BDPA Brotha Shares Two Most Important Things to Remember About Media Publicity

BDPA Brotha

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry. Perhaps it it time to remember that you don't need to know everything about media publicity to take advantage of opportunities. If you simply keep a few key ideas in mind, you can get your local BDPA chapter (or other non-profit entity) media coverage on a regular basis.

Here are the two most important things to remember about media publicity:

1. Opportunities are EVERYWHERE - How many radio stations, televisions stations, newspapers and magazines do you think there are in existence? In the U.S. alone there are not just thousands, but hundreds of thousands. And each of these media stations and publications need content. They are always waiting for people to drop the next story in their lap. You can be the one to do it! All you have to do is try.
   
   
2. The Media Doesn't Look For You - Even if you are a famous person, the media won't necessarily come looking for you. They wait for someone to tell them about a story idea, and then they come running. If you don't pitch your idea to the media, they won't know who you are and they won't come looking for you. You have to take the first step.
   

I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, You I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

BDPA Member Benefit: Online Business Training Resources (Learn About The Web)

Onuora Amobi is the chief executive officer of Learn About The Web, an eLearning company founded in 2008.  Onuora and his company are dedicated to making the process of setting up a web presence easy. They have created a unique methodology for teaching the process of setting up and marketing a web presence. In addition, LATW provides the tools and services for educational institutions to teach online marketing.

We are pleased to announce that BDPA and LATW have a very special member benefit to share with you all.  BDPA has partnered with the good folks at Learn About The Web to provide our members with COMPLIMENTARY access to online business training resources.

How do you get access to this benefit? It’s really simple.

1. Head to www.learnabouttheweb.com
2. Click on the “Pricing” tab at the top of the homepage.
3. Create a FREE account. This will give you access to one of the 9 available training modules.
4. Click on the “Contact” tab on the top of the home page and use their contact form.
5. Send a brief message with your email address and username in the system. Explain that you are a member of the BDPA. IMPORTANT - make sure you use the words “BDPA” in the message.
6. Within 24 hours, your account will be upgraded to a FREE LIFETIME Premium membership.

It’s never been easier to build an online business. Take advantage of this FREE offer and equip yourself with the online business education you’ve always wanted!

BDPA continues to seek out tangible benefits to increase the value-proposition of membership in our growing organization.  Our members are invited and encouraged to start their own online business with Learn About The Web!

Related articles

• Introducing Learn About The Web™

BDPA Brotha on Promoting Your Chapter to Local Media

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry. Perhaps it it time to remember that there are still ol' school marketing opportunities with your local media.

Media are constantly looking for new stories and information that will interest their audiences. Chances are, your town has at least one major newspaper, several smaller papers, a few TV stations, a bunch of radio stations, and at least one cable company. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Local media like to cover local stories. You have a much better chance of getting free publicity from a reporter in your area than from national media.
2. Local talk radio stations and programs are constantly in need of interesting guests. Watch for times when your area of expertise fits with a breaking story, holiday, or issue the media is covering.
3. Send your local media a press release when you have something new to announce: a new board member appointment, new chapter service, public service program, or alliance with another business.
4. Local chapters often make good feature stories. Work up a sheet of helpful tips related to your chapter. Make sure they are things the media audience will be interested in.
5. Work with local charities and blow your own horn.

I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (513.284-4968) if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, You I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

Related articles

• BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts
• BDPA Brotha Shares 15 Ideas to Improve Your Networking Results

BDPA Brotha' Tips: Growing Your Chapter with Speaking Engagements

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry.

The more people that know about BDPA ... the more business you can get ... the more that you can grow your chapter. One way to boost your personal and professional image is through public speaking engagements. Be strategic about your process in accepting speaking engagements.

Don't use speaking engagements to make 'hard' commercials about your programs and services. Instead, you should focus on providing your audience with value that they can immediately understand and respect. Customize your presentation to fit the specific audience that you are talking to. Be passionate and knowledgeable about your speaking topic. Your audience will see your value and respond accordingly.

