LinkedIn: Promote Yourself and Your Business

LinkedIn has become widely used and affiliated with networking for job seekers.  A LinkedIn user can network with a variety of other professionals while still wearing  pajamas.  It’s easy and painless. 

Aside from a job hunt, LinkedIn is a great tool to promote your business. No matter what you are using LinkedIn for, here are a few great tips on how to make the most out of your profile:

(1)    Put up a photo: Not only should you put up a photo of yourself on your profile, but you should also be careful about what kind of photo you post.  Group photos, provocative clothing, and party pictures should NOT by any means wind up on your LinkedIn profile (or really any social media profile), but most importantly not on LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is meant to help you network with others and promote your current company. You wouldn’t want to portray yourself in an unprofessional light would you?

(2)     Join some groups: With a multitude to choose from, find some groups to join.  Groups help you connect with other people you might not otherwise meet in person.  It gives you the chance to network with other professionals and promote your company.

(3)    Invite others:  Don’t just add people you know.  Add people who may be able to help you accomplish something you want to do either with yourself or with your company.  Are you thinking about opening up a business in another country?  Invite people from that area.  Have a strategy when it comes to inviting others.

(4)  Post discussions:  If your looking to become a voice of authority in the groups you join, then post, post, and post again!  Posting relevant topics to group discussion boards gives you the opportunity to participate and most importantly, make connections.

(5)  Update frequently: Since your LinkedIn profile acts as a public resume, make sure you are frequently keeping it updated.  If your promoting your business, update your profile regularly to show people what the company is working on.  Keep your connections in the loop.

Looking for more social media pointers for your franchise business?  Contact us here at All Points PR for all your PR and social media needs.  

Create a Winning Social Media Strategy

                Using social media requires a strategy.  Creating a social media site is probably the easiest part of your social media experience, but the real work comes with the effort that goes into managing and implementing strategies for social media sites.  Make your social media work for you and create a strategy that is designed to make your company win.  Here are a few of our suggestions to consider when creating a social media strategy:

(1) The pitch: With character restrictions, you need to be able to convey who your company is as concisely as possible.  Think about the main ideas you want your target audience to know and stress that above anything else.

(2) Consider your relationship with your audience: What does your audience know about your company?  Are they brand advocates or first time buyers?  Depending on your relationship with your audience, your strategy needs to fit your target.  Examining how your target uses social media is also a necessary step.  If you have a younger audience you may consider “video contests” since that demographic tends to enjoy videos. 

(3) Program goals: Before creating a social media profile, in general, you should determine what your goals are.  Are you trying to generate sales, brand awareness, or gain brand loyalty?  Consider what you want to gain from doing social media for your company.

(4) Be personal: Social media sites are the place to show personality.  Don’t be afraid to be yourself because that’s what people want to see.  They want to see a little personality behind a company, which is especially true with bigger companies. 

(5) Track your progress: How can you celebrate your success if you aren’t sure how you have progressed?  Before you embark on a full-blown social media campaign, determine what metrics you are going to track to get the full idea of how you have progressed throughout your social media campaign.

As a franchise PR company that does social media as a service to our clients, we know how much of an impact a winning strategy can have on your social media efforts.  For more tips and tricks, contact us.    

Pinning Power: Using Pinterest

          

            Not all social media sites are created equal.  You may think you and your company need to create as many pages as possible, but truthfully, that’s not the best idea.  Depending on who your company is and what they sell, some sites may not serve you. Pinterest has become a groundbreaking social media tool, but is it right for you and your business?  Here are a few things we tell clients to think about if they are deciding to create a business Pinterest page: 

(1) Take the time:  Take some time out of your schedule to build up your Pinterest page.   The goal with your Pinterest page should be to build relationships with people who have quality “pins” on their site.  Look to connect with users who are very interactive with their pages.  This means they frequently “pin” relevant topics, post on other’s boards, and have extensive connections with lots of pinner friends.  Once the interactive type of pinner gets to know more about your products and business, the more likely they are to post about or repin your products.  This also makes befriending on Twitter or Facebook easier. 

