What makes good PR?

PR – start by becoming your company’s roving reporter When asked what makes good PR (public relations), I usually give a simple answer – good stories. The media love them, so my tip for this month is to put on a journalist’s hat and discover what’s happening in your organisation. Find an angle and hook ‘em in Think up, down and around a story to find a unique angle. I use an NLP technique called ‘chunking’ to help me do this. For example, a story about new packaging is unlikely to get coverage. A celebrity-designed box or a process using NASA technology will probably have more interest. Make them interesting It sounds obvious to ensure your stories are interesting, but it is so often overlooked. Ask your trusted friends and colleagues for their honest opinion. If you are still not sure, give me a ring on +44 (0)1283 808460 to see what I think! The best media stories have one or more of the following elements: Is the story are topical and timely Is the story relevant to the readers /viewers/listeners of your target media? Is the angle unusual, or better still, unique? Is there an element of controversy? Journalists like – need – tension to make an interesting news story Is there plenty of human interest with people who can tell their story like it is and with impact? Stories to look out for Look out for awards, charity events, celebrity visits and anniversaries. Find triumph over adversity stories; good versus evil; major milestones or issues linked to something in the news. Stories about the first, last, biggest, smallest, most, least and best of all, unique always go down well.  Mix business with pleasure Feel free to mix business with pleasure. If someone in your organisation is trying to raise £1,000 for a charity, consider making it your corporate charity of the year and raise £10k. Hold events to support them, and help to issue photos to the press afterwards with a write up: ‘Mrs Smith, a worker at XYZ company has been astonished at the generosity of her co-workers to help raise this fantastic amount’. Happy reporting! Sookias Media helps businesses increase awareness, leads and sales. Through consulting, training and marketing we help them understand and use a range of marketing techniques including press releases, public relations (PR), digital PR, social media as well as more traditional marketing tools such as newsletters, eshots and direct mail.  For a no-obligation, impartial chat about how marketing and PR can improve your sales pipeline, call Hannah on +44 (0)1283 808460 or email hello@sookiasmedia.com.

5 Top Tips - Attending Business Networking Events

How often have you been at networking meetings where everyone you meet is all about 'me, me, me'?

They start the conversation trying to sell you something and quickly move on when it becomes apparent that you are not currently in the market for what they are offering. I personally think that these types of people are really missing a trick. Here's why:

Don't dismiss someone just because they won't buy from you personally
Even when someone is unlikely to buy from you, it is worth spending a few moments getting to know them and their business... after all, they usually have at least one contact within their business and social circles who will be in the market for what you are offering. And you never know, they might just have a contact who you've been trying to connect with or who is looking to place a substantial order.

Give rather than receive (use a 'how can I help you' approach)
Having a giving approach rather than a taking one can reap massive benefits. We've already established that people like talking about themselves, so turn their habit into useful information for you.

By asking this question means that people are more likely to tell you the types of clients they are looking for and which industries they sell into, which means you are more able to pass on their details to your contacts.

When they have finished, always say whether you have any contacts they are looking for and thank them for giving you such useful information. Continue by telling the types of clients you are looking for and ask them specifically if they have any contacts in those fields.

You'll be amazed at how much more productive your meetings will be by trying to give rather than receive.

Other people are your best PR
Being recommended is the best form of public relations (PR). People are much more likely to believe someone else that you and your products are brilliant much more than they will believe you. Getting to know people at networking events means they are still able to promote you to their associates and clients, even if they don't buy from you.

Find out what people remember you for
I always find it fascinating to discover how people remember me. At many of the networking events I attend, I give a 60 second pitch about who I am and what I do. By listening to how people introduce me to others is an interesting insight into what people remember from these and the types of topics they are interested in. I then use this information to develop other one minute promotions to build on their interest.

Research and follow-up is important
If there is a delegate list published before the event, do use it to prepare for the meeting. Go with 5 people in mind that you would like to talk to. Ask other attendees you talk to if they know any of them and ask to be introduced.

Always try to follow up meetings with emails, tweets or other social media messages to the contacts you have spoken to. These needn't be all work related - in fact if you can weave a social conversation, it is all the better. How much nicer it is to sign off an email saying. "I hope your son's team has a good game on Saturday" or "Good luck in the Great North Run at the weekend"? It shows you are interested in them as a person as well as their business and something you can build on next time you meet.

Hannah
Hannah Sookias
The Write Solution
Tel: 01283 808460
http://www.copywritingandpr.com/
Digital PR - Blog Writing - Social Media Training - Articles - Features - Public Relations

Local companies using recession to become more competitive

Businesses are finding new ways to be competitive in the recession through a series of business growth workshops being held in the Midlands.

The seminars are run by The Write Solution and IntegritUs Ltd.

Dave Lees and I believe passionately that with the right tools and techniques, local business can build on their strengths and beat the current doom and gloom.

With many years of experience in a wide-range of industries, we give local businesses tips and advice they can implement immediately that will make a difference to them in the coming weeks and months.

I believe this is the ideal time for firms to be looking at what they do, deciding where they want to be and finding new ways and opportunities to get them there.

In the workshops, Dave shares how to create an opportunity mindset and plan for success whatever the economic situation and I reveal the secrets to successful business promotions and explain different marketing tactics including public relations (PR).

An attendee from our last workshop, Richard Beldon from Lets Go Local said, “It was informative, creative and fun. It got the juices flowing nicely for the year ahead and was the kick start I needed to 2009!”

Our next seminar is being held in Burton-upon-Trent on Friday 13th March 2009, 9am – 4pm and costs just £50.00 per delegate. To book, call Hannah on 01283 808460 or email info@copywritingandpr.com.

Business Success - Don't Leave it to Luck!

Our next business workshop is on Friday 13th March 2009 and aptly named, Business Success - Don't leave it to Luck!

You've probably guessed that I'm not superstitious... and we thought this date was a good one to prompt business men and women to think about how they can not only survive but thrive in the current economic climate.

Dave Lees from IntegritUs Ltd and I will be encouraging attendees to create an opportunity mindset and plan for success, whatever the economic situation as well as sharing different promotional tactics including public relations (PR).

With many years of experience in a wide-range of industries between us, our tips and advice really are tried and tested - and best of all, they can implemented immediately to make a difference to them in the coming weeks and months.

It's aimed at small and medium-sized businesses and we've kept the price at a recession-busting level too, at just £50 per person.

Download more information and a booking form from our website, www.copywritingandpr.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

To blog or not to blog..?

I've thought about blogging for ages and I've now taken the first steps! Exciting stuff...

But the decision 'to blog or not to blog' was taken after some serious thought. Yes, I want all the advantages that blogs bring, but I believe blogging with a business purpose also requires commitment and some thought to make them worthwhile.

So how am I going to use my blog? Firstly, to give tips and advice about copywriting and pr - after all, that's what I do and what I'm passionate about. I'll also share news about the clients I am working with and the workshops I'm running throughout the year.

Want to know more or have questions about copywriting and pr but never dared ask? Please feel free to post a comment or send me an email and I'll happily answer them for you as there's bound to be other people glad you've been brave enough to ask them!