Posts Tagged ‘entrepreneurs’

Create Competitive Advantage In A Recession

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

It’s continuing the recession time! Yes, it seems like forever that we have faced the economic conditions that do not favor small business so its time for these businesses to hunt for the clients that are available and get them to come to you. Of course, it can happen this way but you need to have a presence where these clients are. Using publicity and media helps you create an outreach strategy that puts you in their view. Competing with other firms successfully means you need to stay visible, create a reputation for being the expert or firm in the know and be accessible via the internet. Get booked on radio shows, TV shows and internet news site or sites with major visitor-ship.

Use publicity, promotion and marketing strategies to stay visible to your target market. Demand your competitive edge by appearing in all the media that targets your market. Sure, this takes a lot of work but you can streamline the process by working with publicity professionals, at least for the big media. Businesses that are in a position to hire you are investing in outcomes that is, actually deliverable, you know – the ole “what’s in it for me”? Tell them what’s in it for them. Show them you are the only one they should hire as you are all over the internet and media as your industry’s pro. Now, this is competing to win!

Use your financial resources to build expert status in your field as media placements are as good as gold. Once you land on a big TV show, you can use that credibility builder for many marketing initiatives such as on your website, in your media bio and in your marketing materials and not to mention, bragging rights and name dropping when telling someone about your services.

How do you get the kind of publicity you need to out-compete everyone else? Lots of radio appearances, lots of TV appearances, quotes in newspapers and magazines and on news sites. You get to show listeners or readers what you know. Although, be sure to stay cutting edge and understand the challenges of your marketplace so your commentary is both insightful and brilliant. Stay out there in the media and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

Imagine this scenario. You want to hire a financial money management advisor but you don’t know who to choose. You start asking for your friend’s referrals but then you notice a money management guy on your cities morning show. The expert looks great, sounds great and best of all, this expert seems to understand what your goals and objectives are as well as your worries. You will most likely give him a call, like to many others watching. This expert will enjoy the benefits of proving to you in advance that he is a good investment. Now, this expert should give you the service you expect and he’s got a new client!

Discover additional strategy on how you can use the media strategy for business publicity please visit Annie Jennings PR. A good business strategy that uses TV appearances, radio appearances, expert quotes in newspapers, magazines and on the internet is essential to enjoying outstanding success in your objectives.

Improving Customers Service With An “Old Fashion” Phone Call

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Pretty much everything is automated these days right? The ATM, bill payment services; even the library has an automated calling program to tell us our books are in. So many customers have become used to the lack of personal attention. I have noticed it and quite frankly, I don’t like it. I can not imagine I am the only one! That being said, we have made the decision in our companies to personalize our services. We take the time to contact our customers with a personal telephone call. The response has been amazing! Here are some reasons to make a personal phone call:

Welcome customers to your company, service, etc.

Thank them for their business

Answer their questions. Do they understand what they are paying for?

Invite them into your store to use a special coupon or take advantage of a special sale.

Re-commitment

I can tell your from personal experience that a company who takes the time to contact their customers personally and goes that extra mile, cause it’s customer to stand and take notice. It builds loyalty. It helps them to form a connection to you the more times you speak with them. Some of my customers have even come to feel like they know me. They look forward to coming to my stores or calling in with questions because we can “catch up.”

If you utilize your courtesy phone calls to recommit a customer who has not done business with you in awhile; again, you build loyalty. You will cause your customers to feel like you have noticed that they have not been around. If you have not seen a customer in awhile, why not give them a call? You may find that there was a minor issue or problem that you can easily fix. Many times if a customer has a problem, you will never even know about it. People don’t like to complain. However, I LOVE to hear my customer’s complaints. So many times they are an easy fix. So many times, a customer just wants you to validate that their opinions are important, even if you cannot make the changes that they desire. With courtesy phone calls and that personalized attention, your customers won’t have to wonder; they will know that they are important to you. When your customers know that you value their business, you will listen to their opinions and you miss them when they are gone, you build loyalty like no other. You make customers for life.

Being self employed for the last 9 years has taught me many lessons like the one I shared in the article above. Currently I own a Dry Cleaning Business with my Husband. The business has been a huge blessing for our family if you are interested in learning more about our story and or how you can get started with your own Dry Cleaning Delivery Business Check out my three free videos

Learn How To Be A Great Radio And TV Guest

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Want To Be A SMASH HIT Success On TV & Radio? Want to avoid media mistakes with your publicity & book promotion? Learn the publicity, TV, radio & media skills you need to be the media’s dream guest! The publicity special report includes a set of tried and true publicity tips to use while working with the media. You’ll learn the top pre-interview tips, on-camera or on-air tips, book promotion and publicity tips, media etiquette tips & lots more PR publicity pro tips to help position you as the media’s dream guest!

Tips! Don’t try to influence the producer’s or journalist’s original story or segment idea, even if you think you are helping. Give the media what they want. Usually these segments and stories are created by other editors or executive producers and the media you are speaking to does not have the authority to change the segment or story. They know what they want and want you to cooperate. If you have the point of view they are looking for, perfect. If not, it’s best to say no to the media rather than try to persuade them to do something different from their original plan. This way, they can book the segment and move on to the next segment. Stay on target, give them what they want if what they want is in your area of expertise, and don’t go off on any tangents. Stick to the script and they will come back again next time.

Another excellent rule to follow for publicity success is this: Never cancel your media opportunity after you have given your word, that is, you have said yes. If you cancel you leave everyone in bad shape as the supporting staff has made all of the preparations for the segment or story. It is set in stone on their end. If you suddenly cancel, you leave the media in a tough spot as they have to find a replacement. This causes lots of anxiety and is disruptive. One thing is certain, you will never be invited back and you might even earn a reputation as not being reliable and then nobody will want to work with you in the future as you cannot be trusted. This is a tough price to pay and that is how serious keeping your word with the media is for you.

Get ready for any pre-interviews or your interview with the media. Take the time to formulate your five talking points or conversation points so you will have your thoughts together and you are able to present them without sound uncertain or stumbling. If you “flunk” the pre-interview, yes you can do this by not sound confident, sounding boring, or no saying anything of relevance, the media will not be able to use you for the article or segment. Everything you do matters with the media. If they are not certain of your point of view, your knowledge or your ability to do the job, they have no choice but to move on to find another expert. Preparing in advance gets your thoughts together and if good for you and for your media contact.

The media moves fast and they need to be able to connect with you quickly, at all times. If you have presented yourself as the guest or expert, be available. Give the media your cell phone for direct access. Do not make them go through voice mail or layers of phone prompts. Just give them your cell phone and when it rings, answer it. Set it up in advance, that if your cell phone rings, you will be in position to answer it. If for any reason, the call goes to voice mail, access it immediately and return the call right away. This way, the media will remember you as a great guest.

Discover more tips on how be the media’s dream guest. If you want publicity on TV or publicity on radio, learning the skill set of an experienced and professional guest is critical. Have incredible success with your publicity and promotion initiatives by learning the professional skill set of a great guest. Find out how!