There are likely a few of you left in the office today, looking for something to do. While your competition is out, why not take this time to craft a PR strategy for your company? Here are three ways to get started:
Write an article for your newspaper, as an expert, to gain some exposure.
Check out a free service like HelpAReporter.com that emails you leads for reporters looking for people’s help.
Watch this video from Cameron Herold then pick up the phone and make a call!
BONUS! Sign up for twitter.com, start some conversations with bloggers on there and do a guest blog post!
The opportunities await, are you willing to step out and do a little footwork? The pay off can be gigantic!
There isn’t anything much simpler to most of us than a hamburger. Yet, when I watched the video at http://www.whoppervirgins.com, I was blown away. Sure, I found it brilliant that Burger King found a pure group with whom to conduct a taste test. More interesting to me, though, was the basic concept where people didn’t even know how to pick up the hamburger. For 2009, try rethinking the story that you tell about your product or service. You’re offering may be as simple as selling a hamburger, but people still may not understand the benefit that you provide to them. If Burger King had to re-tell the story, maybe you do too. Check out the video below, it really is fascinating.
Many of us are stuck selling something that may not be sexy or new. When you are in these types of businesses or starting a new business, it is easy to look around and do the same thing that everyone else is doing. It feels smart and safe and it can be scary to stick out. The rules were written by the leaders in the field and in case you didn’t know, they wrote the rules in their favor. We encourage you to ignore those feelings, be bold and try something new!
This past weekend, my wife and I traveled to Corpus Christi to visit friends and family. Yesterday was a miserable day weather-wise in Corpus, 30+ mph winds, drizzle and chilly. Before returning to San Antonio, I pumped my gas and awaited my receipt, then I saw the frustrating “RECEIPT WITH CASHIER.” As I made the annoying walk, I was greeted by two ladies behind the counter. One provided me my receipt, the other said “I’m so sorry you had to come in, may I get you a coffee or hot cocoa?” I was so pleased with their attitude, I went back to the car and told my wife the story. Then, when we joined our friends for lunch, I told them about the experience as well. This company bought my admiration with a cup of coffee. What small things can you do for your customers and clients to make their day a little more pleasant? Can you keep the holiday spirit going year ’round?
I was eating lunch today and noticed the sign out in front- “Pet Friendly Porch.” Having two dogs, it made me feel very welcome. Although I would most likely not bring my dogs with me to eat lunch I was impressed by the branding this statement made. For the thousands of cars that drive by each day, pet lovers know they have a place they can take their dog. Inside the restaurant, the staff is happy and appears to have fun while serving and the food is excellent. This is real!
Our last Twitter post was about how it can sell you and sell others. It has been hard for me (Erik) to articulate the “how” until now. Knowing what @LanceArmstrong is doing, having @fitfuel display their level of customer service or reading live transcripts from @ImagineChurch on Twitter can be inspiring. More than that, you see data and knowledge that others share by providing pictures and links that you wouldn’t normally see. Perhaps the largest benefit is making friends with all kinds of people, from folks around the block that you might not have met to people around the world. The sale here is communication with humans and all that comes with it. If you do not understand it or want to know more, check out the video below, then start following @nanpalmero and @erikdarm.
Have you ever been part of a company or organization that had rules you couldn’t quite understand? Do you currently have rules that seem to make no sense? Companies are excellent at crafting rules and policies but they are often terrible at ending them when they’re no longer necessary. Why not take a look at some of your rules for the New Year with your team? Give them the permission to ask how they apply, then do away with those that are no longer relevant. You might just find a higher level of productivity by letting go just a bit.
Every time you interact with your customer, whether you realize it or not, you are telling a story. Oftentimes, it’s the details that tell customers about you and potentially sell or unsell. The other day, I visited a national franchise sandwich shop. The local owners had decided that they would only accept $20 bills or smaller, the restrooms were only for customers and they specifically spelled out the cost for guacamole and other toppings. What did all this tell me? The owners were interested in penny pinching over providing me a great experience.
On the other hand, this past weekend, I visited a local movie theater. After washing my hands, I used the automatic paper towel dispenser and received a long sheet to dry my hands. Next time you use an automatic paper towel dispenser, notice the length of the paper towel. It’s adjustable.
What story are you telling your customers with the little things you do? Beware; the devil is in the details.
In one weekend, I (Erik) learned the power of twitter. I have new friends and followers, and most importantly, I am able to build relationships. It can be scary at first, but I am now learning about the daily life of Lance Armstrong and many other great humans. Following others can be quite inspirational if you follow the right people, both in life and online. I would hate to be behind in this world and not know about this and how it is involved in sales! The most exciting thing is that, although I learned about the power of twitter this weekend, it will be used in a completely different way in a few days. Why not register for twitter today?
In 2002, when I started SalesBy5, I started with 4 companies as customers and they were all what I call ADD, at least partially. In almost 7 years, I have found that this type of customer is the one that SalesBy5 excels at helping. The highly detailed micro-manager type is not our best customer, as we do well with guiding, creating structure and holding the hands of the ADD entrepreneur or manager.
When you transplant a tree, or something with deep roots, you run the risk of it dying or taking a long time for a full recovery. In a business, it is much the same. Sticking to your strengths, and what you are really here to do, is key. Today, the economy is different that it was 6 months ago. What can you do to use your core strengths rather than changing your game?
photo: bcbeatty
photo by Ashley Palmero
photo by ClintJCL
photo by nickgraywfu
photo by Aaron Escobar
