Here's how reporters know when they've reached a nerdy website.
--They enter on a page that says "welcome to my website," then they have to click again to get to the homepage. Even nerdier is a message that says "website under construction--please return later."
--The home page is plastered with an annoying "wallpaper" background that usually consists of the company's logo repeated over and over again, with text slapped on top of it. Or a big, clunky graphic covered with text.
--They can't find contact information--including an address, phone number or email address--on the homepage.
--They can't find a button that says Media Room, or Press Room or About Us and have to go searching to find what they're looking for.
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--They try to search quickly but can't because the website doesn't have a search function.
--They see things that rotate, spin, move, jump, dart, flash or crawl across the screen.
--Without warning, they hear music and a voice that welcomes them to the site.
--They see a little box on the homepage that shows the number of people who have visited the site. Retail stores don't have a flashing sign that tells how many customers have come through the door. So unless you're McDonald's, you shouldn't either.
--They find a site built in frames, which many older browsers don't support. Many search engines don't index them properly either. Frame scrolling bars waste precious space.
If you're guilty of any of the above, solve the problem, pronto. Then work on making your website a media magnet.
She tells you 15 ways to do just that in the July/August issue of The Publicity Hound, the formerly print newsletter which debuts this month as an electronic document delivered instantly in PDF format at the request of many readers. If you like these free weekly tips, you'll love the 8-page newsletter which has articles that go into much more depth. You can read it on the computer screen or print it and tuck it into your briefcase to read later. Here's what else you'll find in the current issue:
--16 questions to ask yourself before your news release goes out the door.
--Tips for buying radio ads.
--What to do if your boss needs media training and doesn't want it.
--A new Internet radio show for women.
--A website where you can get valuable feedback on headlines for your news releases and articles.
--How to be a trend-spotter the media love.
--8 ideas for creating a "Hall of Fame" or "Shame"...a fun feature that newspapers and magazines will love.
--Where to find a great Internet discussion list for PR people.
--How to get into the new Female Entrepreneur magazine.
--July and August story ideas you can start using today.
You'll learn all of this and more from Joan Stewart's Publicity Hound newsletter. Order and download your copy today!
Posted June 29, 2004
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