Nearly twelve years ago, my parents bought and took over the family business, a forty room hotel in our hometown. They made quite a few changes to the hotel, one of which was adding an environmental policy to their business practices and philosophies. One tool they started using were “green cards”, or what my mom calls her contribution to Green PR.

These cards describe the hotel’s environmentally friendly practices, including doing their part to reduce water waste, as well as the large amounts of detergent dumped into the water system by hotels. Customers who are staying more than one night can place this card on the unmade bed in the morning, to alert the housekeeping crew not to wash the sheets and towels. They also describe how every day in hotels, thousands of gallons of detergent and millions of gallons of water are used to wash towels and sheets that have only been used once. These cards allow customers to do something good for the environment, and has resources at the bottom for other ways to help the planet while traveling.

Items like green cards fall into the category of Green PR, which is a term used to describe something that is used to spark changes in environmental policy. The definition wikipedia gives is: “…a sub-field of public relations that communicates an organization’s…environmentally friendly practices to the public.” Green cards are one of several tools used in this category of public relations. Other tools include placing news articles, winning awards, and communicating with environmental groups.

My parents didn’t stop at using green cards either. When they wanted to further communicate their environmentally safe practices, they wrote about them in the various advertising articles they submit to tourism advertising magazines. They also took their Green PR to the local lodging association, which they are members of, with the goal of helping other businesses change their environmental policies, or in some cases, develop them. They presented the other lodging owners with the green cards and their philosophy of protecting the environment, and helping customers do the same. My parents are just one example of how a company is using this type of PR to inspire change in environmental policy in their type of business.

Thousands of other companies have done the same thing, moving the entire field of companies the provide products and services, toward greater environmental responsibility.

Include Keywords Within The Press Release Once you’ve identified a keyword, write out a rough draft of your press releases, making sure to include the keyword throughout your release. The keyword should be included, at minimum, in the header of your press releases, one to three times in the body of the release, and at least once in the “About” section of your press releases.

Hyperlink Thoughtfully For press release services that allow you to include hyperlinks within the release, make sure to hyperlink from the keyword you identified instead of using non-optimized keywords like “click here.” While not all press release services allow html or hyperlinking, most will allow you to at least include a link back to your site in a resource or contact box, or once in the “about” section.

Consider Paying For The Upgrade Option If presented with the opportunity to upgrade, in most cases, do so. Upgrades generally offer you the opportunity to specify the anchor text of a hyperlink or in some cases, include a hyperlink that a free package doesn’t allow. Not all upgrades are created equally, though. Consider the page rank, traffic volume, trust factors, and cost when determining whether to upgrade or not.

Distribute the Press Release to a Variety of Services When submitting press releases for link building purposes, don’t submit to just one service – instead submit to a variety. Some press releases sites will check to make sure that your release is unique, however, so make sure to distribute to those sites first. Start with the quality sites that have a number of links and tend to be picked up by the press; also re-write some of the verbiage in your release so as to avoid duplicate content. Simple things like re-writing the header or a few sentences within the release can make sure that your release will be picked up by a number of services.

Place Your Release On Your Own Site And Link Internally Once you’ve submitted your press release to a few press release distribution services, you should also make sure that it has a home on your own web site. In a news or press release section of your site, upload your press release, then add in hyperlinks from the keywords in the release, linking to relevant pages on your site. While you shouldn’t overdo it on internal hyperlinking, three to four hyperlinks to relevant pages – from keywords – is fine.

Is Bide A Wee in Wantagh NY Cursed? (I can not say for certain this is all true. Many will argue Animals do not have Souls!)

I worked at Bide A Wee as a part of the grounds keeping staff for almost five years, from 1990 to 1994. I have many fond memories of my time there! It was my first real job.For years after I moved on I regularly returned to visit the Friends I had made while working there.

A few years ago I returned to find Tim Bourne the man who was my Boss and good friend the years I worked at BideAWee was no longer there! Tim Bourne was a Manager at Bide-A-Wee in Wantagh for over 20 years! When I heard Tim was no longer there. Myself and many others knew it was the end of Bide-A -Wee in Wantagh as Tim was the Bide A Wee of Wantagh!

