Market On with an online media room or, NOT!

Online press rooms or online media rooms make hot topics these days. Virtually all of my clients talk about the option. And they say the right things:

“The global economy requires an Internet presence.”
“It’s important to talk with all kinds of audiences on the web.”
“Our company has a press room.” OR, “We’re building a media room.”

Cynthia Morris, owner of the coaching firm, Original Impulse talked with me about her online media room. Join me in a quick look:

• Kudos to Cynthia! She took the plunge, created a media room, placed it one click off her home page, and added significant content. Because this enthusiastic woman does nothing half-heartedly, my guess is that she’s not paid close attention to the media room in some time. How do I know? Well, let me count the ways.
• Note the label at the top of her media room: Media Expert. Who created this title? The Media that I see listed on the site (with one exception from Health Magazine) pre-dates 2005.
• Cynthia displays a listing of six other published articles; only one of them includes a link.
• The radio show interviews which Cynthia alludes to could not be found either. The current schedule includes only upcoming guests for the month of February 2008 and Cynthia was not among them.
• The media kit has one item, a bio. The bio is in pdf format and while it reads well, it does not include the many accomplishments that Cynthia has to her credit. My experience is that some reporters do prefer more factual content, particularly if they are quoting someone as an expert.

My special comment to Cynthia is that her “story” doesn’t come across as well as it could. She’s a fascinating individual with a variety of fun experiences and a treasure trove of creative products to prove it. Her bio summary line, “Cynthia offers a living example of going for a creative and juicy life” is an understatement. I’d suggest: “When it comes to creativity, Cynthia doesn’t just teach it, she lives it!”

(Disclosure: I currently work with Cynthia on a public relations project designed upgrade her online media room and increase her overall visibility.)