RachelCarterPR

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1-800-Got-Junk
2007-09-12 22:20:00
I love when I am inspired to write a random post as opposed to sitting down to think of one!! Today as I was cruising along Shelburne Road, going to the bank (KeyBank of course), stocking up on cat food (Pet Food Warehouse of course), and getting an oil change (without a shadow of a doubt from my favorites at Shearer Pontiac - home of the VIBE!!!), I came across a group of blue people dancing at the rotary before South Willard Street and at first thought - the Blue Man Group in Vermont? I quickly dismissed that idea as they are definitely not cool enough to dance around during local soccer mom traffic where South Burlington and Burlington slap five. Instead I saw it was the marketing funhouse known as the Burlington team of 1-800-Got-Junk . I see these guys at every Chamber of Commerce event and absolutely love their style - now even more so after the "blue man dance." Not to mention that the concept of 1-800-Got-Junk is a perfect fit with Burlington. 1-800-Got-Junk comes and ...

Falling Into Publicity
2007-09-11 02:39:00
I started off this blog griping about the industry, clients, money, etc. Then I deleted it and am starting over. I guess the ultimate gripe is that starting your own business is a lonely process. You no longer have co-workers or associates to plot the demise of your boss while pretending to be in a very important meeting, to sneak off with for extra long lunches downtown on a nice day, to yell back and forth over cubicles or office doors, or to say "screw working out, we're going for margaritas!" On a serious side, you also really don't have folks to bounce ideas off of or to blow off steam with after a crappy phone call.And, in all fairness to myself and the industry, I guess I can't really use my blog to gripe. But, I can say that everyone has their ups and downs and everyone is human. In this humanity is also where we can really shine and connect with other human beings as people. Because at the end of the day what matters isn't your work, clients, or how you succeeded...
More About: Publicity

Looking for an Intern!
2007-08-29 19:59:00
Yes I am! I am just too busy and need someone to ghost-write my blogs. Just Kidding! In my public relations opinion, that is NOT ethical! I do work with some blogs - like Green Mountain Power's Choose2BGreen blog, but that is the mechanical background work, research, rankings, etc. And, in fact, that is partially what I need help with! Someone who's internet savvy and up in the social networking world to help me with that side of my business while also learning the more traditional components of public relations and marketing.This is definitely an unpaid internship, but the opportunity would be exceptional for the right candidate. Here's what I am offering:- Flexible hours- Relaxed home office environment- Networking - for this I will cover the intern's expenses- Chance to work on all of my accounts in various capacities - mostly writing, research, brainstorming, and helping with execution of various PR programs- RachelCarterPR email account- Women business owner firsthan...
More About: Intern

Promoting Events
2007-08-27 17:47:00
A big part of what I do as a Vermont public relations consultant/publicist is promote events. I guess this was the part of PR I always did. Like, when my middle school chum, Cathy, and I would have Valentine's Days parties for my pets and parents - to publicize it we would work for hours on a newsletter we would create and then "pretend" mail to the various members of my household. Or when another friend, Denise, and myself wanted to have a baby-sitters club (like the books) and I submitted a little article for the town paper and stuck fliers in all the neighbor's mailboxes. Or like how I would always be on the publicity committee for the plays, talent shows, and other such performing events I was in. I would distribute fliers, but would always submit a letter of some sort (aka press release in raw form) to the local newspaper. From then to know, I have also understood the power of the "calendar listings." When I taught the PR classes at Champlain College last year, one of ...
More About: Events , Promoting , Romo

Networking 101 - Cruising with Intent
2007-08-16 04:43:00
Back when I worked at a marketing/advertising agency as the Director of Public Relations I began honing the skills known as networking. Networking is not something taught in school, although I strongly recommend it be. But then, how do you teach Networking 101? I took a stab at it in one of the 400 level classes I taught in PR at Champlain College. The students asked about how to shake hands and I happily led the class in a hand shaking exercise - they thanked me and said they found it helpful. In my years at Marist College, I had no such luck. But, in the agency world, you are thrust into many situations where you either learn to network or you get really good at waving as you watch opportunities pass you by. After I started to really feel I was getting some sort of knack at networking, I soon labeled it "cruising with intent."Now I own my own public relations business - yes, it is official, I am a women business owner - Rachel Carter PR is now registered with the State of V...
More About: Tent , Workin

Being Green
2007-08-08 22:28:00
Ok, I want to know what folks think about the whole green everything? What do you like? Not like? What's a sham? For real? What do you want to know more about? And, what do you want to not hear about ever again?
More About: Green

The Evaluation
2007-07-31 16:12:00
No, not an employee evaluation. Luckily now that I am a self employed public relations consultant, I no longer have to suffer through such tasks that can cause blood vessels to burst and overindulgences in office bagels. I am speaking of the evaluation of a public relations program. I think it makes all PR people shudder a bit, but the answer as to how to evaluate is ALWAYS a question that comes up and can be the deciding factor over getting business - regardless of how many nifty ideas you and the intern pulled together. Oh, I do love the tip lists...1.) Address the evaluation of any program (PR, marketing, sales, etc. - it all fits) BEFORE it is brought up to you.2.) Generate a discussion about the nature of evaluation and for results to be measurable. Public relations is a long term process, NOT a quick fix and it's important for folks you do work with to understand that.3.) Of course there is the traditional "ad equivalency" which is attributing a dollar amount to the edit...
More About: Evaluation , Valuation

