1. August 2008 by DSJC.

No, it isn’t a serve yourself ice cream parlor.  CustomScoop (http://www.customscoop.com/) is a news clipping service that delivers news clip reports via email to my inbox.  I have the option of going online to view my clips, too, but I much prefer the emailed reports.

CustomScoop provides just the level of service I prefer; they are very responsive when I email a specific request.  They occasionally email to see if I am satisfied.  Otherwise they leave me alone, without a lot of upsale effort.  I like that.

In recent years, I have tried and/or used half a dozen news clipping services – from the big boys to the not-so-big ones.  Most are stuck with antiquated billing practices and, well, just too big (read expensive) for their own good.  CustomScoop is just the right size for my media clipping needs, catching all media that post online (which these days is pretty much all that matters), including blogs.  They even offer a limited free service for individuals.

Recently, CustomScoop surprised me – pleasantly.  Though I am fully on board with using the Internet in public relations, I also am known for occasionally suggesting (gasp!) a direct mail campaign using good old snail mail.  These days, snail mail is sometimes the best way to “break through the clutter.”  It’s used so rarely that it is unique (though I do recognize that it is not as environmentally friendly as email.  I will put it in the recycle bin when I am done reading it.).

Anyway, CustomScoop, being the marketing savvy organization that it is, developed a newsletter, a snail mail newsletter.  Yes, they now put together some helpful marketing advice and MAIL it to customers and prospects. 

I’ll have another scoop, please.

DSJC.

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28. July 2008 by DSJC.

chris-sabrina-fennel-bkgnd.JPG 

One of my favorite clients, the Outdoor Education Center of Orange County, Calif., contributes a bi-weekly column called “Seeds to Sprouts” in the Home & Garden section of the Orange County Register.  The column runs every other Thursday online and every other Saturday in print.  I assist with editing and, in a pinch, with photography.  Because the Outdoor Education Center provides educational programming that focuses in part on environmental stewardship for local youth organizations, our photography goal is to provide images of Orange County children in nature.

I am excited to report that my daughter, Sabrina, was the model for this week’s “Seeds to Sprouts” article entitled, “Mini-Gardens For Kiddie Chefs.” 

The article, written by Christine Kirk, talks about herbs that grow naturally in Orange County and ways to get kids interested in growing their own herb gardens at home for use in the kitchen.  It also suggests what herbs to grow and how best to grow them.  To read the article, go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/herbs-garden-kids-2104773-kitchen-seeds.  Speaking of growing your own food at home, my son, Alex, was the photo feature of another of Christine’s articles, “Time to grow greens in the garden for salad making,” (not my first choice for a headline).  See the article here:  http://www.ocregister.com/articles/garden-tomatoes-summer-2062960-plants-salad. 

I love sharing through public relations!  DSJC.

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17. July 2008 by DSJC.

If you’re in public relations or are a journalist looking for expert sources, and you haven’t yet heard of HARO or Help a Reporter, well then you are in for a treat.  HARO is great!

And here’s what the HARO man, Peter Shankman (http://shankman.com/), himself asks everyone to post:

As you know, reporters are constantly looking for sources. They’re always writing stories, reporting on something, and always need experts in the field of whatever they’re reporting.Problem is, they don’t often know how to find them.On the flip side, if you’re an expert at something (And come on, everyone’s an expert at SOMETHING,) how do you let the media know you’re available to talk and be quoted when they’re writing a story?

Well, I joined a free mailing list that solves both problems.Basically, reporters send the list owner queries about what they’re working on. (”I’m writing a story on farming, and I need someone in NYC who’s grown a windowsill garden,” or “I’m doing a story on General Electric, and need a financial analyst who covers them.”)

Peter (a rather high-energy, but seemingly decent guy, puts these all queries together, and emails them out, three times a day. There are usually anywhere between 10 and 25 queries per email, organized so you can read all of them in about five seconds. If any work for you, simply scroll down, and email the reporter with your details and why you’re an expert. If they don’t, simply delete them.It’s that incredibly simple. Like most brilliant things are.Oh yeah - it’s all free. The list has over 12,000 members that have joined since it launched three months ago, why not be one of them! Members have been quoted in everything from the NY Times to CNN to the Washington Post to the NY Daily News to Fox News to TV to radio to bloggers around the world.

Sign up here: http://www.helpareporter.com

If you’re a journalist and want to submit a query: Submit it here: www.helpareporter.com/press

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30. April 2008 by DSJC.

When my kids were six and eight, I told them (in response to their questions on why I got breast cancer) that my breast cancer may have been kicked off by my drinking wine when I was younger, which is what my medical oncologist told me in response to the why question.  I was 34 at diagnosis.  I also told them it may not have been the cause, but that I quit drinking alcohol, just in case it was the reason.

