If you're looking to extend the life span and get the most publicity from your next press release, here are a few ideas on how:
1) Tweet about it and link to the release over the next few weeks. Don't forget to use relevant hashtags so more eye will see your tweets.
2) In addition to a paid wire service (PR Web, Business Wire, etc.) send it out via all the free press release services too (Free-Press-Release.com or Express-Press-Release.com).
3) Comment on blogs that cover your press release's topic matter and include a link to your press release.
4) Email your release to all relevant media contacts and bloggers. Don't forget to include a introductory note about why your information is something their readers will want to know about.
5) Refer to and link to your press releases in your blog postings.
Do you have other ways that you extend the life of your press release? Add your comments here.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Social Media Musts for your Trade Show Exhibit
Increase activity at your next trade show booth by incorporating social media into your exhibit marketing campaign. A press interview, increased traffic and even sales can all happen as a result!
Here are a few social media musts to incorporate into your pre-show plans:
1. "Follow" and "Like" the show/conference on Twitter and Facebook so you're in tune with all that's scheduled for the show especially any marketing/promotional activities for exhibitors.
2. Use and follow the show/conference hashtag (#) on Twitter. Use the hashtag in all of your Tweets related to the show. Periodically search on the hashtag to see what other exhibitors will be there and what the attendees are saying so you can be ready to meet their needs.
3. Finalize and schedule your show posts. Here are some suggestions of what to announce in your posts:
Reminders of your booth number and location
Scheduled dinners, cocktail hours, meet ups or other events for attendees
Special offers or promotions for show attendees
4. During the show, post photos or video of your exhibit, demonstrations or other activities! Continue to share useful information about what's going on at the show for those who couldn't make it.
Here are a few social media musts to incorporate into your pre-show plans:
1. "Follow" and "Like" the show/conference on Twitter and Facebook so you're in tune with all that's scheduled for the show especially any marketing/promotional activities for exhibitors.
2. Use and follow the show/conference hashtag (#) on Twitter. Use the hashtag in all of your Tweets related to the show. Periodically search on the hashtag to see what other exhibitors will be there and what the attendees are saying so you can be ready to meet their needs.
3. Finalize and schedule your show posts. Here are some suggestions of what to announce in your posts:
Reminders of your booth number and location
Scheduled dinners, cocktail hours, meet ups or other events for attendees
Special offers or promotions for show attendees
4. During the show, post photos or video of your exhibit, demonstrations or other activities! Continue to share useful information about what's going on at the show for those who couldn't make it.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Twitter Trends: Are You Marketing with Hashtags?
If you're a devoted Twitter user, you know all about hashtags. If not, you've heard of them and may be wondering what the buzz is all about. Twitter's hashtag or # symbol can be used to highlight keywords or topics in your Tweets. You can insert hashtags anywhere in your Tweet.
People use the hashtag symbol # before relevant keywords (no spaces) in their Tweet to categorize Tweets and help them show more easily in a Twitter Search. For example if you search in Twitter on #jobs, you will see all the recent Tweets that have include that hashtag and are relevant to the word "jobs". Hashtags help other Twitter users find information on a particular topic.
Check out www.hashtags.org to find out which hashtags are searched on the most. Or create your own hashtag. For example, come up with an original hashtag associated with an upcoming business event. All interested and participating parties (attendees, speakers, moderators, event organizers) can use this special hashtag in their related Tweets and it provides real time feedback and information for anyone who searches on it.
Hashtags are in commercials, print ads and now they're even painted on football fields. Incorporate hashtags into your tweets to be noticed, collaborate with others and to reach a specific audience.
People use the hashtag symbol # before relevant keywords (no spaces) in their Tweet to categorize Tweets and help them show more easily in a Twitter Search. For example if you search in Twitter on #jobs, you will see all the recent Tweets that have include that hashtag and are relevant to the word "jobs". Hashtags help other Twitter users find information on a particular topic.
Check out www.hashtags.org to find out which hashtags are searched on the most. Or create your own hashtag. For example, come up with an original hashtag associated with an upcoming business event. All interested and participating parties (attendees, speakers, moderators, event organizers) can use this special hashtag in their related Tweets and it provides real time feedback and information for anyone who searches on it.
Hashtags are in commercials, print ads and now they're even painted on football fields. Incorporate hashtags into your tweets to be noticed, collaborate with others and to reach a specific audience.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Spread Your Message Door to Door
If you're a restaurant, salon, grocer, doctor or any retail business, you should know about USPS' Every Door Direct Mail Program.
