PR | Internet Marketing Blog

How SEO complements your PR

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is part of your public relations (PR), not just some geeky addition to your website.

When I’m discussing SEO with a new client, understanding their wider PR campaign is essential to my planning. So why do so many firms see SEO as some website add-on, rather than a developing, often creative enhancement of their PR work?

I think it’s because SEO execs tend to be technology fiends, while PR staff tend to be arts graduates with a passion for creativity – there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground.

Yet it’s essential that PR works closely with an SEO team to make sure both budgets are working as hard as they possibly can and complementing each others’ work.

I've previously talked about how social media marketing should be looked at from both an SEO and PR perspective, but here are a few key ways in which PR and SEO working together can enhance a company’s online presence dramatically.

by Kevin Gibbons 19 November 2009 11:02am 23 comments

Q&A: Gary Vaynerchuk on branding and the new thank you economy

Gary Vaynerchuk transformed online wine sales at his parents business through his passionate and entertaining wine videos online. The New Jersey based wine retailer took to the web in 2006, and since then his popular Web video series “Wine Library TV” has boosted both Gary's public profile and his parents' liquor store — from a $4 million annual business into a $45 million one.

His video blog attracts an average 80,000 viewers for daily tastings and commentary, and Gary has appeared on mainstream media outlets from Conan O'Brien to The Today Show. His unconventional approach to wine (he convinced O'Brien lick a rock and to get at some of the notes common in wine) has earned him a cult following.

This week, he released the first book in his ten-book deal with Harper Collins. "Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion" advises readers on how to turn their hobby — through enthusiasm, hard work and the power of the Internet — into a successful career. I caught up with Gary to chat about how he built his business on social media and why successful people who advise against working hard are lying.

by Meghan Keane 16 October 2009 17:31pm 1 comment

15 savage mistakes commonly made by PR folks

After reading about the Brody PR fail I thought I’d compile a list of common issues experienced by journalists when dealing with PR people.

A good PR makes things easy for journalists. They coordinate things behind the scenes. They follow up promptly on requests for further information or interviews. The understand the subject matter and how the journalist / publication plays a part in communicating news to a wider audience. And they do not try to pull the wool of your eyes.

A bad PR can be ill-informed, demanding, haughty, deceptive, intrusive, and sometimes plain idiotic.

So if you work in PR and want to improve your game then try to avoid any of the following. Any of these things will harm your personal reputation, and damage the chances of gaining coverage for your client.

by Chris Lake 20 August 2009 12:39pm 27 comments

Deep social media engagement pays dividends

A new study released today from Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group confirms that deep engagement with consumers through social media channels correlates to better financial performance.

by Sally Falkow 23 July 2009 00:09am 2 comments

Socia media wars - mommy bloggers vs PR

I was surprised to hear that one mommy blogging community (Momdot) has called for a PR blackout for a week in August.

"MomDot is challenging bloggers to participate for one week in August in a PR Blackout challenge where you do not blog ANY giveaways, ANY reviews, and Zero press releases. In fact, we don't want you to talk to PR at ALL that whole week. We want to see your blog naked, raw, and back to basics."

by Sally Falkow 17 July 2009 17:09pm 7 comments

How to spot a social media snake oil salesman

It's inevitable: when opportunity pops up on the internet, there are plenty of snake oil salesmen waiting to take advantage of it.

The field of SEO provides the perfect example. While there are plenty of reputable guns for hire and firms providing SEO services, there are also plenty of snake oil salesmen promising the moon but delivering a bag full of sand.

by Patricio Robles 08 July 2009 09:31am 13 comments

PRSA Counselors Academy says mastering social media skills is vital this year

An online survey conducted in April and May among 450 members of the Counselors Academy, a Professional Interest Section of the Public Relations Society of America, revealed that mastering social media skills is one of the top three issues for PR professionals in 2009/2010.

by Sally Falkow 07 July 2009 04:38am 0 comments

Are brands ignoring moms?

According to M2Moms, a report from the Market to Moms Coalition, 60% of moms feel marketers are ignoring their needs, and 73% feel advertisers don't really understand what it's like to be a mom. The challenge, says the report, is sensing her distinct, timely needs and responding in a way that truly resonates.

by Sally Falkow 01 July 2009 12:52pm 1 comment

How Journalists Use Social Media

PR practitioners should pay close attention to the number of journalists using social media tools. A few years ago, people were sceptical that most journalists would use social media tools at all. Even though the social media press release format, and the desire to get news in feeds, grew out of a journalist's frustration with traditional press releases, the perception was that it would not catch on with non-tech journalists.