What is a Press Kit?
2007-07-26 01:13:00
A press kit is one of the most utilized tools in public relations ad publicity efforts. A press kit is information that is pulled together and written for the sole purpose of providing the media with the story details they want and need. It should not be the same thing as a sell kit or something provided for customers. While some of that information may be useful, the most productive press kits are tailored for the media - and that usually involves some research as you want to offer information that can't just be found by looking at a website. You also don't need to spend a bunch of money in design, the media want good, easy to follow, and well-written materials, not fancy brochures that are trying to paint a picture. A press kit should include:~ Photos (small versions are fine, the media will contact asking for large files when they are ready)~ A basic fact sheet~ A backgrounder or history sheet~ Bios of key people - not just the bigwigs, but those who have interesting stori...
More About: Press

How to Balance "the sale" and "keeping it real"
2007-07-20 05:07:00
That is a tough question and I guess those salespeople who are both successful and happy have gotten it figured out. I can't really give "tips" here, but I can give insight as to how I try to balance it. And I keep trying...First of all, it is important to note that public relations is a sale because it's the selling of a concept or idea, yet I try to steer far away from the salesperson approach to PR - ICK! But how do you network and start building relationships that are business in orientation without coming across as being a pushy business pain-in-the-ass?And here folks - I give you a list!1.) Alcohol and Humor - if you are lucky enough to have a sense of humor and are surrounded by others with senses of humor and alcohol is involved - you are golden! You can yap away all night, solve the world's problems, and look forward to seeing each other in a boardroom one day. Unfortunately not everyone is funny and not everyone gets witty when they drink.2.) Smile and mean it! Th...
More About: Sale , Balance , Real

The Simpsons...
2007-07-12 06:01:00
Ok, so has everyone heard that Springfield, Vermont is where Bart, Lisa, and the gang have been hanging out for such a timeless amount of time? I remember when my little brother (who is now like 28) wore skidz and Bart Simpson hair gel!The question I pose for my marketing friends today is this:How will Vermont use this to their advantage? I can think of endless possibilities to capitalize - in an integrity driven way - on this fun and wonderful opportunity to shed a positive light on Vermont, boost Springfield's economy, and really let the world know that while Vermont is small, simple, and the true home of the Simpsons , it is also a place that is filled with heart and people who really get what life is all about as well as a state that knows how to get its shit together when faced with such a tremendous challenge and opportunity.Vermont certainly proved themselves with making the best movie which helped us win - public relations and promotions Vermont! And may you please not be...
More About: The Simpsons

Marketing without Spending a Dime
2007-07-04 20:14:00
So, my old friend Jen McColgan - a former Ski Vermont marketing gal and now Colorado marketing maven - posted a comment which inspired this next post. Here are some tips for how to market yourself, product, business without spending a dime:1. Ask friends and customers how they FEEL about your product/business/service and why they like it. Be open to hearing things you may not think are true - because they probably are!2. Use that feedback and pay attention to news outlets that reach the audience that enjoys/uses your product/business/service. Make note of the writers who write about possible competitors or who you think would be interested in writing about your business/service/product.3. Contact those media folks and talk to them about your business, etc. Don't tell them what they should write about, rather start a conversation and ask what they would be interested in writing about and be prepared with background information and photos for them.4. If you're having an event of...
More About: Marketing , Spending , Dime

Generation X
2007-06-25 17:12:00
Yes, I am in Generation X, yes, I have been swamped in getting this new public relations business in Vermont up and running, and yes - it is finally coming together! I am moved into my new house in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont, my home office is set up, and I know it is time to get blogging!!So, I just got back from the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce Travel and Tourism Study Committee meeting, and have some thoughts I'd like to share. First of all, the purpose of such meetings is to ultimately find ways to beef up tourism in Vermont - an industry that impacts so much of the state's economy, yet - in my opinion - is in constant need of improvement. While sitting at the meeting, I am filled with thoughts and ideas that break from my regular flow of client work (much of which deals with Vermont tourism) that often helps shape new ideas away from my current train of thought. The one I want to write about today - and hope to get some comments on - is Generation X an...

Let the Blogging Begin!
2007-06-05 19:32:00
And so it goes - my first "professional" blog! Guess that means I can't talk about my new romance, or the stress of moving, or the yummy crab cakes I just ate. But, I can talk about the craziness of starting a new business! And, it is crazy!!! Since I am now getting my blog going, guess I am supposed to post this Technorati link so I can play in the search engine field - Technorati Profileso, there goes.Anyway, so as a newly independent public relations consultant in Vermont, my goal in this blog is to offer some basic PR tips for folks - in Vermont and beyond. So, since most people associate the word public relations with a press release, here is my tip for the week:DON'T!Think of this instead - public relations is the telling of a story to relate the public to a product, idea, trend, event, etc. Would you tell a story by writing a wordy document and then spamming everyone you could and hope they read your story? Uh, I think not. You would call your friend and tell her an...
More About: Blogging