Valuable Tips for Getting PR for Your Small Business

Public Relations (commonly known as “PR”) is often mistaken to be a tool used by the “big players” – large brands or organizations that can afford to invest time and money in such “luxuries”. The truth is that PR is every bit as important for a small business as it is for the big fish.

PR work is largely based on the fact that customers are far more receptive to a product or service when they hear about it through a third party. That’s why businesses have traditionally focused their PR efforts on reaching out to journalists and publications (often with the assistance of a PR agency).

Today, PR is the art and science of marketing your brand not only to old-school media sources, but also to bloggers and influencers with a large social media following. The goals of PR remain the same, only the methods are evolving.

The good news is that social media networks and free web-publishing platforms like Wix provide a powerful way for small business owners to integrate cost-effective PR activities into their marketing efforts. On the flip side, everyone has access to the same tools, and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help you get noticed in the PR game.

Create a Clout List

The goal of your PR efforts is to market yourself to individuals who can get the word about your business out to potential customers. You need to identify the top 5-10 journalists or bloggers in your industry and list them. Whether these are fringe bloggers or leading journalists, if you think a mention by them would be great for business, put them on your list.

Quick Tip: While veteran writers might have a large sphere of influence, don’t underestimate the long-term benefits of creating relationships with talented up-and-comers.

Connect Through Social Media

Get on the radar of the folks on your clout list by signing up for their mailing lists, liking and following them on Facebook and Twitter and engaging with their posts. If you are consistently visible on somebody’s Facebook or Twitter feed, you will get noticed. Just be sure not to overdo it or you will be considered a troll.

Quick Tip: Avoid generic comments. Stand out by writing intelligent, insightful or helpful responses to posts.

Write a Winning Press Release

The basic purpose of a press release is to tell journalists and bloggers what is happening with your business and why is it interesting. When artist Jason Borbay approaches the press, it’s with the full knowledge that he is the lowest priority on their list. His winning method is to send journalists a detailed and concise press release that includes direct links to images and relevant videos of himself.

Keep your press release short, write follow up emails, and never expect a journalist to do extra research to find your links. With dogged determination and what he calls a ‘disgusting’ degree of follow through, Borbay has landed on the pages of large publications such as Forbes and the Huffington Post, and built up a loyal following.

Quick Tip: No matter how great your business is, avoid superlatives like “best” and “most Incredible” in your press release – it sounds spammy.

The Pitch

With a press release ready, it is time to approach the folks on your list. Send them an email letting them know that you really enjoy their work. Make this letter as personal (this is where all that social engagement comes in handy) as possible. Tell them you have some big news, and that you would like to offer them exclusivity. Let them know when you are breaking the news, and give them a chance to hold it. If they are interested, you can get into details.

Quick Tip: Don’t create a press release about every company update. It should be truly newsworthy.

Tell the World

One of the most powerful marketing tools is a mention by a third party – especially a writer in your industry. If your press release has made it to the press, share it on your social media channels and website to generate buzz and traffic. Once you have garnered a few press mentions, it’s a great idea to create a press page for your website. This will serve to add to your credibility in the eyes of writers in your industry as well as of potential clients.

Quick Tip: If you don’t tell your story, someone else in your industry will tell theirs. This is not a time for being coy.

Offer Them Real Value

Ask not what your favorite industry writer can do for you, but rather… well you know the rest. Adding value is a great way to build the kinds of relationships that can lead to more press mentions down the line. There are many creative ways to do so, often beyond the context of PR.

For example, when Selena Soo, founder of the PR firm @S2Groupe, was searching for a mentor, rather than simply sign up to attend a mentoring event, she actively helped find mentees to participate in the event. Through adding value and making herself available to organizers, Selena ended up being matched with the ultimate mentor, Pattie Sellers (Editor-at-large, Fortune magazine).

Quick Tip: Sometimes the best way to connect and build a relationship is outside of the framework of your next Press Release.

Give these tips a try. You might just discover your inner PR ninja.

With Thanks To:

wix.com

http://www.wix.com/blog/2013/07/valuable-pr-tips

Creator Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.

Health benefits of music

Music has a special power to move us and stir our emotions. Anyone who has ever wiped tears away from their eyes listening to their favourite sad song will know how powerful simple notes and chords can be.

Now, scientific studies have shown that music really can change our mood and even help us concentrate.

We look at the effects music can have, and we ask the experts what songs are likely to help you run a race, prepare for an exam or relieve stress.

Music matters

Listening to a song can have a real effect on various parts of the brain, with studies showing that areas responsible for aspects, such as memory and vision, can 'light up' in response to music.

