Start by building a list of all the publications, groups, online forums and events that are relevant to you and your business. Think about how you would like to be represented via these forums and start planning. By being clear about what you want to say, and which channels are available to communicate it – you’re half way there.
Start blogging. It’s a great vehicle to practice articulating your response to current issues as an expert in your field. To make the most of your time investment, be sure to be active in your online community, leave comments on other blogs and take part in conversations.
Take part in industry events and discuss with the organisers about how you could potentially be involved as a speaker or run a break out session at an event. Event speaking opportunities are often tied to sponsorship investment, but don’t be shy – last minute opportunities could pop up and those who organise these events can be an important part of your network.
Create a dialogue with key players in your industry. While there may be competitive issues at play, good value often comes from collaborating with your peers to expand your network and create positive PR opportunities. If it’s possible to facilitate such a relationship where you can refer them for opportunities and vice versa, it’s a great way to increase your exposure.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Networking tips
Organisations that generate good PR or publicity generally have one thing in common. The person representing the organisation in the media is inevitably well known as an expert in their field and relied upon for providing insightful, knowledgeable information about their area of expertise.
When assessing your PR strategy, a good place to start is by asking how your business gives you specific insight and expertise that may be valuable to others.
Once you are clear about your area of expertise in the market and how you can distinguish yourself from the pack, it’s time to start networking.
When assessing your PR strategy, a good place to start is by asking how your business gives you specific insight and expertise that may be valuable to others.
Once you are clear about your area of expertise in the market and how you can distinguish yourself from the pack, it’s time to start networking.
The importance of a marketing strategy
An effective marketing strategy means life and death for a business. While the world is facing tough times, it is common for most companies to cut their budget allocation for marketing.
Experts strongly advise against that practice. Statistics show that companies that continue their marketing strategies perform best during recession.
So what makes a marketing strategy effective? It must be within the budget of the company, of course. It is cost-effective yet it results in remarkable increase in revenue and income. It substantially draws new customers and keeps existing ones.
A carefully developed marketing strategy is necessary in today's business environment which is marked by levelled economic growth and intense competition.
A marketing strategy is most effective when it is an integral part of corporate strategy and in line with the company’s over all mission statement.
Companies must be innovative and creative in their strategies in addition to knowing their target customers, considering the portfolio of products and anticipating the moves of competitors in the market.
While most marketing pursuits costs a lot, there are low- to no-cost alternatives that are equally effective in promoting offerings and driving up sales. Companies must be prepared to allocate time on planning these options.
One effective and affordable strategy is networking at events. By actively participating in meetings held by the chamber of commerce and other organizations, a company gets the chance to meet potential clients. Create a useful handout, one that the recipient will not throw away. Some companies opt to giving away planners complete with their business name, products, services and contact information.
A company may also submit interesting articles to newspapers and magazines. In efforts to take over competition, grab market share, boost sales, and tap technological advancements, companies have turned to using Internet marketing strategy.
Experts strongly advise against that practice. Statistics show that companies that continue their marketing strategies perform best during recession.
So what makes a marketing strategy effective? It must be within the budget of the company, of course. It is cost-effective yet it results in remarkable increase in revenue and income. It substantially draws new customers and keeps existing ones.
A carefully developed marketing strategy is necessary in today's business environment which is marked by levelled economic growth and intense competition.
A marketing strategy is most effective when it is an integral part of corporate strategy and in line with the company’s over all mission statement.
Companies must be innovative and creative in their strategies in addition to knowing their target customers, considering the portfolio of products and anticipating the moves of competitors in the market.
While most marketing pursuits costs a lot, there are low- to no-cost alternatives that are equally effective in promoting offerings and driving up sales. Companies must be prepared to allocate time on planning these options.
One effective and affordable strategy is networking at events. By actively participating in meetings held by the chamber of commerce and other organizations, a company gets the chance to meet potential clients. Create a useful handout, one that the recipient will not throw away. Some companies opt to giving away planners complete with their business name, products, services and contact information.
