Public relations is not something that comes easy. It takes a lot of time, relationship building, and hard work. However, if your budget doesn’t allow you to hire a professional, there are a few simple things every business owner can do to build up their reputation through PR without much effort. 1. Build up Your Network Yes, I know it sounds easy enough, but so many miss the … [Read more...]
5 Ways to be a Better Public Speaker
Public speaking is an excellent way to drive publicity for your business. By establishing yourself as a subject matter expert in your industry, you can get in front of audiences of people at events around the world. That kind of exposure can result in more business for you. Of course, it takes time to develop yourself as a public speaker who is good enough that organizations … [Read more...]
4 Tips to Strategize a PR Plan
Public relations (PR) is one of the key elements of a strong business foundation. It is important because it helps send a clear message out in the media about what the organization stands for. As an entrepreneur, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of having a strong PR strategy in place. Since the field of PR is extremely competitive and dynamic in nature, you have … [Read more...]
Customer Satisfaction: Results vs. Effort
One of the hard truths of business is that you are paid and evaluated on your results, not your effort—a fact that occasionally makes “knocking it out of the park” with pricing feel unattainable. (And job satisfaction, less than desirable.) Particularly for businesses that specialize in custom services (raising my hand; are you as well?), establishing concrete pricing is … [Read more...]
PR 101: Customer Service Counts
Interesting business conversations can crop up just about anywhere—if you're paying attention and know exactly how, and when, to jump in. Such was the case the other day, during an informal meeting with a potential client. Informal, because our entire meeting took place at the checkout counter of her specialty food market. I knew from the start, that there would be … [Read more...]
Social Media Made Worthwhile
Here's a scenario you can relate to: Just before settling in to edit this post the other night, I skimmed eight different articles on social media (how-to, why-to, when-to, where-to, who-to...), clicked "Read Later" five times, "Pin It" once; posted on Facebook and Twitter, updated my Paper.li, shared a link on Google +, tweaked one of my online profiles and commented on one … [Read more...]
Build your Brand by Building Relationships
What better day to mull the topic of relationships than today? After all, the masses (and, you and me) have been at it all week, conjuring up the perfect plan to show their significant other that he/she is special, and taking extra care not to overlook any hidden expectations. I'm trusting you've got that one in the bag, but what about your business relationships? Have you … [Read more...]
20 Steps to Effective Media Relations
The first step to effective media relations is shaking off the notion that editors and reporters are the enemy. Sure they may not be the best at returning phone calls and emails, and occasionally turn their nose up at your pitch, but get them alone in a dark alley, and they'll admit to needing you just as much as you need them. Even when you're doing the chasing, they're … [Read more...]
Brand journalism 101: Tell a Better Story
If you want your company to succeed at brand journalism (aka corporate media gone social), you better know how to tell a good story. Otherwise, be prepared to take a lot of heat from its critics who would be elated to escort "brand journalism" out of 2013 STAT. Brands, of course, love it, because it enables them to bypass the media and take their message directly to the … [Read more...]
Are you ready to kick butt in 2013?
Right now, the idea of kicking butt in 2013 is probably the last thing on your mind. But come January 2, when that alarm clock goes off, you're going to feel a lot better about facing the New Year with a blueprint for success. With that in mind, the best thing you can do for yourself in that first week is to keep your schedule light. Unless a face-to-face meeting is … [Read more...]