Promise of a Greater Hope

This week, each blogger in my class created a proposal for an online cancer forum for Cure and Heal magazines. Here are some of my thoughts…although I encourage you to skim all of our suggestions and give any input that might help us better meet our goals for the forum!

Promise
“Promise of a better day. Promise of a greater hope. Promise of a new tomorrow...”
-Beautiful Girls

Mission: To provide a forum for cancer patients and survivors, their families, friends and doctors to unite and provide insight, encouragement and hope for one another.

This moment is our only guarantee, and we hope that the promise of a beautiful tomorrow will keep members returning to spend time with others who value the life they’ve been given and who strive to live it fully each and every day!

Cancer Blogs to Visit:

http://2hands.blogspot.com (This is visually my favorite!)
http://500miles2nowhere.blogspot.com
http://cancerbaby.typepad.com/cancerbaby
http://cancertalk.blogspot.com
http://toosexyformyhair.com
http://illuminade.blogspot.com
http://www.tigerox.org/blog.html
http://www.limbodacious.typepad.com
http://www.caringforconnor.com

Blogs will play an integral role in the site, as shared experience is critical to establishing a strong culture visitors will want to return to and invest time and energy in.

I would have blogs grouped by category: those written by patients, survivors, family and friends about a loved one or on behalf of one, diagnosed teens, young widows, Komen walkers, volunteers, etc. People can choose groups that they identify with, and by separating myriad sites and blogs on cancer into more niche-oriented groupings, visitors can tap into the information, stories or social networks they are looking for.

We also had to propose some sidebar themes…I had two different suggestions:

#1
Live (for survivors)
Love (families and other support networks)
Hope (cancer patients)

#2
Spirit/Strength: "Start choosing to live out your strength and you'll discover that it grows each time." –Anon.

This section would deal with religious/spiritual posts or blogs, relaxing activities and the deep, personal aspects of cancer that impact so many lives.

Mind: “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” –Marie Curie

This is the doctors’ portion on cancer breakthroughs, advice, etc. It would provide medical knowledge and facts to keep cancer in perspective.

Heart: “Where there is great love, there are always miracles.” –Willa Cather

This would include personal blogs and other stories of hardship, healing and hope. Hopefully this section would lay the foundation for a strong community where members could feel comfortable sharing their own stories as well as reading, commenting or joining in the journeys of others.

Important links:

- Livestrong
http://www.livestrong.org/

On this site, I liked the idea of registering members to receive newsletters (perhaps about inspiring stories, events near you, etc.). They have a terrific introduction. For the site we're creating, I believe we need a similar compelling statement or quote...and it should be larger (more prominent on the page) so first-time readers have no question about what the site delivers.

- Breast Cancer 3-Day

http://www.the3day.org/

This site provides information regarding the 60-mile, 3-day Komen walk. This and other events pertaining to cancer research (ex: Race for the Cure), publicity and fundraising should be linked on the site as well.

Additional Features:

-A merchandise section where proceeds go to cancer research. Perhaps design contests among subscribed members to create new logos, t-shirt graphics, etc. that others in the community would feel pride in wearing.

-Survivor of the day: A picture and inspirational blurb on the front screen…people might identify with this and check in each day to read a success story.

-In Memory Of…a section of the site where stories, poems and photos can be added to honor loved ones who lost their lives to cancer.

-A prayer corner might appeal to some (perhaps listed under a spiritual/faith link or on the front screen) where members can submit the names of loved ones they want others to pray for. The list of names could scroll continuously.

Your comments are welcome...I'm looking forward to your input!

SMU Baseball Takes the Field!

Per the request of another sports fan in blogging class, this is the spring SMU baseball schedule! (Maybe we can consider these intermittent baseball updates my foray into the sports PR industry...?).

This Sunday, 2/18, we scrimmage in Arlington at 3 p.m.

March 3 @ Kingwood College (Houston)

March 24-25 @ Texas Tech

March 31- April 1 @ A&M Commerce

April 14-15 v. UNT

April 21-22 v. Baylor

Feel free to leave comments for more information about the team, our games and sponsors. Our website will be up soon and our official roster will be finalized tomorrow!

We'd love your support this season and hope to see you at the ballpark!

-Kara

Building the PR/Media Relationship

Source after source remind us that PR is inextricably linked to relationships, and the benefits (nay, the necessities) of strong relationships with the media cannot be understated.

