It Just Takes Time & A Little Effort

Last night after work I stopped by my neighborhood pub for dinner and a drink.  A few minutes after I sat at the bar a former client sat down beside me. 

This gentleman is an accomplished attorney, very intelligent and ambitious.  He also has dedicated his life's work to helping the little guy. (I love those kind of clients). About three years ago he hired me to gain publicity for his clients who had all fallen victim to prescription drug error. 

The budget was small but I was able to secure a couple of interviews for him - one with a local news station and the other with the major daily newspaper.  They both were prime placements and very timely.  His money and time was well spent.

The newspaper placement resulted as a phone call I placed to a reporter immediately after the client walked out of court.   He had worked on a big case with some attorneys from a tony firm who were too busy going on vacation to talk with a reporter.  My client was ambitious, did a terrific interview from his cell phone and secured quotes in the newspaper.

Of course the client wanted more placements but wasn't in a position to pay me to be more aggressive. He wanted to be on 60 Minutes and Dateline as soon as possible. He is passionate about his cause.  I assured him that his story was newsworthy and it would just take time. Still he passed on my services because of financial reasons.  It happens. I understand these things.

It just takes time and money I guess.

Sitting at the bar sipping a beer the former client proceeded to tell me that how from those two placements he is still receiving media calls from reporters looking for experts and cases to profile.  He told me that even though he hadn't been quoted in many articles, that he had offered important information that helped form a story and hopefully saved peoples lives.  (Gosh I love clients who really believe in what they are doing.)

He told me about a recent "situation" with FOX where he had been interviewed, didn't appear in the segment but somehow his exact words came out of the anchor's mouth.  Thankfully he wasn't bitter. He also told me that he was currently working with the producers of a major national nightly newscast on a story.  He was happy and proud - as he should be.

It has taken three years but he's getting where he wanted to be.  I think I could have gotten him there faster by being proactive - but reality faces us all. I'm proud to be part of the story that will potentially save people's lives and maybe change the way an industry operates. 

So many times clients want to rise to fame and notoriety quickly. They become frustrated because it doesn't happen overnight.  I tell them it takes time, a good story and some cash helps.  It does happen for my clients and I'm part of it.

Its not a microwave dinner - its PR folks. Give me some time and I'll produce results.

Dogs, Balls & Social Media

While driving to work this morning a client called to share a recent story from the office. Of course there's lesson to be learned and so it is going to be titled "Dogs, Balls & Social Media."

My client was looking to forge a business partnership with a gentlemen in another country whom they had not met. In preparation for the meeting they were searching online for any information on the man outside of his business website. (A practice I encourage by the way.)

They stumbled upon the soon-to-be-associate's personal Facebook page which was not secure and personal. His profile picture was of his dog's balls. And not the kind that you see in this picture.

Everyone in the office immediately pulled up the man's page and began laughing at his sense of humor. While they found out that they in fact had something in common (a warped sense of humor) the question is: Is your dog's genitala the first impression you want to make? In most cases the answer is NO.

This senerio could have easily gone the other way and a prospective business associate could have been turned off and the meeting even cancelled. As it is now - everyone from the accountant to the president of the company will first think about dog's balls when they think of this man instead of the fantastic product that he developed.

The lesson is that nothing online is private or personal. Absolutely everything you post will be seen. Please make sure to cover your balls next time.

Put One Foot In Front of Another...in Business too

Its one of my favorite songs from holiday cartoons..."Put one foot in front of another and soon you'll be walking out the door" - from Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

We all do it when we learn to walk...put one foot in front of another. We even fall, stumble and tumble down stairs at times. Children learning to walk don't let the unknown, wobbly legs or a few falls keep them from learning to walk because they know they want to go somewhere.

Businesses need to apply this same concept to their marketing strategy. All too often I talk with CEOs who are afraid about the next step. They want to stand in place and look longingly at where they could go - where they should go. Their fear of failure or not meeting expectations holds them back.

