Category: Special Interests

Advertisement Ideas: Finding And Capitalizing On PR Opportunities!!!

Advertisement Ideas Finding and Capitalizing On PR Opportunities!!!

I have posted this question before as I ask it on several occassions as I speak to people who may want to work with me and put my knowledge and expertise in this field to work for them. I have been developing ways to maximize messages for several years and I am always astounded by those who are not taking advantage of Public Relations Opportunities. This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend The Women of Faith Conference on Friday Night (10/26/12) in Sunrise, FL I was very impressed by World Vision and their presence at the event, I stopped by The Liberty University Booth to learn more about them. All the while I was loaded with literature about The Addict’s Mom (one of my clients) to hand out  as I knew many of the 6,000 women in attendance may know a mother of an addicted child and may be seeking assistance for that person so I made it a point to talk to people and promote www.addictsmom.com.

 As I left the Women of Faith Conference I began to think how many businesses missed out on an opportunity to promote themselves because they did nor know about the event or were so busy blaming the economy and other factors that they missed out on an opportunity to build their brand and strengthen their business.  I then cam up with the idea to encourage everyone to visit www.womenoffaith.com and to see when one of theses events is coming to your community and how it can be a benefit to you and your business.

 On October 27-28, 2012 I had the pleasure and honor of being The Public Address Announcer at The Sean Taylor Classic, The SUPER BOWL for Youth Football. As I announced the sponsors I began to think how many businesses could have benefitted from being part of this event if they had known about it. In two days over 2,000 people came through the gates to watch youth football. I had the opportunity to cut a video with the help of Generation Next and I immediately put it up on face book. As I have often said if  make videos when ever you are at a special event and share them.

Advertisement Ideas: How To Find and Capitalize on PR Opportunities?

I am often asked JDOGG how do you find and capitalize on PR opportunities? Here are a few strategies that I have utilized to do just that.

1: Be aware of what is going on in your community and see if it is synergistic with your business and your message.

Look on the internet for special events in your area, talk to you customers about things they may be involved with and how you can be of assistance. Many times it is just being in tune and having a presence at events that will build your brand.

2: When you attend an event be prepared to do a quick video like this one.

3: Take photos and create a story to send to the media. For example the photo below with a brief story.

 JDOGG Lederman Honors Community Leaders and Creates A World With Less Cancer And More Birthdays.

On March 24, 2012 The Unity Church Fellowship Hall was buzzing with joy as JDOGG Lederman hosted The Spiritual Entrepreneurs Visionary Awards, honoring outstanding community leaders for their service to the community. Proceeds from the event went to The Reaching Out To Cancer Kids Program of The American Cancer Society. 50 community leaders were honored and treated to a very special lunch provided by Subway and deserts provided by Chocolate Luxuries. The day consisted of fellowship and speakers on a variety of subjects. For more details about supporting events like this call JDOGG at 954-254-8227.

4: Find ways to provide products and services for events or how to capitalize on existing programs. For example The American Cancer Society has a program for Relay For Life, Stars and Moons, where merchants sell the Stars and Moons to customers/clients and the merchant displays them in their business. You can take a photo of the Stars and Moons with a caption (Insert your business name here) supports The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Program and recent raised (insert dollar amount) to help with research, education, advocacy, and services. “Our reason to participate in this program was driven by the fact that many of our customers have been touched by cancer and we felt this was an excellent way to give back while helping those affected by cancer,” said (insert name here).

5.  Use your social media platforms to engage people and ask about ways you can be of service and value. Post how you are being of service and value to others.

Public Relations is not something that is done once in a while it is something that can be done everyday.

Every day you have something noteworthy happening in your business it is imperative that you share and capitalize on public relations. For example a local Dentist is opening up his practice from 8 PM – 10 PM on Halloween to x-ray candy, it is a shame that this has to be done. The dentist has been written about in several local papers, featured on the local news, and interviewed on the radio.

This chart will help you to find and capitalize on PR opportunities.

 

Advertisement Ideas: Forget The Salesman Approach!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Forget The Salesman Approach!!!

