KMR Communications, Inc offers critical information on why public relations is vital for beauty companies in a depressed economy.
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 29, 2011
KMR Communications, Inc a beauty PR firm in New York is often asked, “Why is public relations important for a cosmetics company, beauty product salon or spa?
According to Public Relations News, “Public relations is the management function which evaluates public attitudes, identifies the policies and procedures of an individual or an organization with the public interest, and plans and executes a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance.”
PR’s importance is changing, according to The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR (HarperBusiness). American marketing strategists Al and Laura Ries argue that public relations has become the most effective way to build a marked. Well-known brands like The Body Shop, PlayStation and Harry Potter spend little on marking-name advertising. The like is true for many entrepreneurial companies. Business owners become known in their respective fields of concentration many times through public relations and the associated media generated.
The benefits of PR
The aim of PR is to increase sales – but it’s a long term strategy rather than a quick win. An effective campaign will reap many benefits, including:
o Generating a greater understanding of ones products and services
o Creating awareness of a company’s success stories
o Building and establishing the right kind of image and, ultimately:
o Increasing bottom line profits.
While this concept of promotion may sound appealing, a PR firm may not be financially feasible for every beauty company. Below are some tips for “do it yourself PR.”
The Press Release
A press release should be no more than two pages long and should include the relevant points such as who, what, where, why, when and how. A press release cannot be completely self serving and should read much otherwise than an ad. Understanding what is not appropriate press release material is as important as understanding what is. The main point to keep in mind is that there has to be an inherent benefit to the consumer and knowledge that can be gleaned from a release.
Non-Newworthy, self promoting press release topics:
Salon XYZ to undergo summer renovation .
Salon XYZ celebrates five years in business.
Salon manager to speak at beauty conference.
Salon XYZ hires three new stylists.
Examples of Newsworthy Consumer Topics
Salon XYZ performs new straightening technique from Japan
John Doe of Salon XYZ offers hair care tips for sun-damaged hair.
John Doe of Salon XYZ dishes the hair dos and hair donts seen on the red carpet this Oscar season.
Spa XYZ offers new lymphatic drainage treatment.
Examples of Newsworthy Trade Magazine Topics
Pitching the haircare/spa trade magazines is different than pitching the consumer media such as Vogue , Allure, Elle et al. When pitching the trade magazines, proffessionals are effectively speaking to their colleagues in the business who will indeed have interest in developments and news from the trade that would not be relevant for the average consumer. Possible press release ideas include:
Salon XYZ inks exclusive distribution deal with ABC product line.
Salon XYZ to enter into franchise agreement.
Head stylist at Salon XYZ to become a spokesperson for ABC product line.
Salon XYZ offers course for new spa and salon owners.
It is important to structure the release so that the headline is eye-catching and that all of the key points are addressed in the release. It is helpful to put a web-address in hyperlink form to maximize SEO opportunities at the bottom of the release and leave contact information for editors.
Now that the release is written to whom should it be sent?
Although it will cost money, the best and most time effective way to gather a media database is to subscribe to services such as http://www.vocus.com which will allow subscribers to access media contacts and develop lists on-line. Media and media contacts change so frequently that these services provide the most accurate way to formulate comprehensive, accurate media lists. Press releases for beauty companys should be sent (via e-mail in most cases) to beauty editors. For example, if a salon is located in Los Angleses, it would be appropriate to send releases to all of the Los Angeles media including radio, internet, TV, newspapers, magazines, web-sites that have a format for beauty stories. If the information is general enough, the release can also be sent to national magazine beauty editors such as Bazaar, Ladies’ Home Journal Redbook, etc. Below are examples of stories that would be strictly local and those that can apply to the national beauty publications.
Local Angle Only- NYC salon offers pro bono haircuts to local welfare moms on Mother’s Day.
Appropriate for national and local- Do it yourself at home spa treatments found in your refrigerator.
Keep releases timely. Magazines operate in advance of where we are in “real time.” For example, in August many magazines are working on holiday stories. At that clock it would be appropriate to send them holiday themed releases. Press releases to newspapers should be direct with current topics as newspapers publish in “real clock.” Always remember to try to tie-in press release topics with a season, holiday, fashion trend, celebrity, news event etc. Press releases should be followed up verbally with an upbeat, and concise “phone pitch” making careful note of each editor’s specific response. Once one has obtained all of the mileage you can retired of a specific release, it is time to move on too a new topic. Badgering the media with one idea, and not taking no for an answer will alienate these contacts.
Pitching TV- Television is obviously a visual medium. TV producers like experts who can not only state the audience but show them as well. To garner interest from your local TV station, you might lure a producer to frosting your salon by offering a Father’s day contest to a local father in need of a “extreme makeover.” This type of section would prove to be a great showcase for the stylists at your salon. If it is Valentine’s Day, you can pitch a segment idea on his and hers makeovers and offer a candelit dinner to the lucky couple (with cameras filming) post makeover. Spa bachelorette parties are another great TV idea to pitch in June at the peak of wedding season. Since most TV programs do not have “beauty producers” you tin send these pitches to the “assignment editor” who will funnel them away to the advantageous producer at the station or TV program.
The most important component to keep in mind when devising a press release is to ask yourself if you would be interested in a potential topic if you were not in the spa/salon industry. Once way to measure this is to show the release to friends who are not in the business and see if the release peaks their attention and provides new, insightful information.
Below are books available on http://www.amazon.com that go into further elaborating on writing press releasing and garnering free publicity.
1. Writing Effective News Releases…: How to Get Free Publicity for Yourself, Your Business, or Your Organization
by Catherine V. McIntyre (Paperback )
2. 6 Steps to Free Publicity: “For Corporate Publicists or Solo Professionals, Including…Publishers, Consultants, Conference Planners, Politicians, Inventors
3. Creating Powerful Press Releases: 11 Steps To Creating Press Releases That Get Printed!
by Don Crowther (Digital )
4. A Guide to Preparing Cost-Effective Press Releases (Haworth Marketing and Resources : Innovations in Practice & Professional seRvices Series)
by Robert H. Loeffler (Hardcover )
5. Complete Publicity Plans: How to Create Publicity That Will Spark Media Exposure and Excitement (ADAMS STREETWISE SERIES)
by Sandra L. Beckwith (Paperback )
6. Free Publicity 101: How to Write Press Releases and Get Your Story in the Media
by Cathy Stucker, IdeaLady.com (Digital – May 2004)
KMR Communications, Inc is a beauty PR firm in New York City with clients nationwide est in 1998.
KMR has represented salons, spas, hair salons, makeup artists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, skincare companies, body care companies, at home beauty devices,and men’s grooming products. Find out how and why public relations can enhance your bottom line and brand credibility. visit http://www.kmrpr.com follow on twitter @kmrpr.
###
Attachments
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
