Holiday Cards-An Opportunity to Make Contact

December 11, 2008

 
As the holidays approach, you are probably swamped with year-end work activities and preparing for your own personal celebrations at home.

The last thing on your mind may be the thought of purchasing business holidays cards, writing messages and addresses, licking envelopes, and buying stamps. But you may be missing out on a great opportunity.

Not only are holiday cards a fantastic way to spread some cheer during tough times, but they offer a great way to get through to potential new clients, investors and sponsors, renew relationships with media members and thank valued customers.

After all, most people appreciate a personalized holiday card and will open this type mail.

Now, you may think it will take too much time and cost too much money to send out cards, but with today’s technology, it can be very easy and cost-effective.

Some services will even take care of printing and mailing for you! (Check out http://www.printingforless.com/holidaycards.html, www.kinkos.com  and your local print shop for help.)

And if you are really short on funds, you can always send electronic greetings through Hallmark, Yahoo! and others.

If possible, try to set aside a few hours to create an address list and send out holiday cards in the next few weeks. It may be a lot easier than you think and well worth the effort.

Not only will you help build business relationships, but you’ll spread some holiday cheer…and we could all use some of that right now!

If you need help with your copywriting and PR efforts, please let me know. Thanks!

2 Comments | Reaching Goals, Marketing, business | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

What’s Your Work Ethic?

December 9, 2008

 

Over the weekend, I was walking along the beach early in the morning and noticed several people standing around with brooms. They were all wearing bright orange vests and seemed like they were fulfilling a community-service obligation.

As I passed the group, I heard the leader say, “Now, take your time. If they see you’re not doing anything, they’ll give you more work to do.”

Sure enough, a few minutes later, I noticed all of the volunteers spread out across the sidewalk…standing there looking at the ocean with brooms in hand. There must have been 25-30 people in the group!

Now, in my opinion, about five people could have swept the entire sidewalk in a matter of hours while the others did something more beneficial elsewhere.

I like to avoid negativity, but I felt this was a total waste of people power and it really got me thinking. With everything going on in the world, isn’t there a way these workers could have completed their community-service hours by directly helping others in need, recycling or taking part in some other volunteer activity that provided value?

In addition, what kind of work ethic does this support?

If you were given this situation, would you just stand there and look at the ocean, or would you try to do a good job with the task you were given?

Obviously, many people would take the lazy route and enjoy the ocean view. But is this the mentality that got them to this point in the first place?

Having a strong work ethic is essential in today’s economic environment. Now is not the time to do “only what is expected.” Instead, it’s important to go above and beyond.

The hard-working people who put in the extra effort now will be the ones who will be able to compete, weather these tough times and experience great success in the future…so with this in mind, are you going to settle with the status quo or make your dreams a reality with hard work and perseverance?

If you have copywriting and PR questions, please let me know. I’m here to help!

3 Comments | business, Reaching Goals | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

The Secret to Getting Press

November 13, 2008

 

You sit down in your favorite chair ready to bite into your freshly prepared bagel and… Drat! There is a headline featuring your competition with a big photo of the CEO. The first thing you ask yourself is, “Why him and not me?”

 

Well, don’t get too upset. That CEO may be:

 

·       A good friend of the reporter;

·       Advertise in the publication;

·       Spend a fortune on a big PR firm; or

·       Know the one secret to publicity success.

 

And if it’s the last point above, you’re in luck. Here is the secret:

 

Create a unique story angle for a specific reporter and contact that media member directly.

 

I’m not kidding.

 

There is so much hype about building buzz that is really comes down to this.

 

You just need to be willing to conduct the appropriate research and develop a unique and newsworthy story angle that a reporter will really care about.

 

And even if the reporter doesn’t like your pitch, at least you will start to establish yourself as a reputable source and create a working relationship with this media member for future stories.

 

Sure. Many business owners are lucky enough to get big media stories right away. But don’t let this get to you.

 

For true publicity success, you need to work hard, be creative and have some patience. And if you keep going, eventually you’ll be the one with the front-page feature!

 

If you have questions, or need help with your PR and online copywriting, please let me know! I’m here to help. Thanks! 

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Posted by rembrandtwrites

Just when hope starts to fade…

November 11, 2008

It’s 4:00 a.m., and I just turned on the computer and took my first sip of coffee.

 

With the stress of the economy, the election and an increase in the number of reporters losing their jobs, it has been an uphill battle to build buzz for my clients.

 

And just when frustration started to get the best of me, things turned around.

 

In the last few days, my hard work paid off. My clients were featured on Forbes, The Discovery Channel, Workwise, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others.

 

It just goes to show you that you need to keep pluggin’ away, and even give  extra effort, when things aren’t going the way you planned.

