Episode 17: What Is An Advertorial & Why You Should Avoid It While Building A Brand

Most publications have a 6-month to 12-month policy regarding a 2nd feature on the same person or company. This is in place so reputitious information is not circulating on the platform. Here’s the real truth: there’s no updates anyone or any company can have in less than 6-month that is worthwhile reading. Never, ever follow-up with a writer 2-weeks after your client was just featured. Work on developing a better angle and story for a feature to run in a 9-to-12-month period. 

Everyone has value that they bring to the table. There’s a difference in mindset from paying your dues to deserving to get paid for the value you bring to the table. As an entrepreneur, you have to know your worth (how much your time and skill-set is worth) and then add tax to your pricing. You deserve to get paid!

Everyone with a product or service wants to be featured in a top tier media outlet like Good Morning America or New York Times. Some people resort to advertorials, which is becoming more popular in the media landscape as competition grows. Advertorials are paid articles in publication and cost thousands of dollars. However, not all are legit - many are scams. In this episode, we discuss what an advertorial is and why you should avoid it as you build out your brand.

As the world opens back up our lives are going to drastically change once again with in-person events, commute times and vacation plans. The time that we used to have to jump on a Zoom call because we were home is no longer going to be reality. How do we maintain the relationships we’ve cultivated over the past year. Join us on this episode of Ummm, No! as we explore how to deal with the anxiety of dressing up again and the fostering of friendships.

As a writer, the worst interview you can have is with a person whose answers are all rehearsed, they only give surface answers and all of their answers can be found in another article. There are ways to stand out, make an impact and share meaningful stories. On average, writers receive 1,500 pitches a month. During the pandemic, everyone started a CBD oil company, skincare line or fashion brand. You have to stand out. No one cares about your product. If that’s what you lead with, your article success rate will be low. Lead with your story, people will care; it will differentiate you from the other thousand people doing what you’re doing.

Dr. Cheryl Robinson & Tara Ackaway share ways on how to mentally refresh. It’s important to have a clear headspace. One way to be at peace is to adopt the “your issue is not my issue” mentality. Instead of trying to contort yourself to fit everyone else’s needs, go into the situation peacefully and hold your ground. 

Nominated for Orange County’s 40 Under 40, Amanda Samaan founded Revolver PR and has spent years assembling an ever-expanding client roster in the world of sports, entertainment, and lifestyle, elevating brands and personalities to new levels. Representing top-tier talent like Mike Ness and BJ Baldwin and producing automotive and cinematic events like Fast and Furious franchise’s “Furious 7.” Today, Samaan and Revolver continue to focus on these industries, overseeing PR initiatives for lifestyle clients Jeffrey Court, FGPG, Paris Hilton Fragrances, and the likes of NY Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis, retired Ravens running back Prince Daniels Jr., Minnesota Twins short stop Royce Lewis, San Diego Padres Catcher Austin Hedges, and MLB “super-agent” Scott Boras.

Continuously learning is a recipe for success. If you are the smartest person in the room, find a different room. In PR, media and entrepreneurship it’s important to research trends, pop culture and the news. This will help you grow your business and help you remain relevant in the industy. Dr. Cheryl Robinson and Tara Ackaway share ways to remain a student in an ever changing world.

Communication is key to success. Whether you are pitching to media, pitching to clients or writing an article, the way a person communicates determines how well the message is perceived and shared. Dr. Cheryl Robinson and Tara Ackaway share how to affectively share messaging and be heard and recognized.

Into every situation, one must set expectations. While pitching, understand that writers get anywhere from 500-2,000 pitches a month. You may not land a feature right away or even a response. After the feature, writers have expectations - always promote the article and tag the writer.