Put your flier in the mailbox of every residential or business addresses in your neighborhood, city or region without purchasing lists! It's a easy and cost efficient way to build traffic, find new customers and increase revenue!
Simply define who you want to reach (by zip code, city, etc.)
Vendors like Marketing & Event Resources can create/print your 8.5 x 11 two sided flyer-(try a coupon, offer or announcement), bundle it and deliver to the post office. Postage is only .142 per piece.
Great way to reduce your direct mail costs!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sales Tools: Three Simple Methods for Sales Success
Welcome Guest Blogger: Traci O'Brien
As a sales professional, I recently attended my yearly sales conference in Indianapolis and came back renewed. refreshed and further determined to succeed using three tried and true methods– Listen Better, Be The Expert and Give 'Em What They Want!
As a sales professional, I recently attended my yearly sales conference in Indianapolis and came back renewed. refreshed and further determined to succeed using three tried and true methods– Listen Better, Be The Expert and Give 'Em What They Want!
Listen
Sometimes I feel as if the art of listening has fallen by the wayside. With life being so busy it is very easy to be distracted (Oh look… shiny!). However, when dealing with a customer it is critical to be PRESENT and LISTEN. You need to listen in order to gather all the facts so you can help a customer but it also shows them that you are interested in them and that their business is important to you. The last person they want to do business with is someone who is making something or someone else a priority when they are supposed to be listening.
Be the Expert
Customers want to do business with an expert. Your expertise offers clients reassurance in their buying decisions. We are all experts in our field to varying degrees. The old adage, “fake it 'til you make it” can only get you so far. Know your core products. It’s ok to NOT have all the answers. Just know exactly where to find them should someone ask a question that you don’t have the answer to.
Give 'Em What They Want
Consumers want to buy what everybody else has. Have you ever gone shopping for a new home appliance? You see fifteen different refrigerators and you decide on the one that’s out of stock. It must be the best one. Everyone wants it so we want it too! Making a decision is hard for most people but if you have listened well and given them your expert advice you can help them make a well informed, educated decision on what is best for them.
By Traci O'Brien, Independent Sales Rep
traci.obrien@anthem.com
203.985.7849
For more information on individual health insurance or health care reform, visit www.anthemcaptivect.com/tobrien.
Sometimes I feel as if the art of listening has fallen by the wayside. With life being so busy it is very easy to be distracted (Oh look… shiny!). However, when dealing with a customer it is critical to be PRESENT and LISTEN. You need to listen in order to gather all the facts so you can help a customer but it also shows them that you are interested in them and that their business is important to you. The last person they want to do business with is someone who is making something or someone else a priority when they are supposed to be listening.
Be the Expert
Customers want to do business with an expert. Your expertise offers clients reassurance in their buying decisions. We are all experts in our field to varying degrees. The old adage, “fake it 'til you make it” can only get you so far. Know your core products. It’s ok to NOT have all the answers. Just know exactly where to find them should someone ask a question that you don’t have the answer to.
Give 'Em What They Want
Consumers want to buy what everybody else has. Have you ever gone shopping for a new home appliance? You see fifteen different refrigerators and you decide on the one that’s out of stock. It must be the best one. Everyone wants it so we want it too! Making a decision is hard for most people but if you have listened well and given them your expert advice you can help them make a well informed, educated decision on what is best for them.
By Traci O'Brien, Independent Sales Rep
traci.obrien@anthem.com
203.985.7849
For more information on individual health insurance or health care reform, visit www.anthemcaptivect.com/tobrien.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth
While most of us have profiles on LinkedIn, have you ever wondering if you're using this social media tool to its fullest? Many of us continue to build 'Contacts' on LinkedIn but rarely utilize them for referrals, introductions, conversations and other ways to expand our businesses.
Here are a few ways you can utilize LinkedIn as a sales, marketing and business development tool:
1. Complete your profile
Has LinkedIn rated your profile 100% complete? If not, take the opportunity to get your message across by filling in all aspects of your profile. Give people a reason to want to connect with you. Include the keywords and terms that your potential prospects would use when searching to find your services or products.
2. Join Groups
Groups are a good way to find and communicate with qualified prospects. Join groups that have the same professional, affiliations, goals or interests as you. Try creating a new group if you can't find one that suits your needs.