Soon after Tim’s departure from Wantagh Bide-A-Wee the Animal Hospital closed! Now the BideAWee Adoption Center is closing its Doors. Some may say it is just a coincidence and Tim could not have done anything to stop the problems that happened!

I say Tim not being there is the reason these problems occurred! Tim had an incredible knack for bringing all three departments of Bide A Wee together. Whether it was for a Softball game at the School across the street after work or a Bide-A-Wee Staff night out, He made us all more then just co workers He made us all a family! He was the Heart and Soul of BideAWee in Wantagh. A body can not function with out its heart and without its Soul, why would it want to?

Ever since BideAWee of Wantagh let Tim go it has been as if the place has been cursed, I believe it is! There are Hundreds of Animals buried at the Bide A Wee of Wantagh and Tim took care of them for over 20 years.

Tim ran the Cemetery at Bide-A-Wee in Wantagh Honorably and many loved him. Losing a pet is very difficult for anyone, But some how Tim made it easier for people to get threw this tuff time! When the Scandal of pets not being buried at the Pet Cemetery in Middle Island NY happened in the early 90’s there was almost no one who was worried that something similar may have happened at BideAWee of Wantagh, Because everyone knew Tim would never allow something like that to happen there!

I believe the Souls of all the Animals at BideAWee of Wantagh can no longer rest and the place is now suffering from a curse! These Animals buried at Bide A Wee of Wantagh long for the man who made sure they were buried properly and helped ease the pain of their owners when they past!

Bide-A-Wee needs to do what ever it can to get Tim Back! They need to beg, plead and bargain! I believe once BideAWee of Wantagh has Tim back the Souls of the Animals buried there will once again be able to rest and the Curse will be lifted. Then Watch how quickly things turn around, I just Hope Bide-A-Wee does what it must before the curse spreads to the rest of the Bide A Wee Locations!

This Story is dedicated to the Memory of Red the Cat (Bide A Wee Mascot) By LJ James

Include Keywords Within The Press Release Once you’ve identified a keyword, write out a rough draft of your press releases, making sure to include the keyword throughout your release. The keyword should be included, at minimum, in the header of your press releases, one to three times in the body of the release, and at least once in the “About” section of your press releases.

Remember To Hyperlink Thoughtfully For press release services that allow you to include hyperlinks within the release, make sure to hyperlink from the keyword you identified instead of using non-optimized keywords like “click here.” While not all press release services allow html or hyperlinking, most will allow you to at least include a link back to your site in a resource or contact box, or once in the “about” section.

Consider Purchasing The Upgrade Option If presented with the opportunity to upgrade, in most cases, do so. Upgrades generally offer you the opportunity to specify the anchor text of a hyperlink or in some cases, include a hyperlink that a free package doesn’t allow. Not all upgrades are created equally, though. Consider the page rank, traffic volume, trust factors, and cost when determining whether to upgrade or not.

Distribute to a Variety of Services When submitting press releases for link building purposes, don’t submit to just one service – instead submit to a variety. Some press release sites will check to make sure that your release is unique, however, so make sure to distribute to those sites first. Start with the quality sites that have a number of links and tend to be picked up by the press; also re-write some of the verbiage in your release so as to avoid duplicate content. Simple things like re-writing the header or a few sentences within the release can make sure that your release will be picked up by a number of services.

Include Press Release On Your Own Site and Link Internally Once you’ve submitted your press releases to a few press release distribution services, you should also make sure that it has a home on your own web site. In a news or press release section of your site, upload your press release, then add in hyperlinks from the keywords in the release, linking to relevant pages on your site. While you shouldn’t overdo it on internal hyperlinking, three to four hyperlinks to relevant pages – from keywords – is fine.

