Posts Tagged Public Relations
Formula for success: the ultimate question
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on April 12, 2011
It all comes down to this. Guidance along the paths to success and growth as you launch new ventures or strive to take your businesses and careers to the next level:
What are you reading?
First of all, are you devoting the proper time and focus to your Bible or other religious books? The key texts to nourish your soul — and your mind?
Next, what are you reading to better your life? Your health? Your marriage and family? Your relationships?
Then, what about the best helps to bolster, support and help you grow your career and business?
Now, another ultimate question: What are you reading or viewing that’s distracting you? Hurting you and your spirit? Your attitude? Your health? Relationships? And business? Are you spending too much time with mindless instead of mindful reading and activity?
Turn off the TV. Turn off the computer. Pick up a good old-fashioned good book. Start with the Good Book that touches and nourishes your heart and soul. Then go from there.
The entrepreneur’s tool box: the ‘nitty gritty’ of social media
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on April 4, 2011
As I have come to know fellow marketing and public relations advisors and compare notes about the rapid progression of media and our profession, invariably we return to the same conclusion: Corporations could — and should — learn a lot from small business.
If you are in business today you need to understand that you are basically opening up your email, voicemail and databases to the world. Of course you are protecting valuable information from security breaches — but that does not stop what can be the worst breaches of all — in customer service — from becoming public. Very public. It can happen.
Case in point today. Well-known giant satellite TV provider. Customers tweeting, posting and otherwise broadcasting numerous problems with billing errors and inability to reach so-called customer service. In the meantime, said giant satellite TV provider posts and tweets their latest line-ups, newest channels, April package offers, and a few “thank you for your suggestion”.
Call it whistling through the graveyard — or ignoring the fact that you are walking through a graveyard — giant satellite TV provider, you have problems. First of all, apparently there is a problem with your billing system. Secondly, there is clearly a problem with customer service representatives’ inability to answer, explain and rectify the situations. And finally, there is a problem with your communications department in communcations.
As a communications professional, I’m not ready to place the blame just yet. Although I’m close. Something tells me they are just as paralyzed, fearful, speechless (literally) and unsure as everyone else up, down and side-to-side in your food chain.
Businesses, wake up. You’re talked about, smeared, jeered — and cheered all day, everyday.
Talk to your people — so that they can talk to your customers. Resolve issues. Apologize. Make it right.
I’m so glad I don’t work in corporate.
The entrepreneur’s tool box: are you “walking spam”?
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on March 22, 2011
Yesterday I happened to spot a funny yet thought-provoking social media post by a friend: “Life would be easier if you could mark some people as spam”.
How true! Sadly, I saw spam come to life and encountered three “spam people” at an event last night. It was an open house and reception hosted by a new business. A terrific evening, first-class in every way and I was so pleased that it was well attended. Clearly no expense was spared by the hosts.
But then there were the “spammers”. Three people pushing and pressing business cards and brochures into every hand there. Not associated with the host company yet working — or quite frankly, interrupting — the event for all it was worth. Two I had not met before and one I have encountered — and dodged — at events before. All three chatted, or attempted to chat, with guests as company representatives spoke and tours were given.
How rude. And then some.
This may come across as a harsh post. I mean it as a wake-up call. Your intentions may be completely honorable and nerves may be in play, and you may be new at networking, but watch how you approach people at business networking events and be mindful of how you are perceived. If your intention is to barge in and claim territory in the room, you’re setting yourself up for rejection — and sure defeat.
As I have suggested in past posts, take a deep breath. Take time to meet and engage. Care more about your new contact’s business. Ask questions, take a sincere interest in others. Your time to share will come and will be best received. Don’t view the room as “target rich”, stop gathering and giving a certain number of business cards.
You are not on a mission to meet the most. You are on a mission to help the most.
Don’t leave the room filled with your “air of desperation”. Instead, leave it with the fresh air of inspiration. Be a giver, a sharer. And most of all, be a thoughtful, appreciative guest.
The entrepreneur’s tool box: the real power of reaching out
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on March 10, 2011
It’s interesting. As I have attended business functions and observed friend and follower interactions online, I have been pleased to see that many business owners and representatives now get “it”.
