Why the Word "News" Needs to Come out of Newspapers

Seems like newspapers like to trumpet stale news on their front pages, reinforcing the impression that there's no point in reading them because they're so far behind in reporting what's happening. Newspapers usually publish “news” that are a day old. One can hear the news through the day on the radio, watch them unfold on TV –as was the case with the death of Michael Jackson- and read many updates on the Web, including on some of these papers' sites. Yet, still, this is what editors decide to deliver the next morning. John Temple, the former editor, president and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colorado, which printed its final edition after almost 150 years on Feb. 27, 2009 says: “I worry how damaging this is for the future of newspapers. The first thing I read most mornings is the WSJ news digest on the front page. It's truly useful because it gives me a good sense of what happened in the intervening 24 hours. But I'm not interested in a longer story about something I already know about unless it truly takes me into new territory. I think the insistence on sticking with a conventional approach to news could be one of the factors that will drive newspapers into the ground - except for those loyalists who just can't give up on reading a paper. Maybe that's a rational approach to running a business, but it sure is dull and it sure doesn't seem to demand much from the newspaper or its staff.”

Internet Users in the USA

There is no question that the Internet is now a mainstream medium. In 2009, the US Internet population will grow to nearly 200 million users, or 65% of the total population. By 2013, 221 million people will be online, nearly 70% of the population. Market Research.com found the demographics of the US Internet population are evolving to reflect the offline population. More women are coming online, and so are more users ages 35 and older.  Daily Internet usage among nearly all demographic groups is climbing. Average time spent online by US adults shot up to 14 hours per week in 2008, compared with 11 hours in 2007. Nearly two-thirds of adults claim they go online every day, the majority for more than one hour.  The Net is becoming an affordable marketing, advertising and public relations tool to reach a wider audience. The key is to use it wisely, target the right audience and build a relationship with the user. B2B buying is all about building trust and eliminating risk. It's pretty difficult to build trust with someone you've never met. That's not to say that electronic communication isn't effective, but the social foundations have to be built first and preferably in person. Research has shown that on Facebook, the vast majority of close "friends" that people keep are all people they know and have met face to face.  Look at online as a way to extend and leverage those face to face encounters, but don't fall into the trap of thinking a cold mouse is a substitute for a warm handshake.

Event Planning

With the right preparation, you can pull off a memorable event that will increase your company’s profile and reel in new business. Whether your event is a groundbreaking for a new store, an anniversary gala, an annual employee recognition program, or a glitzy holiday cocktail hour, its success boils down to planning with a detailed timeline. Six Months Before · After assessing what type of event you’re orchestrating and setting a budget, establish the specific location, date, and time, including associated details such as making deposits to secure the venue or signing contracts. · Break down the event into core components, such as logistics and public relations, and assign tasks to individuals. · Book catering or entertainment and consider your guest list and how guests will be invited. Five Months Before · As your event begins to gel, determine the specific program. If you need a master of ceremonies, obtain one. · Hire a video and sound team and a photographer to record the event. · Get public relations material to use for promoting subsequent events, particularly annual ones. Three Months Before · Plan your media relations campaign. This is also the time to weigh advertising options and to design collateral such as printed invitations, programs, posters, or fliers. · Tease the event with a save-the-date postcard so invitees can put it on their calendars. · Set a news release strategy. · If a meal or hors d’oeuvres are involved, firm up the menu. · If you have an MC, determine the script content. Two Months Before · Have your collateral and news release in hand and ready to go. · Shop your event by preparing calendar announcements or radio spots. · Update your Web site with information about the event, including the time, place, and cost of attending. One Month Before · If your event requires decorations and props, make sure you have what you need. · This is prime time for sending out invitations so have a plan for keeping track of responses and for following up with those who have not responded. · Target news release distribution at this time. One Week Before · Prepare and distribute a media reminder or media alert and consider an e-mail blast to customers to encourage attendance. · Nail down all the outstanding applicable logistics, such as decorations, props, catering, and entertainment. · Verify and coordinate the program with the MC or main speaker (including the script), volunteers, employees, and dignitaries. · Check in with all service providers. Day Before · Organization is the key to success, so keep a checklist of tasks. · Institute systems, such as an alphabetical guest list or a designated spot to distribute outstanding pay to service providers, for a well-run event. · Get decorations, signs, or props onsite. · Test the audio and visual equipment for glitches. · Have a written timeline and agenda for how the special event will unfold and share it with participants. Day of Event · Set up the area early and do a dry run from start to finish, tweaking problem areas. · Be ready to roll a full 45 minutes before the event is scheduled and have participants ready 20 minutes before they’re on. · Designate a point person to handle any unforeseen problems. · Follow your agenda to stay on track. · Being flexible can help ward off surprises, so be ready to improvise. · Ultimately, your planning pays off now, so enjoy yourself. After the Event · You can learn from a post mortem. Sit down with your staff and discuss what worked and what didn’t. Take notes and keep them handy for the next event. · File press clippings, video, sound, and photos as well as information on any contractors and organize it for future reference. · Thank those who helped work on the event and your attendees. If the event was a fund-raiser, make sure people know how much money was raised and that their help was instrumental in reaching that goal.