Tag: be more visible

CBC Magazine Article: IPG Connects Self-employed PR Pros
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This article first appeared in CBC Magazine
By Lauren Sable Freiman | Photo by Jim Baron

Being self-employed certainly has many advantages. But camaraderie and the opportunity to bounce ideas around the office typically aren’t among those advantages. That’s where the Independent Practitioners Group steps in to fill a very real void.

montrie rucker adams, IPG

A support group for self-employed public relations and marketing professionals, IPG started as a subgroup of the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 1990. In 2001 the group broke off to become an independent networking group, focused on addressing the unique needs of those who work independently.

“There is a certain amount of isolation you deal with when you are self-employed, and this is one avenue to get out and mix and mingle with peers,” Jim Tabaczynski, IPGs co-chair and president of JPT Group, says.

Almost 80 percent of the group’s 15-20 paid members are female and have been working in the industry for an average of eight years. Most members work from home but not all. Montrie Rucker Adams, IPG’s co-chair and treasurer, houses her business, Visibility Marketing Inc. in an office outside of her home.

“There is a great camaraderie among members. There are a lot of emails going back and forth where people ask who knows about this or who can help me with that,” she says.

IPG hosts monthly lunch meetings from September through May at restaurants around the city. The format varies between professional development and open roundtables, and the content is driven by member wants and needs. A roundtable discussion where members shared their favorite apps was a big hit among members, Tabaczynski says.

As the public relations and marketing industry is dynamic and ever changing, members are especially interested in programs on things like pay-per-click advertising and mobile apps, which provide them with new ways of reaching people.

“We always ask our members what they want,” Tabaczynski says. “The best way to find new programs is to listen to your members.”

According to Rucker Adams, IPG has hosted conferences in the past, including one on social media. As a small networking group, IPG is also open to partnering with other networking organizations to co-sponsor programs. One such program was a meet and greet with tech writers from Crain’s Cleveland Business and The Plain Dealer, which IPG co-hosted with the Northeast Ohio Software Association.

“Our members always enjoy meeting with the media. It is a program that seems to resonate the most with people,” Tabaczynski says. “What we usually tell the media is that we want to learn how to work with you better and we want you to be able to work with us better. We ask what types of stories they are looking for, what they aren’t looking for, and what they consider to be their geographic footprint.”

Though some members have similar businesses and are competitors, Rucker Adams says that, nonetheless, IPG members serve as a strong support system to other members.

“We are very big on passing information, and there are many opportunities to gain clients as well,” she says. “There is always an opportunity to get a new perspective. The more varied voices you have, the more opportunity you have to learn.”

For more information: IPGCleveland.org

Be More Visible – Join Patch.com
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We’re always sharing ways for you to “be more visible.” In our booklet, Be More Visible! Create More Interest in You, Your Product or Service we shared 60 ways to get attention for you, your product or service. Of course, there are much more than 60. Here’s another way: Patch.com.

What is Patch.com? Well, as they describe it… it’s “an innovative way to find out about, and participate in, what’s going on near you.”

As a business owner, Patch.com offers a way for you to add a free business listing. Are you conducting a seminar or webinar? You can add it to Patch.com’s free calendar. Do you like to write? Join Patch.com and become one of their many bloggers, or review writers.

If you are looking for potential customers, read your local Patch.com. You may discover an entirely new demographic of potential customers that you may not have known existed. Now you know how to reach them, and possibly other “hard to reach” potential customers… through Patch.com.

What better way to, “be more visible” than in your community and on its the Patch.com portal?

Check it out – http://patch.com. Select your State, then your city. And…if you start your own blog – I’d love to read it.

5 Ways to Make Your Business “More Visible”
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With today’s marketing strategies focusing primarily with online visibility (websites and social media), many people seem to have forgotten about making themselves visible – that ”face-to-face” interaction has almost gone the way of the payphone.

Below are several ways to make “you” and “your” business more visible.

  1. Register for and attend a conference that is focused on your business or in an area of interest to your customers. Even if you are familiar with the content of the conference – your customers are not. What better way to get close to them than to engage them there.
  2. Get out and visit local business owners that may need your services. Offer to provide them with a complimentary meeting or assessment of their business. Seeing you face-to-face may make them take you up on the offer.
  3. Join the local Chamber of Commerce in your area. Most of these offer monthly breakfast/lunch events that may prove to be very beneficial to your business.
  4. Trade shows are always interesting. Find some in your area and rent a table. To draw visitors, dress it up and make it festive. You’ll be surprised at how many people will stop by. Don’t forget the tchotchkes! Everyone loves a useable freebie (notice the emphasis on usable!)
  5. Develop a basic workshop or free seminar that you can offer potential customers. Make sure that what you are offering will be beneficial to them – that when they walk away, what they’ve learned can be put into action. If they need more assistance, they will more than likely reach out to you for help. Also, if you decide to conduct a “paid” seminar or workshop – chances are, they will pay if value was found in the free seminar.

These are just a few ideas on how to make you and your business “more visible.”

This Just In! All New Twitter for Businesses
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Twitter re-launched Twitter for Business. This new site gives businesses more information on how to grow their business, even if it is only just 140 characters at a time.

The revamped Twitter website provides information on mastering the Twitter basics – building your community and marketing to the masses. The site shares success stories – by industry and business size – and provides a self-service area for placing ads and using web-marketing tools.

Twitter 101 provides information on how Twitter can help your business. With the Glossary, you can also stay up-to-date with frequently used jargon.

The site also allows you to learn how to engage your customers by establishing your brand personality, writing good tweets and sharing photos, videos and content.

To learn more about the new Twitter for Business – visit https://business.twitter.com.

