The Marketing Melting Pot

As small business owners we have to wear a lot of hats and must master being a jack of all trades. After all, we have a lot on our plate: sales, marketing, accounting, human resources and customer service to name a few. Clearly, it can be a real challenge.

I thought I would take this opportunity to hone in on one vital aspect of managing a successful business - marketing. More specifically, I want to address the importance of integrating, diversifying and linking marketing activities together in a well-rounded, synergistic way. It is one area that with planning and strategy can be executed and mastered effectively.

Consider marketing as a big umbrella with online and offline public relations campaigns, advertising, direct mail, email blasts, newsletters, events, promotions, blogs and social networking pages all underneath. Now, don’t just focus on the power of one…but consider the great marketing potential that can be achieved by running several programs simultaneously, and having them connect together in one way or another.

By layering your efforts and maintaining a consistent message (which is key) you are gaining a greater reach, increasing your profile and building brand awareness.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. There are so many terrific marketing tools at your disposal. And now with the popularity of social networking, there is yet another creative, unique channel to reach out to your target audience.

This type of multitasking takes planning, but it is certainly one part of your business you can master.

Here’s a great article I came across that gives some specific tips on integrating your marketing efforts both online and offline.

http://bit.ly/29wS7T

I welcome your comments and questions on this important, yet often overlooked aspect of marketing your business. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Feel free to share this with others.

Communication 101 -- Kickin' It Old-School

Now that media is evolving into ‘social’ media, does that mean we neglect our social graces? Let’s think back to the basics – Communication 101. Blogging and social media contact for business requires the same level of careful communication and professionalism whether you are online or offline. We should all stop, take a breath and remember what’s important – a clear, concise message and a little communications etiquette, if you will.

Here are a few thoughts to consider:

Just because there is a lack of face to face contact doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use tact in your communication. You are still representing yourself and your business.

Take the time to put your best face forward. Collect your thoughts and make sure you are expressing them efficiently and effectively.

Remember, this is a give and take process – think about offering ideas and information related to your business that is educational for your viewers/readers/fans.

Finally, it’s okay to let your personality shine through your online communications, but don’t be too personal (if you know what I mean).

I welcome your comments and feedback.

I'm a 'PR' person - so why blog?

What in the world am I doing here? I’m a ‘PR’ person – so why blog? Why connect via social media?

Television, newspaper, radio and magazines have traditionally been effective channels of communication and powerful tools for PR pros. However, things are changing - rapidly. In order for businesses to realize the biggest bang for their promotional dollar they need to know what the Internet, email, viral advertising and social networking can do.

So why have I become a “Blogger?” What I want to do with this blog is to introduce you to blogging and social media through the eyes of a well-seasoned public relations expert. PR is all about getting the word out and these new applications simply offer a new platform. The Internet is a fabulous opportunity to put your business on the map, in a fresh, new way.

My goal is provide you with lots of practical, hands-on information for you to incorporate these new mediums into your marketing mix. I want to help you explore your options, talk about what works and doesn’t, and I want to expose you to the opportunities you have to move your business forward. I look forward to starting a dialogue, exposing you to new views and taking you on this journey.