Media Coverage and Your Small Business

Media coverage is one of the best ways to get your business noticed by the public- with the added bonus that it's FREE!

The catch? Getting the media to notice you. As the small business owner of a start-up, I've had the good fortune to make connections with several notable personalities in the Phoenix community, and have been invited to make radio appearances on the Jan D'Atri Show and on The Boomer and the Babe. I've also been featured in the Phoenix Business Journal and my story has been highlighted in the Phoenix SCOREBoard.

While the effort to gain media attention is always ongoing, here are some tips I've picked up along the way:

1. Attend networking functions. I know, I know, this is nothing new - but it works. I've met some of my most valued supporters at industry events; you never know what a little socializing can do.

2. Write press releases- but keep them relevant. There is no magic bullet. You never know just what will grab the media's attention, but if you consistently reach out with information that is relevant to that media's audience, sooner or later your business will be noticed.

3. Learn about the media's demographic and tailor your story ideas accordingly. Many media have a niche audience that could be just right for you!

4. Locate writers in your area and send them a personal e-mail. Sometimes editors and producers will be more receptive to a story pitch if it comes from the staff or a well regarded freelancer.

5. Create a newsworthy event. Sponsor a charitable event or host a dynamic party. Again, you won't be guaranteed to get the media's attention, but several outlets broadcast from live events and yours could be the next feature!

One of the most important things to remember is that media coverage is a privilege - not a right. Keep with it, and hopefully we'll be hearing your name soon!

For party tips and trends, and everything you need to create your next event, visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com!

Halloween Fun

With such a large family, humor is always important in getting us through the week's doctor appointments, cheerleading practices, homeschool assignments, and everything else our busy schedule entails.

With Halloween only 5 days away, here are a few timely jokes that put a smile on my face, and hopefully will do the same for you!

Q. Why aren't there any famous skeletons?

A. They're a bunch of no bodies.

Q. What did the Mommy ghost say to the baby ghost?

A. Don't spook until your spooken to.

Q. Why did the Vampire get fired from the Blood Bank?

A. He was caught drinking on the job.

Q. Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

A. He didn't have the guts.

Q. What happened to the guy who couldn't keep up payments to his exorcist?

A. He was repossessed.

Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?

A. Frostbite.Q. Why do ghosts have so much trouble dating?

A. Women can see right through them.

For more Halloween party ideas, recipes, costume ideas, or theme party guides, visit http://www.letspartymagazine.com/!

Is Santa Real?

Halloween is fast approaching which means the entire Holiday Season is nearly upon us. This year will be a little different since I broke the news to my daughter that MOM is SANTA. I figured it was time (at the age of 12) to learn the truth about the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa. If one is maturing physically, learning about the "birds and the bees", Santa must be left in the past. And, what mother wants her daughter made fun of for believing...not this mother.


This was NOT an easy tasks, however, as she was convinced that Santa really did exist. After all, she has heard the "thump, thump" on the roof, he has written her letters, she has seen Rudolph flying across the sky (yes, it was a blinking plane), and she even saw Santa and Ms. Clause driving in a white mini van, stopping at our house, and picking up some of our (bulk) trash. The convincing mother that I am, led her to believe that since Santa is so busy, he is short on time and finds toys sometimes wherever he can.


I do believe this is a magical time of year and how special it is to see the wonder in children's eyes. I also feel it will be an extra special year as I now have an elf that will work with me to make this the most special holiday season for her 8 siblings. As one season in her life passes I am sure this new one will bring her as much joy if not more.


As you begin to look towards the holidays, be sure to visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com frequently for all your holiday ideas, recipes, tips, trends and happenings. The staff at LetsPartMagazine.com wishes you a Happy Halloween and a joyous holiday season.

Hospital

I am back! For those who don't know, I just spent two weeks in Salt Lake City with my 10 year old daughter who had major surgery at the Shriner's Hospital. Although we are in a full body cast, it is good to be home and good to be back in blogging business. Stay tuned for more regular updates...

What Does the Way You Entertain Say About You?

With the popularity of quizzes on Facebook, (with subjects ranging from What 80s Movie Are You? to What Color is Your Personality?) we decided it would be fun to create a little quiz of our own.

LetsPartyMagazine.com teamed up with Kimberly Pearson of Redesign Home Interiors to explore What Your Host Style Says About YOU! Are you a foodie that's obsessed with the party menu? Or do you just lay out the chips and pretzels and focus on interacting with your guests?


Click here to find out what your Host Style says about you!

