On the same May day that the stock market took a steep one-day dive, investors heard from Utah-based REIC that the company had upgraded their five-year forecast, doubling estimates for growth and income. With expansion into 15 other states and new real estate education products, they heard that the company hired 35 people in 2009 and plans similar new jobs in 2010.

Listen: Steve Earl – CEO talks company growth – Apr2010 wealth summit

As energy continues to affect every economic sector, Utah’s U.S. Synthetic recently topped the 500-employee mark. Their forecasts show strong growth with innovative synthetic diamond products coming to market.

Startup Illumra, an Orem incubator (CEDO) company, is ramping sales and staff as they launch disruptive new energy efficient self-powered, wireless electronics that are turning industry heads. In my work with UVEF, Utah Student 25, and other entrepreneurial groups, I see brilliant technologies and bold new products and services stimulating the economy.

While there are still turbulent times ahead, there are positive signs of growth and much to look forward to on the state’s business horizon.

Do you think the economy is on the rebound?

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There’s a war in the communications world, right now, between the terms “press release” and “news release.”

Though the former phrase is still common, and may accurately describe the release’s purpose, others argue it is a relic of the pre-internet era. The Web has made releases instantly available to the world, and not just press. Many times, PilmerPR team members have browsed news online, and found that the top results for their searches are “press” releases.

So how can your small business capitalize on this? How can the releases you are already producing reach your target audience, directly?

In this second parts of PilmerPR’s 10-part “PR 101″ series, John Pilmer will discuss what it means to “think web first,” and how to get your news to your targets with or without media gatekeepers.

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The crowd of entrepreneurs attending today’s UVEF presentation responded enthusiastically to Todd Pedersen, CEO and founder of  APX Alarm. With 5500 employees, the company expects to knock on 10 million doors this summer as it gobbles market share in the home security market. 850,000 installations to-date puts APX in the top 4 companies in their industry.

If you think Todd is ready for a vacation, you would be mistaken, and don’t let his casual dress fool you.  I work out with the guy at Gold’s Gym. This guy is on fire with passion about life, family, and business. His down to earth approach to relationships communicates empowerment to others left elevated by his presence.  Todd is moving the company aggressively into the “energy management” space and plans on having 100,000 such customers by year end. [Now, that's energy efficiency that gets this cleantech PR guy excited.]

Todd’s secrets for success? Here are a few:

“I love stress… If I’m not stressed, it stresses me out.”

“I love problems.”

“Adapt non-stop- change on the fly.”

“Treat employees like gold…employees are the product.”

“If profit is your only motive, you are done already.”

Today’s crowd of around a thousand business, government, and education leaders heard the good, the bad, and the ugly about Utah economic recovery in 2010 and beyond.  While morning keynote and former Wells Fargo Bank VP, Kelly Matthews stated that “headwind issues will trump tailwind ones” this year in Utah, he also quoted comparatively positive unemployment (6.5%) inventory, sales,  and investment numbers that are among the strongest in the nation.

While Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Randal Quarles, talked about continued downside pressure in financial markets due to credit market meltdown and the spiraling  U.S. national debt (80% expected growth in 2 years), others expressed optimism.

David Chen, Chair for the Oregon Innovation Council, shared an outsider view as one seeing Utah as “an enviable place to be” especially compared to other struggling western states.  Governor Gary Herbert echoed this positive view pointing to growth sectors like hi-tech, cleantech, energy, biotech, financial, and healthcare. Having just met with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said California’s governor may know what it is like to be the “captain of the Titanic.” Utah in contrast, Herbert said, has third parties gushing about our state’s relative strength:

#1 Most Dynamic Economy – Kauffman-State New Economy Index

#2 America’s Healthiest State – Forbes

#3 Best State for Business – Forbes

#1 Expected Economic Recovery – American Legislative Exchange

Governor Gary Herbert says Utah economy "turning the corner"

Multiple speakers including the Governor and GOED director, Spence Eccles, agreed that the support and growth of entrepreneurship is critical to the state’s ongoing economic health. In my more private meeting recently with the governor and Eccles as the the Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), that point was driven home with the promise to promote an regulatory environment of limited government to allow entrepreneurs and the free market economy to thrive.

