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"You are probably inundated with the latest software products, e-commerce services and networking opportunities. And while it is important to be aware of current trends, your publicity efforts do not need to be complicated." |
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Expert Blogs – PR and Copywriting TAKE A MOMENT TO TUNE IN TO YOUR INTUITION
Recently I had the opportunity to work with two new clients on several large publicity projects. However, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about the pending deals, so I decided to take some time to think about these contracts and figure out what my intuition was telling me.
After making a list of positives and negatives and sleeping on my decision, I woke up with clarity. I realized that there was a significant probability that these potential customers would be negative micromanagers and would make my life miserable.
Plus, I always try to work with clients that help others in some way, and I simply cannot promote people, products and services that I don't believe in. Sure, the financial offers were fantastic, but the stress, time and effort involved in fulfilling these contract obligations just weren't worth it.
With current economic conditions, it can be easy to work insane hours at necessary, mundane tasks (or with people you'd rather not be around) just to pay the bills. But it is important to take some time to think.
After all, when was the last time you actually spent some quiet time thinking about your goals and what you are actually doing to achieve them?
Life goes by quickly. And if you stop once in a while to gather your thoughts, you can make better decisions that will make you happier, healthier and, ultimately, more successful.
Here are some of the tips I use to stay positive and move in the right direction:
1. Go to a quiet place.
What are you doing now that is getting in the way of your happiness? Have you fallen into some bad habits that you can change? Are negative people and situations getting in your way? Just by taking a few minutes to stop and think, you may realize some key issues are keeping you from your success. Then you can take action for necessary changes.
2. Spend some time with nature. It's always a good idea to take a walk and "stop and smell the roses." (Seriously, when was the last time you actually stopped to sniff a flower?)
By focusing on the beauty of nature, you may just realize how small your problems are in the overall scheme of things. I find that if I observe the ocean, look up at the clouds, sit by a stream or watch the birds, I am more relaxed and have a more positive outlook. 3. Note pros and cons. If I need to make a big decision, it really helps me to make a list of all the pros and cons. For example, when I was grappling with the decision about working with the new clients or not, I made a list. The negatives far outweighed the positives, and my choice became clear. A list of pros and cons is a great way to see potential outcomes, and it only takes a few minutes.
A Few More TipsIt may seem simple, but just by taking a few minutes to stop and think, you will work smarter and make better choices. It definitely helped me. After I turned down the new contracts, I was overwhelmed with a sense of relief and calmness. And wouldn't you know it? As soon as I freed myself of these stressful decisions, a new and better opportunity came knocking on my door the same day!
Now, this entry may not deal directly with PR or copywriting. But when it comes right down to it, you cannot promote your business or reach any of your life goals without regularly focusing on what you are doing, the people you work with and where you are going.
A very successful mentor gave me the advice to just stop and think. And it has truly helped me accomplish more and experience true happiness in life. Try it! You may be surprised at the results. Melanie Rembrandt is an experienced publicist and author of 7 Simple Steps to Startup PR Success. She helps entrepreneurs increase awareness and sales via her business, Rembrandt Communications®, free newsletter and blog. See rembrandtwrites.com.
. . . . . . . . . . STAY POSITIVE
With gas prices skyrocketing and companies nationwide cutting back, your phone might not be ringing as much as it did a few weeks ago. On my end, I've been dealing with journalists who recently lost their jobs or are dealing with depressing economic-downturn stories.
There is a lot of negativity out there, but don't let it get to you. And by all means, stop hanging around the negative people in your life. Without knowing it, they can zap your energy and creativity. Just look at PINK's May article "Something to Prove" on how the naysayers gave these entrepreneurs the drive to succeed.
When you least expect it, positive things happen. For example, I recently conducted a lot of research for a story angle about having dogs in the office. The pitch was a huge success … at first.
Radio and television producers were clamoring to get all of the information, schedule interviews and get the exclusive story. But then, major election news broke. I couldn't reach anyone who asked for additional data.
However, as a seasoned publicist, I know that you should never get excited about a media placement until it actually happens. I was disappointed, but this made me try harder. I knew it was a great story. I just had to find the right person to share it with – at the right time.
Sure enough, I got in touch with a previous contact at Newsweek, and she loved the idea. The article recently ran in the June 16 issue and gave my client some great publicity that would have cost a fortune in advertising dollars. And a quote also appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
The moral of the story is that no matter how bad things get, you've got to stay focused and positive. Try to surround yourself with successful, happy people. Their exuberance and love of life will wear off on you.
With this in mind, what should you do while you're waiting for a big media mention to be published?
Remain calm and quiet.
Plus, if it's an exclusive, you shouldn't be telling others about the story until it runs anyway. Otherwise, the media member will not be happy you "leaked" the story and may not work with you again.
Keep working.
Prepare for the story.
If you manage expectations and prepare accordingly, you can continue to grow your business whether a big media mention runs or not. And if the story does go live and brings in new customers, advertisers and sponsors, then you can tell everyone and celebrate to your heart's content.
Melanie Rembrandt is an experienced publicist and author of 7 Simple Steps to Startup PR Success. She helps entrepreneurs increase awareness and sales via her business, Rembrandt Communications®, free newsletter and blog. See rembrandtwrites.com.
. . . . . . . . . . PR SUCCESS TIPS FOR STARTUPS Welcome to my new blog! After working in communications with large corporations, educational institutions, the entertainment industry and small businesses for many years, I've been through the trenches and learned a lot. Now I hope to provide you with some valuable insights into the world of publicity and copywriting to help your business grow. But first, the editor has asked me to introduce myself and give you a little bit of information about my background – so here's the short version! After working my way through UCLA, I was a professional dancer, singer and actress in Hollywood. At the same time, I held various communication positions at UCLA Medical Center, a large PR agency and a worker's compensation company. It was very exciting working with celebrities, traveling to new destinations and being on camera. But I also had a thorough understanding of where all the restrooms were in L.A. to change from professional businesswoman into audition attire and back – in minutes. And I knew all the secret routes to avoid traffic and return to the office on time. There was never a dull moment. But as I grew older, this double life just wasn't fun anymore, and it was time for a change. With this revelation, I decided to take a full-time media relations position at Dana Corp., then a Top 500 company in the automotive industry. There I handled traditional business communications and traveled across the country for the CEO's presentations. Flying in the private jet and getting around via limo service were nice benefits, but the stress levels were not. So I moved on to oversee public relations for smaller businesses that included a career website, a survey/research firm and an online startup networking company. In contrast to the corporate environment, these experiences allowed me to be creative, work on unique PR projects and develop long-lasting media relationships. The hours were insane, but I knew that my efforts made a difference. However, times got tough and tech companies were failing on a wide scale. PR was the first to go, and I was laid off – twice. I knew that I needed to take control of my career destiny, so I started my own business. Since 2004, I have run my own writing and publicity company to help entrepreneurs reach their goals. It has been empowering. And I am happy to say that due to my efforts, original articles and unique experience, my clients have received significant press that helped them reach higher profits, more employees and other business goals. (This includes features in/on PINK, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the Detroit Free Press, AAA Living, Success Magazine, NPR, eBay Radio, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, MSNBC, SBTV, CNN and many more.) And after all of this, I am happy to share my insights, experiences and tips with you here at my new PINK blog. Hopefully I will help you increase sales, credibility and awareness via simple tips you can use in your publicity and writing efforts. Here are a few basic tips to get started: Keep It Simple
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