WriteAndCorrect.com

Who says that you need to hire a publicist, if you know how to write, have time, creativity and contacts, then you are well on your way to being able to create your own ‘do-it-yourself publicity plan,’ but if none of those are your attributes, our at least not all, then you may want to consider hiring a firm to represent you, though this article is geared towards those who likely fit the above-mentioned criteria .  nether, please find some of the things that you will need to execute your publicity plan.

1.  You should make sure that you have something newsworthy to publicize, then begin formulating your press release using as many facts as possible – it should be no more than one page, and answer the who, what, where, when and whys that the reporter would likely need to know.  You should search online to see unlike examples of press releases, while keeping in mind that reporters have very hectic schedules, so you have to make sure that you intrigue them from the door, and get straight to the point.  Then you will want to distribute your releases to press release distribution services, if you do not have a media database.
2.  You should have an EPK (electronic press kit) or media kit that encompasses all of the essentials about you or your business organisation – mission statement (biography if artist), photos, videos, past press clippings, testimonials and more – you want to make sure that everything is professionally presented to the person that you’re looking to publicize you.  The rule of thumb is that they should never have to ask for you to send material; it should all be readily available for their studying.
3. Social networking and social media accounts.  Yes, so we all know that as a person, you may be private, but if you are a business person or an artist, then you simply cannot afford to be private – you have to be out there letting the world know that you exist, and how better to do this than to announce it rapidly and virally via the social networking and social media mechanisms. Word travels fast on the Internet and it is also an inexpensive way to get the word out.
4. Good ol’ fashion guerilla marketing.  Pounding the pavement to make things happen, by spreading the word via postcards, literature, posters, bulletins or buttons – you should be out at all of the events that would be related to your niche market.

So, that is it for now, but if you go with these numbered points outlined, you will be well on your way to creating your very own do-it-yourself publicity campaign.

Youve got your business set up and you are working hard on getting your customers and giving them a good service, but you are still a small company. How do you project a great corporate image so that you can run with the big dogs?

In service based companies and those that are working with large corporations it is important that you project a good image. It is difficult to compete with other larger and more experienced companies unless you are perceived as their equals so you need to work upon the image that you and your company project. Here are a few ideas:

* Brand: Ensure that you have a consistent, professional expensive looking, branding. Particularly spend some money on your brochures and business cards. Print on demand printers (POD) make your company look established and prosperous. Brochures printed off on your inkjet merely say you are a one person company with a limited turnover.
* Office: Rent an office for meetings or for to give a good impression when needed. This can be done quite easily. You can also just rent a virtual mailing address and phone answering machine if required.
* Contact Details: Make sure that you have an office sounding address and a good telephone number a mobile/cell phone number just states one person business. In the age of VOIP phones you can now get a phone number very easily especially a number for several different countries. If your partner or friend can answer the phone for you this makes a good impression.
* Vehicles: Make sure your vehicles are always clean and in a good condition and not too old. Sign write them if possible.
* Web Site: Ensure that your web site projects the professional image that it should. Dont have any amateur features such as visible web counters or poor graphics. Make it easy to navigate, full of useful information and include your phone number and contact details.

Lastly yourself: Ensure that you are dressed professionally at all times and project a professional manner. Lastly dont call yourself the SEO or President etc. In large companies these people very rarely meet the customers. Try Business Development Manager or something similar it describes your role, gives you an air of seniority and disguises the fact that you may be the only employee.

Of course you should not do anything that may be illegal never lie about your company employees or the size of your company. It is easy enough to project a good image using the above features. Good luck.

————————————————-
Copyright 2009 Biz Guru Ltd

Lee Lister writes as The Biz Guru, for a number of web sites including www.startmynewbusiness.com where she provides advice and assistance for the new business entrepreneur as well as our Entrepreneur PowerPack.

With over 20 years management and business consultancy experience with businesses large and small as well as being a serial entrepreneur, she now helps others set up, develop and market their businesses.

If you would like more help and assistance in setting up your new marketing strategy as well as some great marketing services then visit: www.MarketingGuerrillas.com

This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
————————————————-

Youve decided to start a new business, or you already have a business and you are making it through the recession. So what are the mistakes that are likely to severely damage your business?

