A few weeks ago, social media guru Taylor Ellwood interviewed me for his Blog Talk Radio program. One of his questions really stuck with me. He asked, "Is mainstream media dead when it comes to creating buzz?"
With tremendous cuts in advertising spending during The Great Recession and the rise of social media, there have been many stories about the demise of mainstream media's influence. But, a quote from Mark Twain reacting to a rumor that he had passed away also applies to the news about traditional journalism's demise: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."
We spent a week in the beautiful beach town of Bandon, Oregon. Before arriving, as a chocoholic, one of my must-see spots was Coastal Mist Artisan Chocolates, a chocolate maker and retail shop, which received enthusiastic coverage in The Oregonian, the Pacific Northwest's largest circulation newspaper.
If you love chocolates and visit Oregon's South Coast, make a pilgrimage to Coastal Mist. The husband-wife owners Kevin and Tara Shaw craft the most exquisite truffles and other chocolate goodies that I've ever tasted. It's no wonder that they Best in Show award at the 2009 Oregon Chocolate Festival which they smartly highlight on their website (hint: if you win awards, don't forget to buzz about them everywhere).
Since I visited Coastal Mist nearly every day while we were on vacation (yes, I have a severe chocolate problem), I got to know Tara who is very friendly and happy to talk about her passion for chocolate and living in Bandon. She told me that The Oregonian article continues to be a big generator of retail and website traffic even a month after it appeared. The article is especially important for Coast Mist in providing credibility since it is not in a big city where many people think a premier chocolate manufacturer would have to be located. Order from Coastal Mist and you'll know how irrelevant a big city location is to making amazing chocolate.
Most businesses like Coastal Mist who receive prominent coverage in the mainstream media can attest that the positive impact of that buzz is palpable.