'There's a very wide range of reactions in the body and mind to music, and brain imaging studies have shown that various parts of the brain may be activated by a piece of music,' says Dr Victoria Williamson, lecturer in psychology at Goldsmith's College, London.

'For example, a recent study in Canada showed that there's a real causal relationship between music and the reward system, a core part of the brain that reacts to stimuli, which are good for us – food, light, sex for example – and reinforces these behaviours meaning that we do them more.'

So what benefits can music bring?

Mood boost

Everyone reacts to music in different ways. One individual may love heavy metal for example, while another is happiest listening to Mozart.

Whatever your preference, a 2011 Canadian study, published in Nature Neuroscience, has shown that plugging in to your favourite music could help melt away a bad mood.

Researchers at McGill University in Montreal showed that listening to pleasurable music of any description induced 'musical chills', which triggered the release of the feel-good chemical dopamine.

'We all know from our own individual experiences that listening to music can affect mood,' says Bridget O'Connell, head of information at the mental health charity Mind.

'Some people listen to music for a boost on a tough day, while others might use music to keep them awake during a long car journey or to purge a negative feeling.

'The brain is very complicated – and there are many elements involved in feelings of pleasure – but it's unsurprising that research suggests dopamine release is linked with feelings of pleasure induced by music.'

Focus

Music may even be able to help you concentrate.

A new 'digital tonic' called Ubrain, which can be downloaded onto smartphones, claims to be able to help people focus, energise, wake up as well as relax.

The process uses two different beats in each ear to create a third 'perceived' beat (a binaural beat), which can stimulate certain activity in the brain.

'By helping the brain cortex to generate specific brain waves, we can induce different states of alertness, depending on what we aim to do,' explains Paris-based clinical psychologist Brigitte Forgeot.

'If we're feeling anxious or stressed, we can encourage our cerebral cortex to produce slow alpha-frequency brain waves, while on the other end of the scale, if we help our cortex to produce faster beta waves, we will be better equipped to concentrate and focus our attention on a fairly lengthy task.'

Pick up the pace

Listening to certain music could actually help you run faster.

A study at Brunel University in West London has shown that music can help increase endurance by as much as 15 per cent, helping to lower the perception of effort during exercise, as well as increasing energy efficiency by between one and three per cent.

The best choices for exercise are up-beat songs that match the tempo of your running stride and which can have a metronomic effect on the body, enabling you to run for longer.

Better mental health

Music can be an effective and positive treatment for people dealing with mental health conditions.

'There are two distinct ways music therapy is used: either as a means of communication and self-expression or for its inherent restorative or healing qualities,' says Bridget O'Connell.

'Someone who is very withdrawn may find that music can act as an outlet for expressing things that they're unable to put into words. It can also act as a stimulus to awaken buried memories or evoke emotional responses that may take weeks to achieve with talking therapies.'

De-stress

Music can be a great pick-me-up for when you are feeling stressed.

According to 2011 figures from the mental health charity Mind, nearly a third of people plugged into their music players to give them a mood boost about work, and almost one in four said that they find listening to music on the way to the workplace helps them de-stress.

Paul Farmer, the charity's CEO, backs up the statistics by saying that the therapeutic benefits of listening to music are well-known.

Tuning in to one of your favourite songs can be incredibly soothing and help to reduce anxiety.

Patient care

Music can actually have a significant positive impact on patients with long-term illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory conditions.

Numerous trials have shown that music can help lower heart rate, blood pressure and help relieve pain, anxiety and improve patient quality of life.

'Music can be incredibly useful for somebody who is in a situation where they have lost a lot of control from their external environment – say they are in hospital for a long period of time with a serious illness and less able to move around,' says Dr Williamson.

'It can give them a sense of control back, as well as creating a calm personal atmosphere and blocking out some of the disturbances around the patient.'

Which music?

While there are certain trends – fast upbeat music for exercising and slower-paced music to relax – choosing songs that have the desired effect is often linked to personal preference.

'The effect of different types of music on mood will largely depend on people's individual preference and experience,' says Bridget O'Connell.

'If you grow up with rock music, you might not find classical music uplifting at all. On the flipside, some people can't bear rock music, so they are more likely to be wound up than uplifted.

'Music can also invoke particular memories for people, including some that could potentially make them upset. On the other hand, it could also bring them out of a severely withdrawn state or act as a form of communication in place of words.'

There are some rules of thumb though, admits Dr Williamson. 'For a general rule, if you want to relax you should choose songs with slower tempo, less key changes and more predictable structure.' 
 


Written by Adam Ramsay, health journalist

Read More: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/wellbeing/health-benefits-of-music.htm

Creator Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.