As a entrepreneur and business owner (PilmerPR & Junto Communications), my takeaway was appreciation for the state from which we serve a national clientele.

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This afternoon, PilmerPR finished its first webinar, “PR 101: The Basics,” sponsored by ecodzign and CFOwise. Those who attended learned valuable information about social media, making news, finding prospects, and more.

We will post clips from the webinar on this blog in the weeks ahead.

If you missed it, and would like to hear what was presented and/or learn about our upcoming webinars, please join the PilmerPR “PR Tips” Newsletter. By joining, you may also receive exclusive discount codes for future PilmerPR events.

Sign up for the PilmerPR “PR Tips” Newsletter:

If you would like to learn what PilmerPR can do, right now, for your business (including hosting your own webinar), visit our contact page.

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We’re frequently asked, “What should my business do, from a PR perspective?”

Most of the  time, they’re not asking for a full consultation, but are asking, “What do the successful companies know?”

For months, the PilmerPR team has been working behind-the-scenes to compile the most useful information together, and in terms for the layman. The result is “PR 101: The Basics.”

Beginning this month, PilmerPR will host the webinars to introduce basic public relations strategies to entrepreneurs, CXOs and emerging company owners, within an hour.

This is not just a sales presentation. You will come away seeing your business from a PR perspective, which may inspire you to rethink current practices.

Topics include the following:

• Social Media – Money Maker or Energy Leak
• Press Releases – Not Just for Reporters Anymore
• Online Media Revolution – A Conceptual and Monetary Shift
• Measurement – Turning PR into Money
• Watering Holes – Finding Prospects in 2010
• Avoiding Potholes – Common Errors of Entrepreneurs
• What’s News? – Making News Newsworthy
• And More!

“PR 101: The Basics” is only $149. For this first webinar, if you sign up for the PilmerPR newsletter, we will give you a code to attend for just $49.

Sign up for the PilmerPR Newsletter:

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Two of the top three YouTube videos of 2009 were entirely amateur.

“David After Dentist” racked up more than 37 million views, and “JK Wedding Entrance Dance” received more than 33 million. The rest were re-purposed content from television and movies.

But can small businesses get similar success with a household camera?

Inc. Magazine’s Technology blog posed the question to PilmerPR, specifically regarding the increasingly-popular Flip cameras. Would potential customers forgive the bad lighting and background noise if they were viewing the video online?  PilmerPR answered with a clear YES.

From the article, “Five Ways Pocket Video Betters Business“:

Since the cameras are easier to use, business owners are more likely to exercise a little creativity and shoot video more often. The drawbacks are relatively minor and include lighting, occasional sound quality issues (the Flip lacks a jack for an external microphone) and the lack of a professional producer’s eye.

The tradeoffs are well worth it in the age of online video says Andon Carling of PilmerPR, a Utah firm that specializes in public relations for small- to medium-sized businesses. “Some experts have calculated that TV-quality video can cost $2,000 a minute. The same minute with a Flip camera would cost a small fraction of the price,” Carling says. “Furthermore, online viewers may not trust a high-quality, production-studio film as much as they would a grass-roots ‘man on the street’ production. From a public relations standpoint, a shaky picture adds a level of sincerity.”

PilmerPR, has been using Flip cameras for the past few years with small-to-medium sized businesses. The cameras help us deliver Web-based video on a budget that meets their needs.

