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Learn How to Generate Media Coverage for Your Blog

Posted by TonyB • 9/10/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogcatalog speakers, blogger help, pr, Public Relations, ustream

On Tuesday, September 16 at 11 AM CST, BlogCatalog will present one of the industry's most foremost Public Relations Consultants, Alan Weinkrantz in a special UStream.tv newscast at www.ustream.tv/channel/blogcatalog.

We've called on Alan to share his expertise in PR and personal success in generating media coverage for his own blogs. So that you can do the same.

It doesn't matter if you're a beginning or top-ranked blogger in your field. Alan's take is that effective Public Relations strategies can help amplify your own blog's voice, giving you greater visibility, traffic, and authority.

Still deep in the trenches of pitching, Alan has worked with leading technology companies from inception to IPO or acquisition. Early in his career he worked for subsidiary company of Commodore that helped launch the home computer revolution, the world’s first cellular modem which helped foster the concept of mobile data communications, and is credited by The New York Times as helping to create one of the first cyber cafes at InfoMart in Dallas.

I hope you you will log on this exciting event on the BlogCatalog USteam Channel soon.

Tony

User Comments

9/10/08

kristilinauer

Is this being offered on two different days?

The ad picture shows September 21, but you said September 16.

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  NINE
  
  No, you're right it will be September 16th at 11:30cst
9/10/08

howisbradley

Very cool. I'm in line.

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  TonyB
  
  @Bradley310, see you there.
9/10/08

mikeny07

Tell him someone should start a TV show about mentioning the good blogs out there. I see the most crazy shows today on TV. So why not a blog show?

[reply]
1. 9/11/08
  
  TonyB
  
  @mikeny07 suggest the idea to Alan on Tuesday.
9/11/08

jackpayne

Whatever his message, I hope it circumvents Cheop's Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.

[reply]
9/13/08

TonyB

How can getting media coverage for my blog help me?

[reply]
1. 9/13/08
  
  Anok
  
  That's what I want to know. Furethr more ,what kind of media coverage are we talking about?
  
  DO I really want to be pasted all over The Hannity and Colmes show?
2. 9/13/08
  
  thegoodknife
  
  any coverage is good coverage if you ask me.
3. 9/13/08
  
  Anok
  
  And here I thought you liked un-coverage.
  
  I'll have to put my cloth--- never mind
4. 9/13/08
  
  alanweinkrantz
  
  Getting media coverage for your blog helps amplify your voice. It makes you more credible and builds your authority as an expert in your field. Much depends on what your media goals might be. For some, being covered by a local newspaper is a great goal. For others, it could be that your blog is the go-to source for your Boy Scout Troop or Church newsletter. And for others, it could be national or international media coverage.
9/13/08

DaneMorgan

Will this be recorded?

[reply]
1. 9/13/08
  
  TonyB
  
  Dane, it will be recorded. Would you like to do a show too one of these weeks? Perhaps you and Anok.
2. 9/13/08
  
  Anok
  
  Will there be coffee offered?
  
  I only work if I have coffee. Particularly if i have to work with Dane (heehee /runs away)
  
  Actually I would like to do a show, but I still have none of the technical gear I need to do such a thing.
3. 9/13/08
  
  DaneMorgan
  
  Me and Anok.... Cool "Productive Solitary Procrastination" by the Anarchist in the Burqa and the Capitalist Libertarian Pig.
  
  But I have to insist that the movie rights are for sale only if Kiefer Southerland is willing to gain a hundred pounds to play me.
4. 9/13/08
  
  Anok
  
  I'll tell you this in advance, I will be late if I show up at all. I will probably ask to postpone it until the following week.
5. 9/13/08
  
  DaneMorgan
  
  I expected you to put off telling us that until the Tuesday after the show...
6. 9/13/08
  
  Anok
  
  Well, without the benefit of instant communication you would have been perfectly correct
  
  But alas, I'm off to FINISH my book!
9/13/08

alanweinkrantz

hi... This is alan. Off to a movie right now but will answer questions later tonight. Looking forward to Tuesday's event.

[reply]
9/13/08

wehireu

It would go against my policy of only watching television at the laundromat. I have very little use for television. Although, it might get a lot more people who aren't interested in the subjects of my blog to watch it. Reading and television are often not complementary. One is proactive one is kind of passive.

[reply]
9/13/08

jackpayne

Any publicity is good publicity. Look at Paris Hilton.

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  alanweinkrantz
  
  And maybe not. You have to be strategic in your goals, seek out the right coverage, and have a core message. Paris HIlton is an extreme exception.
2. 9/14/08
  
  DaneMorgan
  
  Paris is something of a one off in that the publicity is it's own publicity. There's not a lot else to it.
  