(2) Make sure Pinterest fits with your business: This was roughly stated before, but we’ll say it again and spell it out better this time.  Pinterest is NOT for every business or product.  Pinterest probably isn’t the best way to show your company’s construction equipment, but it is a great way to show off your company’s new clothing line.  Hopefully, you catch our drift here.  Pinterest caters to style, photography, crafts, and room décor.  Clothing companies, teachers, chefs, hair stylists, makeup artists, guess what, Pinterest is definitely for you!  Pinterest makes it easy to show off these types of products and typically, that is what people are looking for on the site.  Remember to always promote your company accordingly.  Go where you are wanted and make your presence known that way. 

(3) Promote more than just your company’s products:  Pinterest users aren’t just looking for products.  They are looking for tips and solutions as well.  If you are a clothing company, for example, promote more than just your clothing.  Dedicate a board to your products, but also create a board for “Style Tips and Tricks” or “Hair Styles that Match Your Look.”  Give users more than just your products.  Give them a reason to come back to your page and visit your website.  The more you have to offer them, the better the chance they will repeatedly visit your page and potentially become your customers. 

(4) Define your brand:  What you pin says alot about who your company is and what they value.  Make sure that you pay attention to what you pin and pin things that make your company relevant. 

(5) Connect your Pinterest with your website: Many businesses are allowing customers to pin products found on their website.  Once your product is pinned by a pinner, it gives unlimited potential to the number of people who can now see your product.  It’s like virtual word of mouth and is extremely powerful for businesses that can utilize pinning power. 

The main takeaway from this blog is that not all social media is created equal.  Pay attention to trends in social media and use the sites that best fit your business.  If you have your own thoughts on Pinterest or other social media sites, drop us a comment. 

PR Tactics

           

             We have said it before and we will say it again, good PR is priceless.  Encompassing many goals, PR can increase brand awareness, increase trust amongst your target audience and increase brand loyalty.  Aversions to using PR tend to come from misunderstandings or unawareness of how it really can help build a brand. 

            Your PR strategy is like your winning game plan.  PR strategies should include all of your plans to make your business succeed.  Common PR strategies formed by public relations experts can include promoting a client’s brand with the goal of making the brand easily recognizable, determining who the client’s target audience is, building better rapport with the target audience by identifying their needs, creating a loyal customer base, and creating a solid database of contacts to send press releases to. 

Let’s get into some tactics we find highly successful.  Here are a few great PR tactics that we utilize with our clients here at All Points Public Relations:

(1) Press releases: Utilizing press releases is a big part of PR and has been for years.  A press release is a great way to alert people of new products or events and can really captivate the media if it is well-written.

(2) Social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. are great online tools for companies to get more in touch with their customers.  Aside from that, social media enables companies to create a memorable brand image and share company information. 

(3) Blogging: Like social media, blogs are another great way for companies to connect with customers and share company or product information.

(4) Chatrooms and forums: Let’s face it.  People talk.  Today, when customers are unhappy with a product or service they take to the Internet, find a forum to vent to and say what they feel.  Instead of not knowing how your customers feel, provide them with a space to vent if need be.  Doing this can help you more easily monitor and respond to the consumer yourself while offsetting a potential crisis. 

            (5) Customer service: Customers are all to used to companies doing the bare minimum to satisfy their needs, so show them something different.  Show customers that you are willing to go above and beyond expectations to make them feel satisfied.  The goal should be creating a loyal customer base and that takes work.

            Looking for more PR tactics or do you have some good tactics to share with us?  Talk to us here at All Points PR and we can swap tactics. 

"You 'Like' Me... You Really 'Like' Me!" Facebook Likes

        With over 800 million users, Facebook is no doubt a powerful tool to help you brand your business.  We’ve said it before in our previous blogs (both on this blog and the blog connected right to our company’s website) and we’ll say it again—social networking is a powerful platform for all businesses and we insist you have presence on social media sites to promote your business. 