I was reminded this week about accounts I've worked on that were just the beginning of what could have been an excellent and successful marketing strategy. Instead of following through with the plan and reaching customers on multiple levels, multiple times with consistant messages to build a relationship - they freeze in place after the first communication.

Do you marry a person on the first date? No, of course not. And neither do customers. Businesses need to court the customer. They will take you home to meet the parents after a little stroll or a dance or two.

Give a marketing plan a chance. See it through.

Walk hand in hand with your marketing professional.

New Year, New Ideas about Your PR/Comms Plan

2010 - The world has changed. Life has changed. Communications has changed. How you keep up with these changes? How do know exactly what you should do to move your business forward or just to catch up?

My favorite quote a professional mentor suggested when I was in my 20s was is that we all have to close our eyes and jump at some point.

2010 - the year when you've got to get back in the game BUT the game as changed while you were gathering the bats & balls on the sidelines. (or sticks & pucks, clubs & tees, etc)

Public Relations, Advertising, Social Media, Online Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Mobile Marketing, Guerilla Marketing, Integrated Strategic Marketing Plan.....heads are spinning by this point. Many who aren't in the communication and marketing game just end up burying their heads in a brochure, updated website and attending a few tradeshows - knowing that the old stuff won't work these days but not knowing what to do.

Businesses jump - They jump into the same pile of leaves that has left them smelly and wet in the past. They are afraid of strapping that parachute on their backs and free falling into the new communications world alone.

Good News...They aren't alone. A brief meeting with the friendly neighborhood communications professional (ME !) can offer insight into new, inexpensive (yes you read that correctly) and effective (gosh, that IS possible) tools and tactics that can get a business on the scoreboard.

Please folks, don't just open a Twitter account, post on it three times and give up. Give me or one of my colleagues a call and find out what's possible. Its painless.

Then maybe we can work together - that new brochure might not be necessary. And you look better when you aren't pulling your hair out anyway.

Happy New Year...Happy 2010.

Create an Opportunity

Last week I traveled to Washington DC for a client - ZiptoGreen. This client has a wonderful new website that helps homeowners become more energy efficient. I've worked with this messaging for about five years and know that it takes something amazing, shocking or newsworthy to cut through the clutter.

ZiptoGreen has assembled a terrific team of marketing pros to create opportunities to grab attention for the company. We are thinking outside the box & bulb when it comes to this client.

While in DC we took the ZiptoGreen Zip Zappers around the city and asked people to sign a pledge to be more energy efficient. Of course our sleek green people with Watts Wands and electric meters around their necks attracted much attention. While in front of the White House a photographer from Roll Call newspaper snapped a few shots which appeared in the newspaper the next day. The newspaper is the official newspaper of Capitol Hill - a target market for ZiptoGreen.

Later that day we launched ZiptoGreen nationally at the National Press Club. The energy and excitement generated by the minds in the room was enough to light a city. Great minds and people all coming together with a common cause - reduce energy consumption.

In DC we created something - started a movement - used our creative energies to launch a company. Check out http://www.ziptogreen.com and create your own energy efficiency plan. Look for more great things to come.

Social Media - It Works Folks

I still hear those social media doubters from time to time complaining that Facebook, Twitter, Linked In etc. are just great time wasters. As a communications professional I've never doubted any tool or tactic that enables you to control your message and distribute it to the masses. I'd like to share my recent social media experience with a client The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant. This restaurant is reopening after approximately three years of being closed. It was a neighborhood favorite and beloved by many through out Atlanta. Rumors about the reopening were flying about, reports on the internet, calls to the local airport (next to the restaurant), people stopping by asking for updates. It was total confusion. About five weeks ago I started a Facebook Fan page for the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant - invited my friends, posted info on the reopening and link on neighborhood and related pages, etc. I've posted an update every 4-5 days on the Fan page. I've posted pics, comments, and even a video I made from the Taste of Chamblee. The restaurant now has more than 500 fans...and it hasn't even opened yet. People are sharing their memories and pictures of the past. Some fans are making special food requests, booking events, and rallying their friends to hit the dance floor the minute the restaurant opens. (Which we all hope is soon.) Last Friday I tweeted that I was headed to the restaurant for a "pre-opening" food tasting. It was retweeted by a few others. The phone at the restaurant started ringing with people wanting to reserve a table. They had seen my posting on Twitter. Hey folks...social media works. Yes, it can be a time waster if you don't have anything of substance to post, tweet or like. Give me a call to find out how social media can be incorporated into your marketing plan.

