Monday, March 9, 2009
Main Street PR in the Information Age powerpoint available now
Stephanie Redman and I presented a fact filled workshop at the National Trust Main Street Center conference in Chicago last week entitled Main Street PR in the Information Age. This 60 slide PowerPoint presentation is available as a PDF document by email. Contact us at donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or stephanie.redman@gmail.com to obtain a copy along with the handouts provided for those attending the NMSC conference.
Top Ten Tips for Public Relations in the Information Age
This tip sheet was developed by Stephanie Redman and me for our Advanced Organization Academy series of workshops. This handout was provided at our session "Main Street PR and the Information Age" at the National Trust Main Street Center conference in Chicago, IL. The complete presentation, in PDF form is available on the Advanced Organization Academy blog www.advancedorganizationacademy.blogspot.com.
Top Ten Things to Remember about
Public Relations for Main Street Organizations
10. Don’t rely on just one form of media for your P.R. effort. Mix up your Public Relations activities to reach a variety of audiences and age groups. Incorporate verbal, visual, and written P.R. tools, and use electronic tools – even if you personally don’t find them appealing. Post your newsletters, annual reports, press releases, and media kits on your website. Post appropriate press releases to your blog or your MySpace or Facebook page. Use active presentations to keep key groups informed about Main Street. Call local reporters to “pitch” story ideas rather than just emailing press releases or waiting for their coverage.
9. Don’t send out a poorly written press release. Releases should be engaging, informative, and succinct. Learn to write a good press release, or find a volunteer who can.
8. Get to know local reporters and editors. Get acquainted with your local and regional media contacts. Watch the local news and/or listen to local radio so you know who should be on your media contact list. Read local reporters’ stories so you can comment about their work. Call them regularly to pitch Main Street story ideas.
7. Compile an up-to-date list of Main Street contacts. During a crisis or even the regular course of events, you must have current contact information for board, committee, and staff members’ phone, fax, cell, email, and home addresses – as well as contact information for your attorney, accountant, and insurance agent. Keep a copy in the office, at home, and in the glove compartment of your car, and make sure all board members have the same information.
6. Produce a newsletter and make the most of it. Post your hardcopy newsletter to your website; post stories from the newsletter to your blog or MySpace or Facebook page. If you use an electronic newsletter, send individual stories out more frequently at a lower cost than a printed newsletter.
5. Be prepared for the hard questions. Every time you talk to a reporter (really, every time), ask yourself “What would be the worst question they could ask, and how should I respond?” By thinking this through before you make the call, send out a press release, or respond to a reporter’s phone call, you will be more confident and persuasive in your interview. And if you need more time to develop a response, just ask if you can call them back in 10 or 15 minutes.
4. Be prepared to pay for publicity. Good relationships with area media will generate a lot of coverage, but not everything you want to publicize is coverage-worthy. For example, a retail promotion event won’t likely be covered as a news story. Buy some advertising from your local media throughout the year, even if they are co-op ads volunteer thank-you ads. A little “give” to your media helps to ensure their continued good will.
3. Use your press releases in many media. “Repurpose” your press releases in various ways to capture more attention for the Main Street. Revise the release and post it on your blog. Make it into a bulletin for your MySpace and Facebook pages; “recycle” the release in your printed newsletter. Post your news on your local Craigslist Groups section.
2. Have a Public Relations plan and actually use it! Follow the steps outlined in our presentation and handouts to develop a P.R. Plan for Main Street with your Organization Committee. (Promotion can also develop a P.R. plan for the district). Then work the plan! Even if you only conduct two or three P.R. activities regularly, your organization will be more visible and credible.
1. Make sure Public Relations for Main Street is someone’s job. No matter the size or maturity of your Main Street effort, P.R. needs to be someone’s responsibility. Whether coordinated by staff or a volunteer(s), P.R. must be a priority for the organization and thus be delegated to a person or group of people – likely the Organization Committee – to implement.