Typically, we suggest that people build their business a Fan Page.  A Facebook Fan Page is just like your business’s website only in Facebook form.  Fan pages allow you to customize your page to fit your needs, contain your business’s information and target potential and current customers.  So you’ve set up a fan page—great!  Now comes the tricky part.  How do you get people to “Like” your page?  You may be thinking, “Hmm what does getting a ‘Like’ do for me?”  The truth is, getting people to “Like” gives you a better chance that you will gain people’s interest and it also gives you a better chance that your company updates are appearing in their newsfeed.  If you launch a new product, they will be some of the first people to see it.  Simply, it helps you better communicate with your target audience.  Here’s some of our tips on how to get more “Likes”:

(1)  Content, Content, Content!: Pretty sure we have said this one before, but here we go again!  Generate content that fans will find amusing, insightful, inspiring and overall, useful.  This is only going to keep them interested in you and your company.  Also, be smart about what you post.

(2)  Fans only contest: While there are rules you must abdide by to run a Facebook contest, it’s a great tool to get you more likes.  In order for people to enter your contest, make it so that they must first “Like” your page.  You can even jazz that up a bit.  You can make it so that people can’t view the top prize or rules unless they "Like" you first.  Either way, contests are a great way to get people talking. 

(3)  Email-signature:  You can add a link to your Facebook Fan Page through your email signature or you can add a little “Like Us” underneath your name that is linked to your Fan Page.  Either way, when people click on your name or  little catch phrase they are taken right to your Facebook Fan Page. 

(4)  Tagging (status and pictures): Tag people you know in relevant comments or updates to your page.  When you tag people in a status, comment or picture, it automatically goes on their personal page.  This way, people they are connected to may see your Fan Page and “Like” it.  You can also upload pictures from an event your company hosted and tag people in photos from the event.  Again, this will go on their page and could potentially get people to visit your Fan Page and “Like” it. 

(5) “Like” box on your website: You can embed a "Like" box right on your website that can make website visitors Facebook fans. 

             We have got plenty more tips from where these came from!  All Points Public Relations is no stranger when it comes to helpful tips for your franchise’s PR.  Talk to us and we’ll give you a few pointers.  

Twitter: Utilize or Disregard?

Ever since Twitter’s creation six years ago, many have argued over its benefits and shortcomings.  No matter what your personal feelings are on it, Twitter, like most social media, has its place in PR and for now it appears to be here to stay.  As social media experts, we know that social media needs to have a role in the lives of our clients.  Essentially, you have to know how to make your social media your company’s vehicle to help you deliver your brand’s message.  No, it’s not always easy, but studies show it certainly is effective.  Let’s consider Twitter’s pros and cons:

The pros

         (1) Strengthen relationships: Twitter can certainly help form and strengthen relationships between brands and brand consumers.  Twitter puts brands in contact with their target.  Outreach has never been more direct. 

         (2) Attracts younger demographic: While younger audiences were starting to get lost in the shuffle of traditional media, social media sites like Twitter, can catapult your company right into the reach of a younger audience. 

         (3) Shows who you are: Social media sites like Twitter can help make a brand or company appear more down-to-earth.  It can peal back the layers and give a warm insight into who a company is.

         (4) Great researching tool:  Twitter gives a company feedback for free.  Want to know what your customers think of you and your company?  Just jump on Twitter and find out exactly what people think and feel free to comment back.  It’s just that simple.  Feedback is at your fingertips. 

The cons

         (1) Can over-address the issues: Twitter can give rise to minor issues that shouldn’t be blown out of proportion. 

         (2) Employee policing: Twitter, and other social media sites, have made it so that business owners are forced to police employees on what they post on their personal sites because what they post could compromise the organization.  Leaking company secrets or talking badly about an organization has put many jobs at risk.

