I cannot tell you how many times my group was in the news and I was not even notified. Instead I found out via Google Alerts (a totally free, easy, and awesome provided by Google).  What is Google Alerts?

Google Alerts as Defined by Google:
“Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries. Enter a search query you wish to monitor. You will see a preview of the type of results you'll receive.” https://www.google.com/alerts

How to Use Google Alerts:
Set up multiple Google alerts (it’s free, why not?).  I have the following alerts set-up:

• "Get out. Make friends."
• "Laura Occhipinti"
• "Members meet at restaurants, bars, in coffee houses, at comedy clubs, and even outdoors"
• "New Jersey" "Young Professionals"
• NJ "Young Professionals"
• NJYP

As you can see, not only am I watching out for information about my organization, I am also keeping an eye on whether anyone is using my tag line and copy illegally, talking about me by name, and talking about Young Professionals in NJ. 

Bottom Line:
It will take you less than a minute to set up a few Google Alerts.  An alert will keep you updated on who is talking about you and it also may help you figure out who is stealing your stuff.

I, Laura Occhipinti, founded New Jersey Young Professionals in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. You can download a copy of My Favorite Tools (Hint: The BEST ones are FREE).