Everyone Does It ?

No I'm not talking about the same "It" your parents were talking about when you were 15.

Yesterday a client commented to me "Who doesn't send out press releases?" As the owner of Atlanta's K-9 Coach dog training she might not at first appear to be as marketing savvy as a multi-national company with layers of marketing folks. News flash --- she is MORE marketing savvy than most business owners with thriving companies with full marketing departments.

There's all this buzz going around now about how companies are expected to cut marketing budgets in 2009. It happens folks. Smart marketing pros and business owners will turn to public relations to increase their exposure for less cash. You can't sell anything without marketing. And you've got to sell to stay afloat.

Want to sell more for less... let's talk.

Hey Amber I have news for you... success is in your future simply because you are smarter than most. Sit. Stay. Bark loudly for your PR.

Videos Up

Today I created a cool video from the Nitrolingual Pumpspray event in St. Louis. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Li5__kMm8

Get the Party Started

Let's Get the Party Started......

We are in St. Louis for our client Sciele promoting Nitrolingual Pumpspray. Last night I was reminded just how important it is to get out there and actually meet the consumer and find out what resonates with them.

It sounds like PR 101 but with our hectic schedules away in our offices we always are looking for "inside" or "authentic" knowledge so we can effectively communicate. Many times the professionals forgets to simply get out there and have a conversation.

We did our homework. We created a booth that definitely gets the Nitrolingual noticed. We learned that our key messages are on target. We learned that much of our target market has on blinders and just doesn't want to talk about their health. They actually walked away while their wives got the information for them. We learned that there is more interest in starting a conversation about heart health than we ever imagined.

All the surveys and marketing intelligence in the world can't replace the look on a person's face when they learn something that will impact their life. While working until 4pm wasn't easy for me - it was rewarding to talk directly with the consumer.

We got the party started.

Holiday

Tomorrow is July 4th - Independence Day. Most people have already started their long holiday weekend. Good for them. Good for all of us to have a holiday fall on a Friday.

Lately I've been thinking about marketing and communications during "tough economic times." It seems that some businesses are using this excuse to take a holiday from marketing their business or products. I firmly believe that the companies who do that now will not be around for much longer.

On the other hand....I've been fortunate to cross paths with visionaries who realize that now is the exact time to get out there and hustle. I've had some pretty brillant ideas cross my desk that just might sell that condo (or other product) that's been sitting empty (or in the warehouse) for the past year.

Now is the exact time to think outside the box. Communicate with your customers. Jump up and down and wave your arms.

Happy Independence Day. Celebrate the holiday and then celebrate yourself and your business.

New Day

Tomorrow is the last day at my "old" office. I'm really happy to close that chapter in the life of my business and my personal life. CoreComm PR is moving to a high-rise building in Buckhead.

Recently the "old" office was burglarized. Yes, they took computers, checks, food and the last ounce of patience I had. I hate to say it was a turning point but it was. I'm more determined than ever to achieve my dreams. Those crack heads can't stop me.

The burglarly was followed by an absolutely fantasic conference for old pr folks who have an agency. I was reviatalized - envigorized - rePRized for the future. Things are looking up and I'm not afraid to say it out LOUD.

PR is the BEST job in the world. I love my work, my agency, my clients, my employees.

Follow Through or Threw

Since my last blog I've sat down with several of my clients (and potential clients) to map out a plan for the coming year. (I prefer to do that the 4th quarter of the previous year but at least they did it.)

While planning is great, its the follow through that is most important in order to achieve the desired results. I've often found that the annual marketing and communication plan is something that's just thrown out the window by second quarter.

I'll always agree that we need to stay flexible in order to take advantage of opportunities BUT its important to stay on target and follow through with annual communication plans.

Over the years I've heard all the excuses....
- Too busy to provide information and feedback
- Other areas of the business are too demanding
- Budget has been eaten up by another marketing project
- Overnight the company has suddenly become well-known and respected

and then there's my favorite......

- Business is good and we really don't need more customers

Inevitably a few months goes by and then the client calls in a panic wanting to know how I can help. Of course they remember the plan we discussed and they threw away. They hope that I can drop everything and get the business back on track. I wish life was that easy.

My advice is to continue with the plan you map out at the beginning of the year and allow for changes in the business. A business needs to be proactive and take control over how its perceived by the public, customers and potential customers. Most of us want more customers.

Three newsletters a year instead of four is okay. Fewer press releases is better than none. Choosing one big project or issue to publicize can often make a larger impact than 10 smaller ones.

