Brighton Etsy intro to PR

Editor's Notes

• #2: Emma – introductionLyndsey – introductionEmma – intro about what I’m going to cover off
• #3: Essentially it’s all about reputation. Seeding your story out to your target market – either directly (social media) or through a third party (journalist)
• #4: Sounds like a simple question. A good reputation = more fans, right? It’s more than that. Although it’s something you can’t control to some extent, it tells your brand story. It’s not like above the line, paid for activity where you pop an advert in a magazine, it’s about building brand messages and developing true brand advocates that do the advertising for you, with your story coming from other people.
• #5: Take it back to the basicsAn endless topicNo one size fits all
• #6: What’s unique, different about you?
• #7: 1. What’s your USP? What makes you stand out from everyone else? USE THIS! 2. How do you want people to perceive your BRAND? That’s your story – E.g. Ethical, fair trade, handmade – Lyndsey’s products are ‘thoughtfully sourced’ 3. How are you going to tell the story? Which channels are you going to use to reach your target audience?
• #8: Is Etsy your only online channel? Will you have your own website too, telling your story?Will you be approaching local retailers to sell your products – art on the wall of venues, cards on the shelf – all ways to get your product into the hands of the consumer – but think about marginsBlog – How much time have your got to dedicate to building your brand awareness. Is it an integral part? Don’t write a blog for the sake of having a blog. It’s a commitment. Post regularly or any followers you have will lose interest – draw up a content plan and be strict with yourself. Make sure you have time. If you don’t work with someone that does. Build a relationship with influential bloggers in your region/ area of craftSocial media – again, don’t have a Facebook page for the sake of it – it’s hard to create a valuable community. Think about what you have to share and how you will share it. Twitter is the easier option – retweet other peoples content, share interesting images, facts, news, products etcMedia relations- local and national journalists need content for newspapers, magazines and websites. Think about what your story is and why it would be of interest to them. Draw up a list of key target publications, meet with them for coffee, talk to them. Make sure you choose your target slots in the publication and make their job easy. Always use topical news hooks as a reason to talk to them e.g. trends, new techniques, new materials. Provide them with the content as they need it. THINK ABOUT LEAD TIMES – monthly titles can write their content up to 4 months aheadEvents – Showcasing your work a markets, fairs and events (evenings parties etc too) all helps to get your name out there. It’s an invaluable opportunity to have a one to one chat with your target audience – MAXIMISE IT. Interact with people. You are the face of your brand, you are the first impression. Think about open houses – remember, CHRISTMAS IN JULY – start talking to journalists now about Christmas. ALWAYS WORK AHEAD. In January, plan your year’s approach.Collaborations – Work with other local designers to share the load. Swap skills, mentor each other in different areas. Events – exhibition, fair etc – save costs where you can with the same impact/ reach
• #9: Examplecollab
• #10: Think about which channels you are going to use to reach your target audience
• #11: 2. Blog content planDoes it have a purpose? Don’t start one just because you think you should. It’s one way content so it may be more valuable to have a strong Facebook page where you can engage with your fans rather than broadcastDoes it share something different/ new?Think of a quirky topic/ spin/ angle/ viewYou need to stand out – content that people will want to read and shareWhat are you good at?Do you have time to update it regularly? (at least once a week)What type of blog are you going to have?Tumblr: imagesBlogspot/ wordpress: copy & imagesGET GOOGLE ANALYTICS and you can see which content is interesting – Lyndsey has a good blog, she can share some tipsGuest blogging??
• #12: Create a conversationThe important thing to remember is that Facebook and Twitter are platforms for conversations, not Q&AsTwo way engagement- ask their opinionThink about building an ongoing relationshipWhat are they going to gain from liking your page?What information/ content can you share with them?Your Facebook page is your personalityPost regularly, but don’t bombardFacebook isn’t all about selling, it’s about involving people in your brandVisual posts encourage shares, increasing brand awareness, but should be relevantMake your fans feel importantCrowd sourcing (e.g. Asking them which design/colour/style they like the most)
• #13: Think about 1: The value of the content to the user and to the organisation.2: The cost of sourcing, creating, publishing and maintaining that content.Wealth/ amount of content depends on your time. It’s two way, you need to be there.New product images, industry trends, industry news, seasonal news, special offers, giveaways, product development questions, anecdotes. Don’t live by your plan though – need to be in real time
• #14: Writing a press release - What do you want them to know?Imagine journalists will only read the first few lines/para – who, what, where, when, howWhat’s the call to action?Expert quotes – easily transferable into copyBe creativeFeatureTopical news hook – national events, celeb stories, trends
• #15: SEE YOUR PRODUCT ON THE PAGEIf journalists want to feature your product, they will need a hi-res image (at least 1MB)Look at the magazine/ website/ blog you want to be featured on and imagine it on the page. If you can’t see it fitting, they won’t use itthis can be as simple as the background colour, although if they really want it they will call in a sample and shoot it themselvesIf photography is your strength, it’s useful to have product shots (white background) as well as lifestyle shots (showing them in context)
• #16: Be prepared for product demandAs with images, getting the physical product into the hands of a journalist is key – then the product will sell itself onto their pagesBe prepared to provide journalists with samplesThink about cost to youChoose hero products to focus on in the rangeThink about different focuses – one product for print, one for online etcWhat can you realistically afford?You will need to include product samples in your budget
• #17: Remember that you are selling you – your passion will sell itself
• #18: Talking to journalists can be daunting, but they are normal peoplePassion & persuasion = winning combo
• #19: You might get a journalist that sounds like this – but everyone has their off days. find common ground – go and see them for a coffee. Put features together for themTalking to journalists can be daunting if you’re new to it BUT you’re selling what you’re passionate about, so use your passion to persuadeTop tips:Read the magazine/ website you are pitching toFind the slot that your product will fitDon’t be afraid to call and ask who looks after a particular feature (you’ll be wasting both yours and their time pitching to the wrong person)Write down three bullet points you want them to remember after the call (NEVER read off a script)Get a thick skin (even the nice journalists have bad days)Don’t waste time with small talk, unless you know them. Think of a seasonal/ topical hook to get their interest Call before 9am or after 11am (key meetings are usually in between)
• #20: Work together in the Brighton Etsy team, talk to people, come up with feature ideas – help each other, post on each other’s blogs. Find out what works for you
• #21: Be realistic about what you can achieve – one step at a time – maximise everything you do – use one message across all channels