong teaching skills that help clients understand the full impact of their decisions within the ‘big picture”.

Q: What are the two most important things someone should keep in mind when looking for someone in the field to work with?
A: Commitment to comprehensive planning and the ability to collaborate with client advisors to implement client plans.

Other highlights in this FREE monthly e-newsletter include:
== Presidential Bloopers (Funny!)
== How to Sell Outside of Bookstores

January E-News You Can Use

2011-01-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

Social Media Can’t Replace Marketing
Leili McKinley, Branding/Marketing expert

When you think about social media, think about it in terms of pizza sauce. Sounds absurd, but hear me out. Pizza is a delicious and wonderful thing to eat, you’ve got warm, fresh dough, sauce, cheese a a variety of toppings to choose from. Now if you take away cheese, toppings and dough you’re not left with much. Just a bunch of pizza sauce. This is exactly
what social media is. It’s not bad on it’s own, but it’s not the complete package without other components, namely marketing, public relations, SEO, advertising and other related branding factors.
If you’re going to launch a social media strategy, you’ll need to consider how it can fit in with your overall marketing plan. Use it as a tool to build your brand and elevate conversations about it. It’s misleading to think that social media alone will transform your brand into an overnight success that generates ridiculous amounts of revenue. It is simply a
good marketing option that can augment your existing efforts.
That’s not to say that using social media as the sole mechanism for pushing your brand is a bad thing. There are a handful of companies that have successfully managed to accomplish an impressive ROI through social media alone. The thing is that they are typically well-established brands to begin with and the likelihood of experiencing outlandish results is not commonplace. In fact, it’s about as rare as a snow storm in Hawaii.
For more information visit the website.

Other E-News Highlights include:
== Flamingo Auto Repair (Santa Rosa)
== Little Horses Big Hearts
== What Goes Up Must Come Down

Be sure to subscribe to the complete FREE e-newsletter.

DECEMBER E-NEWS YOU CAN USE!

2010-12-16T11:22:00.001-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
(See You In January)

November E-News: Success, Cavemen & Time Wasters

2010-11-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

Handling Change Successfully by Ellen van den Berg

Change can be unsettling, whether the change is potential or actual, positive or negative. We may be staring at a wide open field of new prospective clients or launching new products and services. Or we may be hunkering down in the face of outsourcing, downsizing, and local and global competition.

How We Respond to Change
As soon as something nudges us out of our regular routine, or challenges our understanding of how the world works and where we fit into it, it will likely trigger a deluge of feelings. In turn, these feelings can manifest in our behavior.
We may, often unconsciously, act out with aggressive or passive-aggressive communication, both at work and home. We might feel compelled to push ourselves and others to overwork, or take the opposite approach and procrastinate, avoiding the work that’s on our plate.

The Impact
Stress can have immediate and long-term detrimental effects on our physical health. Our mental abilities can be affected as well. Right at a time when we need to be flexible and resilient to deal with the change we’re caught up in our reaction to it.
When we understand the impact our response to change can have, we can become more mindful of how we take care of ourselves. We need to get enough rest, eat well, seek out support, find a quiet moment, exercise and be aware of our mindset.
When we take care of ourselves we can focus on navigating through the change. The following three strategies will help you handle change in your business:

Strategies for Success
1.Be very clear about what is changing. We often get caught up in the change itself and cannot think clearly enough to develop a strategy. If we then try to impose the change on the people who are going to have to make it work, without them understanding the situation, the change effort will be difficult or even fail. Step away, take a breath and take time to make sure you can communicate clearly what makes the intended change necessary.
2.Communicate what will be different because of the change.Explaining the what and why of a change is essential, but it is not enough. To embrace and buy into the change,
those who have to make it work need to know how the change will actually make their life, function or role different. Some of those differences can be behavioral (how we’ll be responding to customers) others structural (who will be managing what function). Communicating those differences should be an important priority on your list of things to do.
3.Recognize the stages of transition. As business owners and managers we often overlook the importance of paying attention to this third strategy, the process of reorientation we and our employees must go through to make the change work. We cannot, or cannot expect someone else to do something new until we have let go of what we are currently doing. Letting go includes dealing with feelings of denial, anxiety, shock, fear, anger, frustration, confusion and stress. The best way to get people through this transition is to pay attention, acknowledge and help them deal with it. When you do that, you build and understanding needed for the change to be successful.

Ellen van den Berg is the owner of NEXUS Consulting. She helps individuals and organizations improve and workplace relationships so that they can get the results they want to meet their vision and goals. Click here to sign up for a free 1 hour session.

Other Useful Information This Month:
== The Real Cost of Time Wasters
== PR Caveman Style
== And More!

October E-News: Social Media Policy, Corporate Gits & More

2010-10-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

Create a Social Media Policy For Small Business Owners
By DeAnna Troupe

Do you have a social media policy for your business? There have been many cases of employees getting fired because of social media. This could have been avoided if the business owner had a clear cut social networking policy in place and communicated that policy to the staff. While you might not have a large staff now, it is a good idea to put an online networking policy in place as soon as possible. Make sure that everyone is aware of the social networking policy when they are first hired. Here are some things to consider when you are coming up with the social media policy for your company.

What your employees are allowed to say about the company?
I am not suggesting that you totally censor your employees. However, you do have a certain public image to uphold. You have to decide early on what you are going to allow your employees to say about the company on social networking sites. This is definitely something that needs to be outlined in the handbook you create about your company's social media policy. To read more, subscribe to KPG E-News You Can Use.

Other Useful Information This Month:
== Using Corporate Gifts To Your Best Advantage By Dean Bower
== Philosophy of Soccer
== And More!

August E-News: Experts, Business Plans & Blogs

2010-08-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

DID YOU KNOW?
Two Important Things You Need To Know
To Write A Business Plan

Joyce Shimetz of Simplify Your Biz offers two tips that help business owners to know their market and define their product and/or service.

1. What is your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code? NAICS is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. For information on NAICS codes (previously used SIC codes): http://dor.wa.gov/content/aboutus/statisticsandreports/sic_vs_naics.aspx#What
It is important to know what industry you are in. Most marketing research is classified by industry. In order to know who your competition is you’ll need to know what industry you are in.

2. Marketing Research is perhaps the most difficult and most widely ignored task for most entrepreneurs.
– Do as much as possible on your own. Be prepared to spend approximately $2,500 -- $5,000 for a comprehensive report of the statistics for your industry. Many companies found on the internet do this type of research. These specialists can help because it’s not always easy to get the marketing information for privately held corporations, etc. Use the NAICS code when comparing “apples to apples” and break the research down into manageable pieces:
a. Competition (Local / National / International)
b. Market Segments (Demographics / Cultural / Buying Patterns)
c. Target Market
In future articles Joyce will discuss other aspects of a business plan, including: vision statement, define as specifically as possible what product/service is available, marketing and sales strategies, financing and operational plan.
For more information: Joyce@SimplifyYourBiz.com.

Other KPG E-News You Can Use Articles & Features:
= Launching Your Independent Film Online
= 17 Steps to Brilliant Blog Posts
To read more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter

June E-News: Inventions, Magazines & Cash Flow

2010-06-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

DID YOU KNOW?
Courtesy of Start Up Nation
Russell Williams founded Invention Home over 7 years ago to assist inventors with the marketing andd licensing of their ideas. He's been asked nearly every invention-related question in the book, and shares his wisdom with you in Start Up Nation’s series, "The Inventor Q&A."
Question:What are the benefits of developing a prototype of my invention.
For the Answer, click here.

Empower Radio’s thought for the day is worth your time to check out!
http://www.empoweradio.com/home/mindset/360-Thought-the-Day.html

Other KPG E-News You Can Use Articles & Features:
= The Next Big Platform for Magazines: Facebook
= Back to Basics Cash Flow

To read more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter.

May E-News: New PR, Resumes & More

2010-05-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Hottest New Job in Public Relations: Chief Content Officer
By Greg Matusky, Gregory FCA Communications

I'm going to make a call. In three to five years, a new member of the C-suite will emerge. He or she will work shoulder to shoulder with CMOs and CEOs. The job description will look nothing like we have ever seen. They will be called chief content officer.

Their purpose will be to originate and share a constant stream of information flowing from inside the four walls of the corporation directly through new digital channels to partners, customers, clients, employees, prospects, and investors. Their skill set will be part journalist, part brand manager, and part public relations professional.

They will be charged with capturing and articulating the character and voice of the company, and they will be responsible for ushering in a new era of corporate transparency -- a world where outsiders can gain a true and authentic view of the company. Filters will be fewer. Responses quicker. Information will flow more freely.

If the evolving nature of public relations is teaching us anything, it's that content is now the single most important asset at our disposal for conditioning and positioning companies for increased revenue and value. As traditional media struggles to find relevancy, more and more corporations will turn to social and digital media to communicate directly with online audiences.

Entire new corporate domains will appear, peopled by writers, editors, videographers, podcasters, and technologists, who will work in unison to identify relevant information from inside the corporation, publish it, and then manage the pathways through which it is distributed.

The chief content officer will stand in the shoes of a traditional publisher, delicately balancing the need for quality content to find and keep audiences against the corporation's drive to sell and promote. The created content will attain a new level of truth and authenticity.

If a company messes up, the CCO will be charged with the clean up, addressing issues directly online. If a company struggles, that same CCO will be responsible for publishing rapid response investor information to shorten the cycle of pain, not unlike how 24/7 news channels have cut attention spans and focal points.

And if a company wants to engage, the CCO will be tasked with finding and crystallizing information and content that can catalyze clients and customers, aggregating and engaging them through micro-topics that speak directly to narrow-band niches.

Some companies like Ford are already starting to break this ground. Scott Monty, the firm's Head of Social Media, has direct access to CEO Alan Mulally, and works closely with him and other executives to develop social media programs and content, and share information on social networks.

The CCO job description will read something like this:
If you can write like a journalist, think like a marketer, and understand the vast and shifting seas of digital communications, Mega Global Corporation needs you to express our world view and communicate our value to financial and consumer markets, partners, and governments.

You must be able to manage a worldwide editorial staff, producing both written and visual communications, and must be able to deliver daily, even hourly, content that is fully optimized to gain visibility over digital pathways.

This individual will report directly to the CEO, but will have the strength of character to beat back corporate encroachment in favor of honest, accurate content that provides real value to worldwide audiences.

Most important, this individual must understand how to monetize this content throughout the enterprise, converting incoming interest into business opportunities for the organization as a whole. Compensation: Name your price if you can deliver on the seemingly impossible yet urgent responsibilities described here.

Some CMOs are taking on many of these duties now. But as our communications channels continue to expand into the digital market, companies need to disseminate content to an increasing array of online audiences. It's becoming a job unto itself. One-way communication is not enough. Companies need to inform, connect, and engage with their customers and partners in meaningful ways, wherever they live.

Greg Matusky founded Gregory FCA Communications 20 years ago after working as a freelance writer for Success magazine. As a writer his work has appeared in Inc., Forbes, and Newsweek magazines before he transitioned to public relations in 1990.

Other KPG E-News You Can Use Articles & Features:
= What to not include in a resume
= Human trafficking program for TV
To read more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter.

April E-News: Events, Robots and Photography

2010-04-06T07:33:00.001-07:00

DID YOU KNOW?
Journalists Starting To Be Replaced By Robots
By Martin Bryant UK Editor, The Next Web

Just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse for journalists, they might be replaced by automated software bots in the future.
Two US projects covered by the Guardian today point to a future where news stories are written by algorithms.
StatSheet and Stats Monkey both plan to automate sports reporting by taking stats from games along with historical data about teams and players to create a news story that reads like it was written by a journalist.
To read more...

Other KPG E-News You Can Use Articles:
Key Events for Sending Out a Press Release
LifeLong Learning Moment With Bruce Mozert
Client Calendar:
== Raven Players Production of Our Town
== Wounded Warrior Polo Benefit
To read these articles and more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter!

February E-News: Vodka, Lies and Survivors

2010-02-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

Never, Never Lie To The Media
Mark Bernheimer, MediaWorks Resource Group

The worst media approach. Period.
Lying to a reporter is so much more than unethical; It's dangerous. As Presidential candidate John Edwards fell from grace, media inquiries increasingly focused on his personal life. At some point, it would have been acceptable for him simply to say, "These personal issues are between my wife and myself, and I don't want to discuss them publicly."
Would the nation have assumed the worst? Probably. Would that have been better than being exposed as a liar a few months later? Same answer.
And yes, it is true that such a response would have tipped off his wife, Elizabeth Edwards (assuming she didn't know already). But my business is media communications, not martial relations.
"The Record" now lives forever
When I woke up to the news that Edwards had admitted paternity, it took me exactly 45 seconds to retrieve the old video I present above. In the age of Internet journalism, comments you make in the past never really stay there. They are eternally available to anyone with a Blackberry.
Lessons Not Learned
It is impossible to consider the Edwards scandal without thinking about another politician who suffered the consequences of lying about sex. And like Edwards, then-President Bill Clinton could have saved himself a lot of trouble had he admitted his transgressions, or at least declined to address them directly.
Of course, the best way to avoid negative publicity is to refrain from having affairs in the first place. But succumbing to your weaknesses, and then lying about it publicly, is the best way to become an instant media disaster.

Other KPG E-News You Can Use Articles:
Majorska Vodka PR Stunt Makes People Write Silly Things
Building a Bridge of Compassion: The Heart of Recovery
The Missing Ingredient to The Social Media Stone Soup
To Read these articles and more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter!