Be flexible. Follow through.

Don't be one of those companies who's looking in the bushes for the communications plan they threw out the window. It will be too late.

New Year - Make a Plan

Over the years I've found that clients (and even some of the corporations I've worked in-house for) really don't want to plan. They act like they are going to have an anxiety attack if they have to view it all on a piece of paper.

What I've learned is that with the marketing function you MUST plan in order to propel a company forward. This doesn't mean that you can never deviate from the plan. Us marketing folks in fact do understand quite well that business life is much like personal life - the unexpected happens. Like in personal life, we deal with things as they arise. But you must have a plan on how to deal with the situation, keep it under control and keep the business on track.

In the public relations arena we know all too well how important the "plan" can be.

Crisis communication -- you better have a plan in a crisis or who knows who will say what to that reporter.

Messaging -- there should be an overarching message in every communication to employees, media, stakeholders, etc. You want to instill confidence after all.

Calendar -- take control and plan a calendar of outgoing communication. Every organization can take control of their image by initiating regular communication to the media and to their stakeholders. Newsletters, press releases, blogs are all good ways to plan to take control. Otherwise its up to reporters or even worse -the rumor mill - to spread the news about the organization.

My New Year's advice to anyone looking to utilize communication and marketing in order to have a positive impact on their business or organization -- Plan, Plan, Plan.

And then be flexible.

Happy New Year.

The New Year

Finally the holidays are over and the New Year is in full swing. Thankfully.

Lately I've been speaking with clients and friends about their communication plans, or lack thereof, for 2007. It strikes me that most everyone wants to plan, knows its important but somehow it is something that all too frequently falls though the cracks. This isn't just a problem for small businesses but for some of the largest companies and house-hold name brands as well.

I see it much like the married couple who doesn't spend time together talking about their lives, goals and activities -- to one day find out that they have been traveling in different directions. Eventually their relationship falls apart.

The same thing happens with Communications.

If the individuals handling marketing, sales, advertising, employee communications, media relations, etc. fail to plan and communicate internally, their communication efforts will fall apart. Money and time will be wasted. Employees become frustrated. Details are overlooked. Eventually even important messages such as product launches will not be heard by the public and it reflects in the bottom line.

Some have argued that a plan is frequently thrown out the window because of change within an organization throughout the year. While that may happen, flying by the seat of your pants is never a pleasant feeling when there's a big puddle waiting for you at the bottom of the slide on the playground.

The most productive organizations always start out with a plan and make an effort to control their destiny. Afterall walking around with a big wet spot on your fanny because you didn't prepare for the puddle, never ever makes a good impression.

Plan for the puddle.

How I got started.

I've been thinking about this blogging thing for a while. I read some blogs, recommend blogs to clients, and definately have my own educated opinions - so why not share them with the world. Hopefully they will prove helpful to someone out there.

My first entry will be a little about myself. Of course you can read my offical bio at www.corecommpr.com . The unoffical version will remain here.

My career in public relations started out when I was in sixth grade when I was asked by my elementary school to give a speech to the entire PTA about the abilities of my retiring teacher Mrs. Smith. I have to admit that I was a little shocked because I was far from the best student. But the speech went over very well. What struck me that night was that a cafeteria full of adults from Idlewood Elementary stopped and really listened to what I had to say.... and they remembered what I said.

That night I learned that communication is powerful.

From Idlewood Elementary I went onto Shamrock High School where my PR career really started. I took part in activities that I enjoyed - class government, yearbook staff, fundraising, event planning and alike.

My most bold PR campaign by far remains in High School. I took it upon myself to post posters from the newly formed DUI awareness group Arrive Alive. I urged students not to drink and drive. (I didn't drink alcohol and couldn't drive at the time.) What made this effort so bold was that the PTA actively opposed this campaign saying that "students are not old enough to drink alcohol and therefore do not." Since I had seen the son of the PTA president plastered at a party the week prior to this statement - they couldn't stop me.

I continued work on this subject until I was in my mid-20's. Today educators, doctors, and the goverment all talk about this cause with youth. I guess I was ahead of my time.

If you view my website you'll see that I graduated from UGA with a Journalism degree, promoted a variety of high profile organizations, companies and brands and have now started my own PR agency in Atlanta.

Through all those accomplishments, working with heads of industry and heads of state, no other professional accomplishment has brought me so much satisfaction as digging through the garbage cans at Shamrock High School and re-posting the Arrive Alive posters. I can't help but think that they did work afterall.

Until next time, remember ...... Communication is at the Core.