SIMB Public Relations - PR Services for Stamping Business Owners

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, for the last year, we’ve been running a service for a limited number of Stamping Business Owners – SIMB Public Relations.

Up to this point, we have limited the enrollment to just a handful of clients on a market-exclusive basis.

I'm happy to say this service has been a great success!

Over the last several months, we’ve placed many of our clients in multiple newspapers and magazines, as well as on several television and radio stations.

In January alone, we've booked nine television appearances for our clients!

You can see some of these results on the SIMB Blog: (http://stampingismybusiness.typepad.com/blog/simb-clients-in-the-media/).

For our clients, this has translated into increased customers, attendance at classes, and even a downline or two!

Based on that success, we are now in the process of expanding our enrollment. Again, we’ll take the additional enrollments on a first-come, market-exclusive basis. That means if we’re already working with someone in your market, or someone in your market registers before you, we can’t take you on.

Also, due to language or time zone issues with the media outlets, we are unable to work with media markets in Quebec, Australia and New Zealand.

If you’re interested in enrolling, send an e-mail to john@stampingismybusiness.com.

If our enrollment is not full, and if you’re in a market we’re not already serving, I’ll send you an e-mail letting you know you’ve been accepted and what the next steps are. If not, I’ll send you an e-mail letting you know that, as well.

Again, if you’re interested, please read all of the information below, and send me an e-mail. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Detailed information on the service follows...

SIMB PR – Public Relations Services for Stamping Business Owners

What is it?

· SIMB PR is a full-service public relations service.
· Each month SIMB PR will write and send out two press releases to up to 10 media organizations in your area (newspapers, magazines, television, radio and internet).
· We will then follow up by calling each of these organizations EVERY TIME we send out a press release!
· You get consistent marketing to bring in new customers AND consistent follow-up!

What Kind of Press Releases?

· Each month, we’ll have two generic press releases ready to go.
· They will contain broad-based story ideas about rubber-stamping, scrapbooking, home-based businesses, etc.
· Each of these generic press releases will be personalized with your name, location, personal details, quotes, etc.
· If you have something newsworthy to write about, though, we will replace the generic press release with one we write to specifically highlight your story (limit 2 times per year).

Why Are You Doing This? What’s The Value?

· Everyone agrees that press releases are a great, low-cost way to generate exposure and publicity, but very few people actually do them.
· In order to get the best bang-for-your-buck from press releases, you have to send them out on a regular basis AND regularly follow up.
· This establishes legitimacy, momentum and a more solid relationship with the media organization.
· The more of this you have, the better your chances of getting regular coverage.
· Unfortunately, most stamping business owners don’t come close to getting the full value out of press releases. Why?
o They don’t know how to write them
o They don’t know what to write about
o They don’t know who to send them to
o They don’t know the proper way to send them
o They don’t have the time or energy to send them out consistently
o They don’t have the time, energy or guts to follow up every time
· SIMB PR allows you to outsource this and take these problem off your hands. You’re going to get consistent, professional marketing AND consistent follow-up

So, what happens when I sign up?

· Shortly after you sign up, you’ll get an e-mail from Liz, my wife and partner, who does most of the actual PR work, with a few forms to fill out
· These forms will ask you to list some of the smaller, local publications in your area (We can find the big ones, but the little ones are often harder to find)
· Other forms will ask you to send us your schedule of upcoming events, list of recent achievements, awards, trips, changes, etc. for story ideas.
· We then put together your Media List. We’ll call each of the media organizations you gave us, as well as others in your area we know about to compile the list. This list will allow us to know who, specifically, to send the press releases to (and follow up with), how to send them and how far in advance they’re required.
· You’ll probably get one or two calls from us during this process to start tossing around story ideas, etc.
· In order to do this right, this initial process will take a week or two. Your first press release will be sent out shortly after that.

OK… Then What Happens?

Your first press release will be sent out to all of the organizations on your Media List.
· Each press release will be personalized. Your name and location will be prominently featured (even on the generic ones – which we adapt for each client).
· We will then follow up by phone with each Media List contact to confirm receipt, answer any questions and try to get them to run the story.
· On every one of your press releases, we will be listed as the contact person. That means, we’ll coordinate and schedule any questions, interviews and correspondence for you. We’ll also do any necessary post-interview follow up. You don’t have to worry about anything.
· We will repeat the process twice a month, EVERY month. Remember, it’s all about consistency!

Maggie Patterson, a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator has her own Public Relations firm…and SHE's used SIMB PR! Here’s what she has to say:

“As PR professional, I’m completely impressed with the value and expertise delivered by SIMB PR. Hands down, PR is one of the most cost effective ways to market any business and the cost of the service is a mere fraction of what you’d pay for any other PR person or firm. I rely on SIMB PR to promote my stamping business, even when I have the skills and experience to do it myself, because I’m guaranteed my PR outreach will get the consistent time and effort it requires week after week.”

How Much Does It Cost?

· The SIMB PR Service (which includes everything listed above) is $79.99/month. (However, when you sign up, you will receive $10/month off their first three months!)
· There is no minimum time commitment, but you should be committed to at least six to twelve months in order to give yourself the best possible chance to build momentum, increase familiarity and legitimacy and maximize your chances for coverage
· You will be charged $69.99 when you sign up
· Following that, you’ll be charged on the 26th of each month for the upcoming month

Why Is The Price So High?

· Actually, the price is quite low, when you consider what’s included (Maggie Patterson, the PR professional quoted above, would charge her clients significantly more for the same level of service)
· Most PR firms would charge three times as much just send out one press release…without the follow-up! At least ten times as much with the follow-up (to see how much PRWeb charges just to send out a press release, click here).
· And you have to consider this:
o Are you doing consistent marketing and follow-up now?
o If not, are you going to be able to realistically add that to your plate if you have to do it yourself?
· If the answer to either of those questions is no, then is it worth the price to add this type of consistency to your business?

Can You Guarantee I’ll Get Coverage?

· Unfortunately, no, but your chance of coverage dramatically increases with consistent marketing and follow-up.
· Usually, once you begin to get coverage, as long as you continue to consistently send out press releases and follow up, you’ll get coverage on a regular basis
· Once that happens, the consistent exposure should lead to new customers, as well as increased sales and revenues.
· Ultimately, after the ramp-up period, the PR Service should pay for itself

If you’re interested, send me an e-mail with your location. I’ll send you an e-mail back letting you know if we can take you on.