January E-News: Websites, Wellness and Risks

2009-12-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

January Greetings!
The start of the new year provides us all with opportunities to develop and enhance our professional and personal resources. This naturally leads to our ability to be of greater assistance to ourselves as well as others.
In the process we, our clients and friends (family, too) experience greater satisfaction. And who doesn’t want that?
So we start this year off with a look at how we might take risks, enhance our websites, preserve family stories, and make decisions about business insurance.
Happy New Year!
Karen

Feature Article:
Three Things To Consider
When Shopping for Business/Liability Insurance
Jeff Lecoeuche, Jeff Lecoeuche Insurance Agency Inc. (CA).

1. Pick the right company: There are about 2,500 insurance companies doing business in California. Which one is right? Pick a major and well established company with a financial A rating. The A rating reflects the financial strength of the company. You want to make sure that it will be there to pay your claim. A lot of companies come in the market when they can make a big profit, and leave when they don’t. An established one will stay through the ups and downs of the market.

2. Make sure the coverage is right: If you belong to a profession with a professional association, check in your professional magazines for offers of insurance. Typically, some of the companies advertising in theses magazines specialize in your business. They will probably offer the coverage you need at a better price because they understand your business.
To help select your major carrier, make sure to check all the optional coverage. That will make a huge difference in case of a claim (food poisoning for a restaurant, sexual molestation allegation for a day-care, etc.).

3. Choose your agent or broker carefully: Commercial insurance is much more complicated than home and car insurance. Verify that your agent understands your business. Ask questions. Your agent should help you look at all the liability exposures your business may have: workers comp, error and omission, professional liability, bond, EPLI, garage keeper and so on.
Remember that within the same company, different agents will have different degree of qualification and knowledge about your business. Make sure your agent returns his or her phone calls promptly. How easily can you reach him or her? Phone, cell phone, home phone, e-mail, website …do you have it all?
Finally, does your agent or broker care about you? For the same price, choose someone who cares, and with whom you have an affinity!
Have questions about business, home or car insurance?
You can reach Jeff at jeff@lecoeuche.com or 707-707-526-5222.
Be sure to tell him you read his article!

Other E-News this month:
Antiques Roadshow Took Risks That Paid Off
Raven Players Launch Short Season
and more...

To read these articles and more, subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter!

December E-News: Facebook, Resource Boxes and Good Things To Do

2009-12-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to December!
Hard to believe the year is coming to a close. Punctuated by holidays, shorter work weeks (I hope this is true for everyone) and the natural desire to slow down and turn inward at this time, the end of 2009 brings much to our attention. In particular, what we want more of and what we could do with less of.
We can have it all, including new contacts, dear friends, and plans for creative growth. None of these are bound by calendar years. So take stock of what you have accomplished and know that it’s only a reminder of what you can do in the coming days, months and years.
I hope your winter celebrations are both gentle and warm.
Karen

Common Resource Box Mistakes by Article Marketing
Your resource box is every bit as important as your article, so please don’t think you can spend lots of focused energy writing a beautiful article and then slap on any old resource box at the last minute.

A Positive Marketing Minute
Marcia Yukin, Marketing Expert and Mentor

To read these articles and more, subscribe to the free e-newsletter!

November E-News: Packages, Tactics and Taxes

2009-11-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

November: Time to get Taxes in Order
By Jeanne Davis, Virtual Jeannie Business Services
You may think “it’s only November,” but the end of the year will be here before we know it. Below are some tax-related housekeeping items that could save your CPA save time and yourself some money.
Bank Statements: By bringing in your year end bank statements (the ones dated 12/31) or if you have statements that end mid-month, bring in the December and the January statements. This allows the CPA to verify your cash balances and make sure you haven’t missed reporting any income or checks that might have been missed.
Credit Card Statements: For similar reasons as the bank statements, by bringing in copies of credit card statements that either end on or cross over the 12/31 deadline, your tax preparer can verify the balance owed on your account an make sure there are no duplications. They can also make sure that any transactions that took place in December are recorded and counted for the year.
Donations (cash and property): Bring in copies of donation “thank you” letters or copies of cancelled checks to verify cash / check donations. If you received a receipt for donated property, bring that in as well. It goes to verify what was actually donated.
Business Loan Paperwork: Did you borrow money from someone, or a financial institution? Bring in the loan paperwork so that the loan may be recorded properly and added to your books. The interest may be tax deductible and you will want it recorded properly.

On The Side: Packaging and Truth
The Packaging Diva takes a look at food packaging labels

Ethical Bribes:10 Most Effective Client Attraction Device Giveaways
by Donna Gunter, The Internet Marketing Automation Coach (TM)

To read more, subscribe to the e-newsletter

June excerpts: Loans, Location & Laughter

2009-06-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

On The Side
SBA Stirring Up Loans for Small Companies
A more aggressive Small Business Administration is making some headway
in improving lending conditions for small businesses.
By Jonathan N. Crawford, Researcher-Reporter, the Kiplinger letters
Smaller banks will be a growing source of small business loans. More will participate in government loan guarantee programs as initiatives from the Obama administration take effect and market conditions begin to improve.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will add staff and other resources to streamline its loan operations and outreach to banks, trying to reverse a 50% slide in bank participation since 2001.
Getting more banks to participate in SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan programs will give small firms more access to needed capital while conventional small business loans and credit cards are hard to obtain.
The SBA wants to increase the participation of smaller lenders, credit unions and community bankers, in particular, in its loan programs, leveraging the existing relationships many of them have with local business owners. At least 30 lenders have teamed up with SBA since March. And more banks are making new loans for the first time in over a year.
Anthony Wilkinson, president and CEO of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, says beefing up SBA resources to improve service is likely to bring even more lenders to the table.
But Wilkinson doesn't expect a sea change overnight. Some lenders will continue to balk at teaming with SBA, put off by the agency's fees and caps on interest rates charged by lenders. Others complain about poor past working relationships with the government agency.
"You have to realize, the SBA has been under declining resources for the past eight years, so it's going to take them some time," Wilkinson says.
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, is also pushing to bolster SBA-lender relations. "While it is encouraging that about 40% of community banks in America participate with SBA, it's discouraging that 60% don't," she says. Landrieu would like to see all small business owners, whether they are in a rural area or an urban one, to be able to tap their local community bank or credit union for an SBA loan if a conventional one is unavailable.
Having more community lenders making SBA loans could also help the program withstand financial crises, says Robert Seiwert, senior vice president of the American Bankers Association's Center for Commercial Lending & Business Banking. “The bulk of SBA loans are done by a handful of large lenders, [so] when they dial back the loans they make, that really affects the program. You have a much smaller pipeline, and you have less loan volume at the time you need a robust distribution system. [SBA] needs to engage lenders of all sizes," Seiwert says.

Tips for Choosing a Business Location
Reprinted from Business.Gov
The ideal location of your business depends on the kind of business you're running. Before you begin scouting a location, consider some factors that can help you select the right location for your business.
Determine Your Business Activity
Do your customers come to you, or do you go to your customers? Do you have employees? Do you manufacture products for distribution?
Answers to these questions can quickly narrow down your location choices.
If your type of business depends heavily on pedestrian or drive-by traffic, such as a florist, gift shop, or clothing boutique, you'll want to seek out popular retail locations, such as a downtown area or a mall, where there are few restrictions on signage that can help attract passing customers.
For Complete Article Subscribe to KPG E-News You Can Use

Did You Know?
PR Insider
VoiceAmerica Business Network with Host Maureen Kedes.
An enlightening and informative interview about public relations with
Joan Steward of Publicity Hound and Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity

May Excerpts: Radio, Rapping and Happiness

2009-05-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

You’re On The Air! Making the Most of Your Radio Interview
By Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR
Social media? It’s nothing new. The most interactive form of social media is well over 80 years old and more popular than ever. It’s radio.
Radio engages a one-on-one relationship between the speaker and the listener. It’s personal and it’s interactive, with the ability to join the conversation in real time. For the most part, radio is live, unscripted, unfiltered and unedited. Although it seems conservative hosts dominate radio, there is truly a wide spectrum of opinion and programming.
Counting online radio, satellite radio, HD radio and podcasts, millions of people are out there using the power of radio to communicate and deliver their messages. Why shouldn’t it be you?
So when you get an offer to participate in a radio interview, say yes! Then follow a few simple tips to maximize your impact.
Ninety-five percent of your interview success relies on preparation, and just five percent on your actual execution. Learn as much as you can about the program and its host. If you can’t listen live, most shows are archived online. If you know someone who’s been on the show, ask him or her about the experience.
If you have the chance to appear in studio, even for a few minutes, do it. You’ll have more control and it’s a lot harder for the host to end the interview early.
Find out if anyone else is appearing on the air with you. If there is an opposing point of view, you should not be surprised if someone joins you to present the “other side.”
Since the audience can’t see you, use notes. Believe me, the host certainly does! Don’t script your answers word for word, because you’ll sound stilted. Jot down key phrases and messages, important contact information, and facts to back up your assertions.
Radio moves more quickly than you can ever imagine. Keep your answers and statements short and to the point. If you can go back and embellish, fine, but don’t count on it, even in a half hour or longer interview. Commercials, traffic, news, host banter... your 30 minute interview can come down to 10 minutes or less of actual air time for you to speak
It seems like a given, but be on time. Nothing makes a host or producer more agitated than someone who arrives late, or isn’t available when the producer calls to get you on the line. You’ll be far more comfortable too.
Author info: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, spent 15 years as an award-winning radio producer and host. She is currently president and owner of the Falcon Valley Group, a public relations consulting firm in San Diego, California. Falkenthal hosts a weekly issues oriented talk show on KCBQ-AM 1170.
____________
On The Side:
BIG BLEND – Audio Visual Magazine Extraordinaire!
Here what the founders of this exciting multimedia venture have to say about internet radio and TV. Their insider tips will help you take advantage of what cyberspace media has to offer.
For complete article, subscribe to KPG E-News You Can Use.
_______________
Did You Know?
10 Secrets to Finding Happiness During the Recession
Research has pinpointed ways to feel good even in the worst of times
By Deborah Kotz, US News & World Report
How can we truly feel happy right now, in this moment when our 401(k)'s and house values are tanking? When our jobs are threatened or already lost? U . S . News posed this question to leading happiness researchers to find out what tools we can employ to stay upbeat in gloomy days.
For complete article, subscribe to KPG E-News You Can Use.
.

Excerpt from KPG E-News You Can Use - April 2009

2009-04-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Lunch, Swimming, and Typos
Welcome to April!
We are now entering into the second quarter of 2009 and for many people the economic climate remains uncertain and challenging.
Where have the jobs gone and will they come back? If they do come back we wonder if we will even recognize and/or welcome them.
The downturn encourages us all to stop and think about how we do business and who we do it with. It also calls to attention the balance (or lack of) in all areas of our lives.
To that end this month’s e-news explores professional and personal elements in the hopes that more information will lead to better choices. So enjoy reading about the value of copyediting, business budgeting tips, and the impacts of stress. It also provides links to an interesting profile, a funny video, and more.
Have a great month!
Karen

Writing and editing: Remaining vigilant in the virtual age
by Leah G. Dallaire, Copywriter, editor & consultant, 911editing
With all the advances in computer technology, writers have more tools than ever to hone their craft. Editing and publishing software options have made the days of pounding out the Great American novel on an old Corona obsolete.
It would seem that digital media and all the rest have served to increase the productivity of writers. But have we helped or harmed ourselves by trying to advance? By breaking the chains of our draconian methods, we have instead slapped on the shackles of complacency when it comes to polishing finished copy.
It is easy to slip into the comfort of your software’s spell check feature, and to let it handle the fine details of your writing, while we sit back and revel in our work. Why proofread it at all? Grammar check will add the commas, and catch all the fragmented thoughts, right?
And it makes editing a nightmare.
Writers should not rely on their computers completely to be the Copy Police. It takes a sharp eye, and an even sharper commitment to revision to churn out good copy.
The thing of it is, is this: No software in the world can know what’s in your head. Did you mean “angle” or “angel?” Is it “accept” or “except?” Is that proper name referenced correctly? Is your flow off a bit? Does your written copy meet the style standard of the intended audience?
The only way to truly be sure is to print it out, hold it in your hands and read it. Break out the red pencil and find the mistakes beyond the digital eye. Read it out loud. Savor it; after all, it is yours. Find those infelicities of style. Smooth out the rough edges. Correct those errors.
And when it’s done, celebrate!
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On The Side:
Yo-yo’s, Skin Cancer and Lake Swimming
Growing Bolder, a Florida based multi-media news team is in the business of finding cool people doing remarkable things. Or remarkable people doing cool things. Dr. Lucky Meisenheimer is both. He gets up every morning and swims across the large lake behind his house -- and he invites the world to join him.
Dr. Meisenheimer is a renowned skin cancer surgeon who also performs some cosmetic procedures. He's also an author, the world's leading authority of yo-yos and owns the world's largest collection of yo-yos. That's not all. He's a filmmaker, actor and producer.
To read the complete e-newsletter, sign up for a subscription. Your email address will not be used for any purpose other than the e-newsletter subscription.
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Excerpt from KPG E-NEWS March 2009

2009-03-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to March!
The tides of change are certainly here. Business opportunities are appearing and changing directions often without notice. Flexibility and open-mindedness are critical tools for times such as this.
This month’s e-news explores how we structure our work time. Business Coach Dan Sullivan makes an interesting suggestion for entrepreneurs that you might want to consider. Colleagues have told me his system is very productive. Personally, I think the idea of having “Buffer Days’ is brilliant. Keeping a day available to just tie up loose ends can, in fact, tie up those loose ends that would otherwise dangle their way into the next week or two.
Compassion and small business stories are also in the mix this month. Alongside a comprehensive business marketing litmus test, these news items may help you round out a busy month in a way that keeps you moving forward.
Best, Karen

On The Side:
What Compassion and Empathy have to do with Fraud
My colleague David Miller who writes for the San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com recently posted “What's Left When the Money's Gone?” an interesting column that explores the world of John Robbins, best-selling author of "Diet for a New America" and "The Food Revolution," who lost his life savings as an unwitting Madoff investor.

