A Great Example of Grassroots Marketing on a National Level

If ever there was an organization that did exceptional grassroots marketing, including social networking, it would be the Fresh Air Fund. The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency, which has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Vermont is one of the places where many of these children come to experience fresh air in the summer. Right now they are looking for local college age kids to serve as counselors for this upcoming summer. More info is available here - http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/.

As a marketer, if you click the above link, you will be treated to one of the best uses of social media based public relations I have come across. The release offers embedded codes for bloggers like me to share the video:



It has online applications for camp counselors (which is what they are looking for with this particular release). It has embedded codes for banners, logos and tons of others stuff:



It has the background info (templated paragraph for my clients who read this!) and all media contact info. And my favorite - it has all the social media tags so you can Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube the heck out of it - if you want.

Besides having their technology in the tip top position, they have the staff dedicated to the time it takes to effectively manage a public relations campaign. The PR folks running this campaign sure did their research in their target markets (one being Vermont) and finding ways that people in these target markets get their information (local blogs being one). Because of my popular Vermont Vibes Blog, I was contacted last summer and asked to help find some family hosts via my blog. Coincidence or not, there were definitely some families in Charlotte who signed up to be host families who hadn't been before. And it didn't end there - I am contacted on a regular basis to write on my blog again. Can that be annoying? Sure! But one of the unfortunate side effects of being a PR person is you have to be skilled at being annoying! Otherwise I would never be writing this blog on behalf of the Fresh Air Fund, because without the follow-up, I would never remember!

I do hope they use the Fresh Air Fund as a case study in those books I had to use to teach the PR classes at Champlain College. Definitely a better example of current PR than say, the Tylenol one (PR pros, I know you know that one!).

So, if you are reading this and know how to get information to college age kids - please get them this link! http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/

Social Media - Grow with It...

So, times are tough and they don't seem to be getting better. How ridiculously annoying for everyone! I mean, how can you not get down when you work your butt off to have two days off to cram in all the things you possibly can that you learn from all the new ways we are learning things. What about sleeping? Visit friends? And all the never ending items on the growing To Do List? I don't know about you, but sometimes I really, really, really feel -> this close to losing it!

AURGH!!!!

Well, the only thing you can do during tough times is to be proactive and NOT just "wait it out." This is your chance to learn, grow, develop more contacts, learn new skills, etc. My backup skill is gardening and I am waiting for that call to come and someone to say, "Hi Miss Vermont PR Mama, we are the Government Organization of Environmentally Sustainable Bail-out Package Revamping the National Food Crisis Committee and you have been selected to receive a subsidy to start a heady, hippie, farm growing produce for Vermonters and we chose you because of your fabulous PR skills." But, until the government can figure out what to call the committee and who can head it up that isn't being charged with tax fraud I will have to focus my energies on other efforts during this "tough times." And I suggest you do as well...

Last week I was invited to present on a fantastic panel at CCTV's Media Maven Luncheon to a group of non-profit leaders on Communication Strategies for Touch Times, specifically the biggest buzz and raddest rave, social media. Myself, owner of Rachel Carter PR, along with Liz Schlegal of Foundline, Dr. Elaine Young the Champlain College Marketing Professor and Blogger, and Patricia Aroujo a savvy E-Entrepreneur sat on the panel and dished out some advice.

I highly suggest checking out the video of the luncheon and hearing all of the great advice firsthand. While this is aimed at non-profits, there is extremely valuable and pertinent information for small businesses as well:



I offer five tips in summation of this panel discussion:

1.) Collaborate!!!
2.) Understand that you can't be everything to everyone or you're no one to none and really apply it to your business or organization. Believe us, you are NEVER the exception.
3.) Using social media is NOT a quick fix and in this day and age, quick fixes are done, so get to work and stop complaining about the good old days, they just move farther away.
4.) Change your story at all times for every audience. You do it when you are telling the same story to your son and then to your mother-in-law - you make it pertinent to them. Now, do the same thing with the messages that come from your business or organization. There just isn't any other way and shameless self promotion is a hubris sin of the past regardless of how "good" it is.
5.) Stop thinking re-actively! While things are slow, this is the PERFECT time to shift your marketing to being proactive because while proactive works the best, it is very time consuming, so implement it now!

Vermont Business Award Opportunity

The Burlington Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) organization seeks young professional women and men between the ages of 21 and 35 to participate in the 2009 Young Careerist program on Wednesday, February 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Best Western Windjammer Conference Center in South Burlington, Vermont.