What is “it”? The reward and satisfaction that comes from introducing people within our networks and watching as new relationships form and grow. The warm feeling that comes from providing value and helping others and their businesses.
Networks are awesome, but sometimes I wonder if they have perhaps become the new comfort zones for reluctant sales representatives and reluctant, shy, unsure new entrepreneurs. Is that the case for you? And perhaps for your sales staff?
Remember that you took a chance on one person, then another, then another to build your network. And one person, then another, then another took a chance to reach out and get to know you. It alarms and concerns me when I hear that leads groups, business associations and other networking organizations are seen as “cliquish” in the eyes of newcomers.
Don’t let that happen in the organizations, Chambers of Commerce, groups and associations of which you are a part. Most of all, don’t let your personal network become a clique.
Next time, take the first step to meet, get to know and introduce the newcomer, the wallflower. Make a point of seeking out and welcoming first-time guests and visitors to the event. Take steps to make the shy and unsure feel confident — and welcomed. Remember that someone did that for you at “that first meeting”. Then take the next step to invite them for coffee and a one-to-one visit as a follow-up.
Pay it forward. The “pay” and reward will go forward and come back a hundredfold. I promise.
Formula for success: the hidden messages of Mardi Gras
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on March 8, 2011
Happy Mardi Gras! From Paris to New Orleans to Rio de Janeiro, the world is celebrating today. And I am sure you are wondering … How could the greatest party day of the year hold a secret message for success?
The message is in the colors of this festive day: gold, purple and green. In a mix of traditions dating back to the Middle Ages — and beyond to ancient Rome — these rich colors have come to have special meanings and symbolism which, when you think about it, form the foundation of success in business … and in life.
Gold. Power. Confident leadership. Take responsibility. Make informed, well thought out decisions and stand by them. Mentor and mold leaders within your organization. Share success, give credit where and to whom it is due. Surround yourself with positive, contributing, dependable people. Do not blame — rather correct in the right manner and in the right setting.
Purple. Justice. Wise, fair and confident leadership. Create opportunities for others to grow, stretch and succeed. Right wrongs in the right spirit and for the good of all. Keep confidences and be a reliable, dependable manager, associate and friend.
Green. Faith. Also growth, new beginnings, fresh starts. Faith in your Creator, your God. And faith in others. Nurture friendships, relationships and partnerships. Be wise in your selection of your inner circle. Have faith, and be faithful. Be dependable. Walk your talk. Encourage and support others as their faith may falter. Be there for your friends, family and associates — always.
Gold, purple and green. Colors to decorate today with meanings and values that should decorate your life. Celebrate these qualities in yourself and in those around you!
The entrepreneur’s tool box: are you really listening?
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on January 31, 2011
Whether it be online or IRL (= in real life), are you really listening? Do you put aside your mission, your agenda, your interests — and your business — in order to really take in, absorb and respond to what others are saying? Whether it be a casual conversation or a serious matter — STOP. READ. LISTEN. RESPOND. BE REAL.
To discover just how one-sided and closed-minded some can be, take few moments to listen to callers as they interact with radio talk show hosts. Call it nervousness but I call it their preoccupation with being in power and ‘heard’. And what do you hear? They dismiss the host’s comments or question with an “Anyway .. what I wanted to …”
How rude. “Anyway, what I wanted to …” Whether outwardly or subtlely, have you encountered the same? And have you ever replied, “Anyway …” or perhaps implied it with your stance, eyes or other body language? Do you sincerely listen or find yourself impatiently waiting for others to take a break or a breath so that you can then resume speaking?
Please lose the “Anyway ….” whether spoken or implied in your speech, actions and approach. Instead be the “every way” … every way you can listen, learn, help and introduce.
Stop dismissing. Start listening. Start hearing. Learning. Engaging. Think how you can be a true resource, a true partner in every introduction, every meeting and every conversation.
The entrepreneur’s tool box: is your ‘on’ turning people ‘off’?