  Though someone in the Paris camp is sharp (and I suspect new) with the campaign 2008 piece they did a bit ago.
9/14/08

TonyB

Hey Alan,

How do you define your media strategies?

Tony

[reply]
9/14/08

alanweinkrantz

I start with defining media strategies with a basic question: who is going to be interested in my story and what am I trying to accomplish? A media strategy might be to go after decision makers in a particular vertical market. Another could be being seen as an expert source in my community. Yet another could be to have other journalists read my blog and use it as a source for expert quotes.

[reply]
9/14/08

Arcticulates

Darn! I am going to miss this, I will be out of town, and not have computer access. Phooey!

[reply]
9/14/08

Anok

I may not be in town either, so I'll pose this question now.

If a blogger (like me) has a niche blog with no advertising or intent to make any money at all....

What benefit other than recognition would come of being noted or picked up by the media, and, which type of media would warrant a celebration for just the recognition aspect of it?

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  TonyB
  
  @anok, that's a great question. Also, why would a media outlet care about what Anok has to say ?
  
  Btw. the show will be recorded. When you get back you'll be able to watch it here as well www.ustream.tv/channel/blogcatalog
  
  Only difference is you won't be able to ask Alan questions
2. 9/14/08
  
  alanweinkrantz
  
  Anok,
  
  No, this is not for everyone. But given what you are doing, you may, at the very least, want to comment on political blogs like Huffington Post. If you are really an Anarchist, then why not pitch your blog to some of the Anarchists media? Are you familiar with www.anarchymag.org? Maybe you could contribute to their editorial cause?
3. 9/14/08
  
  Anok
  
  Oh, I was just pointing out a question... it wasn't necessarily for me
  
  I don't participate on The Huffington post, but I do participate on the Washington Post, and I have already been published on online magazines. (and I'm working on a book hopefully that will be picked up by AK publishing).
  
  That said, I know why and that I would like some circulation...but others may not.
  
  Hence the question
  
  I like Tony's follow up too.
  
  Oh, and thanks for letting me know about the recording of the show, I'll be interested to watch.
4. 9/14/08
  
  DaneMorgan
  
  I would PAY to watch a web cam in the offices of www.anarchymag.org. That's got to be both educational and entertaining.
9/14/08

roentarre

but I do photo blogs. This would not help

[reply]
9/14/08

DaneMorgan

Alan, what's your take on Joe Vitale's Hypnotic Marketing, especially with regards to the first section?

[reply]
9/14/08

alanweinkrantz

Uh...not familiar with him, but I did check out his web site. Hypnotic writing and advertising? Hmmmm.....I try to use less hype and more substance. Not to say his method is right or wrong. Maybe its the type of clients I have mostly worked with over the last 25 years. They are mostly tech companies, and the notion of using hypnotic words seems a bit over the top.

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  TonyB
  
  Alan, will what you teach and how you do PR help bloggers, who aren't necessarily interested in making a career of blogging, become better bloggers - as measured by how effective they convey their message to blog readers?
9/15/08

alanweinkrantz

Tony, I am going to illustrate a method and discipline of thinking about how to make your blog more effective as you articulate yourself in writing. Even if gaining media coverage is not your goal, using my methods will help you in thinking through the basics of messages, themes, and communications goals.

Don't just think of "media coverage" as being in "The New York Times" or CNN. What if you blog can help impact a local community newsletter, a school or church bulletin, or your children's school? Then your blog becomes more than just a blog. Your expertise and insight is a valuable currency. It's a way to let others benefit from your expertise, share in the written word, and give back to your community.

[reply]
1. 9/15/08
  
  TonyB
  
  Alan, we are excited about your show. Did you see the press release?
  
  fe21.news.re3.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20080915/bs_prweb/prweb1329984
9/16/08

alanweinkrantz

Yes I did. It's also on my blog: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com/alan_weinkrantz_and_compa/2008/09/blogcatalog-pr...

So tune in, learn and participate.

See you soon!

[reply]
9/16/08

lvs

wow seems like a dream! Media coverage for your blog...wow...i need that to sink in...give me some time

[reply]
9/16/08

alanweinkrantz

thanks to everyone for tuning in today. You may find a copy of the presentation at:
alanweinkrantz.typepad.com/alan_weinkrantz_and_compa/2008/09/download-my-po...

for a re-broadcast of the show, go to:
www.ustream.tv/recorded/716299

[reply]
9/22/08

alanweinkrantz

How I combine Blogging/PR/Social Media:
alanweinkrantz.typepad.com/alan_weinkrantz_and_compa/2008/09/dsl-reportsele...

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