              

When discussing sales people I often hear they are pushy, full of themselves, and will say anything to make the sale. This perception has led to many people programming themselves to say I am not interested from the first interaction. Sales is an integral part of  any business be it a sole proprietorship or a large corporation  a brick and mortar business or a home based business and mastering sales is a key to success. I have found that over the years it is important to overcome the perception of being a salesman because of the misconceived notion that sales people are sleazy and out for themselves. The best way to avoid being perceived in a negative way is to forget the salesman approach and become more interested in the people you are interacting with.

 The first thing you are instructed to do in sales is to make cold calls. I believe this is the wrong approach as you can see from the chart that most people are not receptive to cold calls. Cold calls can be a part of the process, however there is an art to the cold call. In my 20 plus years of experience in the for profit and non-profit sectors I have found that when cold calling it is best to simply do your research and find out who the decision maker is, this can be easily done by google searches or using sources like The Hoover’s Guide To American Businesses.  Many times know who to ask for will get you past the gate-keeper. I also suggest you get the gate keepers name and make friends with him or her so next time you call they will put you through.  After you get to the decision maker do not begin your pitch right away tell them that you chose to contact them as you are looking to assist businesses like theirs and would like to set up an appointment to show them what you are offering. The appointment can be done via phone or in person if they are local. The key is to begin a relationship as we all know people will do business with those they know, like, and trust. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Forget The Salesman Approach!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Hey Mitt and Barack Stop The Mudslinging!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Hey Mitt and Barack Stop The Mudslinging!!!!

   This blog entry was brought on by the amount of people I hear complain about all the mudslinging going on in politics. I think it is time we put and end to all the mudslinging not only in politics but in all aspects of our society. Imagine if all politicians and all companies began to stand on their own merits and espouse the value and benefit of electing them or the using their product.  The mudslinging has trickled down so much that it has created a problem in schools and other activities as it has now become normal to bad mouth people. I have found that successful people do not need to bad mouth others. Successful people are able to build themselves up and show how they are of value and service to others. Part of the problem is that the general public begins to accept the mudslinging as normal and they become desensitized to it. Imagine id these two candidates came out and stated what their accomplishments were and what their plans are instead of bashing each other what would happen? This will not happen as the general public has bought into the idea that this is the way things are done. As a result IBM who makes a good product and Apple who makes a good product decide to tear each other down in their respective commercials and they both lose market share. We have seen this with Samsung as well poking fun at the competition with their commercials. Locally the mudslinging has trickled down to Home Depot and Dolphin Carpet and Tile as they now are both airing commercials that are negative. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Hey Mitt and Barack Stop The Mudslinging!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Jump Start Your Public Relations

Advertisement Ideas: Jump Start Your Public Relations

 Like your car battery many times you will need a Jump Start for Your Public Relations. Public Relations is often a component of business that goes unnoticed or unpracticed because a business owner may not understand the intrinsic value of a good public relations campaign. A good effective public relations campaign can help not only to increase brand awareness but also drive business and expand revenue.

Public Relations is not something you do in the face of a crisis it is something you do everyday to build your image. It is a practice that when used properly to convey your message will help you increase your market share. The goal of a good public relations campaign is to put you on top of the consumers mind.  In my coaching sessions I often ask what is your public relations strategy? Many times I am told I don’t have one. I feel like doing the Family Feud Buzzer and shouting Wrong Answer. Every business be it a single owned and operated entity or a large corporation needs to have a public relations strategy. Without one you might as well shut the doors and cut the losses. I am told many times by people I don’t need public relations my business is fine and I do everything word of mouth. Hello, word of mouth is public relations and every customer interaction can increase or decrease your sales and the perception of your brand.  When you sit down to do your public relations strategy you should consider the following:

1: What is my core message?

2: How do I want to convey that core message?

3: What is the mission of the public relations campaign?

4: What is the budget for the public relations campaign?

5: How will I plan, implement, and evaluate the public relations campaign?

