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Oct 06
2011
Gini Dietrich

Measuring PR Results On a Shoestring Budget

It’s Facebook question of the week time (clap, clap, clap!).

First, I just want to say how sad I am that Steve Jobs passed away yesterday.

As a business owner, I know how you put your life and soul into what you’re building and, when he stepped down from Apple a little more than a month ago, I knew the end was near.

I didn’t know him, but he certainly had an effect on my life, as I type on my Mac with my iPhone and my iPad sitting here next to me. He was a great visionary and I think the world is better because of him.

This week’s question comes from Anthony Rodriguez.

Before I tell you what his question was, you should click on the link on his name. Check out his Facebook cover photo. I LOVE IT!

I read the latest Spin Sucks post on old PR stunts and the parts about measuring results has me wondering, ‘how can I effectively measure results on less than a shoestring budget?’ I work for a government agency and just like most we do not have the extra dough to spend. Do you know of any great measuring tools that can help show the value of what we’re doing that doesn’t require a lot of money, or any at all? Thanks for the help.

So, Anthony, my answer is a combination of three or four different tools (depending on what your content management system does and which customer relationship management software you use – even if it’s WordPress and Excel).

I swear I should get commissions from Google, as much as I talk about how to effectively use their free tools.

The video is below (or click here and it’ll magically appear).

What other tools can Anthony use, on a shoestring budget?

And psssst! Head over to Facebook and leave a question on the wall there for me!

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JGoldsborough 244 pts

Solid advice, GD. And here I was thinking cookies were just for eating :).

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

JGoldsborough You dork. It's Get Clicky. I can see where your mind is. LOL!

And, I got your email. Super happy to help!

JGoldsborough 244 pts

ginidietrich Thanks, GD. You rock. And I like cookies better than clickies :).

Anthony_Rodriguez 100 pts

ginidietrich That is one of my favorite pics from our family vacation to Ocean City this summer. But I can't take the credit for that shot. My beautiful wife had the idea and snapped the pic.

Thanks so much for answering my question. As soon as I get back into the office I am going to start exploring all of these options much more closely. Oh, and thanks too to all of the other suggestions as well.

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

Anthony_Rodriguez I LOVE the photo! Love, love, love! You can tell her I said so.

So, take a look at Google analytics and then I can help you understand how to use data from the content management system the website is on (hopefully it's on a CMS and not something archaic) and any type of customer relationship management software you use, even if it's something like Constant Contact.

Here is the link for setting up goals: http://www.google.com/support/analytics/bin/answer.py?answer=55515

Anthony_Rodriguez 100 pts

ginidietrich I'll have to check with our web designer but I think we are in the archaic category unfortunately. Do you mind if I email you?

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

Anthony_Rodriguez Sorry - just saw this. I don't mind email at all! Do you have my address?

Anthony_Rodriguez 100 pts

ginidietrich I don't. I'll leave it up to you as to the appropriate way to get that to me. My site (linked through livefyre), Facebook, etc. Thanks, btw.

HowieSPM 2340 pts

I need to come up with a new catch phrase for Thursday's since I quit the network that shalt not be named 8) I just have to trust that Anthony's photo is really cool.

Now I am irked twice in 1 week you give away valuable advice for free. What is with you Gini! Other rock stars charge a lot of money for this stuff...sometimes as much as $49 a pop! I have never used Get Clicky checking it out.

HowieSPM 2340 pts

Just adding to your comment count. Because I forgot! Steve Jobs!

HowieSPM 2340 pts

Oops. Anyhoo. The last time someone had this response from people/fans was when Jerry Garcia died. Curious though how many Apple fans are in transit to San Jose for a vigil like so many deadheads did going to San Fran for Jerry.

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

HowieSPM They showed the Apple store on Michigan Avenue on the news yesterday morning and there were candles and flowers surrounding it.

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

HowieSPM Did you quit Facebook altogether?! No fair warning? Hrumph. And it's normally $47 a pop...I guess inflation counts?

Brankica 374 pts

I love watching your videos, you are so charismatic!

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

Brankica You are so my BFF for saying that!

Brankica 374 pts

ginidietrich I know you are just pretending you don't know how much I love you :))))

HowieSPM 2340 pts

Brankicaginidietrich yes but did you notice that the audio wasn't as crisp since ditching that Dolby/THX Recording system for the more economical system due to the bad economy?

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

Brankica I know you love me, but to say I'm charismatic? That definitely puts you in an entirely different friend group.

Brankica 374 pts

ginidietrich Yay... you got me this "beat Danny B bug" so I hope it is the group "friends better than Danny B" RLMAO

dannybrown

DannyBrown 2753 pts

Brankicaginidietrich What the hell??

JayDolan 165 pts

You forgot to mention the ruler!

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

JayDolan Dammit. I did! Grrrrr!

HowieSPM 2340 pts

ginidietrichJayDolan and a measuring cup and spoon. Tape measure. Rain Gauge. We are really just starting to delve deep here. And don't forget everything must be converted into 'stones' and 'leagues' none of this pounds and feet crap.

trontastic 45 pts

Google also has something they call Me On The Web that can be found after you log in account and view your Google Account dashboard.

Also, check out Andy Beal's product called Trackur (trackur.com). It is one of the better reputation management tools that I've found offering a free side.

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

trontastic You're the bomb!

HowieSPM 2340 pts

ginidietrichtrontastic No he is the Tron! 8)

Tried finding Me on the Web but can't. Maybe because I am always Incognito unlike deleted_91832_Sean McGinnis who leaves finger prints everywhere he browsers. BTW Gini he stole your cupcakes.

ginidietrich 5359 pts moderator

deleted_91832_Sean McGinnis And the Swedish yodeling team isn't the worst of it.

trontastic 45 pts

Hey Howie, go to google.com/dashboard and you should see it. It's the second section of the page. DM @levi_wardell if you still can't find it. HowieSPM ginidietrich

DannyBrown 2753 pts

trontasticHowieSPMginidietrich@levi_wardell If you've got the new version of your Google Account, you'll have to switch to the previous settings to view.

Conversation from Twitter

levi_wardell
levi_wardell

andybeal Indeed sir.

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