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on January 19, 2011
It was interesting to read tweets and Facebook posts over the holidays and immediately after the new year as friends and associates were doing a bit of “winter cleaning” to unfollow and unfriend social media contacts. It seems many want to make social media real and genuine again. I applaud this. We all should.
Through social media I have made new friends, engaged many associates, and won business opportunities and referrals along the way. What’s more, I have been able to connect, introduce and recommend friends and associates. There is an amazing community out there — but there is also the need for balance.
In reviewing various applications used to “filter”, “clear” and “unfollow” I have come to see the uses of social media that are considered turn-offs. How can you remain real, relevant and valuable?
1. Engage. Remember that social media is just that — SOCIAL. Your RSS feed and auto-tweets of the greatest way to add Twitter followers, your magic night cream, or endless links to your blog will not win you followers, much less true friends and re-tweeters. Give it a rest already. Instead, give value. Consider others. Consider what you can do for them.
2. Manage. Consider the time you spend on Twitter and Facebook as well as on Foursquare. iPhone and Android users, followers do not care to know where you are having breakfast or filling the car with gasoline. Your use of Foursquare and related apps should be managed most of all. If you are checking in at WalMart or SafeWay during your “golden hours” on Wednesday afternoon they will suddenly care and start to wonder. Remember that many are watching, reading — and taking note.
Savvy Twitter users, you may preschedule tweets throughout the day. Good — but maybe not-so-good? Some may wonder why you are on Twitter all the time. Scale back and add meaning. Keep your following engaged and informed with a few pre-scheduled tweets but also take time during the week to chat live.
3. Advance. Beyond endless “twercials” about yourself and your company, beyond endless “likes” of your friends’ Facebook statuses and endless chatter on Twitter, make REAL connections. There is a wonderful thing called Skype. Go face-to-face and voice-to-voice with contacts. More than discovering how they can help you, call and chat and discover how you can help them. Meet local contacts for coffee and true conversation. Traveling for business in a distant city? Meet online friends in real life. Don’t depend on “official” TweetUps, MeetUps and other events. Create your own. Take the conversation offline and into real time one-to-one.
The secret to success with social media? Be real when you are in the midst of it and become real outside of it. Take the first steps to connect. Really connect.
Don’t show up too often. But when you show up, show up. THAT is the secret to success in your social media world.
Formula for success: lessons in the ice, the snow and the inbox
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 30, 2010
During this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I have worked a light schedule while enjoying some vacation time and the opportunity to plan for 2011. As I have prepared for the new year I have reorganized my contact management system by archiving older email, creating folders and updating information. I’ve also begun to gather my business and personal records to file tax returns.
In looking ahead to the new year it has helped to look back at the year that is closing. It has been a year of growth and challenges for myself as well as for many of my friends and associates. There is much for which to be grateful and also much from which to learn.
With the recent icy and snowy weather here in Atlanta I have a renewed appreciation of traction — both in tires and in the soles of boots! Unlike our neighbors to the north, my city experienced only a brief interruption in travel during an ice storm then enjoyed — yes, enjoyed — the first Christmas Day snowfall in over 100 years. We were blessed that there was just enough snow to be beautiful and fun only to quickly disappear over the next day or so.
What can be learned from ice and snow? Think about the illustrations. During Atlanta’s ice storm local interstate highways were kept dry and fairly safe due to heavy traffic. Problems arose when drivers tried to navigate less-traveled neighborhood streets and back roads. Salt, sand and snowplows along with snow tires and chains became essential to safely travel certain roads.
So it is with us and with our businesses as we venture onto a new trail or different path. As we venture into a new year. The key is to have the right tools and resources — staying within the cleared tracks left by trusted trailblazers, learning from past experiences, listening to the voice within and recalling what others have advised. Or, if the path or trail is brand new, we should spread the “salt and sand” of what we have learned then take the path one step at a time or at a smart yet steady speed.
In 2011 may we leave the popular and crowded highways and discover unchartered and uncleared roads. For the challenge, the accomplishment, the incredible scenery along the way — and for the growth and confidence that will come from daring to try something fresh and new.
Happy New Year!
