Monday Marketing Tips

As it is Monday again, here is a round up of great articles to help you market your business with better success.

5 reasons that reporter isn’t calling you back by PR Daily

Having been in a newsroom for two decades, I can attest to how inundated reporters are with email and phone pitches from PR pros. And with shrinking newsrooms, I can only image it has gotten much worse.

To help PR pros tasked with cold-calling reporters and editors with pitches, here’s a basic list to help understand why journalists are not calling you back.

First, let’s just assume that reporters do not actually pick up the phone when you call, because they rarely do. Blame it on not enough time, deadline, or that they are out in the field getting stories.  READ MORE

4 Examples of Excellent Twitter Customer Service by Social Media Examiner

Do you use Twitter to stay connected with your customers?  Have you integrated Twitter into your customer service strategy?

Why Twitter Customer Service?  Gone are the days when people would call up a company and complain. Now, people are more likely to head to their smartphones or computers to tell the world how terrible a product or service is.  That’s why customer service is becoming increasingly important on social media platforms like Twitter.  READ ARTICLE

7 Things Persuasive People Do by Inc. 

Sometimes you absolutely have to make your point. Here are 7 tips on how to do it effectively with style and grace.

While many people don’t like to sell, most find themselves having to persuade someone at some point. Persuasion is not just for salespeople and their prospects. You may try to persuade an employee to perform better, or perhaps you want to persuade your boss to take on your brilliant idea. Often the most effective persuaders are your kids. Somehow they come by it naturally while you, the adult, has to work hard to find the persuasive path to success. READ TIPS

 

Advertising in a recession

According to research, businesses that advertise in a recession usually come out of it ahead of their competitors who cut advertising. It is important to stay visible and not rely solely on your current customer base to make it through the slow times. If there is no money available for advertising, there are many resources to keep your business visible but you must be creative.

-Create a blog and tag stories with key search words
-Social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. are free and being used by many businesses, small and large
-Do you have a current commercial already filmed? If so, get it on You Tube, your website and post on your social network profiles
-Add a sign up button on your website and send specials, events or news to your customers via email
-Design a postcard or brochure with an offer for your business. Distribute at trade shows, networking events, to local convention centers, visitor bureaus, concierges, area businesses, event gift bags, etc.
-Get involved with a non-profit. You will get great press while giving back to the community
-Read the fine print at the end of newspaper and magazine articles. Writers are always looking for ideas and suggestions for stories. Pitch an idea and you may get free press.

These are just a few ideas of keeping your business in the eye of the consumer in a cost effective manner. Whether you have the funds to advertise in traditional media or not, the key to being successful in marketing your business is to make the time, put a plan in place and execute it effectively.