Robin Heppell is Key Presenter at OGR Fall Forum

VICTORIA, BC – Robin Heppell, CFSP, president of FuneralFuturist.com, will make two key presentations at the two-day 2009 Fall Forum offered by the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), the world’s leading professional association dedicated to making independent funeral homes exceptional.

Heppell’s first presentation, Innovative Technology for Your Business, will present top technology and Internet resources that will help attendees promote their funeral homes. They will learn how their website can become more Google-friendly, and how to use other Internet resources such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to market their firm. He will share case studies, examples and the step-by-step process enabling attendees to implement these technologies quickly.

Heppell’s second session, Technology Applications for Funeral Home Operations, will address the lack of guidance on how to use technology in funeral home operations. Attendees will learn how to use commercial applications such as Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop more efficiently, and discover the free resource of Google Applications. Heppell will show how these and other applications can give independent funeral homes a competitive advantage.

The OGR Fall Forum is designed to help independent funeral service professionals learn the latest technologies and proven strategies for delivering unmatched client family satisfaction they can apply immediately to boost their market share and improve their bottom line.

The OGR Fall Forum is set for the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Nov. 8-10 along the festive River Walk in San Antonio, Tex. Register online at www.ogr.org.

Hepp to Speak at New Jersey State (NJSFDA) Convention

MEDIA RELEASE: NJSFDA Convention and Expo. Robin Heppell addresses Funeral Directors on Reaching Your Community Via

Offering the same quality programming and networking you have come to expect from the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association (NJSFDA), Robin Heppell has been requested to speak at the NJSFDA Convention and Expo held in Atlantic City, NJ. Heppell addresses funeral directors on the crucial focus of using the power of the Internet to reach their community.

Victoria, BC — Funeral Futurist, Robin Heppell has been secured by the NJSFDA to speak as one of the internationally recognized funeral experts offering funeral directors proven techniques and innovative strategies during the NJSFDA Convention and Expo.

The objective of Heppell’s presentation, “Reaching Your Community Via The Internet” is to empower Funeral Directors to take their past and current relationship building mindset and incorporate powerful online social media strategies to build their “virtual” community.

Robin Heppell, funeral speaker and funeral web strategist, added,“Internet usage is increasing faster than the cremation rate. If your funeral home has not yet established a web presence or begun marketing through electronic communications, you’re falling behind the curve. It is time to catch up now.”

With the difficulty of finding practical and relevant technologies for electronic communications for funeral homes, this presentation provides insight into the use of online articles with blogs, online radio shows with podcasts, online videos and social networks. The ultimate goal of focusing on these topics is to assist funeral directors in building relationships in the online community and dominating search engine rankings. A familiarity with valuable online services such as WordPress, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn will also be shared.

Over 150 delegates attended the Funeral Futurist’s presentation on the topic of Marketing to Your Community through the Internet at ICCFA, 2007. Mr. Daniel Osorio from ICCFA Administration commented, “Excellent info on how we can effectively use the Internet to market our business.”

(NOTE: For excerpts from previous events visit http://www.funeralfuturist.com/keynotes-workshops/speaker-video-clips)

“I have heard a lot of great things about the NJSFDA and its Convention and I am honored to be a part of its line up of presenters. It will also be great to meet face to face with the New Jersey funeral professionals who I have become “virtually” acquainted with through Facebook and my Funeral Futurist Newsletter!” remarked Heppell. “Plus I will recording more interviews for the FuneralGurus.com website so make sure you jot down what specific service or offering that your firms provides that makes you different and unique.”

About Robin Heppell
Robin Heppell, CFSP, combines his expertise in technology and pre-need, his formal business knowledge and his deep-rooted legacy in the funeral profession so that he can help funeral homes and cemeteries be more competitive, more profitable, and provide the best possible service for the families they serve. Through his consulting firm, FuneralFuturist.com in Victoria, British Columbia, he assists funeral directors and cemeterians throughout North America embrace and incorporate innovative strategies and technologies. His own websites include FuneralGurus.com and FuneralFuturist.com.

