G&R Paint Company: Paint Going "Green"

Phillip Reno, owner of G&R Paint Co. in San Francisco, is one of Mythic Paint’s retailers. In an interview with PDR, Reno discusses the importance of “Going Green” in the paint industry. The article boasts of G & R Paint Co. offering Mythic’s “line of low-odor, low-VOC coatings that are free of carcinogens, ethylene and crystalline silica.” Reno’s customers are becoming more environmentally friendly and demand high-quality paint that contains zero toxins. Mythic Paint fills this void and Reno is proud to offer the line and other green products.

Reno stated, “When I first started out, I couldn’t give ‘green’ paint away, and now it’s part of every conversation. Contractors, homeowners and everybody else are pretty much interested in the VOC conversation.” Continuously educating himself and employees on environmental paint trends allows Reno to maintain expertise and offer advice to customers. The overall environmental advice Reno offers customers is to frequent independent retailers offering high-quality products, good customer service and expertise. Purchasing from discount stores often leads to the need to repaint and increases your negative impact of the environment.

For more on Mythic Paint visit the website at http://www.mythicpaint.com/ and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/SafePaint. To read the entire “Branded by Color” article visit http://www.pdra.org/media/pdf/PDR%203-2011%20dealer%20article.pdf.

The Right PR Firm For You

Selecting the right PR firm can often be a difficult and lengthy process, but well worth the time and effort. Cheryl Gale with CommPRO.biz compares the search to shopping. When looking for the perfect dress or new pair of shoes do you head to your local Gap or Banana Republic or head out to the trendy, always fashionable boutique? Of course you choose the boutique. Who wants to be seen in last season’s dress along with countless others sporting the same ensemble? You want to be unique, distinguished, and ahead of the crowd.

When choosing a PR agency for your company, you have several options in size – large, mid-size, or boutique. Cheryl mentions that one size does not fit all and it is important to do your research by making a list of criteria the agency you choose must possess. In Cheryl’s article, she mentions the evolution of PR and gives sample questions to ask agencies.

• Are they experienced with Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin)?
• Does the agency have a company blog?
• Do they provide marketing services in conjunction with traditional PR?
• Do they offer media training?
• Do they understand how to create thought leaders?

With the growing importance of Social Media to PR, it is fundamental for an agency claiming to specialize in social-media strategies to have an online presence. After you have narrowed down your selection, Cheryl offers a few questions to ask senior management:

• How do you bill your clients?
• Will I work with a mixture of senior and junior staff?
• How do you typically report results to your clients?
• How many clients do you provide PR support for?
• Where do you see your company in 5 years?

It is important to do your research to find the firm that best fits your particular needs. Bigger agencies are not always the best option to achieve your company’s future goals. Cheryl states that, “If you prefer one-on-one attention talented, senior level PR executives, then selecting a boutique agency may be the perfect option. You can ensure that your day-to-day contact will be at the mid to senior level, with support from more junior staff. It’s also guaranteed that you’ll have visibility with the agency’s managing partner, as he/she will constantly check in with the team to discuss tactics, goals and results. Typically, boutique agencies provide a healthier balance of staff on each of their accounts too.”

To read Cheryl’s entire article, What the “Bigs” Won’t Admit: “Boutique and Unique” PR Firms are a Sign of the Times, visit CommPRO.biz at http://tinyurl.com/4httveg.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cagale.

PR Social Media Tools

Ant Hill Communications loves our friends over at oneforty.com. We especially enjoyed an article by Janet called 15 Essential Social Media Tools for PR Agencies. I mean PR is in the title, so of course we read it! Janet knows a thing or two about integrating social media into media outreach strategies. She suggested 15 tools to help you stay on top of your Social Media game! Here is the low down:

•Blogdash: database of bloggers that is actually ORGANIZED in an easy to use interface! This allows you to search bloggers to find those relative to your pitch.

•Argyle Social: This tool can turn social media campaigns into real business goals.

•Muck Rack: Helps you to search Twitter for Journalists.

•BuzzStream: Sort/filter results based on social media influence.

•Hootsuite: Helps multiple people to manage Twitter/Facebook accounts.

•TLists: Reach bloggers on Twitter and journalists with targeted pitches.

•Post Post: Search keywords and phrases that are being mentioned on Twitter.

•Backtype: See what is being said about your client, competitors, and industry in blog comments.

•Topsy: Track mentions of your clients on Twitter.

•Twilerts: Basically Google Alerts for Twitter.

•Nutshell Mail: Daily updates on number of followers, new followers, and Twitter progress.

•HARO: Help A Reporter Out. Identify story opportunities for your clients.

•Pitch Engine: Publish social media press release shareable on Twitter, FB, DIGG, & more.