After that, watch, “What can your business do…in just 140 characters?”

http://youtu.be/BGirUZq1WtQ

Once you’re finished, let me know what you think.

 

Be More Visible – Create a Video
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Video sharing is becoming increasingly more popular. They’re not just for family sharing anymore, but businesses are using video to sell their products and services. Video can help you introduce yourself and your business to potential customers online via your website, YouTube, Vimeo or even in your email.

Using a video, you can include your staff, provide a walk-through of your offices, show employees working and interacting, share information to potential employees, and much more. You can also show your customers how your product or service is manufactured and/or how it works.

Are you a nonprofit organization? Do you have a story to tell? Be creative. Use video to show potential donors why their money is needed and how the funds will be used.

If you have funds to put towards developing your video, research video production companies in your area. Get links to review videos they have completed before making your decision. Ask for references to contact.

On a tight budget? Think about producing the video yourself. You are not producing a full-fledged movie – but a three to five minute video. Put together a strategy and a script and then figure out who will be the “on-air” person to present your concept. Also, keep your audience in mind and develop your strategy around that.

Need a few ideas? Go to YouTube and do a keyword search to see if others have developed a video similar to what you have in mind. This will help you create yours.

Once you have your video completed, you can use a video editing program to insert text, overlays, even music.  A free program on most PCs is Windows Movie Maker.

When your video is finally ready, you can upload it to Youtube, Vimeo or another video storage website. Most, if not all – come with additional editing functionality such as annotations (text bubbles that are overlaid on the video while it’s playing) and embed codes for embedding the videos on your website.

To take advantage of search engine optimization (SEO), be sure to complete as many fields as possible in the video information such as title, subtitle and/or captions, description, keywords, and category.

Use “share buttons” to share your video to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and  other social networks to which you belong.

Creating a video should be a fun project. Don’t make it too complicated. Do put together your strategy first so you can keep on track. Just don’t forget to have fun with it.

Be More Visible – Be Ever So Helpful
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We covered seven tips on how you can be helpful and gain visibility at the same time. Below are six more “helpful” tips:

  1. Participate. When the question arises, “Who wants to be part of our new initiative to …” make sure your name is on the list. It’s another opportunity to connect and be more visible.
  2. Respond. When you receive a complaint about your product or service, respond to all inquiries. Work hard to correct any insufficiencies or deficiencies.
    • Answer all questions or inquiries when someone calls or writes about your product or service. Don’t ignore it. They will appreciate your responsiveness.
    • Return the phone call or email preferably in less than 24 hours. Even if it’s to leave a voice mail. If you have to call at 3 a.m. to leave a message, do it. Your attention to the matter is what’s important.
  3. Offer your professional advice/assistance. Sign up to be a resource for other small businesses in your area of expertise. Organizations like the Small Business Administration’s SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and professional associations are always on the lookout for professional assistance.
  4. Do what no one else wants to do. When you hear, “We can’t find anyone else to do it…” find out why (there may be a barrier that’s difficult to overcome). If you can help…do it. It may take work, but you can definitely position yourself as the person who came in and turned a situation around.
  5. Befriend a journalist in your area of expertise. As you read your local or national publication, notice who writes the articles about your industry. Call or email them. Give tips and article suggestions. Writers are always looking for leads and people to interview. Why can’t you be the expert they contact to substantiate their work?
  6. Perform an RAK – Random Act of Kindness. Though most of these tips encourage you to toot your own horn, take time to do something without notice or fanfare. You will still be more visible, trust me.

Need to Be More Visible? Eight Ways to Start Now
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Tips from VMI’s Pocket Book “Be More Visible – Create More Interest in Your, Your Product or Service”

1.    Get out.  Attend an event. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you meet someone new, learn something, enjoy yourself and you’re visible.

2.    Take a class. There is always room to become well versed in your profession or personal life. It is an opportunity to talk to people about what you do and what you represent. Remember…always have your cards. Don’t give them out unless you’re asked.

3.    Walk. Get out and into the environment. Join a walking club. There’s always an opportunity to meet others with like interests. Many companies and organizations provide the opportunity for their employees to exercise during breaks. Do you have apparel with your logo or company name? Wear it and wear it often.

4.    Run. Move a bit faster. Not only are you more visible (if you’re the only runner, you will stand out), but you’re keeping fit and healthy as well.

5.    Go to the gym/fitness center. Even if you’re at your desired weight, make your heart  pump a little harder. If you need to lose a few pounds, you are in the right place.

6.    Join an organization. Are you interested in horses? Join an equestrian riding club. There are golf, running or ski clubs. It’s an opportunity to meet people with like interests. Professional organizations help you keep abreast of what’s new in your industry.  There are many organizations from which to choose. Some include:

  • BNI. Business Network International is an organization where people make connections and commit to giving others business referrals.
  • Toastmasters International. This is a public speaking organization where members practice giving speeches. Many communities have several chapters. Rid yourself of your fear of speaking and hone your skills. With practice, the butterflies fade and confidence prevails.
  • Greek fraternities and sororities. Many people join Greek organizations in college. If you missed your collegiate opportunity, check for local graduate chapters. The fellowship, camaraderie and networking can be beneficial.
  • Chambers of Commerce. Most cities have them. They often have opportunities to meet and network.
  • Rotary clubs. Rotary International is an organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in business.
  • The National Organization of (Your Profession). This is different for every industry.  Most national organizations have local chapters. Seek out yours.

7.    Rent a trade booth. Research conferences/exhibitions in your field. Sometimes it’s a matter of getting in front of people that will eventually need your product or service.

8.    Go to your child’s school.  Let the students, teachers and administrators know you care about your child(ren)’s education.

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~Use a tip two days a week…or more. You may find you like some methods better than others.