A company may also submit interesting articles to newspapers and magazines. In efforts to take over competition, grab market share, boost sales, and tap technological advancements, companies have turned to using Internet marketing strategy.
Monday, August 23, 2010
What are the qualities of a good leader?
Not everyone is cut out to be a leader and not everyone is cut out to be the same sort of leader. An AFL footballer might be a leader among footballers but not cut out for the captain's job. The captain might be a wonderful captain but a dreadful coach. And the coach might be the best coach ever but that doesn't necessarily make him a CEO.
It is very difficult to define just what makes a good leader, although there are some common traits that most people agree upon. These are:
Self-awareness: Knowledge of your own values, passions, skills, strengths and weaknesses, an ability to admit and learn from mistakes and to seek information to fill knowledge gaps.
Integrity: A strong sense of "what is right" and a demonstration of ethical practices that sets the tone for others. A commitment to teaching by example.
Courage: The strength to act in accordance with your own values and the greater good despite pressures pushing you in other directions. The ability to put the cause before the desire to be popular.
Confidence: A belief in your ability to meet most challenges that come your way.
Vision: A strong sense of where you are going as a person and where you think society, your community and your organisation should be going – and how it might get there.
Enthusiasm: A lively interest in the people, issues and events around you, a feeling of excitement about the possibilities, and the energy to guide them towards fruition.
Innovation: The ability to "think outside the box," take risks and develop new and effective solutions to old and emerging problems.
Wisdom: Intelligence coupled with insight and empathy, as opposed to raw intelligence.
Adaptability: A willingness to be flexible and to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, along with a commitment to continual learning – formal and informal – and the ability to put that learning into practice.
Strong inter-personal skills: An ability to interact and work harmoniously with others, while being prepared to take on individual responsibilities.
Effective communication: A willingness and ability to listen to and understand the thoughts, ideas and concerns of others and to clearly communicate your own. A vision is nothing if it can't be sold to others.
Belief in others: The desire to build the capabilities of others, praise them where appropriate, go into bat for them when appropriate, provide them with helpful feedback and motivate them to do their best.
Peer respect: An ability to inspire respect, allowing a person to capably lead discussions, maintain discipline and encourage the contribution of others.
Insight: The ability to see the big picture, coupled with a strong sense of what stage you are at along the path, and intuit problems before they arise or before they become insurmountable.
Sense of humour: The ability to laugh at yourself and relieve tense or stressful situations with humour.
Competence: Others are unlikely to follow the lead of a person who does not appear to know what s/he is doing.
Delegation skills: A willingness to trust others and cede some responsibility.
It is very difficult to define just what makes a good leader, although there are some common traits that most people agree upon. These are:
Self-awareness: Knowledge of your own values, passions, skills, strengths and weaknesses, an ability to admit and learn from mistakes and to seek information to fill knowledge gaps.
Integrity: A strong sense of "what is right" and a demonstration of ethical practices that sets the tone for others. A commitment to teaching by example.
Courage: The strength to act in accordance with your own values and the greater good despite pressures pushing you in other directions. The ability to put the cause before the desire to be popular.
Confidence: A belief in your ability to meet most challenges that come your way.
Vision: A strong sense of where you are going as a person and where you think society, your community and your organisation should be going – and how it might get there.
Enthusiasm: A lively interest in the people, issues and events around you, a feeling of excitement about the possibilities, and the energy to guide them towards fruition.
Innovation: The ability to "think outside the box," take risks and develop new and effective solutions to old and emerging problems.
Wisdom: Intelligence coupled with insight and empathy, as opposed to raw intelligence.
Adaptability: A willingness to be flexible and to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, along with a commitment to continual learning – formal and informal – and the ability to put that learning into practice.
Strong inter-personal skills: An ability to interact and work harmoniously with others, while being prepared to take on individual responsibilities.
Effective communication: A willingness and ability to listen to and understand the thoughts, ideas and concerns of others and to clearly communicate your own. A vision is nothing if it can't be sold to others.
Belief in others: The desire to build the capabilities of others, praise them where appropriate, go into bat for them when appropriate, provide them with helpful feedback and motivate them to do their best.