•MPact: Identify influencers writing about your client, competitors, or industry.

•Award Sync: Search for awards and opportunities.

These wonderful tools can help you stay up to date on social media trends, information about your clients, industry news, and to keep an eye on your competitors! Thanks to Janet at oneforty.com for giving us this essential tool list. Any other recommendations?

Finding The Right Pitch

In this evolving world of Social Media, Bloggers have gained creditability and have become a great source for media coverage. We here at Ant Hill love Heather at prTini and her useful tips! Yesterday, we read a great post regarding tips on how to pitch bloggers and how to improve your techniques.

There were 7 useful tips that we picked up. Here are the 4 “Don’ts” of Pitching to Bloggers.

1.) Bloggers appreciate formality. Using hey, what’s up, and other informal greetings can infer you already have an existing relationship with the blogger. Be sure to add a dash of formality as if you were contacting a potential client for the first time.

2.) We all have goals and aspirations. Usually, in order to attain your future plans, you need the help & advice of others. Mentioning what you’d like to accomplish first and as most important is a BIG don’t in the blogosphere. Mention in your pitch how you can help the blogger reach their goals.

3.) Big tip from Heather was to KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. A blog about makeup, fashion, and style is most likely not going to feature a guest blog about guns, hunting, and fishing. Make sure your pitch makes sense and fits in with the blog your pitching.

4.) Add some creativity and uniqueness to your pitch. Each blog and blogger is different and therefore your pitch should reflect this variety. Do not send “cookie cutter” pitches.

Then 3 “Do’s” of Pitching to Bloggers were addressed.

1.) Always do a little work and find out the bloggers name. It doesn’t take much to search the blog for typical contact information. Addressing the blogger by name shows you did your homework!

2.) In order to show your credibility to the blogger, put links in the post to your writing samples and where your work has been featured.

3.) Finally add a personal touch. Make sure your pitch is different and not forgettable. Be sure to identify what topic you hope to cover, but be open to suggestions.

These tips were great and a wonderful starting block to learn about pitching bloggers. Be sure to check out prTini for more social media help! Ant Hill is always looking to new ways for unique media coverage and blogs are a great place to start!

Blogging About Blogging

Ansley from Anthill here! Recently, Christy and I went to the PRSA Georgia monthly meeting at Maggiano's Little Italy in Buckhead to get the most up-to-date information on building a better blogger relations program. The seminar discussion was lead by Laura Scholz, an avid blogger and president of Scholz Communications. Laura, who knows a thing or two about blogger relations (okay she know a TON!) spoke to the audience about various topics from the proper method of building a blogger database to the pitfalls and challenges we as PR practitioners share when pitching to bloggers.

Some tidbits I took away with me from the seminar were:

- Blogging offers an opportunity for more dialogue and more immediate feedback than traditional news outlets do.

- Always reveal what you're doing. Disclosure is very important, especially when offering product as an incentive to a blogger.

- Getting to know the blogger first almost guarantees longevity. Although pitching your product or brand is the main objective, it comes secondary to building a relationship.

- When blogging for a client, time management is crucial. Set mini deadlines.

- When doing research, referring to the blog reel on a blog you are interested in can be a jackpot!

I stayed for the lunch to listen to the panel discussion entitled- Out of the Mouths of Bloggers: Learn How to Pitch and Work with Today's Top Bloggers.

The panel of bloggers included:

- Lorraine of Ask Wifey

- Maura Neill of 365 Atlanta

- Erika Ward of Blue Label Bungalow

All had great insight on the blogging atmosphere and how it is becoming as respected as other traditional news outlets.

Until next time!

Ant Hill Wins a PRSA 2010 Phoenix Award

We don't like to brag, but.... we're very excited to let you know that Ant Hill was awarded a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2010 Phoenix Award within the sector of Integrated Communications for our work with Mythic Paint. Judges loved the many strategic facets of the campaign which included a successful social media strategy encompassing the filming and release of 'How To' videos with HGTV's David Bromstad, the management of six successful retail appearances with David and for securing coverage in all the major national, design and parenting publications and trade books. A big thank you to Mythic for being our loyal client- we are so excited to share this award with you!

-Ant Hill

We've Moved!

Ant Hill is officially settled into our new space at the King Plow Arts Center! We absolutely love it here. The building, rich with history, was originally a plow factory but is now home to tenants representing commercial businesses and the performing arts. In 1990, the owners designed a plan to transform the factory into a building of work studios, artist spaces, galleries, and restaurants without taking away from the history and architecture.

Perks? Non other than a rooftop view of the Atlanta skyline.

The area (West Midtown), is full of wonderful restaurants and tons of reputable businesses which can make way for some great networking opportunities.

Check back with us to stay abreast of the latest developments with our clients!