Cash flow: With the lack of loans and bank overdrafts it is important to chase your debtors and pay only when you have to. Renegotiate your payment terms, your lease payments and your overdraft facilities and only spend on what will bring in revenue.

Not Marketing Enough: Now is not the time to give up on your marketing, but now is the time to make every piece of marketing work for you. Split test and check the responsiveness of each piece and each advert. Look after your list and market to them.

Not Saying No Enough: As money becomes tight, you need to learn to say no to advertising that does not work. No to staff who are spending too much. No to any expenses that are not necessary. You get the idea.

Chasing Non Profitable Work: When the going gets tough, it is tempting to chase any work that comes along. You still have to be choosy. Undertaking work that is not profitable is business suicide. Similarly working at projects that are of a low grade or worse, slightly illegal, will send messages to your customers that you are not a quality company. Woolworths in the UK did just this it used to be renowned for low cost, quality items and was the place to find everything you needed. Gradually over the years its ranges lessened and its quality went down. This great bastion of British culture, with branches in most major towns, went bankrupt this year!

Keeping Too Many Products: Go through your products and work out which ones sell and which dont. Clear out in a sale, those heavy stocks and stop producing those that dont sell so well. Stocks are dead money and cost to store, so clear out as much as possible.

Good luck.

————————————————-
Copyright 2009 Biz Guru Ltd

Lee Lister writes as The Biz Guru, for a number of web sites where she provides advice and assistance for the business entrepreneur. She is a published author her books Entrepreneurs Apprentice and How Much Does It Cost To Start A Business? as well as detailed information on how to start many low cost businesses, can be found on www.StartMyNewBusiness.com

With over 20 years management and business consultancy experience with businesses large and small as well as being a serial entrepreneur, she now helps others set up, develop and market their businesses. If you would like more help and assistance in tendering for work then visit: www.BidTraining.com or read Proposal Writing For Smaller Businesses

This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
————————————————-

T.I. says when his new mixtape F— a Mixtape that already dropped, he won’t be going in on his peers’ beats; he has way too much material for that. T.I. does use a beat from a West Coast legend . The tape will feature a remake of Ice Cube’s classic 1990 album cut “Once Upon a Time in the Projects.”

“It’s dope,” Cube said about Tip’s musical tip of the hat to him. “It makes you realize you’ve made a impact on some of the younger MCs that come behind you. It’s cool to a point ’cause these are the songs I make my bread and butter off. I might have a little issue if it’s some of my bigger hits,” Cube added. “I might have an issue with that. But ‘Once Upon a Time in the Projects,’ that’s tight.”

T.I. isn’t the first artist to remake one of Ice Cube’s records. On his Doc’s Da Name 2000 LP, Redman took portions of the record for “Jersey Yo!”

“Redman’s my man,” Cube smiled. “We go back a long way — all the way back to when he was just hanging out with EPMD. Red, he’s got a lot more leeway. But T.I.’s dope. I’m a fan of his records, so that’s tight.”

“The Mixtape will be a Gangsta grillz classic,” said T.I. . The cover of the tape was released online on Wednesday and features a couple of old-school cassettes scattered beneath some newspapers with visible headlines.

“We been talking about it for a minute — a long time,” Drama told MTV News in April. “It’s been quite a while since Tip has done a Gangsta Grillz. I guess The Leak was the last one. When Tip first got home, I had the conversation with him. ‘You home, Gangsta Grillz as a brand is still as hot as it ever was, almost helping breathe back life into the mixtape game. I think it will be right to come back full circle to where you are, to where the brand is.’ That’s how the conversation started.”

Ice Cube’s new album will be out this July .

Entrepreneurs – Do You Disagree With Your Boss And Want To Start Out On Your Own?

Do you have a problem with your existing boss and think that they will not listen? Have you made numerous, time tested, industry accepted suggestions, but cannot seem to get this person to make changes that would benefit the company? So do you want to distance yourself from this company and do it yourself? Set your own company up and do things your way? Heres a few suggestions for you.

First things First
As the Biz Guru, I provide information on business matters so unfortunately cannot provide legal advice sorry but I will help you from a business perspective. I suggest very strongly that you contact a legal advisor before your set up your new company just so that you dont get sued!