Peer respect: An ability to inspire respect, allowing a person to capably lead discussions, maintain discipline and encourage the contribution of others.
Insight: The ability to see the big picture, coupled with a strong sense of what stage you are at along the path, and intuit problems before they arise or before they become insurmountable.
Sense of humour: The ability to laugh at yourself and relieve tense or stressful situations with humour.
Competence: Others are unlikely to follow the lead of a person who does not appear to know what s/he is doing.
Delegation skills: A willingness to trust others and cede some responsibility.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The marketing mix
Consider these important aspects when putting together your marketing strategies:
Market research: It's common to assume that if we love our product or service, others will too. Many businesses skip the simple step of doing market research to discover what customers want in a business offering. Take time to research your market before you begin implementing marketing strategies.
Buying behaviour: Customers will buy for their reasons, not yours. Buyers go through various stages of the buying cycle. By aligning your marketing strategies to tailor to what stage your customer is in of the buying process, your odds of success are greatly increased.
SWOT analysis: The marketplace is wide and deep fulfilling many wants and needs. Before you craft your marketing message, get a sense of who your competitors are including their strengths and weaknesses. A simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis will put your market in perspective.
Marketing mix: There are a multitude of channels to reach your customers ranging from radio and Yellow Pages to the internet and trade shows. Target your marketing strategies on multiple channels to increase your reach and frequency.
Low cost marketing: The most effective marketing isn't the most costly. There are ways to market without breaking the bank including social media, joint ventures, PR and referrals.
Market research: It's common to assume that if we love our product or service, others will too. Many businesses skip the simple step of doing market research to discover what customers want in a business offering. Take time to research your market before you begin implementing marketing strategies.
Buying behaviour: Customers will buy for their reasons, not yours. Buyers go through various stages of the buying cycle. By aligning your marketing strategies to tailor to what stage your customer is in of the buying process, your odds of success are greatly increased.
SWOT analysis: The marketplace is wide and deep fulfilling many wants and needs. Before you craft your marketing message, get a sense of who your competitors are including their strengths and weaknesses. A simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis will put your market in perspective.
Marketing mix: There are a multitude of channels to reach your customers ranging from radio and Yellow Pages to the internet and trade shows. Target your marketing strategies on multiple channels to increase your reach and frequency.
Low cost marketing: The most effective marketing isn't the most costly. There are ways to market without breaking the bank including social media, joint ventures, PR and referrals.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
But what to say?
What’s the hardest part about using Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to develop your brand and let people know what your business is doing?
The words. Writing words that people will want to read. Your blog, or your social media strategy, may have the coolest techno gadgetry and lots of fancy flash apps, but if your words are clunky, don't follow a linear path, and have poor grammar/spelling, you're wasting your time. And your readers time.
Always double-check your work, and if possible, get someone (or pay someone) to check it for you. It will be worth it.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Let's talk about social media
Hello everyone.
This morning, I'm putting together notes for companies/individuals considering getting on the social media juggernaut.
This morning, I'm putting together notes for companies/individuals considering getting on the social media juggernaut.
The press and experts alike are quick to frighten potential users with their acronyms and new terminology that confuses rather than enlightens.
Social marketing is fundamentally no different to the way people have been identifying brands and make purchasing decisions for thousands of years.
It’s just that technology has now caught up.
It’s just that technology has now caught up.
You can join the social media revolution - you just need:
- a computer with internet access
- an awareness of social media sites (Facebook, Twitter)
- customers (new/current) who use the web
- a product or service that can promoted online
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Welcome everyone!
As I tell my clients all the time, if you're in business, you need a blog. So here's the blog for Conquest Marketing. Welcome. Here you'll find what projects we're currently working on, what we've got coming up on the horizon, and some tips and tricks to improve the marketing and promotion of your business.
Be ready, though, it will also be peppered with a healthy dose of humour along the way. Don't say you weren't warned!
See you soon, Bron
Be ready, though, it will also be peppered with a healthy dose of humour along the way. Don't say you weren't warned!
See you soon, Bron
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