The entrepreneur’s tool box: finding your community in social media
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 2, 2010
Welcome to my blog, #kaizenblog friends! This Friday, December 3, I will be the special guest of Elli St. George Godfrey during the #kaizenblog chat on Twitter from noon to 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. This post is a preview of the topic, “Ideas from ‘Formula 1 Friends’: Finding Your Community in Social Media”.
From Skype to instant messaging, Twitter, Facebook, texting, phoning and email, people anywhere and everywhere can be in immediate touch with each other. In many ways the world seems to shrink smaller and smaller. At the same time, the ability to reach so many can be overwhelming and make the world seem larger, broader and more diverse than ever.
So how do you and your business find your place in social media? How do you make the most of the incredible marketing and communication resources that are literally at your fingertips?
Consider the times you have driven along the interstate paying little or no attention to billboards – but when needs arise you’re glad to see a sign that a service station is just ahead, there’s a great price for dinner for the hungry kids, or a motel at the next exit offers a reasonable rate for a night’s stay.
Businesses’ Facebook posts and Tweets join other advertisements as “billboards” along the information superhighway. For the most part, they flow along on your home page or in your live feed – until “the” message, product or offer grabs your attention.
Just as with billboards and display ads, there is an advantage to being there with your message at the right time. But rather than depending on hit-or-miss broad reaches, consider how you can reach the most people with the highest interest in or need for your products or services. Discover your community.
More than targeting your message you’ll connect with new friends, associates and referral sources as never before. Consider the community of #kaizenblog. How we are getting to know each other, discovering areas of expertise and specialization and becoming good resources for each other. Translate this to other social media communities that can help you grow your business – and develop personally.
Do you have experience working in a certain industry? Or do you wish to expand your offerings to a certain type of business or geographical location? Seek out and spend time developing contacts in these specific areas. Facebook and Twitter lists along with LinkedIn categories make these communities easy to manage.
Your communities do not have to be focused only around business. Consider a shared interest, sport or hobby. Just as our #kaizenblog topic for this week will demonstrate, a non-business interest can be the strongest tie of all. About two years ago, I began using Twitter and other social media to promote one of my clients, a motorsports team and their two young drivers. We quickly found social media to be a great source for new fans as well as key contacts among potential sponsors, race series managers and journalists. This first group has developed, deepened and strengthened into my favorite community – my “Formula 1 Friends”. Not only do we enjoy chatting about our favorite motorsport but we’ve come to know each other personally and professionally. Along with forming new friendships and alliances, my clients and I have won new business opportunities – and others in the “F1F” community have done the same.
So who would you like to reach and really get to know? Is there a community that suits you – or would you like to create one? Thinking outside of business and outside of the box, what interests or hobbies would you like to share and explore with others? Have you found a strong community of friends and allies? What are your success stories?
Community. It’s a powerful concept. I look forward to comparing notes and sharing ideas with you tomorrow during the #kaizenblog chat!
The entrepreneur’s tool box: add “zip” — not just a zip code — to your holiday cards!
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on November 18, 2010
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is one week from today? Wow! Where are the days and months going? The holiday season is almost here — and so is the holiday card season.
This year, take time to send holiday cards to your clients, associates, referral partners and the other friends of your company. Yes, you could add a holiday look to your email template or send e-cards … but forget the e-version of saying “Happy Holidays” and “thank you”.
Also take time to add a personal note of greeting and thanks — then hand-address your cards. Yes, hand-address them yourself — Forget your “horrible handwriting”! Even if you have ordered imprinted cards, add a personal note. Consider having your staff add personal notes and hand address cards to associates with whom they interact. And here’s another suggestion: Rather than addressing the card to “management and staff”, send them to your specific contacts. They are likely to receive and open the cards themselves and will see — and appreciate — your note.
Just a few suggestions. As our communication becomes more and more automated and electronic it’s more meaningful than ever send a handwritten note or card.
Take time to add meaning to your holiday cards — and be confident that they will have added meaning to each treasured friend of your company.
Welcome!
Sales and marketing diva, avid Georgia Bulldog football and Formula 1 fan, writer, artist and gardener.
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