Promoting Your Business with PR

Public relations is about managing the media and developing a brand. It isn’t about making someone famous through managing appearances or mingling with celebrities – which is one of the biggest misconceptions to date.

Public relations professionals don’t book work or appearances outside of media interviews, talent or literary agents do this. Public relations professionals book media appearances based on what a client is doing. If you have to do the work yourself (you can’t quite obtain a publicist just yet), please pay attention to my top 3 common PR mistakes listed below.

1. It is two different things entirely to pitch news your clients force you to pitch against your better judgment and pitch something to a reporter without the thought of you believing it is news in the first place.

2. Your timeline isn’t what the press cares about. In fact, you need to care what the media’s timelines are. I recently read this piece of advice and couldn’t agree more. “Let’s say you are sending a Christmas wish list to a monthly magazine. When do you send that pitch? October? August? Try June or July.

3. Know the news. Everyone thinks their clients are special, and they are. However, you will not get your clients picked up by every single news outlet. In fact, for every 500 outlets pitched, expect a 3% return and not right away. Remember, editorial calendars exist!

As you move forward, you will create connections that will make it easier for you to pick up the phone and bump competing press agents and their stories. Until then, follow the rules and don’t make these 3 major mistakes.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

3 Tips for Obtaining More Business Using Apps

I’m always asked about what apps are the best apps for business. And, of course, there are different apps that work for different day-to-day business operations. And, as suspected, not all apps are the same. Some actually hinder your business while others can help you take control of your business.

Since, I’m asked about this topic often- I’ve decided to list the 3 apps that I feel can help you boost your customer base and close business. Now, this list will work for most people, but not all people. Businesses are unique and you should take my suggestions as recommendations only. Consider these apps and then decide if they will work for your particular business or not.

1. Product Upsell. This app allows you to offer relevant add-on products to customers based on cart content, total $ in cart or even a combination!

2. Sale Rack is awesome. It helps you obtain new clients and upsell existing ones. With this app you can effectively batch update prices, either to a percentage or to fixed amounts. You can also schedule updates, and easily revert them automatically on selected dates.

3. MaxTraffic Exit Offers. This allows you to drive up business with pop-up notifications and special offers as someone exits your website!

Still have questions? Want me to speak at your next event?

Let us talk!

Twyla N. Garrett

Is Your Brand Failing?

Just because you built a brand doesn’t mean you can sustain a brand. Going into the weekend, you want to ask yourself if you have any of these three signs related to danger. If so, your brand is failing and you need to regroup.

Sign number one: The phone isn’t ringing. If your business used to have tons of phone calls, inquiries, and flat out business and now the phone isn’t ringing- your brand is in trouble.

Sign number two: You are inconsistent. What do I mean by this? Well, either you are spread too thin to focus on your brand or your trying to accomplish too many things at once.

Sign number three: Your social media accounts don’t reflect your company’s message. Yes, I mean your personal accounts. If you own a company understand people will look YOU up and not just your company. Don’t have a professional website and then photos of you in the club on your Facebook page. It scares investors and possible customers.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Can You Sell Yourself / Your Business?

Business owners need to know how to sell their products / services. If they can't sell a product / service then how can they convince others to buy or invest?

The ability to sell is directly related to how successful an entrepreneur really is. In business you need to know how to negotiate (from buying paper in bulk to obtaining clients), to deal with "no," to build industry confidence, and to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Relying on sales people may be needed to streamline business but YOU also need to know how to sell!

Sell and work! Selling is what makes you successful but you also have to put the time in. An eight hour sales day isn't going to cut it. True entrepreneurs work long hours and don't mind doing so.

Want to know more about selling and putting in the time to make that dime? Contact me! I am available for speaking engagements.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Protecting Your Identity During the Holidays

As Halloween arrives tomorrow, the holidays are going to arrive fast and furious this year. Are you prepared to protect your identity during the shopping season? Most are not. People get involved with shopping lists, family politics, work parties, and school events and concerts for the kids. Identity protection seems to be the last item of concern on a long holiday 'to do' list. So, as we head into November this weekend, please remember to turn your clocks back an hour on Saturday and take the following identity protection tips into consideration.