Have A Small Business Story To Tell?
Then consider entering the Intuit Small Business Story Contest.
Deadline: March 23, 2009
Prize: $300,000 in small business grants will be awarded.
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Excerpt from KPG E-NEWS February 2008

2009-03-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to February!

With Spring just around the corner, this is the perfect month to prepare your self personally and professionally for your next phase of growth.

In light of today’s market, some of that growth will come from learning to stretch business dollars and cut costs without sacrificing the uniqueness of the services we have to offer.
Growth can also happen when we expand our understanding of service. To that end, this issue includes book recommendations (check out On The Side, below) and a few fundraising tools (see Free (&Useful) Tips).
Additional ideas for growth include suggestions about how to make an extra income without taking on a second job at the end of this e-newsletter and opportunities to expand your skills as a writer.
The good news is that growth can happen anywhere, any time. The result of change, it may push us to become more than we thought was possible!
Best, Karen

How To Launch On A Dime
Business on the Cheap: Best Buys and bargains on the Net
by Michelle Madhok
www.Shefinds.com, www.MomFinds.com
reprinted from Ladies Who Launch Magazine
For newly minted business owners, one of the biggest challenges is keeping costs down. It seems all forms of marketing, communication and office necessities cut into cash flow. My business is based on helping women shop online so I make it a rule to bargain hunt on the net for my office products and services. Below are a few tips on how to squeeze that last dime out of your high-speed connection.
1. Don’t pay someone else’s rent. I live in Manhattan where real estate is extremely pricey so when I need a printer I don’t want to pay for the copier’s Manhattan address. Search google.com for the service you need. Color copies at the neighborhood copy shop cost .89 cents each. A quick search finds www.colorcopysite.com in California that will produce the copies for .10 cents each and ship for next day delivery.
2. Cyberscale. Use online businesses where the sole focus is on what you need. For business collateral go virtual. Vistaprint.com is a bargain, offering 250 business cards for $19.99 and 250 postcards for $49.99. Need 200 photos for your press kit? Bonusprint.com charges just 29 cents for a 5×7 print of your digital photo. Compare that to $1 per photo at your local developer.
3. Fair trade. Many people looking to make a career change or get experience in your industry may be willing to trade their expertise for yours. Visit sites such as ryze.com and craigslist.com where you can post a message about the services you need. Personally I found people to help me with marketing, analysis, copy editing and photography all in exchange for my experience or advice.
4. Make it legal. Lawyers are expensive and sometimes you can’t avoid having to pay their fees, but sometimes you can get legal services at a value price. Legalzoom.com will help business owners incorporate at rock bottom prices. A white shoe law firm charges approximately $1,500 to process your corporate documents – legalzoom can do the most basic package for $99. If you do need legal advice sometimes a sole proprietor lawyer can be a better bargain. Remember – avoid overhead whenever possible. You want to pay for an attorney’s brain power, not the fancy carpet on their floor.
5. Get it secondhand. Let your competitors pay retail. On eBay you can get a gently used answering machine for $2, a “like new” Dell laptop for $400 and a closeout HP printer/copier combo for just $8. Visit amazon.com for previously owned books – you’ll enjoy slashed prices on the business books you need to succeed. A copy of Guerilla Publicity with “slight shelf wear” can be had for $6.82 – compare that to the list price of $12.95. You’re making money already.
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On The Side:
Teresa Morrow of Key Business Partners Recommends These Four Books:
Jack Canfield -The Success Principles - This book allows the reader to learn from others who have been there, done that and find out their solutions. It showcased that business isn't all about knowing business in order to be success.
Andrea Neirenberg - Savvy Networking - A cleverly written book giving 118 valuable and quick to put into place networking tools and tips to increase your connecting abilities.
Michele Miller/Holly Buchanan - The Soccer Mom Myth- Today's Women, Who she really is and Why She really buys - A comprehensive book filled with case studies about marketing to women. A guide to help find out more about the woman's mind when purchasing.
Donna Cutting - The Celebrity Experience -Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service - Great book to read because it showcases real businesses and techniques they did in order to deliver red carpet customer service and the results from their efforts.
Key Business Partners, LLC supports authors and writers by managing their promotional efforts online. KBP began in 2007 as a virtual assistant company then shifted focus to align with owner Teresa Morrow's passion to share books with others.

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KPG E-NEWS January 2009

2009-03-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!
The Gregorian calendar marks this time period as the end of one year and the start of another. As such, 2008 becomes a benchmark for what we have already done well. 2009 holds countless opportunities for us to excel personally and professionally.
In that spirit, this month’s E-News You Can Use covers a range of topics, including business do-over suggestions, job search tips, a peek into the world of senior legislators, easy to understand review of electronic images, and information about getting products into the hands of celebrities.
Remember, this may very well be the year you’ve been waiting for.
Best, Karen
This issue is dedicated to the memory of Peter J. Gonzalez
8/20/1926-12/30/2008
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Did You Know…
Seniors Advocate for Seniors
There is an organization in the State of California that researches and writes legislative proposals around issues affecting the senior population. The California Senior Legislature (CSL) is an official state entity. There are 120 legislators from all areas within the state; 40 senior senators and 80 senior assembly members. While this is a state entity, it is not funded out of the state budget, which is probably good news in view of the state’s budget crisis. In fact, they are funded by tax deductible contributions via the state income tax form under “Contributions”, Code 402. This August body proposes legislation. For example, during the 2008 session in Sacramento in October, they recommended several nursing home reform issues, property tax exemption increase for seniors, cost of living adjustment for social security, deduction of all medical expenses, provide Medicare coverage for dental care, to name just a few. While these issues have been proposed, they still need to attract legislative authorship; a task that will occur when the next session of the State Legislature convenes this month. Information about the CSL can be found at www.4csl.org. You can read about their successes in getting their legislation signed into law by the Governor. This vital and robust organization of volunteers is impressive!
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On The Side:
Image Quality Matters, says Susan Sharman of Sharman Studios
Garbage in. Garbage out.
No, I'm not talking about recycling here -- I'm talking about image quality. A colleague came to me recently with a beautifully printed product brochure that she wanted to use as the primary marketing piece for her day spa. Gorgeous colors, and the interior photographs were professionally shot and wonderfully arranged. But there, right on the cover, was a fuzzy, jagged image of the company's product. Yikes! What could have been a very effective sales piece was completely unusable.
My colleague was confused, she had used the very same file for the brochure cover that she had used to place the image on her website, and the online image was clean and clear. The problem, unfortunately, was that she had used the same file. That file was a low-resolution version of the shot specifically intended for online use -- and it did not render well in print.
So, how do you know which type of image to use for which medium? Of course you want your images to look as good in print as they do online. Does this mean that you should just use print-quality images for every piece? Won't that make your website load awfully slowly?
Read on to find out the right file format for any medium -- be it a brochure, an e-newsletter, or a trade-show graphic. First of all, start with the highest resolution image you can such as an EPS or TIF. If using a TIF file it should be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). These files are going to be quite large, so you won't want to use them for every project, but you can convert them into the appropriate file types as needed.
The 4 commonly used file formats are:
JPG and GIF
These file formats are typically used for optimized images that will be used online (such as your website). They are small file sizes, so they will upload quickly, and they look just fine on a monitor but they're not print quality. A JPG is best for photographs or images with complex colors. A GIF will be best for logos, icons or line illustrations that you wish to show on your website. I advise you to never use a JPG or GIF for professionally printed projects.
EPS
Most designers do their initial work in this format. Typically an EPS file contains vector information which means it has the benefit of being scalable. Your logo on your business card, if created as an EPS file, can then be enlarged or reduced without losing any detail. It is perfect for high-end offset printing.
TIF
This is the best format for photographs. They will give you crisp, sharp and clear images.
Additionally the above file formats need to be converted into the proper color space such as RGB for monitors and CMYK for offset printing.
Do you need a designer who can keep the big picture in view? If keeping track of file formats isn't how you want to spend your time, contact Susan. She can project manage your next marketing piece from beginning to end, and she’s admittedly obsessive about quality.

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KPG E-News December 2008

2009-03-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

KPG E-News You Can Use
December, already!
For half of the planet, this is the darkest time of year and for the other half, the lightest. I guess there are always (at least) two sides to everything…
With that in mind, what were this year’s high and low points for you, personally and professionally? I hope your list includes opportunities to learn something new and to grow beyond the expectations and limits of the year before.
The top items of my list range from learning more about outdoor advertising and collaborating with pr specialists across the country to deliver incredible results for clients to the value of hiring a virtual assistant.
These working smarter (not working harder) lessons gave me more time to focus on FolkHeart Press and more energy to be a soccer mom. Because of that, my 2008 certainly ends on a very sweet note.
I hope yours does, too.
Look into the offerings available in this month’s issue. There are tools here that can help you in your quest for an extraordinary New Year!
Best, Karen

Does Your Small Business Really Need a Social Media Strategy?
By Rich Brooks
Reprinted from flyte new media, a Web design and Internet marketing firm (www.flyte.biz).
Last week we got a small job from someone who found me through Twitter. We’re now talking together about a search engine optimization project.
I recently reconnected with a camp buddy through Facebook; shortly afterwards he hired flyte for a custom programming job.
Next week I have meeting with a woman who lives here in Maine to discuss Web design, Internet marketing, e-commerce and more. We’ve never met before, but we’ve tweeted.
I’m talking to yet another person about a possible business venture. We “met” while contributing to a blog and then met again at a conference. Twitter later strengthened this relationship and we discussed the plan using Skype, the free chat/phone/video conferencing service.
As I’m editing this, I just received an email from a neighbor who saw a YouTube video about email marketing I made and uploaded to Facebook. He said “We need your help! I've forwarded a link to my colleagues. Our marketing does not leverage technology AT ALL.”
And although I may be pushing both credibility and your patience here, while I continue to edit this article, a long-lost client who stopped work on her site and disappeared just pinged me on Facebook to see if we could get started again.
When I mention Facebook or Twitter to friends and business associates they wonder how I can find the time to waste on such activities. When I share stories like these their eyes go wide and they ask me how to get started.
Thinking that social media is easy money is just plain wrong. Going into it for a quick buck is like being the guy at the cocktail party trying to push life insurance on everyone. You don’t want to be “that guy.” I had about 800 tweets (Twitter posts) before I attracted that first job.
You must understand the social norms. In some societies spitting in public is completely acceptable. In other societies burping and belching at the dinner table is considered a compliment. Either could get you kicked out of my mother’s house.
Since it may not be possible to ask, “how do I behave here?” to the natives, it makes sense to listen first and engage slowly.
The norms of social media will undoubtedly evolve over time, but it will continue to be good advice to get a lay of the land before opening your mouth and jumping in with both feet.
On the other hand, she who hesitates is lost. Bottom line is, you’re either going to “get” social media before your competition does, or you won’t. The early adopters will have the advantage as more people engage in online networking.
Use social media the right way and you will create and strengthen relationships. You won’t have to chase customers, you’ll attract them. With a slowing economy, you may find you have more time and less money; although social media takes time (like any networking activity), it’s extremely affordable.
The best part is, social media is fun. I enjoy twittering with other people, catching up with old friends on Facebook and asking and answering questions through LinkedIn. (Unlike in traditional networking events where I’m always worried that there’s food in my teeth.)
In Conclusion: Social media may turn out to be the biggest competitive advantage your business has over the next two years. So, yes, you do need a social media strategy. And it starts with getting your feet wet.
If you’d like to continue this conversation, or add your own stories, you can do so at the flyte blog.
If you have any questions feel free to tweet me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook, or ask me at LinkedIn.
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Did You Know…Planning a Party?
FunnyEmployeeAwards.com, a website that helps you host a fun-filled office party without breaking the bank. Site creator and comedian Larry Weaver has a new eBook called Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a "Humorous, Entertaining and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony," giving you tips on how to organize an event to show gratitude and motivate employees. There are 101 professionally designed and funny awards that you can print, frame, and present to coworkers. Examples include The Human Vulture Award for eating other people’s food or The Bermuda Triangle Award for the desk where things go in but never come out. Award categories range from Job Well Done to Poking Light Fun, and Larry reveals how to pull off the party without embarrassing anyone or getting in trouble with human resources. In addition, the site's Christmas Office Party Blog is an excellent source for journalists working on holiday party stories.