         (3) Is it a waste of time?:  Some have argued that using Twitter is a complete waste of a company’s time.  And truly, depending on how you use your company’s Twitter it can become a waste of time if it’s not being done properly.  Connect with users, share good content, comment on people’s relevant articles—make your company known!  If you can do that successfully, then it is NOT a waste of time. 

       The pros and cons list can go on for pages, but the real point here is that social media can and should be utilized by businesses both big and small.  It’s about how you make your social media work for you and your company that matters.  It can have as big of an impact as you want or no impact at all.  It’s all about what you put in to it.  If you’re looking for ways to maximize your social media efforts, talk to us and we will fill you in. 

Press Kit Must Haves

One of the most important parts of any PR effort is the press kit and any public relations specialists will confirm that.  Before the era of electronic information, press kits used to be physical, but now most are electronically based. 

Online press kits have become the way to go for several reasons; they can be interactive, they’re up to date, and information is easily made available.  Don’t let your press kit gather dust.  Utilize some of our tried and true tips to make your kit stand out above the rest:  

(1) Easily accessible- Make your press kit, if it’s online, as easy to find as possible.  The easier information is to find and read, the more likely it is to be found and read (especially contact information—no one wants to have to dig for it!).

(2) Keep it simple- Don’t go overboard.  Stick to press kit basics.  Give people the core information they need—nothing more, nothing less.

(3) Interactive- In today’s technology-crazed environment, kits should be interactive and keep the readers attention. 

(4) Avoid vague copy- Kits need to be well written, which is where experts at PR firms come in to play.  Firms are adept at this.  Try and be as direct as possible and talk about your company or product as clearly as possible.  If what you’re describing is too hard to understand people are less apt to continue reading. 

(5) Continually update information- Here at All Points PR we always suggest kits are continually updated in case information has changed.  It happens!

(6) Always include a biography- Company bio’s are a definite must have.  Biography sheets should feature key management and any other important company facts.  People reading press kits want to know more about the brains behind the company. 

(7) Product or service information- If you’re selling a product, details about the product need to be included so that the need for the product is made apparent.  A potential customer needs to know why the product is necessary.  If you’re selling a service, make sure to outline exactly what the service includes, specifically the benefits.   

           (8) Include press pieces- If your company or product has been featured in magazines, has published press releases or product reviews, be sure to include them in your press kit.  Editors and journalists get to see what other people think of your product or company and it also gives them ideas on what they could potentially write about if they choose to feature you. 

           Press kits take time and effort to truly stand out.  Franchise PR Firms like All Points PR know what it takes to put your company or product on top.  Contact us on the web or by phone.  

What can Public Relations do for your Company?

You’ve made the decision to hire out a Chicago-based PR firm to make your company stand out from the crowd.  What can you expect from utilizing public relations?  For starters, you can expect your business to increase its earnings, but what are some PRs other benefits?  Here are just a few of the many benefits that public relations can provide for your company:

         (1) Forming strategies- One of the best parts of hiring a PR firm to help your business is the strategies developed to make your company stronger.  Branding strategies promote your company's identity and crisis strategies come to your company's aid during hardships.  Reputation management strategies increase recognition and awareness among your target audience.  All of these strategies are put into use to make your company bigger, better and stronger.  It's just that simple! 

(2) Media Connections- Most PR firms are experts when it comes to media relations.  Not only are firms good at it, but they usually have strong connections with various reporters and media outlets that they have worked with in the past.  These connections are what help them gain leverage for promoting your company or brand.  This is what can help your company stand out among your competition as well.  Essentially, your PR firm gets your business the coverage it needs.  

(3) Tactics into action- PR firms work hard everyday to implement tactics to catch people’s attention and direct it towards your company.  Whether it’s an event, product release or some kind of media stunt, PR professionals implement creative tactics to get your company noticed.  

