March brings thoughts of spring and celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day – but did you know that it is also National Women’s History Month? Mother Teresa, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, and Hilary Clinton: these are just some of the women who have had a significant impact on our history. They join other women honored as role models in March for their achievements in science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine, and other disciplines.

Integrating this awareness month into your PR initiatives for 2010 is easy to do, as there are certainly businesswomen, volunteers, and others in your community to spotlight. Young women and girls today could really use some positive role models.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Past: Talk about HERstory.
Make it your mission to educate your community about women’s history by focusing on a specific woman who made a difference in your industry. Those in the health services field, for example, might spotlight Elizabeth Blackwell, the country’s first female doctor. Post flyers around your business, hand out logo-branded informational brochures about her and her initiatives, or invite your local librarian in to give children in the community a history lesson about Blackwell and her contributions to the field of medicine.

Present: Honk your own horn!
Are you a female business owner? Do you have women in positions of influence in your company? Talk about it! Here’s an opportunity for you to promote yourself and your female staff members as professional resources in your community. Hold support seminars for other women in the community who are looking to become entrepreneurs, interested in making career changes, or those who just want a boost of self-esteem by learning about how you climbed the career ladder. Your story can inspire others.

Future: Make a difference.
Help women in your community improve their future by encouraging them to make strides in their careers and personal lives. Sponsor – and promote – a mentorship or internship program at your business. Or, volunteer your time at your local women’s homeless shelter and offer your employees incentives to do the same. Donate goods and/or services to groups that support single parents. There are many organizations that could use some help from their fellow business community members.

There’s a great opportunity here for PR professionals and business owners to raise their profile in the community while making a real contribution. National Women’s History Month is not just about highlighting women of the past, it’s also about inspiring and supporting the women who will be tomorrow’s role models. For more information about this awareness campaign, visit the National Women’s History Project organization at www.nwhp.org.

As the devastating images of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti dominate news coverage, many of us are feeling helpless and are looking for ways to lend a hand. How do we make donations?  What do we give?  How do we know that our contribution will have a positive effect?

Well, officials have made it clear that Haiti is in dire need of one resource, and that is money, since the nation’s demolished infrastructure has rendered it incapable at this time of effectively handling shipments of goods.  Charities ranging from AmeriCares to UNICEF have dedicated areas of their Web sites to enable people to electronically submit funds. Making a difference is just a few clicks away.

So how do you, as a business, participate in this “virtual” charitable initiative?  You go to where your customers and prospects are and you speak their language – through Facebook postings, text messages and “tweets.”

If you haven’t joined the social media revolution, chances are you’ve been told you should – and it’s true. Social media platforms are a quick and efficient way to introduce consumers to your company.  And the disaster relief presents an ideal opportunity to make a positive difference while starting or expanding your social media presence. Use your Twitter account or your business’ Facebook page to spread the word about how people can help. 

If you’ve made a donation on behalf of your business, announce it and invite readers and fans to “follow” your lead.  Consider a reverse corporate match, for example. Challenge your customers, as a community, to make contributions toward matching your donation. Then, update your site frequently on progress as contributions are reported to you by your customers.     

Or perhaps you have an employee who has been directly affected by the disaster. Why not use his or her story to inspire people to give? When you personalize the tragedy that is unfolding, you help your online customer base make a connection with the victims that can only enhance the relief effort.

Of course, at the very least, you should use your social media sites to post links for reputable charities that are currently collecting funds for Haiti disaster relief. For help picking an organization, visit www.charitynavigator.org, which evaluates the effectiveness of charities based on their financial health.

So don’t be afraid to use the tools that are at your fingertips –literally – to generate a charitable response amongst your business community.  People are looking for ways to give.  Go find them and show them the way.

Yes. February is a time when many of us think of ways to talk about relationships, love, hearts, and, of course, the color red. This year, why not put a slight twist on the traditional angle and develop a campaign around your relationship with your local library? Why? Well, because, February is Library Lovers Month – a national celebration of school, public and private libraries.

With so much focus on technology and the internet today, it’s easy to forget what a remarkable resource a library can be.  A library card is the key to a world of books, music, movies, and more.  Partnering with your local library gives you a different way to spread news about your business and advertise your brand while supporting this critical public service.

There are several ways you can show your appreciation for libraries in your community. Here are a few events and campaigns to consider:

• Book Drive: Libraries are always looking for ways to expand their inventory. Therefore, host a drive where community members can drop off gently-used books at your location to be donated. After you’ve collected the books, you can then donate them to the library. You can take it a step further by also making a monetary donation to the library.

• Read-a-Thon: Partner with your local library to create a contest where children in the community are challenged to read a targeted number of books during the month of February. Design a poster that illustrates a book stack and reflects a weekly count of the amount of books the children read. The child who reads the most books can receive a gift basket with reading items, such as a book light, and a T-shirt branded with your business logo.

