My last post dealt with using quirky stories to achieve PR.

I did not think the BBC could better their Magazine Monitor list of real, but slightly worrying media spots, which included Pam Ayres being inspired to write poetry after becoming a Dylan fan.

But they have. They are two goat related stories that made the news front page of the BBC website: a speeding Swiss man in Canada claimed he only was driving fast because there were no goats on the road to slow him down. The second is a Sudanese man being forced to marry a goat after being caught having sex with it; he was also forced to pay a dowry. Click here if you really want to read the details.

Not to be outdone, gnomes have also featured. Devon and Cornwall police have served a notice on a neighbour of a local policeman on the spurious charge of “placing a garden gnome with intent to cause harassment” after the policeman claimed it deterred buyers of his cottage. Click here if you really want to read this.

Businesses do not have to go this far. But it illustrates a point: news is often entertainment. Businesses that conduct PR with the dourness of the chancellor are not going to get coverage. So no more pictures of businessman shaking hands or cutting ribbons or an anniversary press release.

You do not have to invent the wheel but a little originality and creativity will go much further than you think.

The more unusual, odd or downright scary your PR story the more likelihood you will get coverage, and good coverage.

The BBC Magazine Monitor demonstrates the point exactly: Pam Ayres was inspired to write poetry by Bob Dylan (must go under scary at the very least). Other stories to while away your weekend are: chimpanzees are learning to cross the road safely in Africa; there were seven attempts by early man to settle in Britain before they succeeded some 12,000 years ago, and another scary one: the German rail market is 6 times larger than the UK.

Happy reading!

A quick note that the first Networking4Business of the Autumn went off well with 150 attendees.

Mark Greenwood has been provisionally booked to speak at Connect Media on the 20th September at Obsidian Bar. Mark will concentrate his talk on how to get the most out of networking and there will be a practical - speed networking.

Everyone is welcome to what will be a fun evening event.

The NW Enquirer has launched a new double page devoted to the Internet and all things online.

The new feature, entitled Bytes and Sites, is being edited by Chris Horkan, a webophile (sic?)who demonstrates a real passion, understanding and hunger for Internet developments.

The pages will give the Enquirer a new dimension, which will certainly mark it out as being cutting edge: it will also showcase the North West’s expertise in web developements.

One small critcism: a page devoted to technology in general would also be welcome.

Networking4Business is returning, after its summer break, with its fortnightly servings of laid back meetings.

The first begins on Thursday at Tiger Tiger and is likely to be sold out. But take a look at the Networking4Business website and place your marker for future events.

Just a note I have not used my spell checker as earnestly as I should have and I am guilty of using a mixed metaphor to open my last entry - quality control measures are being put in place.