 With public relations your goal is to reach your target audience and entice them to do business with you and to recommend that others do business with you. To do this you must ask yourself how am I being perceived on the market place, what type of reputation do I have, how am I conducting myself with every interaction? These are important questions to ask as they will answer why your business may be off. This year as I offered my services to many businesses I have heard the economy this the economy that. I replied it is not the economy it is you to which many business owners had a negative response. I stated to ask what public relations strategy are you using? I was told I don’t do public relations I can not afford to, to which I said you can not afford not to.  The key to jump starting your public relations is to understand that it is an important component of your business and it can be done easily and daily. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Jump Start Your Public Relations

Advertisement Ideas: You Have An Attitude Problem

Advertisement Ideas: You Have An Attitude Problem

 

    

Everyone is so quick to judge and say hey you have an attitude problem that they are missing out on opportunities to make a positive difference in their personal and professional life.  I was exploring the attitudes of those in business that I perceive to be successful and I have found that they are positive, non-judgmental, and are open to receive. I believe that many times an entrepreneur who blames the economy or other factors and doesn’t look for the opportunities as they are being presented and puts up excuses and blockages often finds themself in a heap of trouble.  I have seen many entrepreneurs in the last year struggle not for anything else but because of their attitude.One entrpreneur was complaining and bad mouthing his competition and I began to think if that is how he speaks about them how is he speaking about me, as a result I stopped doing business with that person and when I see that person it is a cordial hello and nothing else as his negativity is not something I choose to engage in. I have been told on several occasions by people you have an attitude problem and I say thank you for pointing that out. I have an attitude that in some case may rub someone the wrong way as I am extremely outgoing, I am overly confident, and I speak my mind for some they just don’t how to handle this for others appreciate it and applaud and celebrate it, which has led to my idea of Some Will, Some Won’t, Some Waiting, So What, Next.  I have learned that I will not resonate with everyone, however those that I do resonate with will want to do business with me. To those that choose not to for whatever reason I say their loss. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: You Have An Attitude Problem

Advertisement Ideas: Be An Angel With Your Strategic Marketing

Be an Angel and Visit www.forestofangels.com

    Advertisement Ideas: Be An Angel With Your Strategic Marketing

When I think of ways to capture the audience with strategic marketing I often think of special events like www.forestofangels.com, which will transform The Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, FL into a Forest of Angels from November 17 – December 24. Businesses will sponsor and decorate Christmas Trees and select a charity to represent. Patrons of the mall will vote on The Best Decorated Tree and the top vote getter will receive a $10,000 award for their charity, 2nd place will earn a $2,500 award, and 3rd place will earn a $1,250 award. You may ask How does this fit into my strategic marketing? The answer is that for $1,250 you can be part of a grass-roots project to help many deserving charities  while reaching an audience that will be receptive to learning more about your product or service. You will also be able to meet other business people who can benefit from your products and services. The strategy to use is to sponsor the tree and then take pictures of your team decorating the tree and the finished project and then to use it in your promotional materials and in marketing materials to show your potential customers that this is how you give back.  Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Be An Angel With Your Strategic Marketing

Advertisement Ideas: What Do You Mean No?

               

Advertisement Ideas: What Do You Mean No?

I can not tell you how many times I have wanted to verbalize the sentiment of what do you mean no?  This generally is a feeling when O am representing what I believe to be a great opportunity for a business like an opportunity to be part of www.forestofangels.com and be part of an event that is changing lives by creating an event where the Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, FL will host Forest of Angels an event where businesses pay $1250 to sponsor and decorate a Christmas Tree and then choose the charity to be associated with the tree. The patrons at the mall then choose the best decorated tree and that tree’s charity is given $10,000 to further its mission and the remaining money is split amongst the other charities.  The mall anticipates that 1.1 million people will visit the mall during the event.  I was told I don’t have a budget to do this by a very large assisted living facility. I felt like saying you charge $5000 a month for a person to live at your facility and you can not see your way clear to invest $1250 in the community, what do you mean no?  Then I realized this is why their occupation is down and their revenue is down and why they are on a downward spiral.It is not that the economy is down it is that they keep saying no to opportunities that are presented. If a new client represents $60,000 a year and you don’t spend at least $6,000 a year to attract that ne client you may remain stagnant because you said no.