Here are some ways that you can prepare and locate speaking engagements to build your local chapter or business:

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• Alumni - Your involvement in college and university events may open the door to opportunities to speak to small groups. Also consider pointers from other alumni and business professionals who are active public speakers.
• Books - Take a moment to read 'Public Speaking for Dummies' by Malcolm Kushner.
• Friends and Family - Ask them to listen to you practice, but make sure they are brutally honest about your flow, technique and presentation. Have them list three things you did well and three things you can improve upon.
• National Speakers Association - Check out this website to see tips and resources for aspiring speakers. NSA is one of the leading professional associations for speakers with local chapters all over the nation.
• Speakers Bureau or Agent - If you are unable to manage the process yourself, a professional organization or agent can do it for you by booking engagements, negotiating fees and handling travel arrangements for a 'per project' or monthly fee. This may also open up speaking opportunities that you never knew about because you'll be in a database.
• Toastmasters - This nonprofit organization for beginning speakers (with local chapters worldwide) can help familiarize you with public speaking. Many of the speeches are given in front of members, and the organization also provides mentors for those looking to overcome presentation anxieties.

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I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (513.284-4968) if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

Related articles

• BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts
• BDPA Brotha Shares 15 Ideas to Improve Your Networking Results

BDPA Marketing Tips Shared by Atlanta Chapter President Felicia Jones

How often have we heard the statement that 'BDPA is the best-kept secret in the Information Technology industry' or 'BDPA is the best-kept secret in the Black community'. I've noticed that BDPA Atlanta chapter has stepped up their marketing over the past year and as a result the chapter is one of the fastest-growing in the nation.

I reached out to BDPA Atlanta chapter president Felicia Jones with this question:

If you had to share insights into the 'best practices' of marketing experienced by your BDPA Atlanta chapter this year ... what would they be? What are the top 2-3 things that you would suggest for other local chapter leaders to think about or do in their efforts to raise the level of marketing and awareness of BDPA in the other 44 chapter cities around the nation?

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Her answer provides a road-map for all of us in BDPA:

1. Social media; the #1 marketing tool...period! From FB to LinkedIn to Twitter and all the other tools, you can reach millions of people in an instance. With today's technology & devices, people are always connected and plugged in. Atlanta was already using social media, but we had to come up with attention grabbers & catch phrases that would get people's attention to make them want to know more.
2. Website; current with substance. Using social media to market your chapter is meaningless if you don't have a website, but a website with info, events, programs, etc. If you don't have one for your local chapter, use Nationals; every chapter has the capability to create a site within national's website. Atlanta had to update our website; the look, the feel, the info. We needed to tell a story and have people wanting to learn more about the organization and to also want to be a part of it. You must have events listed even if you are sharing events from another chapter (like webinars) or partnering with another organization on their event.
3. Email Communication; tried & true. Email is the best form of communication to send out detailed information, but watch the frequency of emails, you don't want to be categorized as spam. Atlanta changed the look of our emails to incorporate better graphics, catch phrases & the frequency for which we sent out the info. We actually have people responding to the emails with great comments! We send out an email at the beginning of the month that summarizes all the upcoming events for that month, as the date gets closer to the event, we send out another email.
4. Word of Mouth; the best form of communication. If you are providing great programs & quality events, people will begin to talk and spread the word for you. Atlanta introduced several new programs for its members along with having several networking events. There were several new faces & they said they heard about us from a friend, friend of a friend, co-worker, etc.
5. Within all of those four avenues of marketing, we had to change our look and approach. We had to be creative and come up with new marketing material such as video. You can write, tweet, blast, and list as much info as you like, but there's nothing better than actually seeing/hearing someone give a testimonial, tell a story or provide info so we got creative with video. We have our own YouTube channel where you can view our Real Talk Series, The Speaker Behind the Topic, testimonial videos, interviews of our HSCC students & instructors, and much, much more.

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What are your thoughts on Felicia's marketing tips? Do you have other 'best practices' about marketing of BDPA programs that you want to share with us?

Connect With Monique: My BDPA Elevator Speech

by Monique Berry, president
National BDPA

Every now and then the question come up about an elevator speech. I also get questioned about the BDPA member proposition. I'm passionate about BDPA so I can definitely talk about it for 30 seconds. To those of you who need a little assistance this one's for you!

