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A useful plugin for Wordpress users
Add imagery easily to your wordpress blog posts using the new iStock plugin
Today, iStockphoto and Wordpress have announced a very useful plugin for anyone wanting to easily add photos to their blog posts without having to leave the Wordpress platform.
Thanks to a new plugin by iStock member gutewolke, Wordpress users now have millions of low-cost, high-quality iStockphoto images at their fingertips.
The plugin automatically searches from over 13 million photos from the portfolios of iStockphoto and Fotolia to find the photos that match the tags you’ve added to your post. Simply select the photo you want to use, purchase a license to use it from $1, and the plugin will automatically add it to your blog post. The entire transaction can be completed in a matter of seconds.
Deliver the strong visual impact you need without a lot of extra effort, and you’ll have more time to start thinking about what you want to write next. The plugin, co-developed by Lee Torrens and Amos Struck, is available in the Wordpress Plugin Directory.
Missing Pencil Tragedy!
We a received an email today from a very distressed lady that we met at a networking event many years ago.
At a networking event in London many years ago, we had a display stand showcasing our portfolio of work and the services we offer. It was a lovely event and we met many nice people. At the event we gave out Rubber Cheese pencil’s that had a lovely cheese rubber on the end of them. They went down a storm with everyone who got one!
THen today as I was checking through our emails, I found this very random email:
Sent at: 15 07 2010
I’m so upset!
Many moons ago at a networking event in London organised by Larry, Rubber Cheese had a stand and I acquired a pencil with a yellow cheese rubber on the end. I’ve loved that pencil and rubber and looked after it with great tender loving care, now it’s vanished! I suspect “borrowed” by a granddaughter.
What am I to do? :(
Don’t laugh, I really did like that pencil and rubber!
Jackie
This was my reply:
Hi Jackie
Thanks for the email at this very distressing time! But you need to stress no more!
Luckily for you, we have a spare one or two pencils at Rubber Cheese headquarters. If you send me your address, I will send you a couple free of charge!
Sorry to hear about your loss, but I hope i’ve made it a much better day for you!?
regards
Paul
So, the story ends on a happy note and Jackie will have a brand new pencil landing on her doormat very soon!
This got me thinking that more people should have these pencils. So, if you would also like to have one of our very special pencil and rubbers, please use twitter to tweet a message giving a reason for why you think you deserve to have a pencil. The reasons can be as random or a sensible as you like. We will then decide if we think you should have one or not. Don’t worry we’re not that hard to please!
We will then message you to find out your address and send you a lovely Rubber Cheese pencil and rubber. Please make sure you add this hash tag in the message: #rubbercheese
Also, please note, we only have a limited supply, so once they are gone, they are gone for good!
7 Ways for your Business to Survive the Summer Slump
7 top PR tips from Paula Gardner to help your business survive the summer slump!
It might only be the start of July, but already I can sense people starting to wind down for the summer. People are telling me that that they are feeling tired, struggling to get through their normal work, let alone do any PR. They are eagerly awaiting their summer break or just in a whole different state of mind.
And yet, leave a glaring hole in your PR activities for the next two months and it’s just like starting all over again come the Autumn.
So, what do I think you should at least be doing this summer...?
1. Tip Sheets
Write a “7 ways to”, or “The Top 5 Myths about” article. Break up those 7, 5 or whatever number of points into separate emails and schedule one tip or piece of advice to go out each week as a series over the summer months.
Even if you have no press releases going out and are making no follow up calls, the press are still getting regular contact from you and you are continuing to build your brand.
2. Schedule in some Networking Events
You might think that it’s not worth it as there will be fewer attendees, but the reality is that you are more likely to strike up a quality conversation when people are relaxed and there’s less of a crowd competing for your attention.
3. Use an Intern
If you’re anything like me you may well have projects that you just never seem to have to finish, or ideas that you haven’t got around to implementing. Using an intern, whether it’s a student or a keen teenager, for the summer, might be one way of getting them off your to-do list.
4. Boost Your Blog
Many of my clients know that doing a blog would be a wise move, and many of those actually enjoy writing so it won’t be too much of a chore. What they haven’t yet got is the habit of writing their blog. Why not use these quieter summer months as a time to create that habit by blogging first thing every morning. It doesn’t have to be a full scale article, just a comment on what’s in the news or even a think piece will do..and think how much juicy search engine friendly content you will have by the end of the summer.