3. Prospecting
Are you looking for a specific person to connect with? Maybe you're looking for prospects in a certain industry or others with a specific title? Check out LinkedIn's Search field in the upper right hand corner. Clicked on the "Advanced" button and check out all the options you have to search the LinkedIn member database! Search by title, zip code, industry, etc. to find prospects.
LinkedIn will show you any "shared connections" you have with these prospects to possibly facilitate an introduction. Leverage your current connections to add more.
4. Events
Post any kind of event on LinkedIn to increase visibility. Click on 'Events' under the 'More' tab on the LinkedIn home page to create your event. Include as many details as possible and a link to where people can register. Use the 'Share This Event' tool to post your event on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. The best news is you can go beyond simply posting info in your newsfeed hoping people will see it. Now you can send your event info to your Groups, or any individuals you're connected with in a personalized message.
If you personally engage with your network on LinkedIn, you'll find the value in the individual and company information it holds for your business.
Here are a few ways you can utilize LinkedIn as a sales, marketing and business development tool:
1. Complete your profile
Has LinkedIn rated your profile 100% complete? If not, take the opportunity to get your message across by filling in all aspects of your profile. Give people a reason to want to connect with you. Include the keywords and terms that your potential prospects would use when searching to find your services or products.
2. Join Groups
Groups are a good way to find and communicate with qualified prospects. Join groups that have the same professional, affiliations, goals or interests as you. Try creating a new group if you can't find one that suits your needs.
3. Prospecting
Are you looking for a specific person to connect with? Maybe you're looking for prospects in a certain industry or others with a specific title? Check out LinkedIn's Search field in the upper right hand corner. Clicked on the "Advanced" button and check out all the options you have to search the LinkedIn member database! Search by title, zip code, industry, etc. to find prospects.
LinkedIn will show you any "shared connections" you have with these prospects to possibly facilitate an introduction. Leverage your current connections to add more.
4. Events
Post any kind of event on LinkedIn to increase visibility. Click on 'Events' under the 'More' tab on the LinkedIn home page to create your event. Include as many details as possible and a link to where people can register. Use the 'Share This Event' tool to post your event on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. The best news is you can go beyond simply posting info in your newsfeed hoping people will see it. Now you can send your event info to your Groups, or any individuals you're connected with in a personalized message.
If you personally engage with your network on LinkedIn, you'll find the value in the individual and company information it holds for your business.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Facebook 2012 Update: Summary of Mari's Smith's Webinar
If you didn't catch Facebook Expert Mari Smith's webinar yesterday on Facebook 2012, here are some of the high points to get you caught up.
Mari recommends that these "to do's" are on your daily Facebook checklist:
• Check your Business Page hidden posts (click on Wall to see them). These are typically spam but check here often so you don't miss an important message.
• Respond to comments and questions promptly (within hours not days).
• Check out Insights to see your page metrics. See which posts are being viewed the most and how many Engaged Users you have. Use this information to gauge what posts draw the most attention.
She threw out a lot of random tips such as:
• Try to "edutain" which is to provide quality content in a fun, engaging way.
• Use all of your other social media networks to grow your Facebook page.
• Short status updates have better engagement rates than longer ones.
• Increase your "shares" and it will increase your page's visibility.
Mari offered an interesting tidbit of what's coming soon on Facebook:
• One to one email capability to your fans (they're testing or rolling out this functionality in Asia now). This can really change the way businesses use Facebook to market directly to their followers.
Hope these help you to use Facebook more effectively for your business!
Mari recommends that these "to do's" are on your daily Facebook checklist:
• Check your Business Page hidden posts (click on Wall to see them). These are typically spam but check here often so you don't miss an important message.
• Respond to comments and questions promptly (within hours not days).
• Check out Insights to see your page metrics. See which posts are being viewed the most and how many Engaged Users you have. Use this information to gauge what posts draw the most attention.
She threw out a lot of random tips such as:
• Try to "edutain" which is to provide quality content in a fun, engaging way.
• Use all of your other social media networks to grow your Facebook page.
• Short status updates have better engagement rates than longer ones.
• Increase your "shares" and it will increase your page's visibility.
Mari offered an interesting tidbit of what's coming soon on Facebook:
• One to one email capability to your fans (they're testing or rolling out this functionality in Asia now). This can really change the way businesses use Facebook to market directly to their followers.
Hope these help you to use Facebook more effectively for your business!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)