Does Social Media Have You Overexposed?

Overexposure is a very real thing. Publicists often have to walk a fine line when working with co-PR management (film, music, cross generational brands, etc.) to ensure that messaging and promotion is effective and not so heavy that fans or customers feel sickened by it.

Molly Tullis recently covered overexposure and I feel she captured it perfectly. She said, “In the summer of 2013, the Jennifer Lawrence love affair was at an all-time high. The Hunger Games had come out a year earlier, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Role in the Silver Linings Playbook, and hit a home-run by saying all the right things about body image and young girls. But by December I was waiting for the imminent backlash. I didn’t have to wait long. Before she could cash her paycheck signed out to Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence was fielding reports that she was obnoxious, ‘everywhere’, and people were incredibly “sick and bored of her.” Ironic that a culture that had obsessively gorged on her girl-next-door charms felt sick soon after. Of course she was everywhere – we put her there. The same phenomenon happened with Reese Witherspoon and Anne Hathaway before her. We loved them, we put them on every cover, we give them sponsorships, and while they’re still walking red carpets, they’re consistently fielding comments such as: “I don’t know why… I just don’t like her.”

Here’s the thing- there is no measurement to predict overexposure. It has to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. If you look at Molly’s comments above, think about Jared Leto. He won the Oscar. He is in a successful band. He has his own streaming company for entertainers. He is practically everywhere and yet- he has no overexposure risk. I think this is because he is collectively evenly spread out (as a brand) across different mediums that cater to different audiences.

My point tonight is this, pay attention to your measurements and what audiences are saying on social media. The moment whispers start to turn south, pull interviews and reevaluate your publicity plan.

Twyla N. Garrett

Learning to Lead

I was recently asked how I became the leader of my industry. Well, thank you! I love being thought of as the industry leader. But, there is always more to learn and more work to be done. This is why my advice for anyone wondering how to become a leader within their industry is to meet regularly. Yes, touch base with your team. Delegating is a tool to use, not a form of leadership. Don’t let delegating tasks replace regular meetings.

Eric Holtzclaw of Lean Forward recently said,”regular meetings create structure, cohesion and a sense of community. They force accountability, not only for the individuals being assigned tasks or providing updates, but for the leader as well. Regular cross-department meetings encourage communication and learning about what others are doing. Well-run meetings are where strengths and weaknesses are identified faster and improved upon.”

I couldn’t agree more. Mico-managing is not a bad thing. If an employee doesn’t like to be micro-managed, they usually are hiding something. Either they lack accountability, don’t want to be part of the team and the constant meetings irk them, or a whole host of other issues exists. Either way, you’re the boss and you decide how work goes down, right?!

You can’t run a business without checking in and having meetings. You can do this virtually now which means you can take a half hour phone call to get updates from the golf course. You can still live your life and have your freedom without being hands-off when it comes to your business.

Until Friday,

Twyla N. Garrett

Peer Referrals …. Do They Really Work?

I recently had someone ask me if I get any ROI from attending marketing events or online symposiums. The truth is ‘Yes’ – I do. While I know many people don’t think marketing events or peer referrals truly work, the bottom line is to understand that referrals aren’t a “sure” thing. You still have to work to obtain the business.

Some people say, “Sure, refer me to your source” only to be nice. This is a lead that you will pitch and pitch and will never come through.

Other people say, “Ok, make the introduction” only to see the cost of your services and run away- no matter how valued the relationship is. This lead was never secure to begin with.

Other people are thinkers. Other people are price comparers. And other people are actually interested. Like any type of business, referrals are simply enquires and you have to earn their business. Just because someone knows you and loves your services doesn’t mean the third party will buy on a handshake or virtual introduction.

So, how do you close a referral lead? Simple – just follow these 3 steps.

First, reward those who send you business. If the referring party has a financially vested interest, he or she will help to follow up and close the leads they do send over. Keep in mind, however, that only about 20% of all leads will actually close.

