Rembrandt's PR and Writing Blog for Startup Success – PR Success of Maureens Mission

In an ongoing effort to discover how small business owners are using publicity to help increase sales, awareness and credibility, I recently interviewed Bill Thiel of Maureen’s Mission.

After his wife received a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer and passed away at the young age of 43, Bill now educates women about the standard of care for the detection of breast lumps. Through Maureen’s Mission, Bill also wants to better the system in order to save women's lives. Here’s what he had to say about his successful publicity efforts:

Tell us a little about your business.

Maureen’s Mission offers grassroots efforts to educating women and their husbands on delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of a woman's breast lump. Our Web site video, at Maureen's Goodbye link shares her personal story. It leaves the public with a lasting story they will never forget and learn from…Creating an instant patient advocate!

When did you start your PR efforts and why?

I started my first PR campaign in May of 2005. The reasons were effortless. Maureen's death might have been prevented! She has a story that saves lives and I promised Maureen I would tell her story.

I found women that were on the same path as Maureen, right now, and found that there are many more in need of Maureen’s story. It is my passion, my life. It is true, Maureen was not, and will not, be the only women that was told she did not have breast cancer, but in fact does.

What kind of cost-effective publicity activities have you done to obtain press?

I had many local newspapers and TV stations come to a press conference I scheduled. From there, I was asked to do a one-hour show for the State of Pennsylvania, PBS, and this all cost just $75.00. Then, I followed doing different pieces for local TV stations.

I was asked to speak at a few functions pertaining to my issues. I then hired a PR firm to get national attention. I research health editors and women's issues online from every source of media I could find and write them. I also call radio shows and write TV shows to get publicity.

Why did you pursue these activities?

Following the advice of a good friend who’s been in the PR business his whole life, I pursued the press conference as a costly, effective way to promote my mission. Pursuing these activities cost more time than money. After piecing together a media kit, I then went on to research PR companies within my budget.

To read the rest of Bill's insights and tips, check back on Wednesday. In the meantime, feel free to post your comments and suggestions below. And if you have any questions or need PR help, please visit my website at www.rembrandtwrites.com.