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KPG E-News November 2008

2008-11-06T01:43:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS YOU CAN USE
November 2008
Welcome !
This month I want to bring your attention to CNN Hero, an annual awards recognition program established by CNN News to honor people around the world who have found creative and entrepreneurial ways to make a difference. Join in the celebration by casting your vote at www.cnn.com/heroes. The winner and runner-ups will be announced on Thanksgiving evening. Who knows? You might even know of someone who can be nominated for next year’s award.
Speaking of awards, I’m accepting nominations now for the 2009 Media Hero Award. If you know of any one in the media who has made a difference, email me (karen@karenpiercegonzalez.com) his/her name, media affiliation, and brief description of why she or he is being nominated. Deadline: 12/31/08. The award is announced 02/01/09. Winner receive a certificate and online gift card and will be featured in the March E-News You Can Use.
Best, Karen
HIGHLIGHTS
Public Relations:
Want to hear what I have to say about public relations?
Tune in to listen: http://bigblendmagazine.com/Karen_Pierce_Gonzalez/index.htm

November Events:
· Nov. 3, 8p, Composer Samuel Claiborne’s music &poetry. Colony Café, Woodstock, NY. http://netnewmusic.ning.com/events/event/show?id =2249453%3AEvent%3A13165&xgi=eJ4ZI7K
· Nov. 8, 3-6, A storytelling extravaganza with international humorist/author David Roche Ruth Halpern, David Ponkey, and Terri Tale. Community Congregational Church, 145 Rock Hill Dr, Tiburon. Info: 415-461-8199.
· Nov. 12th 9–5, Get Ready For Your Best Year Ever!, One Page Business Plan interactive workshop. Openings are limited. Reservations 707-823-1602, Cynthia@bizdiva.biz www.bizdiva.biz Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa.

BIZ TIPS: Last month I asked you what your best business tip was. Here is what Ken Norton & Elaine Holtz of the home-based Norton and Holtz Business Solutions said: “(It) requires self-motivation and discipline to separate our business from relaxing home activities. We treat our Monday-Fridays as business days and are active from 9am -6 pm …”
To read more, visit karenblogspot.com.

The Storytelling Power of Video
By Kathleen Quinn
Video has so much more power than the written word because with it we actually learn a bit about who the person is behind the business by watching him or her share his/her enthusiasm for a product or service, whatever it might be. This introduction can be the basis of trust and as such we are more likely to trust people we know. This knowledge makes it easier to do business with them.
For example, during the recent firestorm in California, I listened to Kim Isley, founder of Trees for a Change as she talked about her tree-planting gift business. Her passion brought tears to my eyes and I decided right then to create a video that would help her market this incredible product.
The 3-minute video (www.treesforachange.com) was so much fun to produce. Imagine her sitting in her favorite tree talking about the good work her organization does for others. Her audience, of course, is primarily people who are interested in reforestation efforts and the replenishment of the earth’s natural wonders. The finished video was posted to YouTube and linked to both her site and her blog. Like so many other small businesses have learned from such an experience, she discovered that internet spiders love video clips. The results expand her reach, enabling more hits on both her blog and website. Statistically speaking that can only be good news for her.
With nearly 15 years of experience shooting and editing video legacy interviews and recording family stories every step of the way, my service has grown to now include small business owners like Kim Isley. With affordable video products, I help others "show" their product or service. This generates greater visibility and a stronger connection with potential clients which in turn can drive an increase in sales.
To view some video samples or for more information visit:
Reflections of a Lifetime at www.reflectlife.biz
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Did You Know…
Abundance on Radio
Lynnea Hagen M.S., VoiceAmerica Internet Radio Host of Abundance Leadership is having some pretty interesting guests on her show this month, including:
· David Byrd, Nov. 4. Topic: "The Tripping Point in Leadership." Byrd is the author if "Lessons for a Lifetime" and "The Tripping Point in Leadership: Overcoming Organizational Apathy.” He is president of Leadership Management, Inc., an international leadership and organizational development company. He has over twenty-eight years experience in working with top leaders and their organizations.
· Dr. Richard Strozzi-Heckler Nov. 11-. Topic: "Embody your leadership potential" He is a nationally known speaker, coach and consultant on leadership and mastery. He is co-founder and President of Strozzi Institute, which offers consulting and coaching services to individuals and companies worldwide. Over the past 35 years he has researched, developed and taught the practical application of Somatics (mind/body interface) to leadership and business management. He is an advisor to NATO and consults with the U.S. Special Operations Command in a Somatic Approach to Counter-Terrorism. He is the author of 7 books including “The Mind/Body Interface, Being Human at Work,” and “The Leadership Dojo.”Abundance Leadership airs live every Tuesday at Noon Pacific, 3 PM Eastern on VoiceAmerica Business.http://www.abundancecoaching.net, www.business.voiceamerica.com
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On The Side:
Sounds of Living: The Impact of Music Making Across the Life Span(Music Research Grants offered by NAMM Foundation)
Grants are available that examine the role of active participation in music for children, youth, adults and seniors outside of formal educational settings. This research initiative explores the role of music making in health, wellness, socialization and other factors that contribute to wellness and quality of life.
Online applications open September 16, 2008. All proposals must be received by December 1, 2008 (11:59 pm, EST). Award notification: May 2009
Contact info: info@nammfoundation.org, Website: www.music-research.orgGrant link: http://www.music-research.org/Grants/guidelines.html
Website Promotion For Small Business
It’s been said that 96% of businesses fail within their first 10 years of operation. With that in mind, will you be part of the 4% that succeeds? Having an effective website and well rounded website promotion strategy will take your business to the next level. If you’d like to drastically improve your website traffic and sales here are some tips that may turn your small business into a future success story. Turn more of your visitors into actual customers:1.) The average user spends 10 seconds on a home page, you have that amount of time to gain their attention. Keep this in mind.For More Tips from Overflow Café Website Promotion, please visit the Oct. 22 post on:
Our Blog
Free Online Success Tools:
Tools For Online Success Autoresponder Ad and Link Tracker URL Rotator Lead-Capture webpage creator Search Engine Submission Service Online conference system Smart Page to manage your online professional and personal activities
To obtain these free tools for your business, click on the link above.

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909
Copyright © Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
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KPG E-NEWS October 2008

2008-11-06T01:42:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS October 2008

Today’s world is spinning… economics and political landscapes are shape shifting before our very eyes. Clearly there is much we can (and need to) do to keep our professional and personal lives balanced.
The best place to start is at the beginning.
Know what your options are. What can you do to help keep your business, family and friends safe and stable? That’s the focus of this month’s E-News You Can Use. This e-newsletter offers information about workshops and websites you can visit to learn more about business insurance, scams, and financial abuse of elders.
Got a resource you’d like to share? Let us know what you’ve found helpful by posting your tip on kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com.

Best, Karen

Client Highlight:
Elder Financial Protection Network Busy At Work!
Over 200 Seniors to Attend San Francisco
Elder Financial Abuse Prevention Seminar in October

WHO: Over 200 San Francisco seniors are registered to attend the “Be Wise: Avoid Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft” seminar on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Kamala Harris, San Francisco District Attorney, will be the keynote speaker. Special guest presenters include Bruce Saugez, California Department of Consumer Affairs; Karen Nicely, Contractors State License Board; Laurel Pollack, SFDA’s Consumer Protection Network; Alan Kennedy, Assistant District Attorney, and Victoria Joseph from Citi.

To learn more: visit kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com or www.bewiseonline.org
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ABA Family Legal Guide
Small Business Scams
What are some of the more common scams?
There are dozens of common scams. One of the most common involves a caller offering cut-price photocopying paper or toner. When the shipment arrives, it's normally of mediocre to low quality. The invoice doesn't come for another five or six weeks--typically long enough for someone to have opened the boxes and started using the supplies. It usually goes to someone other than the person who ordered the product and noticed the poor quality. The accounts payable department may not notice that not only is the base price grossly inflated, but there's a "shipping and handling" charge that adds another 10 to 17 percent to the "discounted" price. After the company pays the bill, the supplier may put your company on an automatic reorder program, sending even larger shipments from time to time until someone catches on. To add insult to injury, if you figure out what's going on and return a shipment, the supplier may charge you for shipping costs, plus a sizable "restocking fee."
This scam can be particularly damaging because the shoddy office supplies--say, remanufactured toner cartridges--can void the warranty on your equipment. That can blot out any savings you'd have had if the discount were on the level.
Some con artists exploit the same inattention to detail of some small businesses and don't even send merchandise--just an invoice demanding payment for goods that were neither ordered nor delivered.
Advertising scams generally start with a high-pressure pitch over the phone, asking you to order key chains, mugs, and other merchandise with your company logo on them, with an incentive like a VCR or a microwave oven.
When the stuff arrives, chances are it's of such poor quality that you wouldn't want to use it to represent your company. It'll sit in your storeroom for years, an embarrassing reminder of the time you thought you could get something that was too good to be true. One business owner thought he had a deal when he ordered promotional mugs that came with a motorboat as an incentive to the owner to buy them. The mugs turned out to be ugly tan plastic, not ceramic, and the company logo was just painted on. The motorboat turned out to be inflatable, with a tiny angler's motor.
Other scams may be as simple as an unfamiliar repairman who promises a special deal, but then does a shoddy repair job or swaps your good equipment for something inferior. Or a caller claiming to represent a charity who will squirrel your donations into his or her own pocket.
Copyright © 2004 American Bar Association
www.public.findlaw.com
I recommend you take a few minutes to check out this website. It offers some basic free information as well as standard legal forms (contracts, etc.) that can be purchased at very reasonable prices.
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Did You Know…
Ladies Who Launch Gives You
Three Reasons To Invest In Business Insurance Now
Believe it our not, it is never too early for business insurance, even before you have revenues. Before you turn a profit, you probably have assets, meaning, you have valuable pieces of property associated with your business that you will want to protect like your website, your supplies, your office or materials you have purchased to effectively produce your product or service. Below are three reasons why you should invest in business insurance sooner than later:
1. Because the price is reasonable: Contrary to what you might think, business insurance is affordable. For a small annual fee, you receive many more times its value in protection.
2. To protect your business in the event of your death or the death of a key employee.3. To protect your building or location, business personal property, loss of income and business liability.
To Learn More:
www.ladieswholaunch.com/magazine/three-reasons-to-invest-in-business-insurance-now/2077
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On The Side:
FolkHeart Press is preparing to print a second edition of “Family Folktales: Write Your Own Family Stories” in November. Just in time for the holidays, this expanded workbook includes more information about how to preserve your favorite family stories, including scrapbook techniques and podcasting.
For more information, visit www.folkheartpress.com or folkheartpressblogspot.com.

October and Beyond
October 5, TBD, The Big Read Sonoma County, “To Kill A Mockingbird” panel discussion with writers talking about tolerance and justice. General Vallejo's home, Downtown, Sonoma Historic State Park. www. sonomacommunitycenter.org.
October 11-12 & 18-19, 10-5, ARTrails, Sonoma County's largest and most visible arts event. Highlights include the artwork of Linda Schroeter, Geyserville. www.lindaschroeter.comOctober 12, 11-6. FESTA ITALIANA, featuring Zighi Baci (think Neopolitan canzoni and Edith Piaf). Santa Rosa Veterans's Hall. $5 adv/$8 door. www.nbicf.org.
October 15, 8 pm Equalipalooza, A special evening of comedy and entertainment (Johnny Steele, Heather Gold and Ali Mafi, poetry reading by San Francisco Poet Laureate Janice Mirikitani, clownfoolery by Fou Fou HA!, etc.)to defeat Proposition 8. Hosted by Margaret Cho, Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway Street, San Francisco $40. http://www.equalipalooza.com.
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Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS September 2008

2008-11-06T01:41:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS September 2008

WOW, it’s September already! School books, soccer season, harvest festivals, and more mark this time of year which holds great promise for us all.
We have much to be grateful for this month. Labor Day, Jewish High Holidays, Autumnal Equinox all bring our attention to the work we do in this world. We know that hard work yields many fruits, including satisfying professional careers, deeper personal relations, and a greater awareness of how we all fit into (and even shape) the larger picture.
We all do, you know. Just think about how many people are involved in the process of providing something as simple and straightforward as food for our tables: farmers, ranchers, bee keepers, seed suppliers, migrant workers, truck drivers, sellers, package manufacturers, meteorologists, inspectors, agricultural educators, and more! Pretty amazing…
This month’s E-News You Can Use offers more examples of how our unique, individual talents and skills can come together to create a harvest for all.
Enjoy reading about professional networking, food sharing, and the exciting expansion of a thought provoking, culturally enriching internet radio/magazine program.
Here’s to our abundance!
Best, Karen

Are Professional Networking Sites Safe?
By April M. Williams, "Networking Goddess", Training Consultant and Founder CyberLife Tutors

Are professional networking sites safe to use? Will I get spam? Will my identity be stolen? These are the questions I get asked most by those new to Web 2.0 tools. The answer is "maybe". On these professional networking sites, you can control the information published and shared with others. Professional sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo generally restrict communications to those individuals to whom you are directly connected.
Don't include your address within a publicly displayed profile. This is an invitation for email you may consider spam. If you choose to enter your email address in your Zoominfo profile, others can send email to you while your email address is not exposed. You have the option of ignoring or responding to the contact, which would then reveal your contact information.
Most of the professional networking profile templates include a spot for a photo. Some people include professional head shots. If you are concerned that you may be recognized, you can skip the photo – it's not required. As an alternate, you could post a group photo, a logo representing your company or profession, or even an avatar.
Using public or shared computers without signing out opens you up for identity theft. I often sit down at the public library computer to find a previous user left LinkedIn without logging out. As I am an honest soul, I sign them out so I can log myself in, but some may not be so honest. Don't forget to sign out to keep others from tinkering with your profile or spamming your network contacts.
Monitor your online presence by "googling" your name. Check multiple search sites like google.com, yahoo.com and msn.com. Each site uses different search engines and you will find the results differ. You can set up an alert to let you know when your name is found on the web at google.com/alerts.
Professional networking sites caution us to "connect only to those you know and trust". If you receive invitations from people to which you prefer not connect, it's perfectly alright to ignore the request. In most sites you can set your profile to filter emails from other members.
© 2008 April M. Williams. Reprinted with permission from April M. Williams' Internet newsletter, "Career Clues". www.CyberLifeTutors.com
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Client Highlight:
Andrea’s Voice Foundation on San Francisco’s KGO TV’s (Channel 7)
“View From The Bay”, 3 pm, September 4