Because of what I told them, both my kids react strongly when they see people drinking alcohol.  They are both vocal in telling people not to drink.  I’ve tried to tell them that it has to be okay for other, legal-aged adults to make their own choices, but they feel it’s their duty to inform people of the link between alcohol and breast cancer.  I can’t argue with their logic.

So, imagine my dismay, time and again, when our friends pooh-pooh my children (now 10 and 12) and tell them they are WRONG and that drinking alcohol is okay.  Why would adults say this to children?  My only thought is that they need to justify their own needs or desires to enjoy their vice.  However, my kids aren’t wrong.

On April 14, Reuters posted a story about the results of a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute.  According to the story, the large

The report went on to say that “the analysis of data from more than 184,000 women is the biggest of three major studies to conclude that drinking raises the risk of breast cancer for older women.”  These comments are attributed to Jasmine Lew, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute and the study’s lead investigator.

The research found that women who had one to two small drinks a day were 32 percent more likely to develop a hormone-sensitive tumor, the kind of breast cancer that I had. Three or more drinks a day raised the risk by 51 percent, and regardless of the type of alcohol, the risk was evident. 

The Reuters story also said that about 70 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have tumors that are positive for both the estrogen and progesterone receptors. 

So, if you should run into a child who is telling you not to drink alcohol for fear of getting breast cancer, please don’t tell her that she is wrong.  According to the National Cancer Institute, she is right.

As for me, I’m planning to print the article and present it to my adult friends.  DSJC.

Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness | No Comments »

24. April 2008 by DSJC.

I would be remiss to let Earth Day go by this week without posting something that’s environmentally related.  At the same time, I want to post something about a remarkable lady named Beth Brownlee whom I recently profiled for Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine.  My publisher tells me the profile may not run until September in the fall issue, but I just can’t wait that long to publish something about her.

It just so happens that Beth’s story is also about the environment, so I get to include both breast cancer wellness advocacy and Going Green in one post.  Lucky me!  Lucky You!

Beth is a breast cancer survivor and co-founder of Trust Your Journey (http://www.trustyourjourney.com/).  More community site than online storefront, Trust Your Journey is and will be a place where women who are facing challenges of all kinds can share their experiences and, in the process, help each other.   Beth’s business partner is Ruth Nichols.  Both women chronicle their challenges on the site in the spirit of sharing and helping.

According to their website, “Trust Your Journey inspires women everywhere to honor their inner strength and celebrate their personal path through life.  TYJ products proclaim a commitment to this belief while embracing the use of socially and environmentally responsible practices.”   

These two courageous ladies opted to go the less profitable but far-more-satisfying route of offering only organic clothing and eco-friendly products on their website, because, as Beth put it, it’s the right thing to do. 

So, if you’re in the market for an all-organic cotton tee-shirt or NEAT seed-filled wrapping paper that you can later plant to grow flowers, check out Trust Your Journey (and watch for the fall issue of Breast Cancer Wellness) for my profile of Beth.  DSJC.

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9. April 2008 by DSJC.

     Isn’t it great that Spring is here?  Perhaps in the East it’s not yet warm, but everyone knows the warmth is coming, right?  Here, in sunny Southern California, I’m seeing buds on the trees that dropped their leaves, and it’s getting much warmer each day.  Yes, some of our trees drop their leaves!

Anyway, I am especially excited, because the Spring 2008 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine is finally out, too, and my publisher gave me a bit of a thrill.  She put me and my daughter, Sabrina, on the cover (in a small, inset photo) and at the top of the Table of Contents!  It’s part of a tribute to Mother’s Day to which several people contributed.  There’s also a tribute from me to my mom inside the magazine.  I’m really looking forward to sharing the print version with my mom and Sabrina.  Sabrina’s already viewed the online version and gave me a big smile!  J

I also am especially proud of the profiles I did for this issue.  The people I get to interview and write about are so amazing, and the three women profiled in this issue are no exception.  My “Survive & Thrive” column starts on page 32.  Unfortunately, because of the way the magazine was laid out to be posted online, the “Survive & Thrive” column was split.  You’ll have to access both links (you’ll see what I mean) to read the full column.  Go to this link to access the magazine online:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine.html.

On a similar note, last week I was honored to work with Mary Olsen Kelly, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul.  Mary has been chosen as one of 25 2008 Yoplait Champions.  I assisted her in editing and distributing her good news.  Mary is a remarkable person, and Yoplait knows it. 

As a Yoplait Champion, Mary has been recongized as an individual doing extraordinary things in the fight against breast cancer.  Yoplait will donate $1,000 to the breast cancer charity of her choice.  Go to www.Yoplait.com to learn more and see who the other 24 Champions are.

Mary also is the author of The Path of the Pearl, a book about healing and overcoming adversity.  Most people know that pearls are made by oysters responding to an irritant (sand).  And so it is with us.  We can become strong and beautiful (turned into pearls) through overcoming adversity.   