• Library Volunteer Program.  Encourage your customers and others in the community to volunteer their time at their local library. Volunteers can earn points that can be redeemed for merchandise, services or gift certificates at your business.

• Story Hours. Instead of reaching out, start the initiative at home base. Ask your employees to volunteer to read books to children in hospitals, seniors in nursing homes or other care facilities.

These are just some of the ways you can showcase your business, while also demonstrating your appreciation for the important role your library plays in your community. Share successful campaigns you have initiated with community libraries.

Cause-marketing campaigns have proven to be very positive public relations opportunities for businesses in various industry sectors. In fact, the most successful initiatives have been related to charitable initiatives. For example, this summer, the women’s apparel retail company, dressbarn, found success with its annual “Relay for Life” campaign, which is part of the partnership the company has had with the American Cancer Society since 2002. Burlington Coat Factory, kicked off its annual Light the Night Walk this year, to help raise funds for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And, Symmetry, a direct selling company that provides health-related products, announced this month its partnership with the SUCCESS Foundation, which helps encourage teenagers to set and reach life goals. The winter holiday season is known as the season of giving. Therefore, it is an opportune time for you to get your brand name out there and show your customers and clients that you care about the community. Offer a little holiday cheer and partner with a non-profit organization or charitable initiative that meshes well with your company’s mission.

Whether they are molded from chocolate or cut out of construction paper, hearts of all shapes and sizes will be on display this February in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. But, with heart disease still the leading cause of death in the United States, the most important heart to keep in mind is the one that is beating inside of each of us. 

February is designated as American Heart Month to remind all of us that we need to treat our own hearts – and not only our sweethearts – with care.  This is a perfect time for business owners to build awareness about cardiovascular disease and the disguises it takes while they build brand awareness and goodwill in their communities.

Begin by thinking about collaboration.  What other businesses in your community can you pair up with to take a stance against heart disease?  Considering that the condition can be prevented through diet, exercise and regular health screenings, there are a few strategic partners that should be on the top of your list.

Take your local grocery store, food market or even corner deli, for example.   Why not join with them to sponsor healthy lunch and dinner options, featuring heart-friendly ingredients such as whole grains and unsaturated fats?  Your company’s logo along with a picture of a heart can be used to denote the special menu offerings. 

Additionally, your community’s gym or recreation center is another great place to cross-market this month, since regular physical activity plays a major role in reducing the risk of fatal heart disease.  You can arrange to sponsor a pick-up basketball league, provide branded T-shirts for members, offer discounted or free trial memberships, or even host a 5k walk or run. 

And, of course, you shouldn’t overlook your town’s healthcare providers, including hospitals, health clinics and pharmacies, as marketing partners for American Heart Month.  Complimentary blood pressure screenings are a sure fit, as elevated blood pressure is an initial indicator of heart disease. 

 For more information on heart disease and the steps that can be taken to improve heart health, visit the American Heart Association at (www.americanheart.org). Get the facts, know the statistics and teach your community to be proactive about heart health.

January is the start of another New Year, a time when many people focus on new beginnings, like making healthy lifestyle changes. But, January is also Financial Wellness Month, and, in 2010 especially, addressing financial challenges is at the forefront of many people’s minds. This is a great opportunity for you to encourage your customers and prospects to strengthen and improve their financial health – while you improve your relationship with them!

Here are some easy ways to incorporate this awareness campaign with your brand or client:

Host an informative event: Invite a financial advisor to host a free seminar at your location. In an open forum setup, the advisor can talk to your customers and other community members about how to get their finances back on track. During the seminar, hand out a calendar that gives community members financial wellness tips for each week. (Note: be sure your business logo and contact information is in on the calendar!)

Hand out coin banks: We’ve seen banks and other financial institutions do it, so there’s no reason other businesses can’t join the bandwagon. You’re never too old and never too young to start saving. Therefore, senior services and assisted living facilities can hand out free coin banks during a special community event. And, child services businesses and toy retailers can give out piggy banks to children to encourage good habits at an early age. 

Promote year-long financial wellness: Give your customers something they can look at year round to remind them of the importance of getting their finances on track towards the road of success. Pharmacies can hand out flyers that illustrate a thermometer to help them take their “financial temperature”; each temperature point can have a different goal for achieving financial wellness. Restaurants can have paper placemats with fun pictures of dollar signs for children to color in with some easy finance tips for parents to enjoy.

There’s nothing better than showing your community that you care about their financial wellness. Spread the word and steer customers in the right direction for Financial Wellness Month this January.

The holidays are a time for celebrating – with gifts, parties and toasts to the New Year. But, National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, which takes place this December, reminds us that we all have a personal responsibility to keep the “happy” in the holidays.