About NJSFDA
The New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association (NJSFDA) is nationally recognized. Founded in 1902, the NJSFDA is a not-for-profit trade organization that is committed to ensuring that communities receive professional and ethical funeral care. The organization provides resources to funeral directors, funeral homes, funeral consumers and the funeral profession as a whole.

The Convention will be held starting on Tuesday September 29, 2009 until Thursday October 1, 2009 located at the New Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ. Registration will begin this summer and is open to all licensed funeral directors. All other registrations are subject to management discretion. For convention questions please contact Emily A. Moscetti, convention manager, via email to convention@njsfda.org or by calling 732.974.9444 or visit NJSFDA.com.

For media inquiries, please visit www.FuneralFuturist.com/media-room

# # #

Hepp to Speak at Kentucky State (FDAofKY) Convention

MEDIA RELEASE: 127th FDA of Kentucky Annual Convention – Robin Heppell presents: Technology is a Funeral Director’s Friend

Victoria, BC — Funeral Futurist, Robin Heppell has been secured to speak at the 2009 FDA Kentucky Annual Convention in Louisville, KY. The Funeral Futurist will give Funeral Directors insight on how certain technologies increase efficiency allowing cost effective funeral operations.

Robin Heppell and the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky have a similar purpose in terms of instructing funeral professionals. With a membership of 500 firms and associates, the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky assists funeral industry professionals to stay current with an increasingly complex profession for the purpose of serving families better. Heppell’s area of expertise provides Funeral Directors with knowledge and skills related to technology in order to improve the way they serve families.

Robin Heppell, funeral consultant and funeral web strategist, added, “I won’t be promoting one product, service or software over another, just trying to teach you how to use technology to your benefit.”

The objective of Heppell’s presentation is to empower Funeral directors to enhance the way they currently operate their businesses.

“I was really excited when Kim House, Convention Coordinator for the Kentucky Association asked if I would present at their Annual Convention.  The funeral industry and technology are my two passions so the attendees will get a great presentation with a lot of practical advice and valuable, easy-to-use take-aways.” remarked Heppell. “Plus I will recording more interviews for the FuneralGurus.com website so make sure you jot down what specific service or offering that your firms provides that makes you different and unique.”

Addressing the lack of information and guidance on how to use technology in funeral homes, Heppell will discuss the following in his presentation:

• Commercial applications such as Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop and how they can give Funeral Directors the competitive advantage
• The free resource of Google Applications and how they can be used within a funeral home
• A variety of options in creating video tributes
• Basic technologies including email, the Internet, and even wireless technology making businesses more efficient and also saving money

Within the funeral industry, Heppell has successfully presented internationally on several topics including technology and Internet strategies. “Rob’s knowledge of technology makes his presentations both unique and very beneficial for Funeral Directors and preneed consultants.” Sheila Nunn, Funeral Plans Canada.

For more information download Robin Heppell’s Speaker’s Kit at http://www.funeralfuturist.com/keynotes-workshops/

About Robin Heppell
Robin Heppell, CFSP, combines his expertise in technology and preneed, his formal business knowledge and his deep-rooted legacy in the funeral profession so that he can help funeral homes and cemeteries be more competitive, more profitable, and provide the best possible service for the families they serve. Through his consulting firm, FuneralFuturist.com in Victoria, British Columbia, he assists funeral directors and cemeterians throughout North America embrace and incorporate innovative strategies and technologies. His own websites include FuneralGurus.com and FuneralFuturist.com.

About FDA of Kentucky
As early as 1861, persons engaged in funeral service met informally to discuss issues of common interest. Mr. T. J. Danahy of Lexington had been in correspondence with the undertakers of the various towns and cities in Kentucky in an effort to organize a convention or association for the purpose of mutual assistance, information, and so forth for a year. Then in 1882, the formal organization of the Kentucky Undertaker’s Association was established statewide. With this humble, yet sturdy beginning, The Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky was born. It has continued to this day as a strong organization to promote professional ideas and public service.

Robin Heppell will deliver his presentation on Monday, June 22, 2009 from 12:30pm to 2:00PM. The Convention will be held starting June 22-24, 2009 located at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY. For more information contact: Association Office 800-866-3211 or visit www.FDAofKY.com.