1. If someone bumps into you, don't assume it was an accident. Clutch your purse close to your side or in front of you, and keep your wallet hidden at the bottom, or for men, in an inside coat pocket.

2. Don't let your credit card out of your sight. Unscrupulous clerks or waiters can skim the information from your card into a second machine and later make a new credit card for themselves. Worse yet, they can sell your information to an organized crime ring.

3. Lighten your wallet. Remove anything from your wallet that you don't absolutely need to have with you. That way, if someone is successful in stealing it, they won't get as much. And 'no', you don't need your social security card in your wallet!

4. Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. Such services alert you via email anytime there is an inquiry or other activity to your credit report.

5. Be safe when shopping online. Criminals can make dummy websites look like the real thing. Make sure that the website you are shopping on is the company's real website. If you have any doubt, conduct a new browser search and contact the company to verify. Also make sure that any website you make purchases on is secure. Secure websites will have "https" instead of "http" in the website URL.

I'm going to skip a blog tomorrow and celebrate Halloween with my dedicated office staff!

I'll be back with everyone on Monday. Until then, have a safe and happy Halloween holiday.

Twyla N. Garrett

HireIME.com

America’s PrepareAthon! Campaign

Tomorrow, 09/30/14, officially launches the start of FEMA's America’s PrepareAthon! Campaign!



The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) is encouraging 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 tomorrow, September 30th. 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.

If you don't have an emergency management plan, you can create one at Ready.gov. As many of you already know, I have composed a book on the topic of Homeland Security called Homeland Security; A Comprehensive Guide for All. You can buy the eBook version of it my clicking here.

Before you buy the book, however, check out these three simple tips for creating an emergency management plan for your family;

1. Make sure you have one emergency kit for every member of your family. Each kit should include enough water for a week, nonperishable food for a week, $200 dollars in cash, a first aid, back up prescriptions, 2 medical masks, a knife, flashlight, a lighter, a set of battery powered walkie talkies, and a battery-powered radio on hand (with a set of extra batteries). Also, make sure the written down phone numbers of your relatives and neighbors is in the kit. Too often, we depend on our cell phones to keep our contacts. However, in the event that your phone is missing or not working, it is good to have these numbers on paper.

2. Set up multiple meeting spots. Your designated meeting spot may not be accessible, so it is important to have two alternative spots just in case.

3. Set up a Google Alert for your city PLUS the word "emergency." This is more preventative than anything else, but these daily alerts will keep you informed on issues and threats in the area so you can further adjust your lifestyle and educate yourself on pending issues.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Brilliant Investment Moves

I think one of the biggest reasons businesses fail is the inability to understand numbers. Many people have great ideas, but not everyone understands finances. This is why we have business owners and then we have serial entrepreneurs. Business owners tend to own one company and they tend to struggle for the first 10 years (if they make it that far) because the financial end has a learning curve. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, own many companies because they understand numbers and are more engaged with balance sheets than the products or services they are selling. neither option is great for both the development of a company and customer service, a balance has to be struck!

So, all this said, I figured I would offer a very basic lesson in investing. You need $100 to execute this practice, but it will teach you a valuable lesson. With your $100, buy one share of a stock market Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). I suggest you Open an account with TD Ameritrade. Opt into the commission-free ETF program. Buy one share of the Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). This means you are buying into a pool of companies (about 5,000) from around the world.

Now what? Wait. You can loose money, but you can gain money. The key is to focus on the numbers and understand how commerce truly works by using your own money. Worst case scenario is you lose $100 dollars. Best case scenario, you grow that same $100 dollars and learn the balance between owning a business and investing in a company.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla Garrett

In the Business of Excuses

I did a radio show on Monday and we touched briefly on why some people don't follow their dreams. Simply put, I believe many people don't do what they want in life because they are in the business of making excuses. What, you thought I would sugar coat this? Really, c'mon! I don't want to sound harsh or insensitive, but I want to tell the truth. I don't have a magic wand and I certainly didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. No one from the US Government came to my house, tapped me on the shoulder, and said I was going to be successful. Some people, unfortunately, like to dream big, talk even bigger, and then make up excuse after excuse as to why their dreams didn't come true. Well, boo hoo to those people.