Drink responsibly. Entertain responsibly. Drive sober. And enjoy the company of your family and friends – this holiday season and in the years to come.

The most precious gift you can give this holiday season is your commitment to yourself and your loved ones to make a difference – not just in your personal life, but with your business presence as well. In honor of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, let your community know you care.

Are you a clothing retailer? Try hosting a campaign where you distribute a signature item, such as a branded tote bag, to every customer that signs a pledge not to drink and drive. Not only will they remember you each time they use it, but they’ll remember their commitment, too.

Are you a wireless communications provider? Your customers should know that a safe ride home is always a call, text or email away. So, utilize a clever slogan to encourage them to program the name and contact information of a designated driver into their mobile device.

Are you a restaurant or foodservice chain? With people drinking in your facility, you can never be too careful. Include a card or brochure with your patrons’ checks that offers amusing tests to determine if someone is over the limit. Can’t sing Happy Birthday while hopping on one leg with your eyes closed? Well, then, you can’t drive home.

Whatever you do, get creative and don’t be afraid to get involved. The best holiday spirit doesn’t come in a bottle.

The holidays are right around the corner. And, while it’s tempting to focus on new products and special offers for the season, it’s also important to give consumers newsworthy information they might need as they purchase their gifts.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, and that means you have a perfect opportunity to promote your brand locally while you provide information of real value to your community.

For example:

Financial, real estate and other professional businesses can partner with their local YMCA, YWCA or other community organization to establish a “safe toys” collection drive for the less fortunate children in the community, asking donors to select only toys approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

Direct sellers – regardless of the products they sell – can set up a raffle box or offer a coloring contest in their neighborhoods. Establish prizes for various age groups, such as ages 2 to 5, ages 6 to 8, etc., and then promote the fact that you will award age-appropriate (and safe) toys for each age group.

And, you don’t need to limit a “Safe Gift” awareness campaign to toys. Let your clients, colleagues, or prospects know that you have selected a gift to make their holidays both festive and accident-free. Flameless candles or holiday ornaments and decorations that have been approved by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are examples of gifts that are both seasonal and safe.

Turn this year’s busy holiday season into a PR gift to your business or organization. Make your list of PR opportunities early – and be sure to check it twice!

Antibacterial soap, surgical masks, full suits of armor anyone?

A new H1N1 vaccine will soon be available to help control the anticipated swine flu epidemic this season, but according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”

National Hand-washing Awareness Week, December 6th – 12th provides a perfect opportunity for savvy companies – like yours – to spread the word about how this simple step can help stop the flu in its tracks, and to earn some rewarding PR for your business or client at the same time.

• Businesses: Package free, personal-sized hand sanitizers – with your company logo on them, of course – with a tip sheet on effective hand washing.

• Restaurants: Provide individual antibacterial hand wipes at each table for customers to use before and after eating, and display posters in rest rooms that promote National Hand-washing Awareness Week.

• Insurance agencies: Join a local Boy Scout or Girl Scout event to talk to scouts and their parents about the connection between good hand hygiene and health. Send everyone home with a branded gift bag of soap and hand sanitizers.

• Retail stores: Sponsor a contest for the best 20-second song (the optimal hand-washing time, according to CDC) about hand washing, and create a PSA-campaign for your local broadcast outlets to get everyone scrubbing and singing to the same tune.

• Children’s learning centers: Make hand-washing fun. Plan a craft project using soap, and send the kids home to spread the word with soap boats, soap critters, or soap-on-a-rope.

You can promote your business, your organization or your brand, while performing a real service to your customers, your members, and your community. And that’s a PR Clean Sweep!

Recent articles have reported that identity theft continues to grow in the country as the amount of electronic personal information about all of us expands and spreads across cyberspace and in databases everywhere. In fact, according to www.idtheftcenter.org, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in our nation.

On that note, did you know that December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month? If not, you should get right on top of it! This awareness month creates an opportunity for businesses and organizations of all types to create a targeted campaign around this hot-button issue.

How? Think about creating a PR campaign for December that’s centered on this awareness topic, and then let the media know about your involvement with the issue.

Here are some tips:

Health services companies can provide tips on protecting personal information to local senior citizen groups – the most frequently victimized group – or offer a prevention checklist with monthly invoices or newsletters.

• Child services providers might create handouts for back-to-school night to offer parents advice on protecting their families from identity theft.
• Consumer retail companies could launch a “safe shopping” initiative, emphasizing their commitment to protecting identity information when customers use a credit card at their outlets or shop online.

The bottom line is when the issue affects everyone, the PR opportunities are endless. And, when you know that the media is looking for that type of story at that particular time, it’s a no-brainer.  Next time you’re looking for a unique PR opportunity, look for timely “outside-of-the-box” ideas that may not be linked directly to your company’s services and mission. And, watch your media impressions increase.