It's been a long day. A long wonderful day. One of the best I've had in awhile.
The first thing you need to know is that I write for this blog. It is a couponing blog because I'm frugal like that. I adore the girls who started it. Monica and Cathy are wonderful women who wanted to share their money smarts with their friends and family. And then it grew. And grew. And grew. And soon thousands of visitors were stopping by their little website.
They have pored endless hours into that blog. It is their baby (not to take away from the 9 human babies they collectively have between them. Yes, they are saints). And while I have been writing for the blog for almost a year, they recently came to me to contribute in a different manner. They wanted to take the blog to next level. They asked me to head up the PR side of things. Work with the media. Get the blog some exposure. Spread the word.
So I crafted a media blitz in the form of an email. It was good. It was really good. I was proud.
I fine tuned, proofread and polished it up. Then yesterday I sent it out to all of the major television and radio stations in the area. Less than 24 hours later, I got this phone call:
Me: Hello?
Caller: Is this Amber?
Me: It is.
Caller: Hi Amber. This is Mike Vogel from KTRV Fox 12. I just read your email and I have to tell you I was impressed. We have received a few emails from couponing websites wanting us to do stories on them, but your email caught my attention. I loved the fresh perspective.
Me: Um, uh, um. Thanks.
Mike: Are you going to be home today?
Me: Yep (seriously. I said "yep." Because in addition to being frugal, I am also classy).
Mike: Would it be alright if we came over in an hour to interview you so we could do a piece on your website for the evening news (the same evening news that has teasers during American Idol. As in, our teaser would play during the most watched show in America).
What I was thinking: Seriously dude, 1 HOUR? 1 HOUR, really? 1 HOUR until you want me to appear in front of a camera? I need 1 WEEK to carefully select my words and my wardrobe. I have no makeup on and my house is a wreck and I have no clean black tops because the camera adds 15 pounds so a black shirt/sweater/moo moo is a must and there is absolutely no way on earth I can craft a coherent thought and put on blush and eyeliner and straighten my hair into submission in 1 HOUR let alone usher you into my house o' filth so the entire city can judge my parenting style my disheveled appearance and pretty much everything else about me.
What I said: Absolutely. 1 hour would be perfect.
And then I hung up and promptly did a happy dance around my house while my husband began to question his choice in a mate. And then I called Cathy and Monica. And then they proceeded to do a happy dance.
Somehow all three of us pulled ourselves together, found complimentary wardrobe choices and faked a bit of smarts for the hour and a half they were interviewing us. It. Was. Awesome.
Then we called everyone we knew (and their mothers) and told them to set their DVRs. Because we were pretty much famous TV personalities at that point. Minus the famous. But for 2.5 minutes we were a big deal. And I was a part of making that happen. And I think that deserves a happy dance, don't you?
*Please forgive my dorkiness and my ridiculous facial expressions if you happen to watch the video. Oh and while I do have swimmer's arms/shoulders, my right arm is not that massive in real life. It's not right? That was just a bad angle, right? Anyone? Anyone?
16 comments:
That is really cool! Must have been some email! I know who I'm coming to for PR when I start my own business. I think I'm gonna have to check out that website. By the way, you probably should have linked to it in the post.
I totally just went to KTRV Fox 12 website and watched your clip. Awesome job! Congrats on the publicity. I use FF often, although not all the coupons apply to VA residents ;) - I really think there are more coupons for the West than there are for the East, at least better ones, but I did get $25 gift certificates for $2, still have not managed to get anything free, though.
Keep up the good work!
I knew you were destined for fame!
Way to go!!!!!
I have several friends that I have forwarded your coupon site to and one of my friends swears by it!
You are good!!!!
:)
That is awesome! You have some power in your words I'd say! Clicking over to the site and the news channel site!
If anyone could make that happen, it is you! Way to go!
That is SO cool. I want to read your P.R. piece to see what made you stand out. What a neat little opportunity for you!
Wish I could have seen it! I read it online, you guys do a great job!
Commencing operation: hunt for Amber's famous video on the internet. Now.
And now, after seeing it for myself, I will quote you: "That's Awesome."
Priceless.
Kudos to you and all of your hard work!!
Totally laughing at your comment on Adrea's blog about the drinking game. Do you watch "How I Met Your Mother? Similar drinking game except for with words.
Saw it. Loved it. I always get a kick over your descriptive and hilarious posts! Great job!
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, I could just see it all in my mind. I saw that you had become a fan of KTRV Fox on FB and I thought, "There's a reason for that. Thats not just random." I love it! I love your (Perfect Strangers) Title Happy Happy Joy Joy and miss watching your freaking out moments. I hear your voice through your words and for a moment I experience being with Amber all over again 2,000 miles away! Love it, love it all!
I'd love to read the email that had this "fresh perspective."
i'm such an assy friend. an ass, i tell you! i now vaguely remember your text, tried to register it to my brain, and then never thought about it agian. sucky, sucky friend. and, AND, i somehow missed this post this week. (maybe because my mom is visiting. maybe because my neck is stiff and i can barely move my head. or maybe because i can't keep my brain focused on one single task that my friend gives me.) shameful.
so, do tell. how did it go? what came of all the exposure? more hits? more peeps? more...what? you are a rockstar. and i'm so proud of you. great writing, amber, that email you composed. i'm so not surprised you stood out to those people. you matter.
I am having difficulty typing because I'm laughing so hard!! Aaaaa...you crack me up. Ok. Back on track. That is such awesome news and it definitely deserves a happy dance, or two in my humble opinion.
just remember the little people on your way to fame okay. and when i say little people, i mean me.
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