“BDPA is a community of information technology professionals and sponsor companies working together to develop mutually beneficial relationships. Through networking, chapter program meetings, and the annual conference, BDPA members gain a competitive advantage in positioning themselves, their small businesses and employer firms successfully in the marketplace. BDPA offers members professional development, leadership and networking events. BDPA is the only organization dedicated to creating professional advancement opportunities in the IT industry from the classroom to the boardroom."

What about you? Please share your thoughts.

Is Your Digital Tattoo Attracting or Repulsing Customers?

Tonya R. Taylor

It’s a fact, love them or hate them tattoos are popular and (almost) permanent. The tattoo design choice, or body art, says something about you; well actually a lot about you. It may convey your mood at a particular moment in time, it may have a deep personal meaning, you may like the artwork or some may think they're just stylish.

Even though tattoos have become incredibly mainstream the kind I am talking about has nothing to do with body art. This type of tattoo is about your business or career; yes even if you have a small business, be a college student or work in corporate America. Let me ask you a simple question, what does your digital tattoo say about your business?

Before you can answer that, I need to explain exactly what a Digital Tattoo is.

Just like a regular tattoo, your digital reputation is an expression of yourself and your business. Over time it is shaped by you and added to by others which include friends, family and your business visibility online and in the media.

Your digital tattoo is what a potential customer, recruiter, corporate executive, or anybody else finds online about your business. It’s the information people see when they search the internet for your name or your business name.

What images will they find of you? – an old photo from college or high school, your company logo, a cartoon character where your picture should be or your favorite sports team instead of a current photo?

What information will they find on your website or blog? – a new video, static information that has never been changed or updated since December or your latest blog post?

What images will they find on social media? - are you presenting at a conference, you with your family, you participating at a networking event or hanging out with friends?  (Are you even using social media to help shape your digital tattoo?)

What information will they find in the media? – your published article(s), a press release, a story written about you or your business, or nothing at all?

Why is your digital tattoo important? - Ask any successful salesperson or flourishing marketer, they will tell you this...“People buy from people they know, they like and they trust”.

Your digital tattoo will help create the magic to make this happen.

Copyright © 2011 Rising Star Ideas, LLC. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tonya R. Taylor, Your Savvy Online Business Builder, is dedicated to helping you learn how to use the internet to build a bigger more profitable business so you can spend more and make less. Her clients learn savvy ways to use their website to take their online presence to the next level fast. To get your FREE Savvy Online Business Building Starter Kit and receive weekly online marketing tips, tools and resources visit www.SavvyBizBuilder.com.

Six Tips for Foundations to Engage Their Audiences with Social Media

Soulclap to Sophia Guevara for publishing the following article in Re: Philanthropy.

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When it comes to the use of social media, many foundations have decided to focus their efforts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to spread their messages. With most of these activities focused on advertising, how can a foundation use this technology for meaningful audience engagement?

I recently interviewed Cindy Johanson, executive director of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. In this podcast interview, I note the success the organization has experienced with its YouTube channel and Facebook and Twitter accounts. I was impressed by the number of channel views and Twitter followers the foundation was able to amass as I knew of several larger foundations that had not experienced anything close to this kind of success. How then, was Johanson’s organization able to achieve this? Here are a few of her tips to help your foundation successfully engage its audience with social media:

1. Use social media to support the audience and the organization’s mission. Don’t use it just for “blatant promotion.”
2. Encourage more of your staff to take part in social media communication so that they all participate in the conversation.
3. Listen to your audience’s online conversations and be aware of any challenges that may arise. Take action to let your audience know that they are being heard.
4. Don’t use social media to hold a one-way conversation. Encourage two-way communication. Welcome your audience in a trusted way to encourage the conversation people want to have.
5. Be aware of individuals who use the social media channel in an inappropriate way (promoting products, etc.). Try to engage these people offline.
6. Know who your audience is and understand what they want from you. Don’t assume - communicate. Do your research and give them the information they need in a way that can promote action.

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Do any of these six tips appeal to you as you work to engage your organization's members and supporters within the social media world?