I had someone ask me how they self-promote without looking sleazy. Here’s the thing… there is nothing wrong with self-promotion. People do it all the time. Lawyers run ads on TV, real estate agents run photo packs on billboards and at bus stops, and online businesses often utilize social media ads to get the word out about their products and services.
Bragging about yourself is part of the online business landscape that many people still need to improve upon. I understand being humble but business is a competitive sport. You have to speak up or you will be left out. One of the best ways to self-promote without feeling “sleazy” is to have your results work as your income advocate.
Find two or three clients who are willing to do a video on your behalf. Before and After photos work well, but often- today’s culture believes they are not real or photo shopped. A video ranks well on Google and YouTube, where photos do only OK. Plus, a video dispels any questions about your client testimony and its validity.
As we head into the rest of 2015, start promoting yourself and the good work you do. Post client result videos and testimonials on your social media accounts and your websites. Remember, branding is 98% visibility.
Until tomorrow,
Velma Trayham
Showing posts with label Park Overall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Park Overall. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Public Relations As A Newbie...
Start-up companies are not typically going to bank tons of press right out of the gate.The Start-up companies also will not understand this. They don't think in layers as far as press coverage is concerned. They think everyone and anyone will embrace their concept / services and cover them and then they will see an immediate ROI. Well, this isn't true.
Start-up companies should hire PR companies to help brand their message and get them from Point A to the point between Point A and Point B. After the company is established, real media can start pouring in- which takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years!
A good PR program can gain critical coverage by positioning companies as experts on the bigger picture, which is what Start-ups should be concerned with.
This said, here is what a PR company should be doing for a Start-up during its first year;
Start-up companies should hire PR companies to help brand their message and get them from Point A to the point between Point A and Point B. After the company is established, real media can start pouring in- which takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years!
A good PR program can gain critical coverage by positioning companies as experts on the bigger picture, which is what Start-ups should be concerned with.
This said, here is what a PR company should be doing for a Start-up during its first year;
- The media look for experts, particularly serial entrepreneurs, who will share their insights on new trends and technologies. A good PR company will take advantage of this.
- Creative and consistent PR tell customers that the business is strong, which is why AP style press releases- even if they aren't picked up- should be cataloged in a media room.
- Good relationships with the media help Start-ups shape the competitive landscape to their advantage.
- Social media presence.... enough said!
If you don't sell a Start-up on your PR company within the first four months, ditch them. They are looking for the end of the rainbow when they haven't even started the journey.
Velma Trayham of ThinkZILLA
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Social Media Refresher
Today, I want to talk about how to use social media like a boss and own the landscape within your industry.
I've compiled a few easy and simple tips to help you quickly become a respected social media peer within your industry- PR related or not.
1. Don't be initiative based. That's overtly promotion. Instead,be excited about the probabilities about projected outcomes and share that excitement with the world.
2. Use and track coupon codes, specific created hashtags and client key word searches. Acknowledge what is working directly with your followers. True bosses give credit where credit is due. Not sure what I mean? Follow actor Jared Leto's Twitter account. He is constantly running beta tests and then thanking his fans. He has them engaged 24/7!
3. Build relationships and be serious about it. Most media resources (and all PR peers) are natural 'BS' detectors. If you're constantly pushing your selfies, your clients' initiatives, and "buy now" deals then no one will feel that you have a genuine interest in a real relationship as a media resource. Be on point without overtly promoting when it comes to visuals and content.
Until tomorrow,
Velma Trayham of ThinkZILLA
I've compiled a few easy and simple tips to help you quickly become a respected social media peer within your industry- PR related or not.
1. Don't be initiative based. That's overtly promotion. Instead,be excited about the probabilities about projected outcomes and share that excitement with the world.
2. Use and track coupon codes, specific created hashtags and client key word searches. Acknowledge what is working directly with your followers. True bosses give credit where credit is due. Not sure what I mean? Follow actor Jared Leto's Twitter account. He is constantly running beta tests and then thanking his fans. He has them engaged 24/7!
3. Build relationships and be serious about it. Most media resources (and all PR peers) are natural 'BS' detectors. If you're constantly pushing your selfies, your clients' initiatives, and "buy now" deals then no one will feel that you have a genuine interest in a real relationship as a media resource. Be on point without overtly promoting when it comes to visuals and content.
Until tomorrow,
Velma Trayham of ThinkZILLA
Friday, August 22, 2014
PR and Results
Happy Friday. We are at the end of a work week, which is why I want to use today's blog to briefly touch upon results. In the PR field, clippings and media appearances are no longer enough to measure branding and media results. Now, we have to consider social media hits and opportunities.
The problem I always face with new clients is a lack of understanding as to what media results are and how they factor into sales. For example, if I have a client who sells cars and we book him as a car sales expert on every local show available, that same client is going to expect his car sales to jump through the roof in the next few weeks. The truth, however, is that this isn't going to happen. One interview, or ten interviews, will not impact immediate and direct sales.
What will happen is a buyer will start to hear of our client through all the media channels. Plus, these media channels are picking up the client without paid advertising, which makes the client more creditable to consumers. When, and only when, the client is ready to buy a new car will he or she remember and then consider our client.
Immediate results for publicity by way of clippings and appearances do not often equate to immediate sales. This is an important fact that many new publicists fail to council their clients on. As we head into the end of the week, consider what you accomplished this past five days. Did you send out major pitches and campaign pushes? Did you call media outlet after media outlet? Did you get results? Chances are no. We who are in the industry know things take longer than often planned, but do our clients?
Until Monday,
Coco the CEO
The problem I always face with new clients is a lack of understanding as to what media results are and how they factor into sales. For example, if I have a client who sells cars and we book him as a car sales expert on every local show available, that same client is going to expect his car sales to jump through the roof in the next few weeks. The truth, however, is that this isn't going to happen. One interview, or ten interviews, will not impact immediate and direct sales.
What will happen is a buyer will start to hear of our client through all the media channels. Plus, these media channels are picking up the client without paid advertising, which makes the client more creditable to consumers. When, and only when, the client is ready to buy a new car will he or she remember and then consider our client.
Immediate results for publicity by way of clippings and appearances do not often equate to immediate sales. This is an important fact that many new publicists fail to council their clients on. As we head into the end of the week, consider what you accomplished this past five days. Did you send out major pitches and campaign pushes? Did you call media outlet after media outlet? Did you get results? Chances are no. We who are in the industry know things take longer than often planned, but do our clients?
Until Monday,
Coco the CEO
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Know It All Publicity
Let me go over some names for you….. Helen Hunt, Goldie
Hawn, Corey Feldman, David Faustino, Neve Campbell, Park Overall, and Pauly Shore.
These people all used to be the toast of Hollywood. Now, they can’t get media
coverage unless they beg for it or do some type of degrading reality TV show.
And, by the way, most corporate publicists know better than to even pitch
reality TV shows that aren’t on a major network (only on cable) because they
are the kiss of death when it comes to reputation / star quality.
So, what makes you think your client is so special? If you’re
an up and coming entertainer, why should the media cover you? They will not
cover Helen Hunt anymore and she was in an Emmy Award winning television show.
Think about this.
The answer as to why these people aren’t covered is media
value. They no longer have hits and therefore they no longer are the talk of
the town. If you aren’t relevant with today’s hits and trends, you’re not
anything.
Know it all publicity doesn’t exist. We all have something
to learn and even the best press release in the world can’t garter the
attention of a praising media courtship, just consider Balloon Boy’s Dad (and
yes, he was on a reality tv show afterwards)!
Until tomorrow,
Coco the CEO
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