The 3 Key Content Types for PR

Reporters love content that is easy to pull from and process a full story. This said, there are three different types of content that many journalists look for when seeking to cover a pitch. What are they? I'm glad you asked, lol! They are listed below with an explanation.

#1. Supportive facts. Nothing else makes a press release more valuable then to tie in numbers and stats that are current. It shows how relevant your news is and it helps the reporter with his or her workload.

#2. Supportive multimedia. Reporters love eZines, brochures, videos, and soundbites that can support online web editions of their newscasts or publications. If you included these items as a zip file (only upon request), it will set you up for a great relationship with the requesting reporter.

#3. Breaking news that is relevant. Too often, publicists send media releases out anytime their client makes a move. This tactic is like the boy who cried wolf. Eventually, the media will start ignoring your press releases. Make sure you only send out breaking news when it is actually breaking! This type of content continues to be the top content type requested by journalists.

Remember, content is still king as long as you know how to utilize it!

Until tomorrow,

Coco the CEO

Why Many Brands Fail ……

Remember when everyone wanted a pair of British Knight sneakers in the eighties? Or how about the Elmo Christmas gift craze? These were hot brands. What happened? Well, time happened and trends passed. There wasn’t anything wrong with the quality of the products, the brand itself just fizzled.

A lack of legitimate innovation leaves the best of brands vulnerable. Now, you don’t have to reinvent your wheel. You can be like Tide or Pepsi where you just rebrand your logo or your look to be innovative, which does work with certain demographics.

Poor product quality can fizzle your brand to nothing, but more often than not becoming stale means you become a trend. Don’t become a trend. Repackage, reinvent, - find a new way to sell your same services in order to thrive. Progress doesn’t mean you have to change your business plan, but you should change how you sell it.

As we head into the weekend, think about your brand’s future. What are you going to do in order to repackage your same services / products when the time comes?

Until Monday,

Coco the CEO

Are You A Perfectionist?

I have a problem. I expect things to be perfect. I expect myself to be perfect. I expect business days to be perfect and always in my favor. Guess what, the world isn’t perfect! Like many other entrepreneurs, I lean towards perfection and this isn’t possible- at least not 100% of time.

If you want to grow, you have to let of perfectionism.  Here are my top two tips for avoiding the “being perfect” scenarios that hold back growth.

1.       Play nice with yourself.  We perfectionist are hyper critical of others and even worst on ourselves. Well, don’t be.  Be unpredictable at times.  Did you know the Queen of England doesn’t eat breakfast on fine China. Nope. She eats her cereal out of a plastic bowl. This is her treat to herself. It seems simple, but she does it to remind herself that she is human.  Give yourself a daily reminder that you are not perfect or above anyone else.

2.       Manage the mundane. Create a list of 5 tasks that will not ruin your life if they are messed up or not done perfectly. Next, hire an assistant to do these tasks. Trust me, your life and professional existence will not end.

It is hard to let go of tasks and it is even harder to embrace the concept that we are not perfect.  I like to think of this as always growing in God’s Grace.  So, today – go out an grow in God’s Grace and accept that not everything in business will be perfect.

Until tomorrow,

Coco the CEO

Sins of the Entrepreneur

 Not everyone is going to make it in business- no matter how hard one tries. Why? Well, either you are born with the entrepreneur spirit or you’re not. It is this simple! Below are 5 Sins of “entrepreneurs” that real business leaders use to identify the wanna-bes from the real deals.

1.       They aren’t trying to be something they aren’t. Yes, real business leaders have faith in their own ideas. They don’t spend their time copying the ideas of others.  They either take a concept and make it better or they promote their own vision.

2.       Money is an afterthought. Real business people know money will be a point of stress forever, regardless of how much is in the bank.  Business owners focus on growth, often working under their value, to create a customer base and then keep it.

3.       They have no day job. No one can run a business while working for someone else- at least not effectively. If a business owner has a day job, they’re fake. They aren’t making it and they have no idea how to make it.

4.       They don’t care about fear. Sure, they may be afraid at times but they don’t let fear stand between them and success.

5.       Mentors- Yeah Right.  Business owners will seek our professional advice. Hey, we don’t know it all. However, mentors are not for the mighty or the visionary. Mentors help people find their way out of the maze when they can’t see the exit in front of their faces. Business owners know where there is no exit- that one must be created.

Until next time,

Coco the CEO 

4 Facebook Tricks for Companies that WORK!

Many people and businesses use Facebook wrong. They put up a post here and there and then wonder why they don’t see traction or ROI. Well, usually the posts are not vetted with marketing tests and that is why there is no real ROI or brand engagement.

Here are my top four tricks for Facebook use in direct relation to business ROI and brand engagement;

1. Test the time of day you post. Test engagement means posting the same message at different hours of the day for a week. This test is standard in the marketing area and help you navigate the impact of your Facebook feed during different times throughout the day (and night). The only way to ensure optimal engagement is through old-fashioned trial and error because every company has a different target demographic.

2. Ask for input. This helps your demographic not only take ownership of your brand in a way, but it can help you from spending money where it doesn’t need to be spent! Whether you customers to vote on a new logo or product color, use their input to reasonably guide the direction of your next business decision.

3. Pictures are shared more than content. This is a fact. Your pictures are worth more than a million words so make sure you include a photo or graphic with your content to help your post stand out.

4. Be your own biggest fan. Facebook is where you want to promote yourself without limits. Be bold, talk yourself up, and post relevant information and graphics. Your customers will engage with you more often when you are confident about your services and products.

Until tomorrow,

Coco the CEO

Out Think Your Competition.

Many companies sell the same products or service. Why are some companies more successful than others? There is no secret sauce- understand this right off the bat. The difference between success and even greater success is customer service and to really understand what you are doing, offering and then do it cheaper and better.

McDonalds has been around for decades. Their burgers remain cheap and their best seller. Do other places have better burgers? Sure! Do other places sell burgers between six and eight dollars and still make a profit? Yes. So, why is it McDonald’s has staying power , amazing brand recognition and survives with their bestselling item selling for less than a dollar? Easy, the company knows what they are doing brand wise and they sell burgers smarter than the rest.

When you decide to go up against your competition, try finding cheaper source or product providers. If you can find a cheaper vendor, you can lower rates and still be competitive. Next, know what you are doing. Don’t just start a business and walk away. Run your business. Understand what it is your customers truly need, not just what they want.

Most importantly, don’t just compete – think!

Until Monday,

Coco the CEO