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...]
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...]
Big Thinking for Small Business
If you want to get noticed in a noisy world, your message needs to be better, not louder. And, it needs to be delivered with polish and panache. Your budget may have limitations, but your imagination doesn't, so just because you own a small business doesn’t mean you're off the hook for big thinking. Or, big execution. Need a tangible? Your website. Thinking like a big … [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...]
Raising Capital Through Crowdfunding
The search for capital has been significant among the business community. As the recession reared its ugly head in 2007 businesses started to see capital tightening up and were unable to get the standard loans and lines of credit they counted on for help with cash flow, equipment purchases and expansion. Large investors saw a crimp in their disposable cash as they had to shore … [Read more...]
Ready, Set, GOals!
People with goals succeed because they know where they're going. —Earl Nightingale I don't typically start my day off on a mathematical note, but a date of 12/12/12 is hard to ignore. Add into the mix, the approaching season of resolutions and goal-setting, and suddenly 3, 6 & 9—all divisors of 12 and standard monthly intervals—popped into my head. From there it was an … [Read more...]
The Social Media Cocktail Party
Being on every social media platform doesn't make the woman, or her business - her interactions do. There are literally hundreds of social media platforms out there. If you type in 'social media platforms list' you will see that there are tons. You think I'm kidding? Go ahead, I'll wait. Being successful at social media is not measured by how many platforms you have a … [Read more...]
My Business After Hurricane Sandy: Creating a Contingency Plan
Hurricane Sandy was a monumental, hopefully once in a lifetime, storm. As the hurricane approached the East Coast many people frantically prepared to keep their families safe and supplies stocked. There was a run on the stores as people purchased enough food to last for a week, water to drink and gas to run generators and cars. Preparing for the storm consumed most of the … [Read more...]
Knowing Your Role
What is your role? How do you describe it? When someone asks what you do or what your business is, do you have your answer? You should! You should be able to sum up a basic plot of who you are and/or what you do in a few sentences to capture their attention and leave them wanting to know more! For a business it should be quick basics of what you handle/do/deal with, why … [Read more...]
Retirement Options For The Self Employed
Starting a business is a key component of the American dream. The entrepreneurial spirit is as old as the explorers that first graced our shores. It was the quest for something better, desire for exploration and discovery along with financial gain that led European explorers to raise funds, hire a crew and set sail for the New World. America was built on the innovations of … [Read more...]