 

Sure. This can be easier said than done so here are a few sites to help you stay positive and get the inspiration you need to hang in there when times get tough…

 

Quotes from “Power of Positive Thinking’s” Norman Vincent Peale

 

Daily Motivational Quote Widget

 

Small Business Advice from the Experts at SCORE

 

Small Business Help from Experts and other Entrepreneurs

 

Funny YouTube Videos for a Quick Laugh

 

And if this doesn’t work, just think…the Thanksgiving holiday will be here soon. Then, you can take a few days to relax, rest and start fresh when you return to the office!

 

If you have questions, or need help with your PR and online copywriting, please let me know! I’m here to help. Thanks!

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Posted by rembrandtwrites

Are Reporters Reading Your E-Mails?

November 6, 2008

 

It’s 8:30 a.m. and you’ve spent the morning crafting the perfect e-mail to announce your brand new clothing line for dogs.  You click “send” and wait for a response from the business editor at The New York Times.

Now, it’s noon and still no response from the editor. You call and get voice mail so you leave a message. Days go by and still no response.

Does this sound familiar?

These days, most reporters are swamped with deadlines and just trying to keep their jobs. They don’t have time to contact anyone who pitches irrelevant topics.

…But what’s that? You say you researched the reporter and thought he or she would really be interested in your new dog collar?

Well, maybe it’s not your pitch, maybe it’s your e-mail.

You may very well have a great story to tell. But if you don’t send a user-friendly e-mail, you’ll get nowhere fast.

When crafting an e-mail that is going to reporters, try to keep these tips in mind:

- Keep it short and sweet.
Get to the point fast and avoid “fluff.” Stick to the facts.

- Focus on the benefits.
Why is the reporter going to care about what you have to say?

- Include links.
Try to add links to important data relevant to your pitch. That way, reporters can easily get additional information fast.

- Run Spell Check.
Be sure to check for grammatical and spelling errors before sending out your e-mail. You want to present yourself as a professional who took some time to create the e-mail.

-Where’s your contact information?
If reporters want to learn more, can they find your contact information easily? You may want to include your cell phone number so they don’t have any problems reaching you.

It takes some skill to pitch reporters and give them a unique story packed with excitement and benefits. And once you spend the appropriate time crafting your pitch, don’t forget to proof your e-mail too.

After all, if it’s too long, boring and packed with errors, your message will go straight to the wastebasket. And who wants to waste time and effort like that?

If you have questions about your PR and copywriting efforts, please let me know here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’d love to hear from you!

8 Comments | business, Marketing, PR, Small Business PR, Writing Tips | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

Vote and Move On

November 4, 2008

 

Did you vote? I’m sure you will hear this a lot today, but it is an important election. And it will be interesting to see the media frenzy announcing all of the results.

Whatever happens, reporters will spend some time discussing the issues, and then it will be (somewhat) back to “business as usual.”

Are you ready?

Here are the key areas media members will be focusing on for the rest of the year:

- The Economy

- The Holidays

- The New Year (that’s right…start preparing your pitches now)

If you can figure out a unique story angle for these key areas that focus on the benefits of your products and services, you’ll have a much better time getting “press” over the next few months.

Do you have some interesting pitch-ideas you’d like to share or have questions about your PR efforts? Please feel free to contact me below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’m here to help! Thanks!

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Times are Tough But Don’t Get Scared. Get Help.

October 30, 2008

With Halloween here along with economic uncertainty, things can get pretty scary. But instead of letting things get to you, find some support and help online.

In addition to my free articles and small business public relations information at http://www.startupnation.com/steps/77/steps-successful-public-relations.htm, http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/author/mrembrandt/ and http://pinkmagazine.com/blog/melanie_rembrandt.html, check out these sites for more ways to boost sales and stablize your financial situation:

www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com
In addition to some great PR tips, Nancy Juetten offers Public-Tea™-TO-GO! gift bundles to raise money for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.  

http://www.score.org/index.html
Here, entrepreneurs get free and confidential business advice.

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/budgeting.htm
Read free budget tips and information.

http://www.suzeorman.com/
Suze Orman offers practical advice to help you with your toughest financial questions.

These are just a few suggestions. Do you have sites to share to help others with their PR and financial needs right now? Please let me know below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks and have a Happy Halloween!

3 Comments | business, PR | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

Anxious? Try to stop and think first for best results.

October 28, 2008

 

At about 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, I was scuba diving in a fairly shallow kelp bed. Brightly colored fish swam all around me and I took relaxing breaths out of my regulator.

The only thing I had to worry about was getting my equipment wrapped around a long string of kelp…or so I thought.

