We all know of companies/organizations who would do "almost anything" for earned
media. You know, bring in somebody famous in the hope that famous person would cause a buzz and a newspaper, TV or radio station might pick up on the event and say some nice things.
Sometimes it works. The key word is "sometimes". Far too often the story has a focus on the "famous person" and much of the message is lost. And, getting a "famous person" dislodged to be a point person can be expensive. Plus...it's a "one time shot". What happens if the message is garbled or, worse, the event is ignored?
So what do you do if you've got a small budget but a great story...and that story is about a tiny town in Rural Iowa? You phone friends. Friends who are connected to social media and who can, at a fraction of the cost, help your event become successful by writing and distributing content to their readers.
Enter Deb Brown of Greater Franklin County, Iowa
Last year Deb, who is a connected social media professional, had this idea to invite bloggers to Hampton and Franklin County so they might experience life in Rural Iowa...even for just a weekend. Spending a fraction of what it would cost to bring a "big name" to town she turned to other "connected social media experts" to help share their experiences through words, photos and video.
The result was a treasure trove of content, which was shared far and wide, about what's available living a rural lifestyle in...Franklin County. Brilliant.
While, according to Deb, the general community is still working through exactly what a "Bloggers Tour" is there no doubt Greater Franklin County has caught the attention of many. So many that this weekend the Second Annual Harvest Tour takes place with writers coming from as far away as New Hampshire and public television from...Japan...to experience Greater Franklin County.
Not bad.
For more head over to Greater Franklin County Harvest Tour 2012.
If you would like to leave a comment here, feel free or let's connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio or our advertising/communications Facebook Page which is...right here.
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