(4) Thinking about the future- PR professionals are always one step ahead of the game because they know you have to be to stay in business.  That entrepreneurial mindset is something they can lend to your company.  Using the latest social media to continually promote your brand is just one way they secure your company’s future.    

(5) Networking with other local businesses- PR professionals can also help you network your business with other businesses that could be potentially beneficial.  An established firm usually has great business and community ties.

The benefits to working with a local public relations firm definitely don’t stop here.  The benefits are endless.  PR is meant to enhance your brand and working with a good set of PR professionals can certainly help you do that.

If your franchise company would like to know more about how public relations can be beneficial contact us and we will tell you how we can help.  

Positive Ways to Contribute to the World of Social Media

Do you ever log on to your company's Facebook or Twitter and think to yourself, “Hmmm what should I post today?!”  It happens to the best of us.  Yes, even us social media experts find ourselves drawing the occasional blank.  We can refer to it as a “posting block” as opposed to “writer’s block.”  Call it what you will, but drawing a blank is natural especially when we are surrounded by so much content.  It can get hard to decipher what is good material to post on your business social media sites and what is not.  Here are a few suggestions on positive ways to contribute to the world of social media:

(1)  Provide good content: Here at All Points PR we cannot stress the importance of good content enough.  Give your “friends” and “followers” something to talk about at the water cooler the next day.  Make them feel like the authority on a groundbreaking topic and they are your “friend” or “follower” for life.  This does require you to do a little digging when it comes to finding great articles and topics to post, but the payoff is well worth the effort.        

(2)  Active use: The best way to utilize social media is to use it as often as possible.  No, this doesn’t mean you should bombard people with constant posts, but it does mean that you should feel free to share as much as you want.  The more relevant things you post, the more content you are providing, which can help people become interested in you and your business. 

(3)  Share what you find: Share things that you have recently discovered.  You never know, one of your friends or followers may repost your findings and link it straight back to you.

(4)  Feedback: Provide thoughtful comments on posts that are related to your career or business.  Taking an interest in others can become important for generating more business. 

(5)  Build relationships: The goal of social media is to build and maintain relationships with others and this is especially true when it comes to promoting your business.  Leveraging with others is a great way to network. 

            Is your franchise company interested in knowing more about the world of social media? All Points Public Relations, a Chicago-based PR firm focused on working with franchise companies, is experienced in planning, executing and driving powerful results with strategic public relations and social media tactics. 

Using Facebook to Brand your Business

These days we are almost all a part of the social media revolution sweeping the world. No matter who you are, where you are or what you do, almost everyone is connected to one another in some way by social media. This makes social media use a must for business owners. Whether you own a franchise, small business or a powerhouse corporation, harnessing the power of social media gives you the power to make your company or brand even stronger and who doesn’t want that? Facebook is an essential tool that can help you brand your business. 

The first thing you should do is set up a fan page for your business. Some businesses just create a personal profile for their business, but really that’s not what Facebook intended personal pages for. Personal pages should be all about you and not so much about your business (of course you should mention your business on your personal page). Your personal page should link to your fan page though, and the fan page should be all about your business. 

Your fan page should feature plenty of content that will keep your Facebook friends interested. Now this is where branding comes into play on your Facebook. When you are creating your page make sure the content of your page reflects your brand. Perhaps your company’s logo would make a great profile picture, but maybe a professional picture of your staff is better for your office’s vibe. Think about what accurately depicts your business. Keeping things looking cohesive is key. You wouldn’t want your Facebook page looking nothing like your marketing materials. 

Posting is key on Facebook and most social media sites for that matter. What you post speaks volumes about you and your company, so post wisely. Become the voice of authority on your business and inform people about who you are, what you do and be “The Source” on finding new content related to your company. People will add you and keep coming back to your site if you are posting things that they enjoy and find relevant. 

Facebook, and really social media for that matter, is a great tool to help show people what your business is all about. If you want more tips on how to make Facebook a part of your business, contact us.