Thinking outside the box - or power meter

CoreComm PR has a new client with a message that's important but one that people just don't want to hear --- energy efficiency. I've been working with this topic for five years now. I've learned that people really want to know what's in it for them. In this case they can save money - saving energy is the secondary message.

At the Zip to Green (www.ziptogreen.com) launch party last night the crack marketing team comprised of CoreComm PR, Tin Roof Advertising and Design Coup unveiled a team of characters to help keep energy efficiency top of mind --- The Zip Zappers. The idea is that they zap people who aren't using energy wisely and they remind people that energy efficiency is important.

Over the next few weeks we will be polishing up the Zip Zappers before they take to the streets of Washington DC. We have big things planned for our nation's capitol - including a press conference at the National Press Club on Oct. 6.

More info to come.

Still in Love after all these Years

First, I can't believe its been so long since I last blogged. It feels like I just did one last week. Probably with all the Tweeting, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. it just feels like I'm out there all the time. And I guess I am.

I'm in Love. In love with my work after all these years.

A friend commented last week that my Tweets have been really gushing about my work. They have. I still love what I do and I'm eager to get to work each day. I feel like I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I know I'm in the right job.

Part of what makes me so excited each day are my clients. They provide me an opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and constantly use my mind. They challenge me and I love it.

This week I've written a strategic plan, written & distributed press releases, delivererd some pretty creative press kits (see attachment), created and actually put in place some new media ops .... and much more.

If you want to keep up with my craziness follow me on Twitter at BethhawksPR. Talk with ya soon.

It all comes together

Nothing is better than seeing all of your hard work come together.

Today CoreComm PR launched a new website, look and branding for Storm Water Systems. For the past 9 months we have been working closely with SWS executives to develop key messages, logo, look, feel, press materials, collateral materials, and much more. It is just the best feeling to see it out there for the world to see. It doesn't hurt that the client is happy as well.

Be sure to visit www.stormwatersystems.com to see our work
.

They also have wonderful products that can actually help save the world.

The only thing better than seeing your work live....having the work actually make a difference in the world.

Open Doors

All the hoopla these past few days with the inauguration and alike has been a reaffirmation for me that doors are open everywhere you look. I know I'm an optimistic by nature. If I wasn't, I couldn't be in PR.

These open doors aren't just on television or happening to someone else. Opportunities are out there. I have clients whose business is taking off. They happen to have a great idea at the right time.

We'll soon launch the new brand identity for an environmental client. We all feel that this new look, feel and language will propel them forward. There is no looking backward.

These are the types of people who I love to surround myself with everyday. Positive attitudes. Action oriented. Risk takers. People who see open doors everywhere they go.

With this in mind I recently updated the CoreComm PR website. Take a look at our new information - especially the Our Work page that features some of our recent work samples. More will be coming soon. www.corecommpr.com

I'll let you know when the client launches their brand. Keep looking for the open doors. They are there.

Planning Options for 2009

I'm in the middle of strategic planning for some of my clients. Like most companies - my clients are taking a hard look at which trade shows, conferences, etc. to attend and how to make the best use of their time and money in a tough ecomony.

I'm digging deep, evaluating opportunties and creating plans that include speaking opportunities, show books, editorial ops and more. If you are going to put out an effort, why not make the most of it.

