Autoresponders

Autoresponders are an often misunderstood and neglected form of powerful PR.
An autoresponder sends out a pre-written email when someone emails a
particular address. Even if you are sleeping, in a meeting, eating, or going
to a movie, it'll answer prospects for you right away. Imagine the image you
are portraying when you get back with potential clients, investors,
employees... immediately!
 

Link Sites

There are literally hundreds of thousands of link sites out there;
directories in your category can drive traffic to your site. Do a keyword
search for "(your category) directory" (example: public relations directory)
to bring up appropriate link sites.
 

Opt In E-mail

There are many legitimate opt-in e-mail lists on the web. However, never,
never send spam (unsolicited e-mail) -- it'll damage your reputation faster
than anything on the web. You get one initial shot at a first impression, be
sure it's the one you want to make.
 

Signature Files

At the end of each and every e-mail you send out, don't miss the opportunity
to promote your company and website. Your sig. file could be something as
simple as your company name and web address. However, something catchy that
succinctly explains what you do is much more memorable and likely to get
someone's attention.
 

Media Source Listings

Media resources on the web avail themselves to you to list your particular
expertise in an area -- however, you pay for this privelege. These are used
by editors and producers to find guests for their shows. An example is
Yearbook:   http://www.yearbook.com
 

Submitting Press Releases

There are many places in traditional media to submit your press releases,
but people forget about the *online* press release. Some sites charge a fee,
but some are free. (Free example: (http://www.prweb.com) The free sites
obviously get fewer visitors, but it is still of value to post your release
there.
 

Mailing Lists

Mailing lists provide a great way of maintaining contact with your potential
clients - at the end of each email will be a link to your website, thank
them and encourag them to visit again. Be sure to track all of the visitors
to your site to find out who's coming and what interests them. You can then
send them reminders that "x" product is going on sale.
 

Head off Flame Wars

Disgruntled customers and employees may air their greivances with your
company on the internet in front an audience of billions in a matter of
seconds. You can set up news filters that will monitor what is said about
your company on the net so that you can immediately go to the area and begin
some crisis communications.
 

Analyst Groups

For high-tech companies sometimes it's helpful to have an outside 3rd party
opinion on your company/product/service. Here is an example you can find
that on the web: Forrester Research http://www.forrester.com
 

Online interviews

Don't forget about interviewing online. There are many outlets on the web
that have live video feeds, chats with authors and other spokespersons, and
simulcast their broadcasts via the WWW over Real Audio.
 

Newsgroups

Going to newsgroups that are appropriate to your subject area and posting
helpful information is always appreciated. Watch the threads and see when
you may be able to interject appropriately -- always including a link back
to your website at the end of messages -- will direct targeted traffic to
your site.
 

Reading Articles

Stay in touch with what editors are saying in your market. When they write
something pertaining to what you do, write them a quick follow-up note
saying that you could provide them with some material to do a follow-up to
that story and *briefly* outline what that may include.

Hope this is helpful.

Best wishes,
Terri Firebaugh

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firebaugh Communications
http://www.firepub.com
Getting you all the publicity you can stand!
D/FW Metro   V  940.498.04PR           F  940.498.0289