I found a few great tips for strengthening ties with the media:

Be Relevant…
Nothing seems to irk a media professional more than receiving an endless stream of irrelevant press releases. Target your blasts to media interested in your topic, and do not waste time trying to convince them it’s newsworthy. If it is, they’ll know it…and they’ll want it!

Do your homework and find the right contacts. Know what they do and how you can help each other. This move alone could lay the foundation for a great working relationship in the future.

This site gives good advice for both PR and media to help them build more substantial, enduring relationships: http://www.techmarcom.com/rift.html.

Be Truthful…
PR is synonymous with spin. To have credibility with the media you must tell the truth; misleading them for a story might get you ink once, but it will tarnish any hopes for a lasting connection. Let the story speak for itself. Promising more than you can deliver is a sure way to lose media respect…and interest in your client/product/company for that matter.

Visit http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/mtarchive/004240.html.

Be a Resource…
Giving the media good sources, leads and story ideas can make you an invaluable resource. If you prove yourself a reliable PR pro who is always in the know, you’ll become their greatest asset.

*See above link again

Be Informed…
Know what’s going on in the world, and in your industry…this knowledge could help you pitch your client more effectively and get you better ink. Also, knowing what’s important to the media helps you approach them with their interests in mind.

Having the most current contact information for the media you target is crucial. Turnover at newspapers and magazines can be high, and keeping up-to-date with staff changes and reassignments can help you maintain an edge over the competition, save you time and let the media know you’re interested in them and what they do.

*Same site again!

Be Proactive…
Establishing relationships before you need them is vital. Going straight to the media and showing interest in what they do, no strings attached, can put you on the radar in a really good way.

Check out http://www.tmt-themediatrainers.com/gallery/articles/relationships.shtml.

Be Concise…
Write for your media. Most media prefer spare copy…save the fluff…pack the facts!

Thanks for reading!

What's in the cyber toolbelt of PR pros?

The scope of PR blogging blows my mind!
PR professionals and companies are utilizing blogging as a tool to…

#1 Craft and convey their desired image to online audiences. The rather ingenious Southwest Airlines blog has different employees post blogs that reinforce the Southwest values on which customers can give direct feedback! Visit http://www.blogsouthwest.com/.

#2 Scope out the competition's campaigns and tactics.

#3 Communicate with their target markets directly. I was astounded to see the number of comments left on Mark Cuban’s blog. This online avenue really allows him to communicate with his fans, as he posts on issues ranging from the Mavs to Dennis Rodman, Rosie O’Donnell, and t-shirt give-aways. Check out http://www.blogmaverick.com/2007/01/30/ramblings-part-1-sports/#comments.

#4 Study consumer or competitor stances on important issues, and determine which issues are the most salient. This helps companies structure campaign messages to more effectively reach their target markets.

#5 Allow consumers to interact with one another...almost a think tank for the company! On this site, Apple owners or fans can discuss hardware, sell their computer products, look at job listings or simply chit chat. It’s an excellent site for ongoing discussion about the company’s products from a key demographic. Visit http://theappleblog.com/community/.

#6 Consider the blogs of their target market—know their interests and concerns and appeal to them with this knowledge!

#7 Assess the public’s view of their company and its current campaigns. This university president has a blog where ASU students can comment to him directly. They can leave positive or negative feedback on his undertakings and plans for the university. This is a good PR tactic, as it lets students communicate with university leaders at the very top through a direct, yet informal medium. See at http://www.michaelcrow.net/.

#8 Share information or PR strategies with others, and even collaborate via blog/internet with other professionals around the globe. This site gives tips to help more inexperienced bloggers learn to navigate the corporate blog channels. Just one of many sites with helpful tips for PR novices and pros! http://www.scoutblogging.com/tips.html.

#9 Establish relationships with young PR bloggers whose talents and interests could benefit their company in the years to come, or seasoned bloggers who could bring specialized knowledge to the organization.

#10 Respond to crises or bad ink. A blog could reach millions of fans/consumers/etc. in an instant...it has timely benefits and a personal touch. The following is a very insightful blog addressing crisis management with various approaches for fighting bad ink! http://www.levick.com/expertise/out/index.php?source=aw_public_relations.

SMU Club Baseball is back!

Hi!

Helping to bring the club baseball team back to SMU has been a project very close to my heart over the last few months, and it seems the hard work of many will finally pay off this spring! Below is an article about us from the Daily Campus...feel free to contact me with any questions regarding our membership, schedules or sponsorship!

Baseball returns to the Hilltop - Sports