Geocaching

The weather is starting to cool down and the kids are excited to play outdoors again! I can't wait to try and locate one of the several geocaches hidden around Phoenix with my family.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, 'geocaching' is basically a high-tech treasure hunt. All you need is a handheld GPS device and a set of coordinates, and you're ready to go. What a great idea for a party or team-building event!

Go to LetsPartyMagazine.com to read more!

Beer Tasting

Kimber Stonehouse, manager of Sportsman's Fine Wines on Camelback in Phoenix, contributed a fabulous article on Hosting a Beer Tasting. From selecting your brews to pairing foods, she's covered all the bases!

If you'd like to try some out of the orndinary beers, Check out this article from The Washington Post:

To Go Upscale, Put a Cork in It

"While wine has been slouching in the direction of Joe Sixpack (think of Two Buck Chuck and boxed varieties), beer has been putting on airs, trying to move beyond its associations with toga parties and weekend softball games..." read more from the Washington Post.

AZ Public Pools & Splash Pads for Continued Summer Fun

Boy, oh boy, is it hot!!!According to many AZ cities, however, the summer swimming season is oficially drawing to a close. With most public swimming facilities closing their doors by August 9 (many closed July 26!), that's leaving a lot families without a fun way to cool off.

Never fear! Go to LetsPartyMagazine.com to track down swimming facilities, splash pads, and spraygrounds that will continue to stay open through the triple digit weather - and some even as late as October! Go to the Just for Kids section, or simply click here for a Valleywide listing of Pools and Splash Pads in AZ!
Hudson Park Splash Pad, Tempe, Arizona.

"I'm Ready 'fur' My Closeup!" Notes from the Puppy Party Photo Shoot...

Our photo shoot with Oh My Dog! Boutique & Spa was a success. The puppies couldn't have been cuter or more cooperative - with the help of some fabulous outfits and treats, of course! I brought my daughter, Kyera, to 'assist' with the shoot, along with our family's latest star, a 4.5 pound Yorkie-Shih Tzu named Kyambria.

Here we are getting ready for the shoot; Oh my Dog! has so many adoreable outfits it was hard to choose. Jackie, the shop's owner, arranged a lineup of leggy models for the shoot (ha ha, couldn't help myself), whose mommies did an outstanding job with hair and wardrobe.

The 'edibles' shots were clearly some of Kyambria's favorites. Yes, that is cake on her face - an organic dog cake! Stay tuned for the upcoming article on Puppy Party do's, don'ts, and how-to's, and more pics on LetsPartyMagazine.com.

Bug Bites

My father and "new mommy" were visiting from Missouri over the holiday. We took the kids to the fireworks and the mosquito's were so BAD that two of my kids ended up at urgent care for bites all over their face. They look like they have a horrible disease. Learned that some kids just get bad bug bites and others don't. You would think that I would know this after having 45 of them, but apparently I learn something new each day.

Pet Party Photo Shoot

Lori, Executive Editor for http://www.letspartymagazine.com/, has been working hard all afternoon on staging our pet party photo shoot. We will be helping my dog (Kyambria), a little 4 pound Shih-Tzu/Yorkie celebrate her 2nd birthday with some of her doggie friends. I will be sure to let you know how the photo shoot turns out next week...and, we will post a few pictures so you can be part of the fun! Stay tuned!

Back to Work

After a fun-filled weekend at home with the nine kids, LetsPartyMagazine.com is back to work. Home is always exciting.....from children finger-painting one another with Vaseline and sprinkling them with glitter, to losing cell phones underneath the stove, you never know what to expect with my "Little People."

This week we are gearing up to have family visiting for the Fourth of July. Be sure to visit the http://www.letspartymagazine.com/ for a few BBQ articles just in time for your celebration. And, if you haven't signed up for our MONTHLY newsletter, be sure to do so at http://letspartymagazine.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=858d5219cd38dae55747a0abc&id=e1fbc55f48. That way you are sure to receive the latest LetsPartyMagazine.com news.

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY celebration!

MJ

Today--we remember Michael Jackson, our King of Pop.

Event Competition

The Phoenix Event Professionals are THE MOST talented individuals I have ever met. I was fortunate enough to attend the NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) Confectionery Creations and Table Top Decor Creations Competition on Monday evening at the Arizona Grand Resort. The competition featured inspired table designs from Rio, Cairo, Tokyo, and Paris and more cake tastings than you could even sample. I know who my favorites were of the evening, and will bring you the results as soon as they are available. Stay tuned!