Doris Smeltzer, co-founder of Andrea’s Voice Foundation will be on the show talking about the foundation’s upcoming fundraiser to be held at 7 p.m. September 13 at Copia The American Center for Wine, Food & The Arts in Napa.
The event features the Northern California Premiere Screening of “America The Beautiful: Is America Obsessed with Beauty”. This award winning documentary explores the issues surrounding our culture’s obsession with beauty.
The benefit, sponsored by Andrea’s Voice Foundation, includes a community forum with award winning director, writer, and producer Darryl Roberts and other experts in the field of eating disorders and body image issues.
“We hope this event prompts needed dialog about the ways we can help our children and each other redefine our concepts of beauty,” said Doris Smeltzer, co-founder with husband Tom of the non-profit Andrea’s Voice Foundation which was established to honor their 19-year-old daughter, Andrea, who died after one year of bulimic behaviors. The foundation’s mission is to lead conversation about the cause and prevention of eating disorders and weight-related issues.
For more information, visit www.andreasvoice.org.
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Healthy Food for Everyone: Our Food System
Petaluma Bounty (located in Sonoma County, Ca) is a non-profit organization designed to provide locally grown high quality healthy food to individual and families on limited budgets. The program includes community gardens and a gleaning program. This article excerpted from their website and can be applied to any community.
Why is a local food system so important for Petaluma?
There are many reasons. The very short answer is:
Our current food system is national and international in scale, which means that most of the food that makes it to our plates has traveled many, many miles to get here (between 1,500 and 2,000 miles, on average). What’s good about this is that many of us (those who can afford it) have unprecedented food choices available to us all year long, regardless of what’s currently in season in our part of the world. What’s not so good about this is that there is an awful lot of fossil fuel (oil) involved in shipping all this food via truck, train, ship and plane, along with environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and more.
For a longer answer, please visit petalumbabounty.org
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Did You Know…
SouthWest Blend has Grown!
SouthWest Blend, one of the internet’s most interesting audio visual magazine has expanded! “Readers asked for it, and here it is! While we will still continue to explore and promote our home territory, the Southwest USA, we've added The Big Blend!” said editor Nancy Reid.
Along with articles, interviews, and tips, Reid and Lisa Smith of Free Spirit Promotions now host ten radio shows a week. They have named this expansion “The Big Blend!” It covers the same subjects, but is not limited in territory--so they can take you anywhere you want to go. The Burro Express (weekly e-zine) will now bring you articles, interviews, radio show schedules and the Big Bonanza Prize information for both sites!
For more information: http://southwestblend.com
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September and Beyond
· September 6, 6-10 pm Reception. Animal Magnetism. An all media national juried exhibition 9/4-9/27. Juror: Mat Gleason, editor and publisher of Coagula Art Journal. Orange County Center For Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA. http://www.occca.org.
· September 9, 6-9 pm: “Unveiling The Dream”. Connections: A Forum for Women in Business’s annual dinner and auction benefit. $45. French Garden Restaurant and Brasserie, Sebastopol. www.connectionsca.com/news.asp.
· September 13, 7 pm, Andrea’s Voice Foundation (for disordered eating and related issues) presents Northern California premiere of “America The Beautiful: Is America Obsessed With Beauty?” $30 advance, $40/door. Copia, Napa. www.ticketsalternative.com.
· September 13, 8:15 pm, Tuck & Patti concert. $25. Analy High School, Sebastopol. Presented by Redwood Arts Council. www.redwoodarts.org.
· September 20, 10-5 pm. Flight of the Mockingbird launch at the Sonoma County Book Festival. This event kicks off the annual Big Read Sonoma (a project of the NEA Big Read). This year’s books: “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa. Free. For complete list of activities: www.bigreadsonoma.org.
· September 29, 7 pm, September 30, 10-2 pm. Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year - 5769 (2008) at The Shul of Marin County. Community Congregational Church, 145 Rock Hill Drive, Tiburon. Complete list of HighHoly Day services: www.rabbinathan.com.
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Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS August 2008

2008-11-06T01:40:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS August 2008

California fires, Texas hurricanes, and Midwestern floods (among other recent natural disasters) have sure been a reminder this summer of how connected we are to our environment.
While we can’t control natural disasters, we can take a look at how our lifestyles impact the world we live in.
Do we have enough water to fight fires? Are we building homes in areas that aren’t appropriate for housing communities?
Looking towards the future, are we asking, as one concerned member of the media (see article below) suggests, thinking of the children?
This month’s E-News You Can Use takes a look at what some people are doing to make the world a safer place for children and to celebrates the ways in which films, filmmakers and actors are inspired by the landscapes that surround them.
Be sure to check out the calendar to find out what the Andrea’s Voice Foundation is doing to address the epidemic of eating disorders and related issues among children and youth.
Best, Karen
Community Access Television: A Community Treasure
By Elaine Holtz, producer and host of Women’s Space, Cable TV, Santa Rosa, CA.

In 2000 prior to my retiring I had a vision to do a television show called “Women’s Spaces.” I launched the program in 2005 and dedicated it to ordinary women doing extraordinary things. The idea was to present women from all walks of life who are working for justice and peace.

I have recently recorded and aired my 100th show which is hard to believe. The experience has been intense. To begin with I had to overcome the way I looked; after all I was 65 at the time and not 20, what a disappointment that was when I first saw myself on camera.

The next obstacle was to learn all the equipment in the recording studio. I do everything except set the cameras (staff does that for me). I do the interview, switch the camera back and forth from myself to my guest as we talk, switch the identifiers on and off for both myself and the guest, check the sound and time plus lay in the credits. Needless to say. after each show I collapse.

Some of the well known women I have interviewed include Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Dolores Huerta, Six term Congresswoman now running for President of the United States, Cynthia McKinney, Singer Holly Near, Col. Ann Wright and Amy Goodman.

My style is soft and easy however I do maintain control over the interview. My questions are personal and provocative. When people ask me how I maintain my composure and appear so relaxed, I say it’s simple: I love what I am doing. Plus my self-esteem does not depend on anything outside of me; it depends on my relationship with me and my Higher Power. Also, in my work, I see women as friends and together we tell a great story and together we hopefully encourage other women to do something for Peace, Justice, and something for the children.

I end the shows by encouraging my viewers to get involved. I suggest at least one level of involvement: write a letter to their representatives, encouraging them to ask one question before they make any decision: “Is it good for the children? If it is not, then don’t do it.” This may be a simple message but in my heart of hearts I believe this is how we will achieve Peace and Justice for ourselves, our children and future generations.

Blessings to all!

To view Women’s Spaces, turn on Channel 72/30 (Comcast) in Santa Rosa, CA or visit www.womensspaces.com.
Elaine B. Holtz is a private business consultant specializing in sales training and public speaking skills. She is also an independent associate for Pre-Paid Legal: www.kennorton.biz
PS: Elaine recommends: www.pplmediaroom.com to check out multimedia testimonies by former attorney general and others on common life event legal issues for today.
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Client Highlight:
22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival
www.wcfilm.us
Independent and international filmmakers, actors, artists, and vintners will be celebrating films at the upcoming 22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival. The cinematic extravaganza will be held July 23 through August 3 at select wine country locations in Napa and Sonoma Counties, including Alpha Omega Winery (St. Helena), Copia (Napa), and The Cave at Deerfield Ranch Winery (Kenwood).

This year’s theme, Terroir of Cinema, recognizes the cultural and geographic roots of the 100+ screenings that will be offered indoors as well as outdoors. They will include features, documentaries, shorts and animation in six categories, including World Cinema, Latin Cinema, US Cinema, The Arts in Film™ (music, dance and the arts,) Cinema of Conscience™ (social issues,) and Eco Cinema.
For more information, visit kpgpublicrelationsblogspot.com
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Did You Know…
Marketing Minute by Marcia Yudkin, publicity and marketing consultant

"Why does Report A, with 292 pages, cost less than Report B with 129 pages?"
"Why does your X service cost $997?"
"How much time do you spend on Y for $2,295?"
When you get questions like these, act like a sphinx. Smile.
Change the subject.
Not every customer question deserves an answer, and these demand to peek into the sanctum of your business, where you keep preferences, procedures and strategies. Those belong to you and you alone.
In addition, such questioner curiosity shines attention on factors that you don't want customers focusing on.
As Mike Schultz and John Doerr put it in their RainToday.com 2008 fees and pricing report for consultants: "The more the conversation focuses on the underlying components of the price and price structure, the less it focuses on value, quality and outcomes."
You want customers to care not how efficiently you work or what you pay contractors and employees, but how they benefit from what you do for them.
Value, quality and outcomes: Keep buyers' eyes on that trio!
To subscribe to her free weekly marketing tip, visit http://www.yudkin.com/markmin.htm

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August and Beyond

· August 1-3-August 3. 22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival. “Terroir of Cinema”. Final days of the film festival featuring many films in a variety of select Napa settings, including Copia and Alpha Omega Winery. $8-$35. www.wcff.us.
· September 1 Entry Deadline. Call for Entries. Skylark Media Group & Fabrik Magazine announce the 2008/2009 competition for the SKYLARK PRIZE for individual artists and Group show for 5 additional artists. 310-657-0324 http://www.skylarkfineartgallery.com http://artscenecal.com/Announcements/2008/0608/Skylark0608.html.
· September 13, 7 pm, Andrea’s Voice Foundation (for disordered eating and related issues) presents Northern California premiere of “America The Beautiful: Is America Obsessed With Beauty?” $30 advance, $40/door. Copia, Napa. www.ticketsalternative.com.

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS July 2008

2008-11-06T01:39:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS July 2008

Newsman and journalistic trend-setter Tim Russert was a legend in his own time. From his early beginnings in journalism to his inspiring Sunday morning “Meet The Press”, he kept alive a sharpened ability to cut to the chase and get to the bottom of whatever news story he was working on. He set the bar pretty high for others in the industry. Nice questions with pat or evasive answers were not good enough; especially if the one being interviewed held public office. He’d prod anyone seated at the table with him out of their evasive foxholes and then he’d hold them accountable to the rest of us.
His was a career with demands most people find unbearable: fast-paced and relentless deadlines as well as ever-changing fine lines of objectivity.
News people need to be tenacious, passionate, and committed to telling the truth regardless of consequences.
Tim had all of that plus an uncanny ability to retain the essential human face of any story he reported on.
His death was a shock and his absence will be felt for quite some time.
Best, Karen

AZ-WEB offers Free Web Site Report Card and Consultation
By David Prescott
Over the past ten years AZ-Web has learned a vast amount of knowledge about web site development, design, hosting and marketing. There have been many times over the years where we've saved clients thousands of dollars and an invaluable amount of time and grief by getting it their site built effectively.
It's good to know what the pros think.
We've seen all too often where a web site is either being built in-house, or by a friend or even a family member. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. Even if you are having a web site built by a professional web designer, it's worth having another professional take a look at it.
AZ-Web will evaluate and grade your web site for free.
If you already have a website, or if you're having one designed, have AZ-Web evaluate your web site for you. We have a standard scoring system which will provide you with a clear picture of how your site rates.
We're more than happy to speak to you on the phone or via email about your web site. We can answer questions and give you suggestions and we'll provide you with a Web Site Report Card, for free.
The Report Card check list includes the look of your website, content, functionality, search engine guidelines, and add-ons.
Call AZ-Web 1-866-429-9322 or email info@az-web.com for Free Web Site Report Card.
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Client Highlight:
Samuel Claiborne, www.sonotrope.com
Samuel Claiborne has been awarded a 2008 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition. This musician, poet, and visual artist is one of 144 New York artists, including painters, playwrights & choreographers to receive nearly $1 million in unrestricted funds.
The NYFA, New York's leading provider of unrestricted funding to individual artists, has awarded 136 Fellowships to 144 New York artists representing eight artistic disciplines that cover the visual, performing and literary arts. Reflected in the total are eight artistic collaborations. A NYFA Fellowship comes with an unrestricted grant in the amount of $7000.
Clairborne has recorded several CD’s, including “The Annunciation” (Sonotrope Label).
For more information visit http://www.sonotrope.com
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Did You Know…
Imperfection and the Human Brand
Are you convinced by a flawless corporate image? Neither are your customers.
By Dan Ritzenthaler
Think of all the great ad campaigns you've seen in your lifetime. Now think of all the great people you've known. Family. Friends. Teachers. Classmates. Coworkers. Clients. Within moments, you can bring up vivid memories of dozens, probably hundreds of people you've met over the years. You can see their face. You can hear their voice. You can remember conversations you've shared.
Why then, do so many companies invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in figuring out how to promote themselves with traditional media, and then hire mediocre people to be the face and voice of their company? John Windsor, author of Beyond the Brand, relates an experience that left a last impression on him:
When I asked Chipper how to get there, Chipper started off by saying, "You've got it bro," and then gave me detailed, simple instructions on how to get there. When I told Chipper thanks, he said "Believe it!" It was magical.
Soon after we talked, I realized I was going to be early so I called back looking for a friend to borrow a surfboard and get some exercise before my meeting. I called Chipper back and he paged my friend. Unfortunately, my buddy was in a meeting. When Chipper asked what I needed, I told him I wanted to borrow a surfboard. Chipper said, "No worries, come see me and I'll have a board ready for ya, bro!"
When I arrived, there was Chipper, stoked to see me with a board ready to ride. Who is this mysterious "Chipper" guy? He's the receptionist for Patagonia, an outdoor apparel and gear company. If you saw a tremendously expensive ad for Patagonia products in a glossy outdoor sports magazine, you probably wouldn't remember it for more than a few seconds. John Winsor, however, will probably remember Chipper for the rest of his life, as well as the positive mental associations he brought to the Patagonia brand.
Many years ago, our company did most of its banking through a small supermarket branch of Wells Fargo. James usually went after work, when the branch manager wasn't there. The late-shift tellers were young and notoriously silly. They laughed, exchanged jokes with customers, and had a great time doing their job. James loved going there. He walked in one afternoon and found them more somber than usual. He asked one of them what was up, and she indicated that they had been "caught" by the branch manager, who had arranged a secret shopper to observe their behavior after he left. Now his favorite banking experience was reduced to boring sterility. They went back to calling him "Mr. Archer." Banking was returned to its previous status of being a necessary chore, rather than a pleasant experience.
From a business perspective, that branch manager probably congratulated himself on making his tellers more efficient and professional. He optimized their performance by removing the minutes they spent chatting with each customer. He also lost at least four customers, as we no longer had any particular attachment to Wells Fargo (and the wonderful human brand those tellers had created), and eventually switched to Bank of America.
As social animals, our brains are hardwired to understand and appreciate the people around us. We respond to them on a profound level that can't be approached by mailers, television commercials, or viral ad campaigns. Who is the voice of your business? Are they imperfect? Are they memorable? Are they lovable? Or are they merely professional?
Dan Ritzenthaler, Design Director at Forty » Web Marketing Agency
http://fortyagency.com, http://teamforty.com, http://wurkit.com
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July and Beyond