         

I used to hear no a lot about advertising and marketing when I would sell print advertising as many business owners simply did not understand that advertising is an important aspect of their business. They would make all types of excuses and in many cases I would go back to visit only to find their business closed and boarded up with no forwarding information. I would thing again to my original question what do you mean no?  I am not saying to say yes to everything but to look at things that make sense like www.forestofangels.com. www.feelthehugs.com, www.relayforlife.org, and other opportunities that may be synergistic to your business. It is when you are open to receive that great things begin to happen.

              

You can choose where to shop and where to spend your advertising dollars and many times you may say no only to realize that you should have said yes. Imagine your name on the speaker next to the choir, or your name on the table, or a poster above toys for tots or your name on the shopping cart. These are a few out of the box methods that work as everyone stopping by Macy’s or the food area, or dropping off a toy, or shopping would see you. Now take it a step further when people walk through Forest of Angels at The Broward Mall and see your competitor and shop your competitor because you turned down a great opportunity. So think about it and ask yourself  what do I mean no?

 

 It is proven when you give you get. People love to do business with those they perceive to be giving back to the community so supporting Forest of Angels makes sense. Visit www.forestofangels.com

 

 

 

Advertisement Ideas: Olympics, Jesus, Penn State, and More Lead to Creative Marketing

Advertisement Ideas: Olympics, Jesus, Penn State and More Lead To Creative Marketing

 The Spice Girls Reunited for The Closing Ceremony of The 2012 Olympics held in London. As I watched I began to think how can a business truly capitalize on the closing ceremonies and then it hit me, have a contest where you would give away Olympic related items. You could secure items relating to The 2012 Summer Olympics and also secure items relating to The  2014 Winter Games to be held in Soji, Russia. You would collect name, address, phone number, and email from the entrants and every month send out information about your business with a special Olympic Related Theme. This could be the way to spice up your sales.

 Imagine being able to create a spectacle that would draw the attention of millions like The Olympics did? Well you can with a bit of creativity and the right promotion. I remember an event That The Pompano Beach Jaycess hosted many years ago called The Zanny Olympics and it was covered be local radio, TV, and newspaper outlets because of the many double entendre names events and the fact that it was also for charity. The businesses that participated all benefitted greatly by gaining brand recognition which also translated into more sales. The bottom line is getting to be known in the community and to build the reputation so people want to do business with you. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Olympics, Jesus, Penn State, and More Lead to Creative Marketing

Advertisement Ideas: Capitalizing on Current Events. I.E.Penn State

Advertisement Ideas: Capitalizing on Current Events

 By now everyone knows of the scandal that rocked The Penn State Football Program. This morning the news conference announcing the sanctions was held and it created a buzz around the nation. The NCAA slammed Penn Statefor the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal Monday with an unprecedented series of penalties, including a $60 million fine and the loss of all the school’s victories from 1998-2011, knocking Joe Paterno from his spot as major college football’s winningest coach.Other sanctions include a four-year ban on postseason games that will prevent Penn State from playing for the Big Ten title, the loss of 20 scholarships per year over four years and five years’ probation. The NCAA also said that any current or incoming football players are free to immediately transfer and compete at another school.

You may be asking yourself what does this have to do with me as a business owner? The answer probably not that much unless you have ties to Penn State or sell Penn State Merchandise, however it has a lot to do with you as it gives you chance to take a stand and increase your presence in your community by doing something that promotes helping children’s charities. Imagine if you placed a note in your advertising that stated in the wake of The Penn State Sex Scandal like many business people I have been alerted to the growing problem of child abuse in our country and will be donating 10% of all my sales or bookings to The Missing and Exploited Children’s Fund. Their website is www.missingkids.com.

 

Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Capitalizing on Current Events. I.E.Penn State