Here are a few examples of how we have used Flip cameras for the Web:

• John Pilmer, founder of PilmerPR and Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum, was interviewed for a quick-turnaround video about the forum. We used Windows Movie Maker to edit the film, which also saved hundreds of dollars for the client. The video is now posted numerous places on the Web. See “What is UVEF?“.
• For the same client, John Pilmer interviewed the winner of a UVEF award. In the past year, this video has already received nearly 2,000 views. See “Agel – UVEF Top 25 Under Five Winner.”
• For Certiport, a global computer certification provider, we interviewed the CEO as he discussed the use of Certiport’s digital certifications. See “Retooling for Jobs – Certiport CEO David Saedi.”

PilmerPR specializes in new ways to get the most bang for our clients’ buck. Flip cameras are just one tool in that social media arsenal. Contact us to learn about other ways we can help your business.

The Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) appointed John Pilmer as its 2010 chairman.

As chairman, John oversees all Forum activities and management.

“This is an exciting place and time to be an entrepreneur,” Pilmer said in the official press release. “Organizations like Forbes and Inc. recognize Utah as a leader in aspiring businesses. As the economy turns around, investors and lenders are ready to put their money into promising ventures, and they look to Utah for compelling start-ups and exceptional entrepreneurs. UVEF is ready to make the most of this unique opportunity.”

John understands the challenges entrepreneurs face, and the strategies that can help them succeed. He founded PilmerPR in 2003, which specializes in small-business public relations. PilmerPR helped launch successful businesses like Mozy, ElectraTherm, iFollo and eComfort. PilmerPR, itself, has continued to grow and win numerous awards.

UVEF is a volunteer non-profit support group that helps entrepreneurs and small-business in Utah succeed through education and networking. John succeeds Roger Andrus, Executive Director of UtahAngels and Business Development Corporation of Provo, as UVEF chairman.

See the Official Press Release

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Watch John Pilmer explain the benefits of UVEF membership, and the state of entrepreneurship in Utah:

What is Ozzy Osbourne like in person? Is Lance Armstrong arrogant? What about Michael Jordan, Regis Philbin or George W. Bush?

PilmerPR is helping launch iFollo.com, a new social media community to offer a broader view of what celebrities are really like beyond the screen, camera, and field.

There are more than 100 million celebrity fan Web sites out there, but the majority are created and written by professional editorial staff. Tabloid magazines often cover the same the sensational gossip and incriminating photos as their counterparts. iFollo is unlike anything else available. The Web site bases all of its content on real experiences from real people.

iFollo allows people to do the following:

• Post stories about their celebrity encounters
• Read content generated from the stories of real people and their experiences with celebrities
• Rate celebrities based on looks, smarts, arrogance and more
• Upload photos and video in addition to their celebrity story
• Personalize iFollo by choosing what celebrities they want to follow

The site just launched this morning, and already has dozens of stories. It is also creating buzz across the Internet.

Try it out at www.ifollo.com.

Read more about it at Investor’s Business Daily.

Alan Ashton & Lt. Gov Gary Herbert address UVEF

Fox News: UVEF Top 25 Under 5

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Today, Lt Gov Gary Herbert keynoted a terrific awards program by the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF). 160 attendees. 25 top companies under five years of age were honored. Representing $80 million in combined 2008 revenue, the winners created 840 jobs last year. ZAGG, Imagination Learning, and OrangeSoda came in 1, 2, & 3.  Emcee, Rick White, co-founder of rising startup Fusion-io kept the event light with ample humor and insights into the healthy state of entrepreneurism in Utah.

According to soon to be Governor Herbert, 50% of jobs in Utah come from small business.  The Wall Street Journal reported this past month that more than half of the Fortune 500 in 2009 launched in recessions or bear markets. Speakers at the event credited Utah’s relatively resilient economy is due to great startup companies like those honored today.

The Daily Herald honored Alan Ashton, founder of WordPerfect, with a special “Founding Fathers” award for his quarter century of contributing to Utah business and the community.

Media for the event:

YouTube highlights video

Business Wire coverage

Daily Herald coverage

Daily Herald special section on Utah entrepreneurs

Deseret News coverage

Utah Pulse coverage

Wasatch Digital IQ coverage

Fox TV News coverage