· July 13th, 10am.-6pm. Enmanji Temple Celebrates 74 Years in Sonoma County. 54th Annual Enmanji Temple Teriyaki Barbecue and Bazaar. Teriyaki Chicken BBQ $10, Japanese Flower Arranging and Sonoma Taiko highlight Annual cultural Bazaar. Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy. So. Sebastopol. 707-823-2252
· July 19th, 7 pm. Obon Odori Community outdoor dance to honor the ancestors. Instruction provided. Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy. So. Sebastopol. 707-823-2252
· July 23-August 3. 22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival. “Terroir of Cinema” celebrations more than 100 independent and international films (& filmmakers). Screenings and film-related activities (wine tasting, Basque Marketplace, live music, art shows, master film classes) held in select Napa & Sonoma locations. $8-$35. www.wcff.us.
· August 1st, Deadline for THE BIG READ SONOMA COUNTY Mini-Grants. $50-$500 for creative book-projects based upon To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The classic novel about coming of age and confronting racism in the South in the middle of the 20th Century is the Big Read Sonoma County book selection for this year. The Big Read Sonoma County, led by KRCB Public Broadcasting, is funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts and takes place during September and October. For more information: www.bigreadsonoma.com
· September 1 Entry Deadline. Call for Entries. Skylark Media Group & Fabrik Magazine announce the 2008/2009 competition for the SKYLARK PRIZE for individual artists and Group show for 5 additional artists. 310-657-0324 http://www.skylarkfineartgallery.com http://artscenecal.com/Announcements/2008/0608/Skylark0608.html

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS June 2008

2008-11-06T01:38:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS YOU CAN USE June 2008

We are already at the halfway mark of this calendar year and nearing the close of the fiscal year. A perfect time to take a step back and see if we like the direction we’re headed in.
The horizon that appears before me is robust with a steadily growing client base that reaches deeply into the communities they serve. The work I do not only helps my clients, it helps others; a win-win situation for all concerned. I hope your professional and/or personal landscapes are as engaging.
This month’s e-news takes a look at how becoming involved in your community could be good for your business because it’s the right thing to do for yourself and for others. There are also tips for those of you who want to learn more about writing a press release that catches the media’s ever-roving (and sometimes fickle) eye, and some interesting information about one client’s exciting medical study that some say could revolutionize the way medicines are dispensed.
Best, Karen

Give And You Shall Receive
How and Why To Promote Yourself
By Helen Martin
What is the first thing that goes through your mind when you see an advertisement for a person offering services at a grocery store or on a billboard? You may think, wow that person must have spent a lot of money. Sometimes you may also think about the advertiser’s credibility; that maybe what they imply in their ad might not be the truth.
When you see JG Wentworth offering you money when you need it; “It’s my money and I want it now!” Do you tend to think this guy is trustworthy and upstanding? This is a question to ponder. But, when it comes right down to it…you, the consumers, knows he is paying big bucks (for his visibility) and though you do know his name, his face and what he offers, do you know him?
Whatever business you are in, you do need to advertise; it can be either expensive or at little or no cost. However, in order to get more business and be referable, you need peoples’ trust. How can they trust you if they don’t know you?
This is one of the reasons why it is valuable to volunteer in the community. In the neighborhood where you live, if you are involved in helping make a difference, people will know where your values lie. Your neighbors will recognize your name and your face and they will first learn who you are before they even know what you do. When you finally let them know the services you offer, you are already speaking to someone who knows the fiber of your being. If you are anything like me, you will also find happiness and a sense of accomplishment when completing a project or fundraiser for your community.
The best way to reach out is to learn about your community, what its needs are and where things fall short. Look for volunteer opening positions in your City, like the design, arts and family services commissions. If you enjoy reading, see if they have volunteer positions open at your library. When you volunteer, make sure you do what you love to do and have a passion for, because you are making a commitment that you want to keep.
Remember the quote “Give and you shall receive”? Interview many and you will find this to be true.

Helen C. Martin is an Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty, the Profit Sharing Company, in Bellevue, Washington. She has an extensive background in condominium management, warranty management and condo sales. Helen enjoys volunteering in her community of Mercer Island as a member of the Rotary Club, an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Arts Council. Another passion of Helen’s is organizing a community building event every year in partnership with the City of Seattle, educating people on graffiti prevention and removal. You can find out more about Helen at www.EmeraldCityHomesandCondos.com.
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PR Tips You Can Use:
10 Essential Tip to Ensure Your Press Release Makes the News
1. Make sure the information is newsworthy.
2. Tell the audience that the information is intended for them and why they should continue to read it.
3. Start with a brief description of the news, then distinguish who announced it, and not the other way around.
4. Ask yourself, "How are people going to relate to this and will they be able to connect?"
5. Make sure the first 10 words of your release are effective, as they are the most important.
6. Avoid excessive use of adjectives and fancy language.
7. Deal with the facts.
8. Provide as much contact information as possible: Individual to contact, address, phone, fax, email, web site address.
9. Make sure you wait until you have something with enough substance to issue a release.
10. Make it as easy as possible for media representatives to do their jobs.
Want more information: www.press-release-writing.com/10_essential_tips
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Client Highlight:
Dr. Barry Silberg, MD, FACS
Ten years after developing the Silberg Tissue Preparation System (TPS) that is used in medical centers and doctors offices around the world, Dr. Barry Silberg M.D. F.A.C.S., is again on the move with an unprecedented medical technique.
With Federal Drug Administration approved human testing currently under way at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (under the supervision of the hospital’s Institutional Review Committee), Silberg stands again on the cutting edge of medical technology. In fact, with a technique that can potentially deliver much more needed medication directly to an affected area, the implications are enormous. But the concept is so new, it requires a re-thinking of some deeply entrenched medical attitudes.
“It’s a whole new way of delivering medication into tissue. It will hopefully mean lower cost and being able to prevent and treat infectious disease in a whole new, easier, more direct, less invasive manner." Silberg said.
To hear what else he has to say, listen to one of his many recent interviews:
http://kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com/
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Did You Know…
Santa Rosa Antibiotics Effectiveness Project
Seeks 20 Test Study Volunteers
Adults 21-60 years of age interested in participating in an upcoming clinical study involving the TPS system of distributing antibiotics prior to a tummy tuck (elective plastic surgery procedure performed by Dr. Barry Silberg M.D. F.A.C.S) are invited to contact the non-profit Santa Rosa Antibiotics Effectiveness Project at www.antibioticsproject.org. The safe FDA approved testing takes place at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital under the supervision of the hospital’s Institutional Review Committee and will be analyzed by Dr. Nicolau in Hartford, Connecticut.
The TPS system, developed 10 years ago by Dr. Silberg, is currently used in medical centers and doctors offices around the world. It is already used to prepare soft tissue sites for plastic surgery procedures and in cardiac bypass surgery to reduce complications, to eliminate leg pain from harvested veins and to improve post-surgical healing. Now it is being considered for revolutionizing the way antibiotics are distributed to soft tissue surgical sites.
The nonprofit Santa Rosa Antibiotics Effectiveness Project was established to advance the science of antibiotic medicine and educate the public about the latest research in antibiotic effectiveness, which will benefit individuals and the community.
___________________________________________________________
June and Beyond
· June 8 2:00-4:00 pm, Absolute Music Series, Music Matters- a fresh approach to classical music composers, Soprano Rebecca Plack, Pianist Blaise Bryski, Tenor Stephen Guggenheim. $18.00/students free. Friedman Center, Santa Rosa, CA. www.absolutemusicseries.com
· June 12 5:00 pm register, dinner at 6:00 pm, North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce’s “Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow” Youth Annual Dinner. Keynote Speaker: Shirley J. Gordon and Featured Speaker: Karen Wlker-Tunoa. Paradise Ridge Winery, 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa, CA. Tickets: 888-846-5155
· June 14 The Church of 80% Sincerity, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C. www.vsarts.org
· June 28/29, Millinery Workshop, 2 Day Straw Draping Workshop, San Francisco $290.00, includes basic materials for one hat. www.brimmingover.com

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Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

Feel Free To Forward This E-Newsletter To Your Friends!
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Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS May 2008

2008-11-06T01:11:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS May 2008

The month of May comes with a challenge for all of you who either blog or read blogs. It even works for those of you who are just curious about blogs.
The challenge: to help raise awareness about Human Rights (the list of rights is endless and so are the infractions against them).
I first learned of this opportunity because I am a member of BlogCatalog where the call to action first appeared.
Yes, I am accepting the challenge and plan to participate in the May 15th event by posting a blog on kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com on the topic.
To learn more about the challenge, read the article “Human Rights” in this month’s e-news you can use.
I am hoping that by bringing it to your attention here you too will want to become involved in some way.
If you do, be sure to send me your blog link or the link to a blog that you feel exemplifies human rights awareness so I can mention it in an upcoming e-newsletter.
Have a great month!
Karen

HUMAN RIGHTS
If any of you bloggers out there are looking for something to blog about this month, consider this call from Bloggers Unite! to make a statement in support of human rights on May 15!
Why May 15? That’s the first anniversary of Bloggers Unite! and they are launching an awareness campaign chosen by BlogCatalog members. Bloggers have decided to Unite! for human rights and make a statement that all people are born with basic rights and freedoms - life, liberty, and justice!
According to Bloggers Unite! (and they are right about this), there are dozens and dozens of human rights issues that you can write about. The one you choose is up to you.
Topics to Consider
The wrongful imprisonment of journalists covering assemblies.
Governments that ignore the plight of citizens left to the mercy of gangs.
The censorship of the Internet in order to prevent freedom of expression.
Harsh punishments that include torture, forced labor, and starvation.
Sexual assault against women by members of military or militia.
Want to Learn More About Human Rights?
There are many organizations that promote human rights and work to protect people. Bloggers Unite! has selected three they believe will introduce others to the topic:
Amnesty International (http://www.amnesty.org/) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. They work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.
Human Right Watch (http://www.hrw.org/) is dedicated to protecting human rights of people around the world. They stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, uphold political freedom, protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.
Youth For Human Rights (http://www.youthforhumanrights.org) is an independent non-profit that educates people about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.
Bloggers Unite! has an entire group discussion dedicated to the theme. Check out http://www.blogcatalog.com/group/bloggers-Unite! if you know of other organizations that should be included.
How To Join Bloggers Unite!!: visit the Bloggers Unite! http://Unite!.blogcatalog.com/ to get more information. Then, on Thursday, May 15th, write a blog post that shares awareness about human rights.
Your blog post could:
Have the title "Bloggers Unite! For Human Rights" (or some variation).
Include an example of human rights so people can learn about it.
Explain the importance of human rights and how it applies to everyone.
Link to one of the sites listed or the most suitable site for your country.
And add a link to our BlogCatalog Community Human Rights Awareness Campaign page so we can give you and your blog credit for being part of it.
If you have any questions, please e-mail bloggersUnite!@blogcatalog.com. And please, don't forget to tell others to blog about this too. Together bloggers can raise awareness and improve the quality of life for all.
PR Tips You Can Use:
Every now and then it’s a good idea to remind yourself about media interview etiquette. I recently came across this site and thought it put the key points together in a way that was easy to remember. Let me know if you found this chart helpful!
The Successful Media Interview
Practice and Prepare
The guidelines to giving good interviews are simple. Applying them during interviews is hard.
The Keys
Stay alert and in control.
Distill your message.
Keep a clear agenda. Know what you wish to accomplish and what you want to say.
The Good Interview
A good interview provides positive information. The reporter wants a knowledgeable and interesting spokesperson. The spokesperson wants to be interesting, while delivering his or her message.
Anticipate
Anticipate questions and prepare answers. Learn about the medium, reporter and audience well before the interview.
Stay calm.
Stay calm and collected even when the reporter asks a difficult or unfair question. Don't be arrogant or pick a fight, because you will lose.