Include Keyword Throughout Release Once you’ve identified a keyword, write out a rough draft of your press release, making sure to include the keyword throughout your release. The keyword should be included, at minimum, in the header of your press release, one to three times in the body of the release, and at least once in the “About” section of your press release.

Remember To Hyperlink Thoughtfully For press release services that allow you to include hyperlinks within the release, make sure to hyperlink from the keyword you identified instead of using non-optimized keywords like “click here.” While not all press release services allow html or hyperlinking, most will allow you to at least include a link back to your site in a resource or contact box, or once in the “about” section.

Consider Purchasing The Upgrade Option If presented with the opportunity to upgrade, in most cases, do so. Upgrades generally offer you the opportunity to specify the anchor text of a hyperlink or in some cases, include a hyperlink that a free package doesn’t allow. Not all upgrades are created equally, though. Consider the page rank, traffic volume, trust factors, and cost when determining whether to upgrade or not.

Distribute the Press Release to a Variety of Services When submitting press releases for link building purposes, don’t submit to just one service – instead submit to a variety. Some press releases sites will check to make sure that your release is unique, however, so make sure to distribute to those sites first. Start with the quality sites that have a number of links and tend to be picked up by the press; also re-write some of the verbiage in your release so as to avoid duplicate content. Simple things like re-writing the header or a few sentences within the release can make sure that your release will be picked up by a number of services.

Include Press Release On Your Own Site and Link Internally Once you’ve submitted your press releases to a few press release distribution services, you should also make sure that it has a home on your own web site. In a news or press release section of your site, upload your press release, then add in hyperlinks from the keywords in the release, linking to relevant pages on your site. While you shouldn’t overdo it on internal hyperlinking, three to four hyperlinks to relevant pages – from keywords – is fine.

Do you know what made Dr. Phil famous? It was his weekly appearances on Oprah.

Was he the world’s smartest psychologist? Is he the most handsome? I don’t think so. So, why is Dr. Phil rich and famous…and not you?

It’s because of publicity.

Publicity is one of the most powerful forms of advertising. Reporters are constantly on the lookout for products, companies, and individuals to write about. If you’re not using publicity then you are missing out on sales and leaving a lot of money on the table.

Advertising mixed with publicity or PR (public relations) can increase sales in a short period of time.

The 2 Biggest Reasons PR Doesn’t Help Business Owners:

1) Business owners aren’t familiar with it. Before I got into PR I owned a collection agency and I had never heard about public relations. And, I wasted lots of money on advertising that didn’t work. Let’s face it. Reporters can’t write about you if they don’t know you exist.

2) Your PR efforts aren’t consistent. Sending one press release every 3 or 4 months is not a campaign and doesn’t get results.

I’ve discovered 21 ways you can get publicity to promote your business, get new customers, boost sales, and have lots of fun.

1. Call the radio station when you hear “We have open lines” and talk about issues that your expertise solves.

2. Give an award. (Find influential people in your community or industry and give them an award.)

3. Get an editorial calendar from publications you’d like to be in and find out upcoming stories that fit your expertise.

4. Arrange round up articles with other experts in your industry.

5. Host your own radio show.

6. Write articles for newspapers and magazines.

7. Write Op/Ed columns for newspapers.

8. Write a letter to the editor.

9. Write a tip sheet. (21 Ways to…)

10. Write a guest column for newspapers.

11. Write a how-to article.

12. Write and send press releases to the media.

13. Start your own free local cable access TV show. (Contact local cable company)

14. Speak for local civic groups and announce in their newsletters.

15. Go where the cameras are. Read the calendar of events section in your newspaper or call newsrooms and ask what events they are covering.

16. Call photographer’s desks at local newspapers and volunteer your office or building for backdrop or special issue stories.

17. Write a pitch letter.

18. Set up referrals with other well-known experts. Refer reporters to each other.

19. Send reprints of articles to other media outlets and offer additional information.

20. Create your own special day. (Visit www.chases.com)

21. Call the media on slow news days (weekends and holidays) and suggest a story.

Large companies have for a long time utilized public relations to promote their businesses. Smaller businesses have yet to fully take advantage of all that public relations has to offer and still rely on traditional advertising to meet their publicity objectives.