I was honored to assist Mary in her public relations effort to share her Yoplait Champions 2008 good news.  Find out more about Mary’s efforts to fight breast cancer at one of her websites: www.1BestTTT.com, www.BreastWishes.org, www.PathofthePearl.org.  

Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness, Public Relations | No Comments »

2. April 2008 by DSJC.

Today, I read a terrific post by David Meerman Scott entitled, Al Gore: PR Agent for Planet Earth (http://www.webinknow.com/2008/03/al-gore-pr-agen.html?cid=109147248#comment-109147248).  (NOTE:  This is not a political blog).

Anyone who’s interested in learning about the practice of PR should read Meerman Scott’s post (actually any of them) as he lists the reasons why Gore is so good at what he does.  Once again, Meerman Scott proves his PR prowess.  At the same time, he highlighted the enviable communications abilities of Al Gore.

Throughout the post I found myself saying, “Yes, that’s right!”  Yet, I have a little more to add to Meerman Scott’s post, and I said as much in my comments on his blog, Web Ink Now.

I agree; Gore is remarkable in his public relations and marketing communications acumen.  He is someone from whom we all can learn.  Gore can teach us a lot about communications in general.

I have been reading another, less known book by Al Gore.  It’s called The Assault on Reason, and you need only read his introduction to see how just how completely he understands the impact that media messaging has on what he calls “the public sphere.”  Among other points made in the book, Gore makes a case for the Internet being a great hope for saving

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18. March 2008 by DSJC.

Robert Fulghum, on his blog site (http://www.robertfulghum.com/) posted on March 9^th what many who write recognize to be true:

It is true that writing is mostly a way to be a good companion to one’s self.
It is true that writing is a way to live your life over several times.
It is true that if you write only to get the attention of others, you will never be satisfied. Because you can’t ever really know what others think.
This is especially the case with friends and family and neighbors. The closer people are to you, the less they will have to say about what you publish. It’s the people you do not know – the readers from far away - ones you will never meet – who will write to you and reflect on your writing. In part it is because they have imagined you. You are a projection of their lives and thinking. Fan mail is more about the fan than you.

Speaking of fans, I am big fan of Fulghum’s; I LOVE his writings.  He makes me smile, even laugh out loud at times (so, I guess it IS about me).  I like to think I’m one of those people he calls “players.”  I and others like me are his audience. 

I found it comforting to read what Fulghum shared as I realized the truth of it myself some time ago—that many of the people who know me don’t have much to say about my writing for Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.  And, that is a-okay with me.

It’s the readers who don’t know me—the readers from far away—who do read what I have to say.  They are the ones I mean to touch anyway.  But I do feel that I am satisfied even as I write for their attention.  I write for them while writing for myself; I am inspired by the people I profile. 

Writing for the attention of others is in line with good marketing and good communications; it’s writing for the audience, a.k.a. the target.  I’ll never forget the words of my mentor, Scott Harlin, a successful high-tech marketer.  He said, “Remember the audience; what’s in it for them?”  Well over a decade ago, Harlin made me print that out and paste it to my computer monitor, because he wanted to drive home the idea that all successful communications speak to the audience.

Last week I was touched by readers, by representatives of the journalistic world—readers from far away who took notice and saw the positive purpose of the work.

The fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, to which I contribute profiles, received the 2007 Dan Ranly Award for “Best Issue” in the consumer category from the Missouri Association of Publications (MAP).  Now, I realize that Beverly Vote, our publisher and editor-in-chief, gets just about all of the credit for the magazine, but it is nice to share in the honor.  It tells me that we at the magazine speak to our audience. 

So, is this a case of the fan mail (honor) being more about the fan than about me or the magazine?  Yes, and it means that we touched them, just as Mr. Fulghum’s works touch so many of us around the world.  Whether he intends to or not, Fulghum gets the attention of others.  I’m happy to say, so does Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.

To view the fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, go to:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine/Fall07_01.pdf.  My articles begin on page 44.   DSJC

Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness, Public Relations | No Comments »

11. March 2008 by DSJC.

My buddy, Chris Knepper, recently posted a comment on the US auto industry and its fight to avoid making environmentally friendly alternative fuel cars.  His point is that, rather than spending the same money on lawyers to fight change, why not spend it on making the needed manufacturing changes?  He goes on to say that, on the one hand, by switching to eco-friendly and economic products, they might start enjoying in the robust sales that Toyota, Honda and others are, or, on the other hand, they can continue to fight the inevitable while wishing everyone would stop buying foreign-made cars.  I would argue that they also would enjoy better PR if they’d just embrace the needed changes — the changes that future buyers from Generations Y and beyond want…and will buy even at a premium.

To check out Chris’ take on this topic, go to his blog on MySpace at: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=19487059&blogID=363917854

DSJC

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7. February 2008 by DSJC.

<a href=”http://technorati.com/claim/e6rw3e7n4” rel=”me”>Technorati Profile</a>

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