Contact us to learn more about our Advanced Organization Academy trainings, consultations and workshops: donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or stephanie.redman@gmail.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
Advanced Organization Academy around the country
This Fall, Stephanie Redman and I saw a lot of the Denver Airport, as we went to both Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming to work with their local Main Street managers twice, once in October and then again in early November. We also flew to Wichita and drove west to El Dorado Kansas to speak at the annual Kansas Main Street Conference.
Our first foray to Laramie was to give three presentations over two days as part of the state Main Street Program's "Main Street 201" session for managers and volunteers. From our Advanced Organization Academy series of workshops, we presented:
Effective PR
Our first foray to Laramie was to give three presentations over two days as part of the state Main Street Program's "Main Street 201" session for managers and volunteers. From our Advanced Organization Academy series of workshops, we presented:
- Conquering Leadership Transitions
- Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
- Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations.
In Kansas we presented our PR and fundraising sessions, to over 100 people at each session.
So here is what Kansas and Wyoming downtown managers had to say about our sessions:Effective PR
- "Value of blogs for younger and diverse markets"
- "I got several new ideas...things I've never done before!"
- "Improving image is not impossible--PR is the key."
- "Tons of great information,.Could be a whole day class."
- "I really liked the checklist and info on annual reports."
- "WOW"
Diversify Your Funding Sources!
- "Revenue sources beyond the norm were explained."
- "The sponsorship brochure was an excellent idea. I will put this to use immediately"
- "Really got my creative mind working again!"
- "Fundraising explained in detail and new examples discussed."
- "GREAT STUFF!"
Conquering Leadership Transitions
- "Good exercises/interaction."
- "Thanks for reminding us to reach further into the community."
- "Info was really good and they were very passionate."
Thanks go to Jeanne Stinson, State Coordinator for Kansas Main Street and to Mary Randolph State Coordinator for Wyoming Main Street for inviting us.
These sessions are great for any downtown or commercial district revitalization effort. Contact us to learn more.
Praise for Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations
Earlier this month Stephanie Redman and I were in Cheyenne Wyoming to work with the five local Main Street mangers of the Wyoming Main Street program. The state program had contracted with us to present our two day training session "Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations." And it was a great hit.
This workshop is designed to enable seasoned downtown mangers to develop a clear strategy to take their organization and their own skills to the next level.
The workshop is in two parts. It is centered around two, hour long, one-on one-coaching sessions with us, after the manager completes self assessments: one about the Main Street organization, the other about the individual manager's leadership skills.
Both of these assessments, created by outside organizations, had real relevance for both Stephanie and me, and we decided to combine these as components of our workshop. We also include planning exercises and group discussions to help participants identify specific issues to be addressed, and then strategies to vault the organization forward.
Some of the worksheets we use address overcoming obstacles, pathways to use leadership strengths for guiding change, and creating a plan for selling organizational growth at home through a well honed "elevator pitch."
Here is what they said about Strategic Leadership for Main Street."
You ladies were an absolute treat. I am so grateful for your time and interest in our programs. I know our communities will benefit and we have found new friends. Thank you.
"The exercises were good and made me think."
"This has been fun, encouraging and validates my thoughts and efforts to this point."
"I learned that what we--and me--are doing needs to readjusted--better defined, cleaner, less clutter!"
"Donna was a great help. Stephanie's comments and suggestions are and will be very helpful. Thank you."
"Your wealth of knowledge, presentation skills and genuineness are truly amazing and appreciated."
Gee, we didn't know!
Contact me if you want to learn more about Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations.
This workshop is designed to enable seasoned downtown mangers to develop a clear strategy to take their organization and their own skills to the next level.
The workshop is in two parts. It is centered around two, hour long, one-on one-coaching sessions with us, after the manager completes self assessments: one about the Main Street organization, the other about the individual manager's leadership skills.