The Formal Interview
General Interview Guidelines
Interview Failures
Interview Tactics
Post-Interview Evaluation
Difficult Interview Questions
Want More Information? http://www.online-pr.com/OnlinePRInterviewPreptips.html
______________________________________________________________
Client Highlight:
International humorist, author and inspirational speaker David Roche
In Denver with his wife, storyteller Marlena Blavin, recently presented storytelling workshops and a keynote presentation called “Love At Second Sight” about listening to your heart, self-acceptance, and diversity. Read about it in the Denver Post: http://search.denverpost.com/sp?aff=3&keywords=David+Roche+&searchbutton.x=17&searchbutton.y=6
David whose signature one-man show “The Church of 80% Sincerity” is popular among audiences across the country, Canada, Australia and Russia and whose books by the same name was recently published by Penguin (2008), will be back in the SF Bay Area this month to perform “The Best of David Roche” (www.davidroche.com). For more details, check out this month’s e-calendar, too!
______________________________________________________________
Did You Know…
Nominate your favorite state poet for California Poet Laureate
The California Arts Council is accepting nominations for California Poet Laureate, the officially recognized poet for the state of California, as selected by the Governor. Nominations are due by May 15, so take a look at the application now! Self-nominations are accepted.
The role of the California Poet Laureate is to spread the art of poetry from classrooms to boardrooms across the state, to inspire an emerging generation of literary artists and to educate all Californians about the many poets and authors who have influenced our great state through creative literary expression. The Governor chooses the Poet Laureate, and the Senate approves the appointment.
For details click http://www.cac.ca.gov/artsnews/whatsnewdetail.php?id=39 or contact Kristin Margolis at 916-322-6391 or kmargolis@caartscouncil.com for a written application.
___________________________________________________________
May and Beyond
· May 16 Simply Remarkable Women
· May 18 Absolute Music Series
· May 21, 5:30-7:30 pm, Branding expert Ellen Looyen will present “The Art of Personal Branding” mini-workshop at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club. $15 general, $8 members. http://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/open.asp?show=671
· May 22, David Roche/Benefit for 2008 SuperFest

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS April 2008

2008-11-06T01:09:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS April 2008

In the mood for new approaches to business success?
This month’s e-news highlights a few: virtual business networking and virtual office assistance. These are tools that could help you revolutionize (or at least update) the way you do business.
If you’ve got some revolutionary business ideas of your own you’d like to share in a future e-newsletter, let me know! Best, Karen

7 Tips to Build Your Visibility and Credibility with Social Networkingby Nancy Marmolejo
If you think MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites are just for kids, then think again. Authors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, non-profits, and businesses are using social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook to promote who they are and what they do. Having a professional social networking presence can build platform, sell books, attract attention, and generate leads for your business. When used correctly, it will boost your visibility and credibility generating the results you want.
To get you going with this quantum networking tool, here are 7 Expert Tips to jumpstart your success in social networking.
1. Maintain a Relationship Building Mindset As in any networking situation, successful networkers build relationships before going for the sale. If your intention is to build credibility and visibility, then use social networking to do just that. Leave the "get rich quick" banner ads for others. Use your presence to cultivate name recognition and trust; then watch the sales come in.
2. Be Professional Apply the same principles of good in person networking to MySpace, Facebook, and all the rest. If you wouldn't say, do, or share it at a regular networking mixer, then don't say, do or share it on social networks! So unless you're a swimsuit model, leave the scantily clad photos for another place.
3. Suit Up and Show Up Social network success doesn't happen by magic. Simply putting up a page isn't enough. Pick 1-2 social network sites and utilize them; start off with 10 minutes a day and gauge your results. If you don't play the game, you can't win!
4. Make it Easy for People to Learn More About You Use your pages to post links back to your website, opt-in page, book, blog, or whatever you're promoting. Cross post or run RSS feeds of your blog, podcast, and media releases on your pages for an extra dose of visibility.
5. To Have a Friend, You Have to Be a Friend Your kindergarten teacher was right - don't expect the world to flock to you. Get out there and mix with the community. Share comments, kudos, and ideas; find friends and make friends. Generate reciprocity with all that you do.
6. Balance the Personal and the Professional Relationships are built by genuinely connecting to others. On many of these sites, you can share things about yourself that people otherwise wouldn't know such as your musical tastes, favorite books, and heroes. Use these components to reinforce trust and likeability. You'd be amazed how many client relationships began on MySpace simply by discovering two people loved the same song. For an example of this, check out my page on MySpace
7. Don't Be Afraid to Delegate! If you have a trusted assistant (or even a MySpace adept teen), then delegate out the tasks of maintaining and growing your social networking presence. Don't let "no time to do it" keep you from enjoying the benefits of quantum marketing. Use someone else's time and enjoy the results.
Building visibility on social network sites is easy. Building credibility requires you to approach it with a relationship building mindset. If you go into it with that attitude, you'll be amazed at how being authentic will pay off in the end with increased exposure, higher visibility, and yes, maybe even some financial rewards!
About Nancy Marmolejo: Author of Make MySpace YOUR Space, the definitive guide to small business success on MySpace. Learn how to tap into the quantum power of social networking by reading Nancy's book, available at www.MakeMySpaceYourSpace.com. While there, sign up for Nancy's free 7 part audio course and enjoy the many resources she has for boosting business visibility. Nancy@VivaVisibility.com
______________________________________________________________
Did You Know……
A Virtual Assistant Can Save you Time and Money!
2 of Many Reasons to Hire a Virtual Assistant
· Virtual Assistants provide office support. This support allows you more time to focus upon building your business.
· You can reduce your overhead because you don't have to worry about employee costs, such as payroll taxes, insurance, paid vacations, holidays or sick days.
To find out more, contact http://www.needvirtualassistant.com
___________________________________________________________

April and Beyond
April 6, 2-4 pm. River Choir. Renaissance Madrigals, Opera Arias,
International Choral Pieces. Absolute Music Series concert at Friedman Center, Santa Rosa. $18/students free www.absolutemusicseries.com.
April 6: Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement. First comprehensive consideration of the legacy Chicano art in almost two decades. The artists: Christina Fernandez, Mario Ybarra Jr. and art group Asco. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. www.lacma.org.
April 26, David Roche (author of “Church of 80% Sincerity/Penguin) and /Marlena Blavin will be weaving their storytelling magic about diversity in Denver at the Girl Scouts Conference. www.davidroche.com.

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS March 2008

2008-11-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS March 2008

This Month’s e-newsletter is dedicated to the late Chauncey Bailey Jr., a recipient of the 2007 George Polk Award for Local Reporting. According to a February article in the San Francisco Chronicle, the prestigious award, established in 1949 by Long Island University was granted to a total of 14 journalists of merit. Sadly the award was posthumously presented to Bailey, 57, of the Oakland Post. Bailey was gunned down in August 2007 during his investigation of Your Black Muslim Bakery, a business the Oakland police called a front for a criminal organization which has been linked to kidnappings, rapes, and killings, including Bailey’s.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said Bailey was the first journalist apparently picked for killing in this country since 1993, though others have died in the line of duty.
Chronicle reporter Matthai Kurwila wrote: “Bailey’s journalism was uniquely rooted in Oakland’s black community. Bailey helped build two black cable television channels as well as two black-owned newspapers serving that community. As a reporter for the Oakland Tribune, Bailey covered the black community, often touching on important issues that no other mainstream news media reported on or even knew about.”
As a journalist I respected his work and as a public relations specialist who had the honor of working with him, I admired his ability to bring news attention to a variety of issues and events that affected the community he served.
He is, I am sure, sorely missed by all who knew him or knew of his good work on behalf of others.
For more information: http ://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/19/MN9SV3L1F.DTL&hw=Chauncey+Bailey&sn=003&sc=61

Kelly Andrew Brown, a Biznik (biznik.com) colleague of mine really gets to the meat of the matter for small business owners in this article. Click onto his website http://www.small-business-guru.com to read more pearls of wisdom.
Going It Alone
By Kelly Andrew Brown, Small Business Guru
Small Business Help, Inspiration, Interviews, & Practical Advice

In a recent poll by Small Business Guru, 66 percent of small business owners said they were not involved in any sort of peer group.
It’s all too easy for small business owners to feel isolated.
For those of us working out of our homes it’s just the reality of our environment. But even for those who work in an office environment and maybe even have employees, that sense of isolation is still there.
You spend so much of your time putting up a strong front for customers, employees, and family that eventually you realize you have no one to turn to for help.
And let’s face it, asking for help — it can feel like admitting failure. While completely irrational, it’s a very real dynamic.
We invest so much of ourselves into our businesses that any outside involvement can feel like a personal attack.
Our usual response to someone giving us advice? We get defensive. What does he know? They don’t understand.
We just don’t want to open ourselves up to the possibility that we need help.
Why It’s A Problem
In The Wisdom of Crowds, James Suroweicki showed statistically what many of us may find to be counterintuitive: An average group of moderately intelligent people, working together, will make better decisions than one brilliant mastermind.
Now granted there are exceptions to the rule. But if you have diversity of opinions, independence, decentralization, and a trusted model to aggregate opinions into a consensus, you will make better decisions.
Put it this way - if you’ve ever been amazed at the accuracy and relevance of a search returned on Google, well you’re witnessing the theory of the Wisdom of Crowds in action.
In the simplest of terms, talking with others helps us work through a problem.
We only have the benefit of our world view. But when you open yourself up to different view points, you're introduced to a whole new world of ideas.
You’d be surprised at what new ideas will come from unexpected sources.
While the answer may not spill out of the conversations directly, you’ll find one idea leads to another which leads to another which THEN to the answer.
Coming out of a discussion with a group of people you respect, you’ll be stimulated and energized. You’ll have the courage to move forward on new ideas.
How to avoid this Mistake
Seek out a brain trust - Optimally, look for a group of your peers - other business owners. But your brain trust can be any collection of friends, family or former co-workers whose opinion you trust and respect. If you look around and come up empty, try becoming active in your local Chamber of Commerce. You can also try any number of new social networking services...like I don't know....biznik.com.
Be open and be honest - When reaching out to others you have to be completely honest and lay everything on the table. Don’t go into the conversation assuming people will automatically agree with your ideas. It’s hard, but try to avoid getting defensive. Detach yourself from the conversation and try to ‘monitor’ it from a different perspective — one without emotional connection to what’s being said.
Ask Question and Listen to the Answers - Before you start asking people for their opinions, you have to be ready to listen to them. Pay attention to how much of the talking you’re doing. The smart business owner is just looking to take in feedback before making any judgments. The more input you get, the more information you have when you make your decision later.
Remember, you aren’t trying to win an argument or prove anything to anyone. You’re trying to learn what OTHERS think.
Make Your Decision - Whatever the problem you’re trying to solve — ultimately YOU will make the final decision. You’re the boss. So while you want to actively pursue the ideas of others you have to make your decision based on what you believe to be right.
Invariably, the contributions of others will help form our conclusions. But more often than not, they embolden our resolve and give us the emotional courage to take that next step.

Did You Know…

ALICE’S 3-MINUTE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL!
-Dedicated to everyone who dreams of being a director-
Popular SF Bay Area radio station Radio Alice hosts Alice's 3-Minute Independent Film Festival. The festival announces its CALL FOR ENTRIES! Deadline for submissions is March 24, 2008 at 5PM. Entry is FREE! The 3-Minute Film Festival and Awards ceremony will be held April 11th at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco. With over $16,000 in cash and prizes, extensive radio exposure and more, Alice’s film festival offers filmmakers a unique opportunity to showcase their short cinematic masterpieces in front of a live audience. This year, Alice’s 3-Minutes film festival is honored to have judges from Pixar Animation Studios, Dreamworks, Lucasfilm, and the SF Film Society! Now accepting 2 – 5 minute films in four categories: Drama/Documentary, Comedy, Animation and Original Music Video. Submission must be sent in DVD format to Alice Radio 865 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111. Official entry forms and film festival details at www.radioalice.com.