For media inquiries, please visit www.FuneralFuturist.com/media-room

# # #

Johnson Consulting Group launches new virtual marketing platform

The Johnson Consulting Group – leaders in Funeral and Cemetery Consulting and Management Services – have just launched their new website – www.JohnsonConsulting.com.

Tom and Jake Johnson, together with their associates, have formed an all-star lineup of senior executives from the funeral profession. Most recently they acquired Legacy Management Services from Keystone. To showcase their depth in their team and of their services offerings, Johnson retained the services of Robin Heppell to guide them through the development of their new online presence. With the goal of creating a platform to provide the most relevant and current information to funeral and cemetery professionals, Heppell harnessed the power of the WordPress weblog functionality and applied the best practices of online marketing and public relations.

Bill Bischoff, Communications and Marketing Strategist for Johnson Consulting, stated:

“What set Heppell apart from standard web development companies was the fact that he took the time to thoroughly understand our business and what our vision was for our Company. Heppell then built us more than a common website, he constructed us a virtual marketing platform that will greatly assist us in achieving our Corporate Vision “To be the best…” Thanks, Rob we could not be more pleased.”

Key features of this site above the usual website components:

• Audio clips welcoming visitors to specific sections of the site – the goal is to make visitors comfortable with members of the team, hence building relationships
• Testimonials are displayed throughout the site, some randomly in the right sidebar and others relating to specific service offerings
• Media Room lists all press releases with the most recent ones first – this page is dynamically created and new releases are uploaded with the same ease as sending an email with an attachment – no more web developer fees to add new information

Johnson Consulting has also developed a complimentary newsletter that will go out to members of the death care community. It will consist of some of the latest developments within the industry, best practices for the management of cemeteries and funeral homes, and profiles highlighting JCG team members and how they can assist clients achieve their goals. To sign up for their newsletter, go to www.johnsonconsulting.com.

If you would like more information on taking your online presence from just a website to a virtual marketing platform to reach out to your community, contact Robin Heppell at 800-810-3595 or 250-744-3595 or email at robin@funeralfuturist.com.

Things are Heating Up & I’m not talking Cremation!

I just wanted to let you know a couple of things happening in the next couple of weeks.

First off this that the ICCFA Pre-Convention Interviews have commenced and can be found at the Funeral Gurus website: http://www.funeralgurus.com/2008/iccfa-2008. ICCFA is in a couple of weeks and they have a great lineup of speakers and panel discussions. I will be conducting some Funeral Gurus video interviews, so if you are going to be there, track me down and get some free publicity for your funeral home or cemetery. Also, during my presentation I will be demonstrating step by step how to use online video to promote your firm – plus I will be sharing some very recent case studies on the results of marketing with online video.

Also, I am going to be on the hot seat next Wednesday – the National Public Radio (NPR) station out of Seattle is having and hour long discussion about funeral trends and the future of funeral service – right up my alley, right? Well sure, but it is not just one on one, it is going to be a panel and on the panel is someone from the Peoples Memorial Society, someone who arranges home funerals, and they are still trying to get a representative from one of the normal -I mean traditional – funeral homes (I will be lonely if they can’t)! So it should be interesting and if you are interested, you can listen live on their website. If you are listening and you want me to make a point, you can Instant Message through Google Talk ( funeralfuturist [at] gmail [dot] com) – sorry that’s so the spammers and robots leave me alone OR through SKYPE at ( funeral.futurist)

Here are the show details:

• KUOW http://www.kuow.org Pudget Sound Public Radio 94.9 FM
• Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM Pacific time
• To listen, look in the left column under Listen Live for listening options

Wish me luck – I will report back later next week!

…Hep

Funeral Futurist Launches new Website powered by WordPress

Robin Heppell of FuneralFuturist.com launched his new website build on the WordPress Weblog Platform. This site is built to quickly disseminate information to the funeral industry as well as providing multi-media content through “Funeral Futurist Radio” and Funeral Futurist TV”.

Heppell explains, “Funeral Futurist Radio is accomplished by harnessing the power of podcasting and will feature interviews and commentary on the latest trends and issues. Funeral Futurist TV offers video tutorials as well as recorded presentations!”

Visitors can visit often for updates or subscribe to alerts on particular topic areas or get the monthly newsletter – their choice!