Both of these assessments, created by outside organizations, had real relevance for both Stephanie and me, and we decided to combine these as components of our workshop. We also include planning exercises and group discussions to help participants identify specific issues to be addressed, and then strategies to vault the organization forward.
Some of the worksheets we use address overcoming obstacles, pathways to use leadership strengths for guiding change, and creating a plan for selling organizational growth at home through a well honed "elevator pitch."
Here is what they said about Strategic Leadership for Main Street."
You ladies were an absolute treat. I am so grateful for your time and interest in our programs. I know our communities will benefit and we have found new friends. Thank you.
"The exercises were good and made me think."
"This has been fun, encouraging and validates my thoughts and efforts to this point."
"I learned that what we--and me--are doing needs to readjusted--better defined, cleaner, less clutter!"
"Donna was a great help. Stephanie's comments and suggestions are and will be very helpful. Thank you."
"Your wealth of knowledge, presentation skills and genuineness are truly amazing and appreciated."
Gee, we didn't know!
Contact me if you want to learn more about Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Who is using Advanced Organization Academy workshops
This fall Donna and Stephanie will be presenting their Advanced Organization Academy talks at two statewide Main Street program annual or quarterly conferences.
For Wyoming Main Street, we will be presenting our workshops on Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations and Diversifying Your Revenue Sources! at their quarterly manager meeting in Cheyenne WI on October 15-16.
For Kansas Main Street we will be presenting our workshops on October 22-24 at their annual conference. Here we will team teach Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations and Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
In November 5-6 we will go back to Wyoming to present our two and a half day workshop Strategic Leadership for Main Street to Red Wing WY.
To learn how to bring these lively workshop sessions to your organization contact Donna Ann Harris at donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or Stephanie Redman at stephanie.redman@gmail.com
For Wyoming Main Street, we will be presenting our workshops on Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations and Diversifying Your Revenue Sources! at their quarterly manager meeting in Cheyenne WI on October 15-16.
For Kansas Main Street we will be presenting our workshops on October 22-24 at their annual conference. Here we will team teach Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations and Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
In November 5-6 we will go back to Wyoming to present our two and a half day workshop Strategic Leadership for Main Street to Red Wing WY.
To learn how to bring these lively workshop sessions to your organization contact Donna Ann Harris at donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or Stephanie Redman at stephanie.redman@gmail.com
Advanced Organization Academy Workshop Topics
Advanced Organization Academy Topics
1. Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations
This lively four-hour workshop focuses on using public relations to build a positive public image and garner resources. Participants will learn how to shift from haphazard P.R. efforts to a strategy that puts the organization in a positive public spotlight. This interactive session covers the benefits of positive public relations efforts, effective P.R. methods and tools, and public relations strategy development. Participants leave the workshop with a “quick-and-dirty” P.R. plan to use immediately.
2. Capitalizing on the Changing Nature of Volunteerism
This informative half-day workshop covers ways that Main Street organizations can sustain an essential volunteer base in today’s changing volunteer climate. Participants will learn about volunteer trends, generational volunteer preferences, recruitment tools and technology, how to compete for volunteers, and will leave with an understanding of how to develop a volunteer management strategy and to effectively communicate their organization’s volunteer needs.
3. Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
Established downtown organizations need regular, predictable income to sustain their organizations and to ensure a viable future. This half-day session informs participants about various sources and methods they can use to broaden their funding base.
Content includes:
§ Fund-raising roles & responsibilities
§ The importance of a diversified, sustainable funding base
§ The seven traditional sources of downtown funding
§ “Growing” existing donations
§ New funding options from standby sources
§ Ideal revenue mixes for organizations at different life stages, and
§ The importance of Business Improvement Districts, planned giving programs and endowments.