March and Beyond
March 2008 The Our Stage 10th Anniversary SF Indie Film Fest Competition All SFIFF filmmaker 'alums' from 2008 back to 1998 are invited to participate -- just upload starting Mar 1, 2008 to the SF Indie Fest channel on OurStage, fans will be judged throughout the month of March. Winner gets $500. www.ourstage.com./go/sfiff
March 10 Interfaith Retreat Day Marin Interfaith Council Teachers for the day: Dr. Nahid Angha and The Rev. Charles Gibbs. Fee $35-$65 Buffet Lunch included. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin 240 Channing Way, San Rafael, CA. For registration and info 415-456-6957
March 11 & 25, 7-9 pm Reading and Meeting Children's Behaviors This workshop will give you insight into the thinking style of your child and will widen your perspective of how you view and meet behavioral challenges. Johanna K. Kreilein MA, CMT and Sharon Ann Wikoff, EFT-ADV. Fee $50-$80. The Colonial Manor, 7765 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, CA . 707-539-0601.
March 15-16, 2008 Azteca Mexica New Year 6am Sunrise Ceremony, 10 am Ohlone Nation, 11am Zuni Nation, 12 noon Danza Azteca, Naming Ceremony. Guest flute player Xavie Quijas Yxayotl. Arts & Crafts, Vendors, Children’s Activities, Community Resource Booths, Silent Auction for the Peace and Dignity Journey. The National Hispanic University 14265 Story Road, San Jose, CA. http://www.myspace.com/calpullitonalehqueh
March 27, 4th Annual Call to Action-2008 Conference, luncheon and award ceremony presented by Elder Financial Protection Network. Key speakers: CA State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Bob Blancato, National Coordinator, Elder Justice Coalition. Bankers Club~Carnelian Room, 52nd Floor, 555 California Street, San Francisco CA. Event registration and info http://efpnreporter.wordpress.com/

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
http.kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS February 2008

2008-11-06T01:04:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS February 2008

This month we celebrate the good work of others, starting with you and your nominees for the 2007 Media Hero Award! You brought attention to some pretty great people, including video production guru Shane Calvert of KFTY 50 TV, Vesta Copestakes, Publisher/Editor, West County Gazette, and Elaine Holtz, producer/host of Women’s Spaces, Santa Rosa Public Access TV.
Thanks also to the selection committee who determined which nominee would receive this award. As you will read in the e-newsletter, all nominees have made tremendous contributions.
Remember: this will be an annual award. Send in your nominations by Dec. 31,2008.
And now for some thought-provoking questions:
• What do the Boy Scouts have to do with PR?
• How much marketing can you do in five minutes or less?
The answers are here in this month’s e-news you can use.
Best, Karen
PS: FolkTale enthusiasts: I will be talking about “Family FolkTales: Write Your Own Family Stories” (FolkHeart Press), Sunday March 16, between 11-1 pm PST on Champagne Sundays Radio Show, a division of Southwest Blend Magazine/Free Spirit Promotions. For more information: http://www.familyfolktales.blogspot.com/ or www.folkheartpress.com

The Media Hero Award is designed to recognize a professional who exceeds the call of duty providing more than just professional media expertise when it comes to news about projects that benefit the larger community.
This Year’s Nominees:
Shane Calvert, Production, KFTY TV 50
Vesta Copestakes, Publisher/editor of West County Gazette.
Elaine Holtz of Women’s Spaces, Santa Rosa Public Access TV

2007 Media Hero Award Honoree is
Vesta Copestakes, West County Gazette
www.westcountygazette.com

When Vesta Copestakes was approached to take over as publisher of the Forestville Gazette in 2002, she was busy juggling client work and didn’t anticipate adding newspaper publisher to her repertoire as 35-year veteran as a public relations and marketing professional.
She began as publisher in 2002. The 12-page paper had a circulation of 4,000. Today, the paper has quadrupled in page numbers, boasts a circulation of 16,000 and can be found on more than 200 newsstands.
The West County Gazette is entirely reliant on columns written by readers. For her success in creating a forum where community members are encouraged to share their voice, Copestakes was recently recognized as the recipient of the 2007 Media Hero Award.
She was named the winner for her commitment to creating a vehicle that encourages the free exchange of ideas among the residents in West County.
“While all the nominees use media as a vehicle for positive social change, Copestakes offers many people an opportunity, and sometimes a first opportunity, to have a public voice,” said Pierce Gonzalez.
Sharon Ann Wilkoff, West County Gazette featured columnist and radio talk show host on 95.1 FM, commends Copestakes on her success with the publication.
“Vesta provides the community with excellent comprehensive view of every aspect of life in West Sonoma County,” said Wilkoff. “She has built her business with heart, vision, and integrity.”
However, Copestakes attributes the success of the paper to the community members who contribute columns and articles. Because of these vocal community writers, Copestakes receives more article submissions than she can print.
“Community writers are the greatest asset. I am merely a catalyst. There would be no newspaper if all these people didn’t take advantage of a vehicle for their thoughts, opinions and concerns,” said Copestakes.
“The most triumphant moments at the Gazette have been those calls, e-mails and letters of support I receive. I can’t tell you how much that touches my heart and encourages me to do more,” said Copestakes. “I love what I do. How many people can say that?”

Reported by Alexandra M. Walter

5 ways to make time for marketing
A blog posting by Colleen Wainwright
Time continues to accelerate, with no signs of slowing or stopping. It's hard enough to keep up with the things you must do; when the crunch is on (and really, when is it not?), how do you find the time to handle the so-called lower-priority stuff: the promotion and marketing and suchlike that never seems to present itself with the kind of urgency your other "fires" do?
I say it's time to look at marketing differently. Slice it small and think creatively: can you steal a minute or two to call a client whose name pops in your head on the way from the grocery store line to your car? How about forwarding a cool link you stumble upon, or posting it to your del.icio.us, your Stumbles or your own blog/website?
Here are five quick "marketing" tricks to keep a hand in:
1. Send a postcard. I keep a variety of them (and small notecards) on hand for this purpose. People love getting mail, and a short note is a nice, simple way to keep in touch...for both of you!
2. Post to your Twitter. What's Twitter, you ask? It's enforced short communication: a combination of mini-blog and social networking. (Here's mine, so you can get the general idea.) You get 140 characters to say something--that's it! Good discipline, great way to stay in touch.
3. Call right now. The best time to call someone is often when you're thinking of them. Yes, it happens at odd times. If they're too odd, call yourself and leave a message to call them at an appropriate time the next day. Sure, it counts: like your client/contact/friend is going to know they popped in your head at 11pm instead of 2pm?
4. Forward a link. Sending an email is marketing? Yes, if contains content that's useful to the other party. We all spend time surfing, catching up on blogs--all kinds of online stuff. When you find something cool, forward it on with a little message. Yes, right then. Or save it to your drafts folder if you don't want people to know your surfing habits.
5. Visit a favorite marketing blog and leave a comment. Remember: you don't have to blog to get into social media. And look--you're on a blog right now*. With enabled comments! Don't forget to leave your URL. And to add something useful to the conversation.
Like...other ideas for quickie marketing?
*editor’s note: To read more of her blogs or to comment on this one: visit her on Marketing Mix: www.marketingmixblog.com/blog/2007/10/5-ways-to-make-.html

Did You Know…
Boy Scouts Earn Badges in PR
http://loyalistpr.blogspot.com/2008/01/uk-boy-scouts-earning-badges-in-pr.html
Want to see what can be done with PR? Then check out the above link. The LoyalistPR blog posting draws attention to a new direction in PR for boy scouts.
Inventive? Yes? Ideal? Well…
Let me know what you think! Post your comments on kpgpublicrelations@blogspot.com
February and Beyond
February 2, Second Annual Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk™ benefit crab feast. Hosted by Medicine Horse Ranch. $65. Novato Horsemen's Association, 600 Bugeia Lane, Novato, Ca. http://www.horsesenseforteens.com/.
February 11, 7pm, Comedian/Actor David Roche reads from his newly released book "The Church of 80% Sincerity" (Perigee; Penguin Group). Cody's Books, 1730 4th St, Berkeley, CA 94710 510-559-9500 - http://www.blogger.com/www.codysbooks.com.
February 20 - June 11. The Black Madonna Study Group, China Galland and Catlyn Fendler. Limited enrollment. Admission by phone interview only. Tuition: $375 email or call 415/451-7497. Six meetings total, five Wednesday nights, 7:00 - 9:30 PM ( private home), 2/20, 3/19, 4/16, 5/14, 6/11 and, on 5/24, 1:00 - 5 PM: a gathering and labyrinth walk at St. Gregory's Church, San Francisco, http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK1E3/www.saintgregorys.org.

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You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com/ and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

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Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909

KPG E-NEWS January 2008

2008-11-06T00:59:00.000-08:00

KPG E-NEWS January 2008
Happy New Year!!!
Winter’s chill is here. It blankets our efforts to keep pushing ahead on all fronts; the cold slows us down and the darkness draws our attention inwards. What a perfect opportunity to rest and recharge, gathering to us only what is essential for our professional and personal well-being.
To assist us all in our quest for balance, the experts in this month’s “e-news you can use” draw attention to both small business loans and grants for artists interested in sharing their work in the schools.
And of course, there’s a world of blogs and websites out there with valuable information about almost everything. We’ve rounded up a few here that we think will be helpful for those of you interested in learning more about PR and article writing.
Many thanks to those of you who nominated someone for the 2007 Media Hero/Heroine Award. The winner and the nominees will be announced in the February e-newsletter.
Best, Karen

The following information is provided by SAFE-BIDCO, an alternative small business lender located at 1377 Corporate Center Parkway, Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA 95407. For more information call Scott Huberts, (707) 577-8621.

Tips for Getting a Small Business Loan
When is comes to obtaining a business loan it truly comes down to the question: “Have you done your homework?” Here are a few tips to help you when looking for a small business loan.
Business Plan – Do You Have One?
When starting a business, having a business plan is essential. Your company’s business plan is your personal map to success. It tells many things, including who you are, what you do, who your competition is, how you are going to make your money, and where your company should be monetarily at the end of years one, two and three.
Cash Injection – How Much Personal Funds Can You Put Toward Your Business?
When looking for a small business loan one of the first things a lender will ask is “How much money have you put into your business?” It may sound funny because if you had money you probably wouldn’t need a loan, but there is a reason why the lender asks. Lenders rarely, if ever, loan one hundred percent on a business venture. Lenders usually want you, the borrower, to have at least ten to twenty five percent of your own money invested in your business. A lender looks at cash injection to mitigate its risk. The lender assumes the more you have financially invested in your business, the less likely you are to walk away from it if the business does not perform as you expect.
Collateral – What Can You Offer the Lender as Security for a Loan?
In most cases collateral is necessary to secure a business loan. Typical collateral may include your business’s equipment, inventory or real estate. If you do not have any of those types of collateral to offer, the lender may ask to put a lien on your personal property instead. The lender wants collateral for the loan to ensure repayment if you are unable to make the loan payments.
The preceding questions may answer most of your lender’s questions. All lenders are different and additional information will be necessary on a case by case basis. Don’t despair; there are technical assistance resources available to help you through the process. You may contact your local Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) chapter or small business development center (SBDC), to help you write a business plan, and mentor you through your business startup. Additionally, there are classes available at Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, and the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.

Did You Know…
Artists in Schools Applications
The California Arts Council announces that the application is now available for the 2008-09 Artists in Schools program. Artists in Schools is designed to support artists in residency activities that take place in schools, both in the classroom and in after-school settings. Final application and supplementary materials are due on January 30, 2008.
“Artists in Schools has been extremely successful in bringing professional artists into the classroom and supporting day-to-day visual and performing arts education in our schools,” said Muriel Johnson, Director of the California Arts Council. “The program emphasized the importance of teachers and artists working together to provide quality music, theater, dance and visual arts education to California students.”
This is the third round of funding available for the Artists in Schools program, and the intent is to integrate community arts resources--artists and professional art organizations--into a comprehensive, standards-based program that underscores the critical role that the arts play in shaping a student’s overall well being and academic achievement. “The California Arts Council’s wants to see music, dance, theater and visual arts in every classroom, for every child, in California,” said Johnson.
California arts organizations of all disciplines may apply. All residencies require matching funds from the arts organization, or jointly by the arts organization and the school. The hard-copy materials and the online component of the application must be received by the California Arts Council no later than January 30, 2008, for funding during the 2008-09 school year.
The California Arts Council is committed to arts in education and sequential arts instruction in California schools. The Council’s strategic plan outlines a program direction that ensures at least 50 percent of agency program funds are allocated in support of arts in education priorities. The Artists in School program augments efforts by the Department of Education to provide sequential visual and performing arts education in music, dance, theater and visual arts. Artists in Schools is specifically designed to bring professional artists into the school setting to work with students and provide new techniques to arts education as well as to other core subject matter.
Interested applicants should review the application first, and then direct additional questions to Arts Specialist Wayne Cook at 916-322-6344 or wcook@caartscouncil.com. The Artists in Schools program is supported by proceeds from the sale of the Arts License Plate, a specialty plate designed by noted California artist Wayne Thiebaud to support arts education and local arts programming. Full application can be found at http://mcsv.net/cgi-bin/redir?MCid=87WCQo8Sv2oe109MT7ZI -- click the “AIS” icon.

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Blogs and Websites
To Think About
Want to know more about what PR is and is not?
Read what Brian Solis has to say:
http://www.briansolis.com/2007/12/pr-advice-for-startups.html
You’ll find more suggestions on my blog: kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
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January and Beyond
January 4, 11 am, PST. Launch of “Cultivating Presence with Dr. Lisa Cooney” a weekly radio show on KEST 1450am. Aboutleap.com.
January 13 10am-4:30pm. FULL SPECTRUM IMPROVISATION. A one day workshop with Joya Cory to free body, mind, and spirit. San Anselmo, Ca. Sliding scale $55-$95. http://www.blogger.com/www.joyacory.com
January 24, 7:30 pm. “Going for the Gold in New York City,” a benefit concert for Montgomery High School Chamber Singers will feature Wesla Whitfield, Nancy Tierney and two other great cabaret singers. Glazer Center in Santa Rosa, CA. Wine and complimentary hors d'oeurves at 6:30 pm pre-concert reception. $25. www.brownpapertickets.com/events/24960.
February 2, Second Annual Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk™ benefit crab feast. Hosted by Medicine Horse Ranch. $65. Novato Horsemen's Association, 600 Bugeia Lane, Novato, Ca. http://www.horsesenseforteens.com/.

Miss an issue of the newsletter? Archived copies are available at kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com
You may reprint any article in the KPG E-News in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "KPG E-News" an e-newsletter featuring news you can use to promote you and your business. Subscribe at http://www.karenpiercegonzalez.com/ and receive by email “How to Generate Media Visibility.”

To unsubscribe, click reply and type “no thanks” on the subject line
Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations
Art, Culture, Community
www.karenpiercegonzalez.com
p:707-792-4376/f:707-780-8909