When I went to lunch last week with a ladies group I recently joined, I sat at table with three of my neighbors. One is a board member for the group and the other two are my friends and new members also.
This group is fundraising for The Phoenix Dream Center, which is a facility to rescue and help victims of human trafficking. I wrote about that HERE.
The board member/neighbor at our table said “You’re the one with a background in PR.”
I thought to myself, “Did I really need to share that on my membership application?”
She slipped a spreadsheet and a press release across the table to me. “Can you help me get out our press release?” It was for an upcoming fundraiser.
“Sure,” I said.
“I just need you to fill in the blanks on the spreadsheet. I haven’t been able to find the contact information for some publications.”
The next morning I googled the publications with missing contact info. I was able to find some of them and I either filled out online forms or sent emails to them with the press release.
Within 30 minutes I got a response from a magazine publisher who has high end magazines for high end neighborhoods.
“I’m sold. I love The Dream Center. Can you take a call in two hours?” his email said.
I quickly texted the board member/neighbor to ask if she’d take the call. I’ve been to two meetings in two months and don’t know much about this group — like how long it’s been around, how many members there are, if they have a budget to buy ads, etc.
“I’ll be at the dentist,” she texted.
“Okay. I can do it,” I replied.
Later I got a phone call from the president of the group who said she’d take the call. Whew!
Fast forward and the president called me back to say they had an excellent call and then had a meeting the next day. They are getting free advertising from now on each month! They are getting a VIP listing and perhaps a feature article.
I’m so thrilled I helped open the door. I’m also relieved I didn’t have to take the initial phone call. I was smiling the rest of the day.
What has made you smile recently?