Common Illness During Rainy Season And How To Handle Them

First showers of rain are heartily welcomed by everyone after experiencing the scorching heat of the sun. But rains reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. Rainy season invites lots of health disorders. Dealing with such illnesses requires extra-careful precautions as most common illness is related to respiratory system and water and food borne diseases that cannot be over

looked. . It’s already causing its ‘discomfort’ as more people now complain of malaria, influenza, coughing, etc. Since rains are seasonal, it’s unlikely that you weren’t expecting it, so how prepared are you.  Chances are that you may need to see your doctor more often at this time than other times.

Cold and flu are common illness that is found in rainy season and this is usually due to fluctuation in the temperature. If you are a student, a working citizen or a mom, you need to protect yourself from these illnesses and prevent from getting sick.

When rain starts pouring in, you first look for a shelter and try to save yourself from getting drenched. However, a shelter can save you from getting wet in rain, but it will not protect you from catching any kind of infection. This is especially when your immune system is very low.

Common Illness Caused During Rainy Season

•    Cold

•    Flu

•    Food infection

•    Water infection

•    Cholera

•    Dengue

The water-borne (and food-borne) diseases that are widespread during the wet season are transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water.  They include diarrheal diseases that are caused by several species of the salmonella and shigella bacteria, cholera, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever.

Cholera is caused by several serotypes of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Typically, it presents as sudden and profuse diarrhea that can rapidly dehydrate the patient. If untreated, a patient with cholera can die in a matter of hours.

Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis A virus.  Its signs and symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body malaise, abdominal pain, fatigue, and other “flu-like symptoms” including fever. Sometimes, the skin and the white of the eye become yellow, a condition called jaundice.

One particular type of salmonella, Salmonella typhi causes the dreadful typhoid fever, a disease that is characterized by high-grade fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. A significant percentage of patients who contract this disease develop serious complications that include pneumonia, meningitis and infection of the liver and gall bladder, bones, heart valves and kidneys.

Influenza or flu is caused by any of the three types (A, B and C) of influenza virus. The flu virus is transmitted by droplets and enters the body through the nose or mouth. It can likewise pass from the hand to the nose or mouth by touching contaminated objects.

Flu is characterized by cold-like symptoms plus body and head aches. It is a benign and self-limiting illness in most instances, but a small percentage of patients develop life-threatening complications like pneumonia.

Leptospirosis is caused by a microorganism that is carried by many domestic and wild animals. Humans usually acquire leptospirosis when they get in contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Leptospirosis symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches especially of the calf, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, red eyes, and chills. In its severe form, leptospirosis causes kidney damage, liver and respiratory failure, and meningitis.

Dengue, which by all indications will have a very high incidence rate this year, is a viral disease that is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water. It is characterized by fever and body aches. It is often self-limiting and mild, but sometimes it complicates and leads to fatal bleeding.

General Tips:  

•    Employ rain gear such as umbrellas and raincoats to avoid exposure to rain and cold weather.

•    Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas.

•    Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.

•    Drink only safe water—boil water if its safety is in doubt.

•    If you need to eat out, patronize clean and reputable restaurants only. Refrain from eating food bought from peddlers.

•    Drain stagnant water from open containers such as drums and old tires, which are the breeding places of mosquitoes. Ensure that drains and gutters and sewage lines are not clogged.

•    Do not wade or swim in floodwaters.  

•    At all times, observe good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. This include thorough washing of hands with soap and water especially before eating or touching the eyes and nose with the hands

Keep Rain Gear With you Always – The most effective thing that you can do is to keep your rain gear always ready when you go out in rainy season. A raincoat with hooded jacket and waterproof shoes are the best items.

Vitamin C – Increasing the intake of Vitamin C either in natural form or as food supplement will help you drive away the cold virus faster. It is still a matter of debate among doctors whether Vitamin C is cure for cold. However, a healthy supply of this vitamin will activate your antibodies and reduce the severity of cold, undoubtedly.

Shower After Being Caught in Rain – Although it sounds very unusual because if you are drenched in rain, you will never want to take another shower. But taking a shower after you have been caught in rain will protect you from many infections.

Hot Drinks – After you come back home caught in a rain, take a shower, dry yourself and wear dry and clean clothes. The best thing is to make a hot soup for yourself or at least drink a cup of hot milk. This will help you from catching cold or save you from catching any kind of infection that can occur due to sudden change in the temperature of the body.

Cleanliness – Cleanliness is very important during rainy season. Even if you catch a cold, you should clean your hands regularly and use a sanitizer always after that.

Drink Plenty of Water – Water intake may reduce naturally because of the sudden drop in the temperature of the environment. It is good to drink plenty of water and do not wait to get thirsty to drink water. This will help you drain toxins from your body.

With Thanks To:

http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/common-illness-during-rainy-season-and-how-handle-them

Creator Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.