As eyes look forward to a new business year, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are hoping that this upcoming year will be the one that catapults them into success. But according to Shannon Cherry, APR, businesses often overlook a key element when making their business plans and resolutions.
"Most new businesses fail within three years ? and it's often due to the fact that many business owners think that simply hanging up an OPEN sign and placing an ad in the yellow pages will attract customers," says Cherry, president of Cherry Communications (http://www.cherrycommunications.com), a public relations and marketing firm which helps small businesses, consultants and entrepreneurs to be heard. "What it takes is a marketing strategy that's effective ? and in the case of many small business owners ? on a limited budget. They need public relations to turn the resolutions into revolutions."
She says public relations is one of the most cost-effective methods of marketing available today. "Besides the fact that it's low cost or no cost, public relations can help establish your credibility. It can position you as the revolutionary leader and expert in your field."
Cherry suggests including your public relations efforts as part of a year-long, strategic business plan. "As you're looking toward what you're going to accomplish in the future, make sure you incorporate different public relations efforts as part of your complete plan," she says. "That way you'll be sure to schedule it in, just like any other business task."
Cherry offers some low-cost public relations strategies to help revolutionize small businesses:
1) Write articles. "Articles don't have to be long; they just need to be informative," says Cherry. "Submitting online, as well as offline, provides a good chance to get your name in print at no cost."
2) Write press releases. "Reporters everywhere are looking for stories, and a press release gives them the information to write that story," she says. "Just make sure it's newsworthy, not just an advertisement."
3) Write a newsletter. Cherry stress a newsletter should contain content valuable to your target market, as well as promote your products and services.
4) Use your business cards. "Think of your business card as a mini billboard and start handing them out everywhere," explains Cherry. "Include them in all your correspondence and put them in places that they'll be seen."
5) Start Speaking. "Speaking in front of an audience usually makes you an expert. People like to buy from experts," she says. "Speaking is free, and it's just like making a sales call to many people at one time."
Cherry says successful companies make public relations a priority. "Whether selling direct, through distribution channels or via e-commerce, a successful company must achieve and maintain a strong market presence through a continuous and effective public relations program."
About The Author
Shannon Cherry, APR, MA helps businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations to be heard. She's a marketing communications and public relations expert with more than 15 years experience and the owner of Cherry Communications. Subscribe today for Be Heard! a FREE biweekly ezine and get the FREE special report: 'Get Set For Success: Creative, Low-Cost Marketing Tips to Help You be Heard.' Go to: http://www.cherrycommunications.com.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSometimes a phone call isn't intimate or long enough to... Read More
NUMBERS, NUMBERS EVERYWHEREYou just placed a terrific story on the... Read More
In a media interview, always stick to your main points... Read More
Done right, it helps modify the behaviors of your most... Read More
Once upon a time, there was a young, stressed out... Read More
Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More
Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More
It really is powerful when a business, non-profit or association... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
"Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you... Read More
Just promoted to manager?Here's something you need to know.Whether you... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
Maybe it played for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams,"... Read More
When outside audiences important to your operation do not understand... Read More
You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
There's an old African proverb:"If you think you are too... Read More
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More
You are a spokesperson for your company, representing it for... Read More
This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
Do you have a great idea for a story, but... Read More
I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years,... Read More
There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More
How cool is this? You're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Just like a financial planning client fears not having enough... Read More
If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
What do your customers say about your company?Would you let... Read More
Community relations is one of those marketing strategies that isn't... Read More
Strong for business, non-profit and association managers when they use... Read More
The truth is, you CAN attract the support of those... Read More
Do you have a great idea for a story, but... Read More
When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More
Above all, you need to know that the right PR... Read More
Would you like to be the next Dr. Phil, Suze... Read More
Promotion for Professional Services Providers requires a different approach than... Read More
There's the old joke about the two buzzards sitting in... Read More
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More
Stripped down to its core, publicity is little more than... Read More
Better check out the public relations fundamental premise, then take... Read More
Sometimes a phone call isn't intimate or long enough to... Read More
If you do, it means:you don't value tracking the perceptions... Read More
If you own a franchise and have company vehicles, be... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More
To get someone's name in the newspaper or a product... Read More
Say, from tactics like special events, brochures and press releases... Read More
You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
Public Relations |