Traveling and big booth fees may be out of the picture for some companies no matter how good the opportunity. For those companies I'd like to remind you that media relations and direct electronic mail are good cost saving options to stay in front of your customers.

Don't overlook the bloggers and other influencers in your industry. They have more power that you may think.

When the economy is tough - it doesn't mean that you don't have options.

Call your PR Pro.

It's the most wonderful time of the year......

While that line may make some think of a holiday song, it makes me think about one of the things I love the most in my job - planning. Woo Hoo. I realize I'm one of the few people this year who are getting excited about planning. How do you plan for a future that is so unknown and unpredictable?

This weekend a had a call with a client with the goal of creating a plan for 2009. With all the economic uncertainly he is a little hesitant to plan. He doesn't want to put all his eggs into one basket and miss out on an opportunity. Feeling this way is perfectly understandable but all successful businesses plan - and this guy is smart enough to know that. So we made a loose plan with room to move around and make changes.

I'm sure there are many other business owners who are afraid to set out a course for 2009. I would like to encourage those people to take a deep breath and ask for help. Your plan doesn't have to be so rigid that you can't make changes according to your business needs. If you don't plan, you won't go forward.

You wouldn't jump onboard a boat without a chart, course, fuel, sails, paddels and a lot of food and water. Don't enter the New Year that way or you may end up floating around the ocean hoping that the tide to bring you to shore. We all know that rarely happens.

I'd like to thank all my fans.....

Today I received a fat letter in the mail saying that CoreComm PR has won an award from the Association of Marketing & Communications Professionals. We won a Gold and Platinum award for our work and development of a press kit for GILA Window Film.

I must admit that it was an exciting project just to work on. We worked closely with the client and graphic designer to create a press kit for the GILA decorative window film line. The kit actually had windows with the window film placed in it. Reporters had to open the windows in order to access the press releases. We also developed something we called "visual" press release/sheets. These sheets visually communicated how we envisioned consumers would work with the product.

I'm working on updating my website and it will contain a detailed review of the project. I've also uploaded an image of the kit.

Hard work pays off.

Reality Check

Yesterday my Dad asked me if I'd seen any fallout from the economic turmoil with my clients. Happily I was able to tell him that I'd seen very little.

While I read the headlines and realize that things are bad for many, those with great ideas and sound business practices are still very competitive. Over the past weeks I've asked my clients how things look for them. Every single client is positive. Some of their comments include:

"We've had the best sales year to date."
"Our products are taking off."
"We have lenders coming to us because they feel our company is the next big thing."

Others have recently had an influx of capital or were well ahead of the housing curve.

My conclusion is that either I'm a genius at choosing clients who are on the cutting edge of the next big thing or that things aren't as bad out there for the mid-size company as some reports are leading us to believe. It's probably a little of both.

In this economy it's the leaders like many of my clients who will persevere and be triumphant in the future.

Luck

First, I can't believe that its October. Its been a while since my last posting but I have no idea how time passed so quickly. I guess I just didn't notice because I was so involved with my work. It may sound corny but I feel I'm lucky that I actually found a career that I love, I'm good at, and I get to work with some amazing people.

Just take a look at one of my clients, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. At first glance some may think that working with this group would be boring but it is actually life changing. I actually get to work with people who are trying to make a difference in the world for the better.

Today is the last forum they are holding on trauma care in Georgia. I've been working with them to publicize the problem and increase public awareness. I've worked with media across the state. When we first started making media calls and talking to reporters about this situation many of them didn't seem to grasp the magnitude of the problem. A few months many press releases later, they all seem to grasp the problem and are on board with trying to help find a solution.

I realize that I'm not the only PR person out there calling this reporters and sending them information this situation but we really are all on the same team.
Its personally rewarding to know that you are part of a team that can really make a difference in people's lives.

Yes, I'm lucky. Many years ago without psychological testing and the Internet, I somehow stumbled into a career that is fulfilling, rewarding and at times - life changing.

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.