5. Learn About The Press
Take advantage of the summer sun to sit in pavement cafes, sip a smoothie or cappuccino and really get to grips with the difference between The Telegraph and The Guardian, or just immerse yourself in the trade mags and the language they use, ready for a fresh approach in the Autumn.
6. Take a Day Off
Book out some time to plan your campaign for the Autumn so that everything - your press releases, Twitter, Facebook, article writing, tips, product shots - works together to promote the brand. Take a look at my Get Noticed consultation if you want help with this.
7. Look Out for Media Requests
These are requests put out by journalists who are looking for case studies, experts and products for review or goodie bags. You can sometimes spot them on business forums or get sent them by trade associations. Alternatively, you can join our Publicity Club and get them sent direct to you. Replying to these as and when relevant ones come in is a great low-key way to garner coverage and help build a cracking media list at the same time.
And, for the very reasonable fee of £150 a month, we’ll even do this for you. Contact me at if you’d like to know more.
Here’s hoping the sun will last,
Paula Gardner
PR Strategies - 7 Reasons Why You Need One Right Now
Guest blog by Paula Gardner of Do Your Own PR
1. Just Getting It DoneWithout a strategy, PR does have an annoying habit of getting pushed to the bottom of a to-do list. After all, it’s rare that journalists actively contact you (unless you are a member of our club perhaps!). Every PR campaign has to be self-motivated and maintained. Having a PR strategy with clearly defined jobs and deadlines makes PR much more likely to happen.
2. It Amplifies The Results From Other Marketing ActivitesHaving a PR strategy will reinforce the work you do in other areas. You can tie your advertising, online and offline marketing and newsletter into the same theme as your PR campaign so that they all pull together. This also means that you can re-use material too, taking the core and using it in your marketing material, press releases, articles, tip sheets and newsletters.
3. It Helps You keep UpEven if you don’t have a PR strategy you can bet your competitors do. It can be gutting to watch what was once your contemporary steam ahead in both profile and sales – I know I have been there in a previous life.
4. It Gets You SeriousYou know you need a PR strategy long-term, so why put it off when you could be stepping up and stepping into the serious business that you really want to be?
5. You will get added benefitsImplementing a PR campaign will bring you so much more than just mere press coverage. You will increase in confidence, tackle a new skill and build relationships that will impact on your business over and over again.
6. And about building those relationships..A press campaign is not just about sending out press releases, but about building up a relationship with the press…talking to them, perhaps even taking time out to meet them. Just like a friendship, a relationship with a journalist can’t be rushed…so why are you waiting around when you could be making a start?
7. Planning for the FutureI do come across businesses who say they will implement PR when they have the budget or have grown to a certain size. This is all very well and good but don’t they realise that they could be reaching those budgets or that growth now with the help of PR! Getting started on a PR campaign and then handing it over to a company or freelancer later puts you in a fabulous position. Having done PR you’ll know what you are talking about, be able to spot the deliverers from the mere promisers and be able to contribute to what should be a long-standing relationship with your PR agency.
Paula Gardner of Do Your Own PR is a PR and media coach and the author of Get Noticed.
For a free PR resource pack sign up at:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?v=0018aaLHdu4GfSgHuhbQI8XADfgnJ0W-pKZ
Things my new puppy has eaten
A list of things my 8 month old puppy has eaten
In February this year we rescued an abandoned a tiny, very pretty boxer/ridgeback puppy called Ruby. This is her.
I’m sure she’s very grateful that we’ve given her a home, but her way of thanking us seems to be by stealing and eating all of our possessions.
Here is a list of things she has eaten, chewed or completely destroyed since she came to live with us.
Buster’s collar (Buster is our 5year old Chocolate Labrador)
Buster’s lead
Her lead
Buster’s dog food (This was followed by what I fondly call “The night of shit” – you can use your imagination)
My debit card (stolen from my purse)
A tea towel
Oven gloves
Wires for the speakers
Phone cable
Plug for the sink
Her bed
A bath towel
Half a dead snake (Found in the park. She only ate half because she bit it in half and I managed to throw it away)
Carpet
Underlay
Wall plaster (we’re renovating our house)
The fence
A book
Ear plugs
All my pot plants in the back garden
Drainage pipe
A bird (Jumped up and caught it on the bird feeder. She can jump really high; I’ve never seen anything like it)
A letter
DVD case
Extension lead
My mobile phone case
Skirting board
A bee
Blender plug
Hosepipe
I’d like to point out that we don’t leave things ling around for her to eat, she is very cunning and can open doors.
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