4. Conquering Leadership Transitions
Every organization faces changes in staff and/or volunteer leadership, which can either threaten or re-energize non-profit organizations. This stimulating half-day workshop helps organizations identify potential transitions and how to navigate them successfully. Participants will learn how to retain valuable personnel, how to manage both planned and unexpected staff and volunteer transitions, and how to direct healthy, planned leadership transitions in order to sustain and strengthen the revitalization program.
5. Survive and Prosper from Organizational Transitions
This half-day workshop is designed to give local staff and volunteers the skills and information to navigate the organizational life cycle, from start-up to maturity. Participants will learn about::
§ Predictable organizational growth patterns
§ The difference between normal and reactive change, and how to manage both
§ Typical points of transition that can move the organization forward or backward
§ Strategies for managing change to build a better downtown and organization.
6. Strategic Leadership for Main Street
This intensive 1.5 day, two-part workshop is designed to enable seasoned downtown directors develop a clear strategy to take their organization and their own skills to the next level. Limited to 16 directors, the session enables staff to understand their key organizational challenges and to identify the strategic leadership role that they must perform to move the organization forward. Utilizing organizational and leadership self-assessments, planning exercises, group discussion, and one-on-one coaching with Harris and Redman, participants identify “next level” organization strategies, various obstacles to achieving those growth strategies, methods for overcoming obstacles, a pathway for personal leadership in guiding change, and a plan for “selling” organizational growth at home. Participants will leave the workshop ready to be change agents for organizational maturation.
Contact Donna Ann Harris at donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or Stephanie Redman at stephanie.redman@gmail.com to learn more about pricing and availability.
1. Effective Public Relations for Established Downtown Organizations
This lively four-hour workshop focuses on using public relations to build a positive public image and garner resources. Participants will learn how to shift from haphazard P.R. efforts to a strategy that puts the organization in a positive public spotlight. This interactive session covers the benefits of positive public relations efforts, effective P.R. methods and tools, and public relations strategy development. Participants leave the workshop with a “quick-and-dirty” P.R. plan to use immediately.
2. Capitalizing on the Changing Nature of Volunteerism
This informative half-day workshop covers ways that Main Street organizations can sustain an essential volunteer base in today’s changing volunteer climate. Participants will learn about volunteer trends, generational volunteer preferences, recruitment tools and technology, how to compete for volunteers, and will leave with an understanding of how to develop a volunteer management strategy and to effectively communicate their organization’s volunteer needs.
3. Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
Established downtown organizations need regular, predictable income to sustain their organizations and to ensure a viable future. This half-day session informs participants about various sources and methods they can use to broaden their funding base.
Content includes:
§ Fund-raising roles & responsibilities
§ The importance of a diversified, sustainable funding base
§ The seven traditional sources of downtown funding
§ “Growing” existing donations
§ New funding options from standby sources
§ Ideal revenue mixes for organizations at different life stages, and
§ The importance of Business Improvement Districts, planned giving programs and endowments.
4. Conquering Leadership Transitions
Every organization faces changes in staff and/or volunteer leadership, which can either threaten or re-energize non-profit organizations. This stimulating half-day workshop helps organizations identify potential transitions and how to navigate them successfully. Participants will learn how to retain valuable personnel, how to manage both planned and unexpected staff and volunteer transitions, and how to direct healthy, planned leadership transitions in order to sustain and strengthen the revitalization program.
5. Survive and Prosper from Organizational Transitions
This half-day workshop is designed to give local staff and volunteers the skills and information to navigate the organizational life cycle, from start-up to maturity. Participants will learn about::
§ Predictable organizational growth patterns
§ The difference between normal and reactive change, and how to manage both
§ Typical points of transition that can move the organization forward or backward
§ Strategies for managing change to build a better downtown and organization.