Every business big and small understands the role of brand awareness in maintaining a successful business. When the public recognises a corporate identity they are more inclined to patronize the products offered by the company. Generally speaking, all news is good news when it comes to marketing. This is simply because keeping the business brand in the public consciousness generates sales. Advertising is a logical, if expensive, means to promote business but public relations can achieve similar end results.

Advertising works in a wholly different way to public relations. Advertising is concerned with convincing the public to a set point of view. That point of view is that the company, its products and services, and the value it provides the consumer, are all good and needed. Consumers are encouraged to purchase whatever the company is marketing. Advertising is not interested in generating a debate about its message since it has already made clear its position; end of story.

Public relations uses the news as a means of raising public awareness about a company. This approach is not worried about generating a debate regarding the company. If people are talking about the company at all then public relations has done its job. To ensure that the company remains in the public eye, public relations will work to create news stories surrounding a company, product or service but these stories are perceived as general facts that will or have occurred. There is no selling with public relations.

Public relations tends to employ certain strategies to generate publicity. A common method is to promote events. Very often we see home interior exhibitions that have been sponsored by furnishing companies or even real estate agencies. The media are interested in reporting on such exhibitions because they are newsworthy events of interest to their readers, listeners or viewers. As the public receives the news about the exhibition, they also receive news about the sponsors. As well as seeing corporate branding surrounding the event they’ll get a profile of the company, the reasons it felt such an event was useful and their reasons for getting involved. Public opinion of the company is thus raised to the benefit of company profits.

The beauty of public relations is that it does not have to be expensive. It just requires a lot of creativity to accomplish some very impressive sales results. Larger companies might consider contracting their public relations out to specialist PR firms or they might develop their own in-house public relations departments. If you are a small business or even a self employed individual you can do your own public relations. There are many marketing courses that can help get you started.

A company’s success can hinge on the relationship they have with the public and how they are perceived in the media. Some companies choose to try and handle all of these matters from the inside with their own PR department but others feel the need to enlist an outside service to ensure that all matters of public view and perception are handled by highly trained professionals.

A good public relations firm can take your businesses success to levels you never even imagined, but the question on many CEO’s minds remains, “Will the results obtained from enlisting an outside PR firm offset the cost we have to pay for the services?”

What can a PR firm do for You?

Establish Relationships

The key to success in any business is developing and maintaining solid relationships, not just with your clients, but with investors, vendors and employees. Most of the time an in house PR department can easily grow and maintain the relationships with customers and vendors, but it gets much more difficult for an inside department to handle relationships with vendors and especially other employees.

An outside firm can readily handle all of these relationships impartially, with only the company’s best interests in mind. This almost makes the company’s investment in an outside firm worth it without even considering all of the other positives they can offer – happy employees and investors make a much more productive work place and in turn can really drive the profits and, therefore, the success of the business.

Save you Money

It may not look like it at the outset, because the initial investment of enlisting a public relations firm can be reasonably high, but hiring an outside firm to handle all of your public relations can save your corporation a good deal of money in the long run.

Without a PR firm to do at least some of the work involved in overall company public relations, your corporation would need (depending on the size of the company) at the very least one, most likely several, full time employees. The hourly wage paid to these full time employees may seem like peanuts when compared to the dollars that would be paid out to a public relations firm, but when you factor in the benefits, paid holidays, paid vacations and overall annual salaries of these employees your corporation could end up saving thousands and thousands of dollars a year by hiring an outside public relations firm.

You can use the services of a public relations firm when you need them, and forego the services when you don’t. It’s not as if a member of the firm will be in your office collecting a paycheck – you pay for the services that you use and nothing more.

Diversity

A good public relations firm can often offer you much more than what used to be considered the basics of good PR. Many public relations firms today can offer everything your PR department and your marketing and advertising departments can do and more – such as media relations, strategic counsel, issues management and special event planning.