Held on an annual basis at the local, state and national levels of BPW, the Young Careerist Program recognizes the accomplishments of young, upcoming leaders and provides them with professional development skills and opportunities. Established in 1964, the national Young Careerist Program involves a competitive selection process within local organizations and state federations, resulting in the selection of a Young Careerist to represent each state federation at the BPW/USA annual National Conference. During the program, candidates participate in interviews with a group of judges and present a four-minute speech to the Burlington BPW membership and guests. They are judged in the following areas: written and biographical information, judges’ interview, ability to help others achieve, group interaction and prepared speeches on specific topics.

To be eligible to participate in the program, candidates must either live or work in the greater Burlington area, have worked in their current profession for at least a year, be familiar with BPW, and support the national BPW legislative platform statement.

For more information please visit www.burlingtonbpw.org. To participate in the program, contact Jennifer Nachbur at 802-238-6110 or Jennifer.Nachbur@uvm.edu.

I participated last year and was not only named the Burlington Young Careerist, but also the Vermont Young Careerist! Great opportunity for young professionals - check it out!!!

A Shout Out to Miss Vermont

Miss Vermont 2008, Ashley Wheeler, has certainly made a splash in raising awareness for the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization this year!

Kudos Ashley for being the first Miss Vermont to win a Preliminary Talent Award and for being the Non-Finalist Talent Winner at the Miss America competition! I thought this would position her nicely for being a finalist, but not the case. Regardless, this is awesome for Vermont and awesome for Ashley!


Besides rocking out a fabulous rendition of "God Bless America" and taking home $6,000 in scholarship from the Miss America Pageant (making a total of $13,000 in college scholarship partnered with her Miss Vermont funds), Ashley wore a 100% eco-chic dress for the evening gown competition made by Vermonter, Tara Lynn. Personally this is one of the loveliest dresses I have ever seen.

The Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization as a whole has made tremendous strides in building the awareness and integrity of the program, due mostly to the fact that three passionate, dedicated, and talented former Miss Vermont's run the organization. Miss Vermont 2000, Hannah Nelson, was the force behind making Special Olympics Penguin Plunge such a phenomenal event and fundraiser when she took a job there after her reign as Miss Vermont 2000. Now the Director of Alumni Relations at Lyndon State College, Hannah has honed exceptional public relations skills and her efforts have had huge impact for the Miss Vermont.

Also an excellent recruiter, Hannah recruited me to be a judge in the Miss Vermont Pageant in 2005, the first year Ashley Wheeler competed in Miss Vermont. You've come a long way Ashley and you were amazing back then!

Congratulations Ashley - you certainly had the state rooting for you while you were competing in Miss America! And Good Luck in all of your endeavors!

Financial Fitness & Yoga for Women

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Smith Barney Financial Advisor, Danielle Livellara, for a few years now and am always extremely impressed by her presence, speaking skills, personality, and innovative marketing ideas. One of my first jobs when I moved to Burlington was in marketing at an insurance company and it always amazed me with the level of difficulty most agents met innovative marketing ideas. Danielle would have put them all to shame!

Association marketing is such a valuable skill and tactic, especially in the financial industry as people are far more willing to trust a friend or someone in their circle of interests than anyone else - no matter how good they are! This is not only something Danielle understands, but does with the utmost sincerity and integrity.


I encourage everyone who wishes to learn more about creating financial balance in their life and interested in yoga to sign up for Danielle Financial Fitness & Yoga class this coming Friday, January 30th from 6:00 - 7:30 at the Burlington YMCA. The cost is free and the seminar is followed by yoga; light snacks will be served. And please - share with a friend!

Rachel Carter PR Best of 2008!

It's time - the official Rachel Carter PR Best of 2008!!! This is my compilation of the best services, products, and people I have come across over the past year and I want to share with readers and followers of my blog!

BEST NETWORKING
The Annual Go Red For Women Luncheon
Held annually in February, the Go Red For Women Luncheon raises awareness for heart disease and stroke in women and offers a fantastic set-up for networking: women host tables at the luncheon itself which features speakers and survivor stories and is preceded by two hours of coffee and tea, a huge silent auction, workshops, and chit chat. I am hosting a table at this year's luncheon on February 19th as a result of attending the 2008 luncheon and the impact it had on me. If you haven't signed up yet I strongly urge you to do so!

