A few weekend tips
It's a beautiful Saturday over here in Northeast Ohio. The sun's shining and there's a subtle summer breeze blowing through the tree tops. It's topping out at 91ยบ F today, so I'm heading out in just a bit with my son to hang out in a pool down at the club. Sure, it's a tough gig, but somebody's got to do it.
But, before I swing out, I wanted to share a few quick, low cost tips to help get the 'ole phone ringing.
1. Consider CD business cards
CD business cards are an inexpensive way to get a lot of information to your prospects in a handy manner. You could put sections of your website on them. If your site's not too big, heck, you can pop the whole thing on one of these card. If you're not into whipping up code, you can also put Word or pdf files of your articles, news releases, marketing materials or even your press kit. You do have a press kit, right? Do a Google and you'll find lots of suppliers.
2. Promo t-shirts
Speaking of going to the club, if you're into working out, how about printing up a t-shirt to wear at the gym that features your company logo, tagline and site address? Look around the gym and you'll see lot of folks who are walking billboards for various companies. You should be a billboard for yours. At minimum it can be a conversation starter. The club I belong to is populated with many local business owners and community movers and shakers. A prime target for me.
T-shirts can be silkscreened, but that can get expensive. Consider cruising down to your favorite office supply store and pick up a packet of iron-on t-shirt transfers for inkjet printers. This doesn't require any high level design software. You can do it with a word processor, if you like. Simplicity is the key - logo, tagline, phone number and web address. You'll look simply smashing if your nifty new ensemble.
3. Write news releases
News releases are the foundation of most public relations efforts. Writing them isn't rocket science, either. Here's a link to tips about writing a good release on PRWeb. They even provide a template. How handy is that?
By the way, PRWeb is a great place to syndicate your news releases. They're a free service, but, as a nonprofit, if you throw them some donation dough, in return you get the ability to track your releases.
One of the biggest problems I hear from folks is, "I don't have anything to write about." Well ... in that case you've got two choices. You can either just sit there with your head in your hands, bummed out that you have no news. Or, you can go out and make something happen.
For instance, how about getting involved with a charitable organization and help them out a bit? Consider adding some new services or repackaging your existing services. Any awards? New equipment that would benefit your clients by providing a faster or more cost effective service?
I write news releases and articles and participate on various small business and design-related forums and discussion groups. These activities have lead to interviews for magazines and e-zines. Those, in turn, give me ammo for more news releases. And the cycle starts again.
It's important to recognize a couple of things. First, most of what you see in the media got there because out was helped along by a p.r. firm or a publicist. Second, it's a matter of finding a spin. Finding a new way to present something that maybe isn't a hot news item.
I hear the club calling me in the background. Time to take off. Have a great weekend!
But, before I swing out, I wanted to share a few quick, low cost tips to help get the 'ole phone ringing.
1. Consider CD business cards
CD business cards are an inexpensive way to get a lot of information to your prospects in a handy manner. You could put sections of your website on them. If your site's not too big, heck, you can pop the whole thing on one of these card. If you're not into whipping up code, you can also put Word or pdf files of your articles, news releases, marketing materials or even your press kit. You do have a press kit, right? Do a Google and you'll find lots of suppliers.
2. Promo t-shirts
Speaking of going to the club, if you're into working out, how about printing up a t-shirt to wear at the gym that features your company logo, tagline and site address? Look around the gym and you'll see lot of folks who are walking billboards for various companies. You should be a billboard for yours. At minimum it can be a conversation starter. The club I belong to is populated with many local business owners and community movers and shakers. A prime target for me.
T-shirts can be silkscreened, but that can get expensive. Consider cruising down to your favorite office supply store and pick up a packet of iron-on t-shirt transfers for inkjet printers. This doesn't require any high level design software. You can do it with a word processor, if you like. Simplicity is the key - logo, tagline, phone number and web address. You'll look simply smashing if your nifty new ensemble.
3. Write news releases
News releases are the foundation of most public relations efforts. Writing them isn't rocket science, either. Here's a link to tips about writing a good release on PRWeb. They even provide a template. How handy is that?
By the way, PRWeb is a great place to syndicate your news releases. They're a free service, but, as a nonprofit, if you throw them some donation dough, in return you get the ability to track your releases.
One of the biggest problems I hear from folks is, "I don't have anything to write about." Well ... in that case you've got two choices. You can either just sit there with your head in your hands, bummed out that you have no news. Or, you can go out and make something happen.
For instance, how about getting involved with a charitable organization and help them out a bit? Consider adding some new services or repackaging your existing services. Any awards? New equipment that would benefit your clients by providing a faster or more cost effective service?
I write news releases and articles and participate on various small business and design-related forums and discussion groups. These activities have lead to interviews for magazines and e-zines. Those, in turn, give me ammo for more news releases. And the cycle starts again.
It's important to recognize a couple of things. First, most of what you see in the media got there because out was helped along by a p.r. firm or a publicist. Second, it's a matter of finding a spin. Finding a new way to present something that maybe isn't a hot news item.
I hear the club calling me in the background. Time to take off. Have a great weekend!
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