By enlisting the services of a good, reputable public relations firm you can effectively turn your own office into a lean and mean machine. You won’t have to cross train employees to take on roles that they are not comfortable or experienced with – your sales force won’t have to be concerned with any phase of marketing or advertisement. Your valuable sales staff can get focused on what they were trained to do – sell, while a PR firm takes care of developing the relationships and public perceptions.

Emergency Services

A public relations firm can bail you out of trouble in the event of a PR emergency. PR firm representatives are trained to handle all types of scandals or problems that crop up and can affect your corporation’s image in the public eye. Press releases can be quickly written and submitted and press conferences can be put together in short order to ensure that your company keeps its positive reputation with all of your current and potential clients, investors and employees.

Whether you decide to enlist an outside public relations firm to handle any or all of your company’s PR or marketing, solid relationships are the cornerstone of your company’s success. If you don’t have a rock solid PR department, than hiring a public relations firm could be the best decision for your company’s future.

Every February I attend the Annual AMA Biker’s Blood Drive and Party at Harley Davidson of NYC in Long Island City. The Biker’s Blood Drive grows a little bigger every year.

I have gone just about every year and always give a pint of the good stuff, The event always brings in many Bikers from all over the Long IslandNew York City area and many pints of Blood are always collected!

The Blood Donated will be used locally to help save those in our area. For just one Pint of Blood Guests are treated to Live Music by The always incredible “The Transplant Band” They are also given all the Bagels, Donuts, Muffins, Cookies and candy they Can eat along with many varieties of Juice. I think what really gets many of the Bikers to donate is the Free Harley Davidson of NYC T-Shirt.

Blood Donations get slow during the Winter Months and the goal of this event is to make sure there is plenty of Blood in the NYC area. All Blood donated stays in the area and goes to help someone local. The Bikers all know the life they help save could be one of there own.

This is another great event that helps everyone to see the great things that Bikers can do when they stand together and united! A big thanks goes out to Lauren of the Chai Riders MC, She has been a huge part of what has kept this event going over the years!

For more info check out nycharleydavidson.com I hope to see all of you there Next year !!!

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Listen to LJs Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

There are many sources that sell promotional leisurewear for companies. As the reach of internet has expanded to every home and business place, the communication through internet has become popular in all areas of businesses. Promotional products are now sold through many online stores, just a mouse click away from you. It is the most convenient way of buying promotional products.

When you choose to shop online you will find a wide variety of promotional clothing suitable for many different promotional activities. You can select caps, jackets, fleeces, sweatshirts, T-shirts and many other items. Promotional gifts are used by many companies as gifts for their potential customers. Mostly these items are distributed at tradeshows, conferences, exhibitions or seminars. Other uses include incorporating the printed leisurewear products as employee uniforms. Leisurewear is also distributed as gifts for special clients.

At online stores, you can see an exhaustive collection of promotional leisurewear that can be used as the best brand display articles for any business. The items are displayed under different categories such as T-shirts, jackets, fleeces or caps & hats. There are different sections for kids, ladies and elderly. They are available in different colour choices. The different colours will give an option for the companies to choose them as per their brand identity colour. Under each product, you can see the detailed description of their material, size and their scope for brand advertisement. A detailed estimate of its price is also given. All these articles are offered for the best bargains available. For bulk purchase, the best online stores offer the maximum discount on every product sold.

Once you select your choice of promotional leisurewear, you can get it imprinted with the brand name and the logo. The best companies offer the brand imprint service on all the clothing or leisurewear chosen from their store. Most companies employ a team of graphic designers. They design the logo of your company on the promotional products chosen by you. The printed leisurewear will shine as the best public display article for your brand. They are the best brand display article for any type of business.

Promotional leisureweare is by far the most effective type of product available for promotions because of its exceptional advertising features. So when you begin to look, do your homework properly and investigate the array of providers of promotional leisurewear. The search won’t take long, as the best providers will be identifiable right away. Promotional wear will be an investment that will continue to pay for itself for years after your campaign has ended.