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.
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
Just happens to be public relations activity that alters individual... Read More
Whether you are a business, non-profit or association manager, your... Read More
Because good public relations can alter individual perception and lead... Read More
It really is powerful when a business, non-profit or association... Read More
When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More
Be a ResourceThe media people that are likely to want... Read More
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More
And here it is: public relations alters individual perception leading... Read More
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More
Public relations writing when writing press releases can be a... Read More
You do if you're a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
Let's say you've called a reporter with some ideas for... Read More
One big mistake that many marketing-minded financial planners make when... Read More
As the comedian Steve Martin once said, "some people have... Read More
Don't let yourself be diverted by communications tactics playtime. You... Read More
Here's the point: people act on their own perception of... Read More
Whenever a recession or volatility threatens the economy, companies immediately... Read More
In an ideal world, your business would be overflowing withnewsworthy... Read More
Business, non-profit and association managers committing their public relations resources... Read More
Something that results in your most important outside audiences doing... Read More
Are you working as hard as you can in your... Read More
Public relations is a very important part of the marketing... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..Product/service publicity is the superhighway to business success everyone dreams.... Read More
Smaller companies don't always have the budget - or inclination... Read More
Whether you are a business, non-profit or association manager, your... Read More
In this great country of ours, there are basically three... Read More
It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
How do you make a good relationship with a newspaper... Read More
It's the time of year when calendars crowd out the... Read More
In larger cities with many outlets they are competing for... Read More
The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and... Read More
Does the thought of knowing your verbs from your adjective... Read More
Talkback radio offers a fantastic opportunity to access thousands of... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
If your reading this, you must be online and most... Read More
A great way to celebrate your achievements and capitalize on... Read More
You can if, as a business, non-profit or association manager,... Read More
Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More
A wise friend of mine has often said, "There is... Read More
You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've... Read More
What's the real reason some managers shy away from public... Read More
It could, but what if it doesn't?Will you be prepared?Will... Read More
What are you trying to do with your business, non-profit... Read More
There are all kinds of smart moves professionals can make... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
Public Relations |