Alan Weinkrantz PR Web Log

"The Wall Street Journal" Covers the Story on How I Got A&T to Lower My Triple Play Residential Phone Bill

Over at my other blog, 3Screens.net, I cover AT&T from a consumer's point of view.

During the month of December, I spent quite a bit of time going line item by line item in my business and household budget trying to reduce costs.

One area that was getting out of hand was my residential triple play phone bill.  

I called AT&T and got my bill lowered about about 40%.  Frankly, I was not expecting this much savings, but it did happen.

Since then, Telephony Magazine covered the story and today, The Wall Street Journal did this piece.

 

Everwire Conversations from CES Taking Hold

Over at my other blog, Everywire.com, I am posting a series of 18 video interviews conducted at CES 2009.  I had a chance to meet with leading industry executives all with one common vision:  the success of the next generation of wired home networking, and joining together in support of the recently consented G.hn standard.

Here's a sample interview just posted today, with Chano Gomez, from DS2.  Mosey on over to Everywire to check out interviews like this one over the next 2 weeks.

Introducing "the walk-away consumer....." Telephony Magazine Covers My 3Screens Blog

From Telephony Magazine.....  In the face of this recession, Weinkrantz made a lifestyle change. He decided to become a “walk-away consumer”: someone who seeks the best possible price and walks away when he doesn’t get it. Weinkrantz admits the strategy didn’t work at Neiman Marcus, but it succeeded at his local BMW dealership — and it worked big time with AT&T.

Read all about it here.

2009 Predictions and Recommendations to AT&T....

As we approach the new year, you're going to start seeing all sort of "expert" predictions and pontifications from analysts and consultants in the telecom world about what is to come in 2009 with AT&T.  

Because of my other life on a blog known as 3Screens.net here's my take, based on the point of view from a real live consumer.  Read all about it here in my column appearing in the San Antonio Express News.

My 2009 predictions and recommendations to AT&T, including a proposed milk shake meeting at the Olmos Soda Fountain in San Antonio or the Mecca Cafe in Dallas with Chairman & CEO, Randall Stephenson.

Read all about it here in my column appearing in the San Antonio Express News.

President Bush Visits The Editorial Offices of My Other Blogs, 3Screens.net and SAtechBlog.com

This is not a joke.

   

President George W. Bush stopped today to what serves as the editorial offices for my other blogs, 3Screens.net and SAtechBlog.com. 

Read the story from the San Antonio "Express News" here.

My Robot Creative pal, Lara August, called me this morning to have breakfast, but I couldn't do it because of another meeting. 

Then, I hopped over to see PodCast Ready's Dean McCall for another meeting. 

Then, my stomach starts growling and  I decide to hop over to Olmos Pharmacy for lunch.

En route down US 281, I am driving by the airport, and see Air Force One taking off. 

Arriving to the Pharmacy 20 minutes later, proprietor, Betty Garza, informs me that our fearless leader of the free world, Secret Service in tow, stopped by and had a chocolate malt with First Lady, Laura Bush.

I guess when you are the President of the U.S., you can pretty much order up anything you want. 

So it really says quite a bit about Betty's place, where she's run a tight ship for 35 years.

Over the last 3 years, I've been doing lots of breakfast meetings, lots of interviews, and lots of posts at the Pharmacy. 

It's my office away from my office and serves as the "official" office of my two other blogs.

Sorry I missed you, Mr. President. 

And thumbs up to Betty for having Mr. Bush pick her place as the place in town (or the world) for a real home made malt.

photo (c)  San Antonio Express News

Is Your Blog Being Covered By Financial Markets?

In my other life, I cover AT&T's three-screen consumer strategy over at 3Screens.net.

In doing so, I'm seeing more and more of my posts winding up being tagged and associated to Yahoo Finance which drives traffic to my site.

This may or may not apply to you, but when you are covering or writing about a publicly traded company, think of reaching financial markets as a way to expand your reach and bring new readers and participants to the conversation.

How Do Your Publics Get Their "News" From You And About You

Do your "publics" get their news from you and about you from web-based media platforms and news sites like Techmeme? 

Are your publics Digging you? 

Who's Twittering about you?

Are you participating in converstions and leaving comments and insights that could be leading to further conversations and media coverage?

How I Combine Blogging, PR and Social Media To Get Results

Here's a good example of combining Blogging, Media Coverage and Social Media in order to promote a story on my 3Screens blog

1.  Blogging:  I did a post, including a YouTube video, which is a review of AT&T's new WholeHome Manager telephony platform on my other blog, 3Screens.net

2. Sent pitches to appropriate Media Oulets pointing them to my blog.

This resulted in coverage in leading blogs and news sites such as: DSL Reports, Electronic House, Engadget, TeleCompetitor.  Telephony Magazine, FierceTelecom, Zatsnotsofunny did some extensive quotes both from my blog and my video.

3.  Social Media:  It's on Digg, Delicious, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.

When I see a news story on the subject, I leave a comment like the one here in the LA Business Journal, inviting readers to come and see my post and video.

Yup, this really works.

How Joining the Conversation Drives Traffic and Builds Authority. Do You Have Conversation Strategy in Place?

My other blog, 3Screens, is a consumer-facing media property that is an independent guide to making the most of your AT&T Three Screens Experience.

With today's announcement from AT&T about their Whole Home DVR, I made comments on leading blogs and news sites that helped increase traffic and authority to my blog.

Here's a few examples that illustrate not only the comments I made, but where I seek them out.  I am a believer in having a commenting strategy, especially when an announcement is made that you think will gain wide-spread coverage.

In the case of AT&T, I commented on the news at CNet, EngadgetHD, Gizmodo, MultiChannel News, and SFGate.

Do you have a commenting and conversation strategy in place for your or your organization?

Photo shot on location at Fiesta/San Antonio by Alan Weinkrantz (c) 2008

Do You Seek Out Media Coverage for Your Blog?

I am a big believer in seeking out media coverage for your blog.

It raises your profile.  Gets you noticed.  Builds your authority.

My 3Screens blog has been covered in leading trade and business publications like Telephony, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, and many more.

What's more, journalists are looking for authoritative sources to quote, get information, and gain insights from non-traditional sources like blogs. 

Do you have a plan in place to get coverage for your blog?