6. Strategic Leadership for Main Street
This intensive 1.5 day, two-part workshop is designed to enable seasoned downtown directors develop a clear strategy to take their organization and their own skills to the next level. Limited to 16 directors, the session enables staff to understand their key organizational challenges and to identify the strategic leadership role that they must perform to move the organization forward. Utilizing organizational and leadership self-assessments, planning exercises, group discussion, and one-on-one coaching with Harris and Redman, participants identify “next level” organization strategies, various obstacles to achieving those growth strategies, methods for overcoming obstacles, a pathway for personal leadership in guiding change, and a plan for “selling” organizational growth at home. Participants will leave the workshop ready to be change agents for organizational maturation.
Contact Donna Ann Harris at donna@heritageconsultinginc.com or Stephanie Redman at stephanie.redman@gmail.com to learn more about pricing and availability.
Introduction: Advanced Organization Academy
Advanced Organization Academy
Presented by
Stephanie Redman and Donna Ann Harris
Stephanie Redman and Donna Ann Harris, both nationally-known commercial revitalization practitioners – have teamed up to provide advanced organization training to help established Main Street revitalization programs grow and thrive. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive organization-focused curriculum, Harris and Redman developed the Academy as a tool to strengthen maturing revitalization organizations. The Academy includes six different training sessions focusing on several essential organizational growth and transition topics, including:
§ Leadership and Organizational Transition
§ Public Relations for Established Organizations
§ Diversifying Funding
§ Volunteer Development
§ Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations
How the Academy Works
All Advanced Organization Academy trainings are team-taught by Stephanie and Donna and offer dynamic, engaging and fun learning environments for groups from 5 to 45. Most Academy workshops are a half-day in length and include:
§ Two to three hands-on learning exercises
§ Practical solutions that can be implemented immediately
§ Plentiful interaction
§ Peer-learning opportunities
§ A comprehensive packet of resource materials (articles, checklists, forms)
The six sessions of the Advanced Organization Academy are available as a comprehensive training series, or on an “a la carte” basis. The Academy includes the following six topics:
§ Effective Public Relations for Established Revitalization Organizations
§ Diversify Your Revenue Sources!
§ Capitalizing on the Changing Nature of Volunteerism
§ Conquering Leadership Transition
§ Survive & Prosper from Organization Transitions
§ Strategic Leadership for Main Street Organizations
Academy sessions are perfect for statewide or regional conferences, group trainings or individual local downtown management organizations. Sessions are customized to meet the needs of the audience and can also be lengthened or shortened as appropriate. Additional session topics can be developed to meet your particular needs.
Advanced Organization
Academy Trainers
Donna Ann Harris is the principal of Heritage Consulting Inc, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm that works in three practice areas: downtown revitalization, historic preservation and organizational development. Prior to starting her firm in 2004, she was state coordinator for the Illinois Main Street for two years and the manager of the Illinois suburban Main Street for four years. During her tenure, Donna served 56 Illinois Main Street communities, led a staff of 12 and managed a budget of over a million dollars. Prior to her Main Street career, Donna spent 15 years as an executive director of three start-up and two mature preservation organizations, each with its own organizational and fundraising challenges. During 2007, Donna published a book, New Solutions for House Museums, as well as scholarly articles in Forum Journal, History News and Main Street News on business improvement district feasibility. Donna earned a Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation from Columbia University in New York City, and a Master of Governmental Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Stephanie Redman has 18+ years’ experience in supporting and advising organizations engaged in the revitalization of traditional business districts. Ms. Redman is a regular conference speaker and trainer and a highly-skilled strategist and planner. Her Main Street work addresses a variety of topics, with special emphasis on local organizational structure, planning, management, and governance. She regularly facilitates visioning sessions, strategic planning processes, and annual work plan development. Ms. Redman has consulted with and trained Main Street revitalization organizations in more than 250 diverse communities in 41 states and internationally. Prior to beginning her consulting practice in 2006, Ms. Redman held four progressively more responsible positions at the National Trust Main Street Center, ending with assistant director. In her early career, Ms. Redman worked closely with several Iowa cities, towns, and a county in her capacity as a coordinator with Main Street Iowa. She holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in Afro-American studies from Grinnell College.
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