Get the Media to Do Your Marketing For You

Visibility Expert Nancy Marmolejo has just announced her latest teleclass to help entrepreneurs position themselves as sought after, recognized experts.

Nancy enjoys a flurry of free PR and effortless marketing, now she’s ready to share that with others.

How to Get Free Publicity and Attact New Clients With the Power of Your Expertise, taking place April 1 and 8, will show business owners how to take what they know and turn it into a marketing strategy that will attract new clients and free publicity.

She created How to Get Free Publicity and Attract New Clients to meet the needs of people who want the information she teaches in a short time frame. (Nancy’s coaching program, Spotlight U, offers an intense 6 months of coaching and mentoring for a select group of entrepreneurs.)

Over 2 teleclass sessions, she’ll cover how to:

- Identify which of the 4 stages of expertise you’re currently in and how to quickly move into the “credibility spot” (without credibility, no one will listen to you)

- Learn over 29 quick and simple ways to become a recognized expert in your field (and how to quickly implement at least 1 in the next week.)

- Clearly understand the scope and value of your expertise so you can strategically use it to create products, form joint ventures, and open doors to bigger opportunities

- Discover how to create your own Visibility Blueprint with your best content topics and a timeline at your fingertips

- And much, much more.

Nancy is known for her creative, spirited style. Her teleseminars are always fun and informative, with plenty of opportunities for “spotlight coaching” , her version of the hot-seat.

Learn how to get the media to do your marketing for you by checking out the class now… remember space is limited and it is sure to fill. The class starts April 1, so act now!

http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2324502

Hope to see you on the calls!

Lou

Confused by Web 2.0? Then check out our new “Biz Booster Series” for 18 no-nonsense, practical “how-to” guides! These brief reports cover topics like Social Networking, Online Marketing and Word-of-Mouth Marketing, and they each contain dozens of useful web links and resources. Visit: www.BizBoosterSeries.com now!

1. Build your target list: Compile an accurate database of key media contacts.
2. Develop your hook: Tell a compelling story.
3. Follow up: Cultivate relationships with the media and stay in touch.

A few other tips to keep in mind:

• Look professional: Your press releases should be crisp, clean and free of errors.
• Call back promptly: Be accessible when the press comes calling.
• Once published, turn your press articles into sales tools or one-sheets.
• Don’t spam the press! Staying in touch with real news is fine; being a pest is not.
• Become a reliable and trusted source from your industry to the media.

Lou Bortone is a former television marketing executive and freelance writer. Check out his new collection of marketing and promotion “how-to” reports at http://www.BizBoosterSeries.com.

1. The right message
2. To the right audience
3. At the right time

Here are a few tips from the trenches:

• In a world of spam and impersonal emails, try sending personal, hand-written notes.
• Find a related but non-competitive partner and join forces to share marketing efforts.
• Do “grassroots” marketing research by talking to your customers one-on-one.
• Join newsgroups and online discussion groups to position yourself as an expert.

Lou Bortone is a former television marketing executive and freelance writer. Check out his new collection of marketing and promotion “how-to” reports at http://www.BizBoosterSeries.com.

1. It’s generally less expensive than advertising.
2. Since it usually comes from a third party, it’s credible.
3. It can greatly enhance your company’s reputation

A few tips to keep in mind:

• When you send a press release, make sure it’s newsworthy!
• Consider your target audience. Think like an editor or a TV news director.
• Stand out from the crowd by sending something different and creative with your release — but make sure that whatever you send is relevant.
• Create a “halo effect” by tying into local charities and community events.
• Maximize the Internet. Send e-newsletters, e-zines or start your own “expert” blog.
• Follow up with the media after you’ve sent your release. Be persistent without being a pest.

1. Get local: target your marketing efforts down to the neighborhood level
2. Get involved: participate in the community to generate visibility and good will
3. Get personal: as much as possible, market on a one-to-one, face-to-face basis

• Use local city-specific Web sites and local portals

City and town Web sites, as well as local versions of major portals, are growing in number and popularity.

• Use local search engines and directories

Make sure you’re listed with local search engines and city-specific directories.

• Set your Google ad to appear locally

If you operate a local business and advertise on Google, you can target local customers only.

Public relations can be an effective way to generate awareness and name recognition for your business. PR is also considered to be a low-cost alternative to other marketing tactics such as traditional advertising and media buying. Your PR strategy should begin with the following key elements:
1. Build your target list: Compile an accurate database of key media contacts.
2. Develop your hook: Tell a compelling story.
3. Follow up: Cultivate relationships with the media and stay in touch.

Here are a few insider tips to maximize PR opportunities:

Turbo-charge your press releases
Your news releases should be newsworthy, targeted to the appropriate contact and, above all, engaging.

Maximize email marketing
Email marketing software has made it easier than ever to send out professional newsletters and press releases. User-friendly templates let you customize, target and track your email releases. It’s a low-cost way to stay top-of-mind with the media.

Make the media’s job easier
Tailor your pitch to the appropriate writer or reporter. Respect their time and deadlines. Have a press kit ready if the media ask for more info, but don’t flood them with sales materials. Give them what they need, when they need it, and you’ll increase your chances for positive press coverage.

Develop relationships with press contacts
Network with the media at industry events. Make an effort to get to know local reporters and leverage those relationships. Establish yourself as a resource to reporters and editors.

For more info, please visit: http://theonlinevideoguy.com/home/index-webcam.html

Here are the five most important things you need to do to generate word of mouth:

1. It starts with customer satisfaction
A happy customer is a potential advocate and an influencer. An unhappy customer is even more powerful – one survey of “customer rage” found that 85% of unhappy customers share their experiences with others. If you don’t have a good story to tell, there’s nothing pleasant to buzz about. Measure your customer satisfaction by asking your clients whether they would recommend you. This “customer loyalty” metric can be the most important number you can track. For more information read The Ultimate Question by Fred Reichheld.

2. Give your customers a voice
Make it easy for customers to recommend your product or service. Facilitate communication. Establish user groups, fan clubs, message boards – anything that encourages positive conversation about your business. Start by adding a “tell-a-friend” component to your website with companies like Tell-a-friend Wizard or free services like bpath.com.

3. Find and equip your customer evangelists
These are the “sneezers,” or influential customers who will tell their friends about you. Think of them as your superfans. Give them inside information and reward their evangelism with recognition and support. Look for ideas and inspiration at the Viral & Buzz Marketing Association. (VBMA.net)

4. Join the blogosphere
A business blog creates a two-way dialogue with your customers and facilitates active discussion among your fans. Blogs are the perfect tool to encourage open communication and information sharing.Build your own blog in minutes with Blogger or TypePad. For more info, visit blog guru Andy Wibbel’s website.

5. Listen and respond to feedback
Your blog also provides instant feedback from your customers. Participate in the online conversation and take the pulse of your supporters – and your detractors. Use sites like FeedBurner to track and analyze your blog traffic.

Lou Bortone is an award-winning television producer who specializes in helping solopreneurs create video for the Internet. E-mail lou@theonlinevideoguy.com or visit http://www.theonlinevideoguy.com.