Just as I swam through some underwater foliage, a dark shadow loomed ahead. My dive buddy pointed in front of us.

I looked down, and there was a 4-5 foot leopard shark gliding along the ocean floor looking for breakfast (great…as long as that’s something other than me!).

Then, it noticed us, and our eyes met. What a strange feeling to share eye contact with a shark!

My heart starting beating faster, but I remained calm and waited to see what would happen next. Before I knew it, the shark was startled by us and darted away!

I knew that the shark wasn’t going to attack us, but it was exciting. And it made me think how this situation relates to the current economy and public relations.

Whether you are anxiously awaiting a call from a media member, or you are worried about what to do with your money in today’s economic turmoil, it’s usually best to take a moment and think before acting.

Not only will you make better, more informed decisions, but just a little extra time can drastically change circumstances so that you know exactly what actions to take, if any.

Just look at my shark encounter. I didn’t do anything, and the situation remedied itself as the shark swam away.

Now, I’m not saying you should be lazy in your public relations activities or in watching your budget. But when things start to go crazy and your blood pressure goes up, take a moment to relax and think.

Try to avoid bugging a reporter with repetitive calls or taking all of your money out of the bank as soon as you hear the latest financial news on television.

Instead, take a moment to calm down. Look at your situation. Get appropriate information. Then, figure out what you need to do. 

Many times, it’s just a matter of waiting.

Maybe the reporter will call you in a few days?
Maybe a friend or financial advisor will give you a great tax tip?

The point is, it can be difficult to remain calm in today’s world. But if you try to relax a little, things will be a lot easier to deal with and you’ll probably see much better results.

I hope this helps, and if you need assistance with your small business public relations and copywriting needs, please let me know! Thanks!

1 Comment | Small Business PR, PR, Copywriting, business, small business public relations | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

Are You Available?

October 23, 2008


I’ve mentioned this information before, but I think it’s important. If you’re not receiving media calls and you’ve spent the appropriate time researching various venues, preparing your media kit, updating your online newsroom, and pitching reporters accordingly, there may be one key factor you’ve overlooked – Availability.

Their deadlines and you.
Many media members work on very tight deadlines and need information immediately. If you are not available to answer questions, set interviews with company leaders or provide needed information, you will not get the media coverage you’ve worked so hard to obtain.

They may not leave a message.
And please don’t think reporters will just leave a message. If your phone keeps ringing or voicemail picks up, most reporters on a tight deadline will immediately move on to another source.

As a small business owner, I know it can be very difficult to be available at all times. With this in mind, be sure to check your phone and e-mails frequently. Or, have an assistant handle media requests and let you know as soon as a reporter or producer calls. This kind of call should be a priority as it can mean thousands of dollars in free publicity now and in the future.

By taking a few simple steps to provide reporters with the information they need, when they need it, you will have more media-placement opportunities.

More importantly, you will set your reputation as a professional who returns call quickly, provides valuable information and is available to give reporters the data they need during tight deadlines.

This is just a little reminder to help you get more media coverage. If you’d like more information, or have small business public relations questions, feel free to comment below or visit www.rembrandtwrites.com to get my monthly newsletter full of valuable PR and writing tips. Thanks!

2 Comments | business, PR, Small Business PR | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

3 Quick Ways to Build Buzz and Sales

October 21, 2008

 

If the economic crunch is starting to hurt your business, it’s time to act
fast to increase sales. Here are three cost-effective publicity activities you
can do now to help build buzz:

1. Team Up With a Bigger Organization.
Find a business or charity with a big name that compliments your products and services. Create a special discount, holiday package or event. Then, invite the press.

You’ll be able to split the costs, time and effort while sharing media resources and customer databases.

2. Contact Media Members Directly.
In addition to sending out a press release to build buzz, pick up the phone too! Contact a targeted reporter, introduce yourself and provide your unique and newsworthy story.

You can also offer yourself as an expert resource for a future story. The point is to start a media relationship and make contact. You may just end up with a feature story from one simple call!

3. Update Your Website.
Is your site current? If not, add valuable information for potential
customers. Make it easy to do business with you. Also, add some keywords to your site so that search engines can find you.

After all, if you don’t look like you are “home,” potential customers will visit
other sites to obtain information and assistance. Don’t miss out on potential business! Try to keep your site updated and provide contact information so people can reach you.

Just by taking a few minutes to make an extra effort, you can increase sales for your business. Even if you have zero funds, try to be creative and think about your customers and media members. What do they want right now, and how can you fulfill their needs?

For more help and free PR information, please provide your comments below or feel free to contact me at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Leave a Comment » | business, Marketing, Reaching Goals, Small Business PR | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by rembrandtwrites

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