BEST ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT
VPR - Vermont Public Radio/VPR Classical
I listen to VPR Classical throughout the day in my office and VPR when driving to and from meetings and when working out so it would only make sense to offer financial support during their fundraising drive held in late fall. And without a doubt, VPR leads the way by providing exceptional news and commentary and proves that radio is alive, important, and beneficial.

BEST BUSINESS NEWS
Champlain Business Journal
I love all of the business publications in Vermont and as a PR person it is probably not a good idea to seem like I am playing favorites. However, the Champlain Business Journal deserves a mention for the great work they have done in revamping the look, feel, and content of their publication. They have created a better niche for themselves (the other pubs already have their niches well developed) and have become exceptional at covering a very wide spectrum of what is happening in the diverse business landscape that makes up Vermont - way to go!!!!

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE
The Growth Coach
Mary Beth Quinn, the amazing woman behind The Growth Coach, is the only client I am including in this list and not because she is a client, but because of the presentations, newsletters, and conversations I have had with Mary Beth aside from out client work. Her advice and procedures are so right on I cannot honestly create this list without including The Growth Coach. If you need to develop your business in any way, I highly suggest taking a Growth Coach workshop.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
Great Photographic Art of Vermont
There are a ton of photographers out there and each one charges more than the next. I wonder how this industry will survive with so much competition, such high prices, and with so many more people becoming skilled in handling much of their own photography. As a public relations professional, I deal with the importance and vitality of photography to tell a story on a daily basis, yet I have always had a difficult time finding a photographer to take good press shots at a reasonable price until now! Jonathan Hart of Great Photographic Art of Vermont is an exceptional commercial photographer with a whoppingly impressive client list, yet is more than happy to offer publicity rates for press shoots which are far less demanding and technical than other types of photo shoots and this is good news for people handling their own PR!

BEST LOCAL PRODUCT
Honey Gardens
Right down the road from Rachel Carter PR, is the fantastic Honey Gardens. I am addicted to the raw honey, convinced that eating direct pollen from my backyard will help keep my allergies at bay. The mead was the biggest hit at my family Thanksgiving dinner and made for easy Christmas presents. And the syrups are a lifesaver when the winter colds set in. Next time you're heading down Route 7, definitely stop or check out their products at a variety of Vermont stores.

BEST VERMONT STORE
Spears Corner Store
This has changed a bit for me over the years based on where I spend my Vermont Vibing time and where I live, and as right now I live in Charlotte - specifically in East Charlotte - Spears Corner Store has blown any competition far away. Plus they hold the annual Tractor Parade! Not to mention I actually go in and hang out - just like a real Vermonter should! If you ever head out to visit Rachel Carter PR in the Charlotte Farmhouse, be sure you say hi to Carrie in Spears and pick up a local product!

And as everyone is concerned about money, recessions, finances, adding machines, calculators, etc., I will offer my top picks in the field of finances - a field I have absolutely no talent in...

BEST BOOKKEEPER
Double Entry Bookkeeping
Without a doubt. The first business expense I invested in was hiring Diana Jones of Double Entry Bookkeeping. Taxes, financial organization advice, and Quickbooks training have all been invaluable to my business and Diana's style simply rocks!

BEST BANKER
Key Bank
Is there any doubt in any Vermont woman business owner's mind to bank with anyone else but Jeannie Lynch at the Taft Corners Key Bank? I think not. Jeannie brings you back to the days when your banker was your friend except in a day and age when women business owners drive the entrepreneur market.

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISER
UBS Financial Services
Tricia Senzel delivers financial information in a manner that equals having a pleasant lunch with the top editor of The Financial World for Dummies. And to a Gen Exer who dropped out of Trigonometry, there is nothing more important. Well, that and Tricia is sincerely trustworthy.

And there you have it - kudos to all and thank you all for playing your part in helping me create a fun and successful public relations business in Vermont!
Rock On!

The Charlotte Farmhouse Makes Regional News!

Happy New Year Everyone! I am back from some much needed R&R and have already hit the ground running and was featured in a New England Cable News segment which aired yesterday - check it out:



Oh, my favorite band, tied with moe. of course.

I need to be quick, as I am still getting back up to speed and don't want to fall behind before 2009 has even started. But up next - Rachel Carter PR Best of 2008!!!!! Wahoo!