Wendy Hammond

Connecting with Online/Social Media

Who is Wendy Hammond?BS Advertising & Public Relations GVSU 1998 (way

before Facebook!)8 years church relations for an international relief &

development organizationMPA Nonprofit ManagementTwo years ago I founded The Local Cook (

http://thelocalcook.com)Member of West Michigan BloggersOne year ago I founded Eat Local, West Michigan!(

http://eatlocalwestmichigan.com)Recently became a volunteer reporter for The

Rapidian (http://therapidian.org)

Keys for Connecting with Online Media1. Make it easy for us to find and

promote you.2. As with regular media, have a

“hook.”3. Have a strategy

Make it easy for us to find & promote youInformative WebsiteThink of it as your online press kitAbout page (history, facts, photos)Contact information (email, phone,

Facebook, Twitter, etc.)Any press releases or events should also be

posted here—we can’t link to an email

Make it easy for us to find & promote youClaim your social location on the main sitesFacebook page (yes, PAGE – we don’t want

to be your friend!)FoursquareYelpGowalla

As with regular media, have a “hook.”Coupons and giveaways are not engagingThe fact that you exist is not newsIdeas

EventProfile of the owner or chefStory about the inn dogTie in to local events (example: package, free

shuttle to and from wine dinner in the area)With blogs, sometimes the line between

advertising & PR is fuzzy

Have a strategyPick a platform and do it well Don’t put effort into advertising that you’re on Twitter

or Facebook and then not do anything with it (at the very least, monitor mentions and customer comments)

Take the time to make your online media lists and develop relationships

Find the free online listings (events, association sites, etc.)

Don’t be a spammerDon’t post advertisements on other people’s Facebook

pagesMake sure your tweets are not all about promoting your

businessSet specific goals

Final words of wisdom:

Be social!For a copy of this presentation check out

http://ideasremixed.com