Second, offer a discounted or rewards program to those who have been referred to you. Even with praise and amazing ratings, an incentive-based offer to try your services for a limited time works better than sending over a large contract or long-term service obligation.

Finally, don’t be aggressive. Stop with the daily “follow up” phone calls, sales-ad emails (sent twice a week), and Facebook ‘Likes’. If a potential lead is annoyed with a pushy sales process right off of the bat, he or she will be skeptical of your services. I know it is hard- but be conservative with your follow up efforts.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Powerful Lessons I’ve Learned

“Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.” Paulo Coelho

Below are a few powerful lessons I've learned. I want to share them tonight so you have a few tools to help you better your ability to compete within business.

Here we go;

Before you create anything in business ask yourself these two questions: “What problem am I solving for my ideal client/how am I being of service?” and “how does this lead to making money?”

Brain storming is vital for success. When you release all of the ideas in your brain and get them down onto paper you can start to strategize and organize. You can put the pieces of the puzzle together and eliminate the ideas that don’t serve you.

Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you have to. You are great at many things but that doesn’t mean you have to do all of them at once. Take that one step further… just because you started out doing one thing and became known for that one thing doesn’t mean you have to continue to do it if it no longer thrills and excites you. Let it go.

Community is critical. There is nothing more comforting than sitting in a room with like-minded people who are taking a risk and opening up about their fears, insecurities and limiting beliefs. It’s not easy to speak your truth but once you release it, you can move past it.

Mentoring is invaluable. I truly believe that the fastest way to success is through mentoring. There are things experience can teach you through the lessons and insights shared by those who have been there and done that.

The only way to grow is to take risks. The surefire way to stay exactly where you are is to do exactly the same thing you are doing right now. It’s a choice. Choose wisely.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

IME Wins Bid for CATS of Montgomery County, Maryland.

IME has been awarded, along with its partnering co-chairs, a Consulting and Technical Services (CATS) contract with the Department of Technology Services within Montgomery County, Maryland.

For Immediate Release

IME (HireIME.com) has been the partial recipient of a contract award with Montgomery County, Maryland. The company will service the Department of Technology Services for the county as part of its CATS program. The bid award announcement came in early December with a 2015 service date.

“My team is thrilled to be a part of this bid win. We are going to co-chair it with some of our peers which is always fun and a tremendous collaborative experience for the client,” said IME’s President Twyla Garrett. “IME is invested in providing solutions to our clients with challenges and I’m pleased to help drive this project forward with cost-effective results in mind.”

IME is an innovative leader within the technology services industry- among others. The company has spent the greater part of a decade dedicated to solving complex problems in support of its clients. IME was also recently featured on America Now, Politically Incorrect, and in Business Journals DC Edition. IME also provides government agencies, private sector organizations, and commercial business with IT support services and IT solutions to maximize resources and efficiencies.

“My team and I are proactive. We like to fully engage our clients with options and ideas, as well as explanations as to why some strategies work or will be setting a scenario up for failure. It is our goal to provide a full picture of risk versus results and then implement unique solutions that really solve problems and provides a great service and or product,” finished Garrett.

IME recently launched its new multi-media capable website with amplified service and capability options. Members of the media are invited to speak with Twyla Garrett about this opportunity and IME’s other capabilities.

Media Contact for IME:
Helene Vece
702-749-5925, Ext. 210
HVece@HireAProWriter.com

Airports & Ebola - Are You Prepared

Do you know what to expect at the airport the next time you travel internationally? Well, I decided to present the top 3 things you need to know about airports and Ebola. Right now, the Department of Homeland Security is sending mixed messages because each State is handling the Ebola "crisis" differently. The DHS has a responsibility to help out with national health concerns on a threatening level, but each State also has to make decisions based on their specific needs and population concerns.

Either way, below are the top 3 across-the-board things to know about Ebola at airports.

1. Starting 11/01/13, all International airports will start screening for Ebola. There are no nonstop flights to the U.S. from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea, the three countries hardest-hit by Ebola. Nearly 95% of the roughly 150 people traveling daily from or through those West African countries to the U.S. land first at one of the five airports selected for extra screening.

2. Homeland Security employees at airports will use no-touch thermometers to take the temperatures of passengers who have come from or through West Africa.

3. If you present a fever at an International airport, know the DHS isn't playing games. Case-by-case, health workers and the DHS will direct the passenger either to the local medical system or public health system for possible treatment or routine follow-ups, including daily temperature readings for the 21-day Ebola incubation period. There are quarantine areas at each of the five International airports that can be used, if necessary.

Please pass this information on to anyone you know who will be traveling after Saturday. :)

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett
HireIme.com

Hypocritical Encouragement From the Government?

On September 30th of this year, FEMA asked local communities to prepare for disasters as a practice. In fact, here is what their press release say;
"Today, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) encourages individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations across the nation to take part in America’s PrepareAthon!, a national day of action that will take place September 30. America’s PrepareAthon! is a community-based campaign to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through participation in hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises every fall and spring. To register, individuals and organizations can visit www.ready.gov/prepare."

So, why is this a bit hypocritical in my opinion? Well, how would we possibly expect to prepare using FEMA's recommendations when they not only forgot to include important items on their "disaster readiness kit", but when security and preparation incompetency hit the White House recently? Not sure what I'm referencing? Here's a great article, via The Wall Street Journal, showcasing issues of security flaws within our current system: http://online.wsj.com/articles/incompetence-hits-home-1412194748

My point is, we can't depend on the government for 100% of our safety as citizens. It has to be a collaborative experience because humans make mistakes and even put together PSA documents containing content oversights! While I doubt the hypocritical recommendations were deliberate, they weren't utilized by the same people telling us to be prepared for emergencies and disasters. Do this mean we throw everything to the wind and buy into the media hype that we, as a country, aren't generally safe? Not at all. We are better protected now than we were on 09/10/2001. This said, if a recommended disaster kit says to pack two weeks of canned food- do so, just make sure you include a manual can opener (yes, FEMA forgot to include one on its list).

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Talk Yourself Out of Sales

Do you know that you can talk yourself out of sales? Yes, this is very possible. Some people thing they’re being charming when, in reality, their “charm” is helping them become further and further separated from a sale. So, how do you talk yourself out of a sale?

First, don’t wear sunglasses when meeting something new. I don’t care if you meet him or her in the daylight, take off the glasses and look them in them in the eye. If you are wearing sunglasses from someone first meets you, they will never trust you on an unconscious level.

You also need to understand that perception is reality. If you look well-kept, people will know you take pride in yourself and likely take pride in your work. If you leave the house looking like a slob…. Well, you know where I am going with this.

You easily share your problems. Let’s say you click right away with a new client. Great! Then you start telling him or her about your problems at home, how your kids misbehave, you share your bra size, your man troubles, etc. Yep, you’re talking yourself out of a sale and earning yourself a rep as potentially unreliable and unable to keep trade secrets. Be kind, be cordial, be impersonal!

These are just a few pointers when it comes to steering clear of losing a sale. Do you have some pointers for me? Please share them in the comment section below.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Going Out of Business

Shutting down a business doesn't mean you're a failure. Hey, you had the guts to try. Businesses have to close for many reasons. When you decide to close a business you want to make sure you take the following key steps.

1. Plan your exit. Basically, think business plan but for closing your company. Make sure you have a protocol to handle each situation that may happen.

2. Visit the website for the IRS. Depending on how you have your current business classified, shutting the doors may not be the only step needed to end the business relationship with the government. LLCs and corporations have to file specific documents. The IRS offers a free checklist to help you.

3. Maintain your records. Don't close shop and burn your records. You still may need them. Keep all your files locked away for at least three years.

If you need advice on how to close a business or if you should close a business note that I'm available as a resource. There is a fee but mention this blog for a special rate.

Twyla