No one is going to reward you today for the work you didn't do yesterday. You have to go after what you want out of life. When you fail, you have to get back up on your feet and try again. There will never be the right set of circumstances to start a business. I had 4k in the bank when I started IME and I had just quit my job with the Government. That's right, 4k- no income coming in- and no client leads. I couldn't make excuses. Instead, I had to make things work. I truly believe this is the difference between those who do and those who talk about doing. Some people make things work, others make excuses.

So, I beg of you today, to ask yourself what side of the fence you are truly on. Do you talk about your dreams a lot or do you execute action plans? Do you happen to lean on excuses vs. lean on reasons why things aren't working out and then develop recovery plans?

I know a woman who is very smart. She is naturally gifted at being both book and street smart. She wanted to start her own marketing company. She went to school to obtain her marketing degree. There is nothing wrong with this, right? Well, then she went to school to get her Master's degree. After this, she wanted to get a communications degree. School became her crutch NOT to open her business, rather talk about it and seem like she was really working on it. After 15 years of intense education, this woman got pregnant. After being home with the baby for two years, she then decided she needed to return to school to brush up on marketing trends in the current time. At this point I asked her if she wasn't a professional student, was she planning on simply teaching marketing vs. opening up a marketing agency. We haven't spoken since....

Don't allow valid excuses to become stagnant reasons for you to not move forward in your life. If you want to open up a business, do it - unless, that is, you are in the business of making excuses.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Simple, Great Customer Service Defined.

I can define customer service in three words. What are they? Above the curve. That’s right, now ahead of the curve but above it. Keeping clients happy is as simple of anticipating their needs so much that you are not only ahead of them with the anticipation, but you are flying so far above them that you start to meet their needs without being asked. You aren’t there to simply respond immediately to a request, you provide the service / product before the request can be made.

Being above the curve is easier said than done. You have to first gain the client’s trust, get to know him or her to develop and then predict their needs, then you have to have the resources to perform the magic of implementation without being asked. Time, effort, and attention to detail are all required to perform not only in anticipation of your client’s needs, but as answer to your client’s needs before the need even occurs.

If you can master this art, you will become in disposable to your clients. What else is better for your own company’s growth and job security? Nothing! So, it is worth putting the time, effort, and attention to detail into your client relationships. I hope this inspires you to reconsider your customer service tactics this weekend.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett

How To Be More Productive For The New Year

            We all know someone who seems to be able to accomplish a million and one tasks a day. That person is able to work their job, take care of their kids, grocery shop, retain a clean household, and have a social life at the end of the day. What do really productive people do that we do not? Here are some tips on how to function more like they do.

            The first thing to do is pick your priorities. You are responsible for the activities that you partake in your life. If you are interested in having a big family, but focused on maintaining your business, you may need to choose which one is more important. It is essential that you focus on finding time for the things that you enjoy.

            The second thing to keep in mind is going for efficiency. You are not able to do everything well. Focus on the activities or business strategies that come naturally to you. Those seem to come easier and are enjoyed more as well. Design your life to meet your personal wants.

            Third, try integrating your activities together. It can be hard to maintain work, family, play, and friendships separately. Instead, find activities that can combine them together. Find friendships in coworkers or get the family together and do a favorite activity of yours. It is very rewarding to spend more time with the people you care about while doing the things you enjoy.

            The fourth tip is to manage time-wasters. These could be things like social networks, family, employees, co-workers, or friends that divert your attention away from your job or other activities. It is essential to limit non-supportive contact with these people as well as manage the amount of time spent on social networks. Websites such as Facebook can easily distract you from a goal and kill valuable time. Practice time management and use it sparingly.

            The fifth tip is to be an active listener. The more you pay attention to rules or directions, the less time you have to spend re-reading or figuring out what was said. Paying attention helps save time that could be used doing something more exciting. Listen closely and you will be able to spare yourself a few extra minutes or hours in your day.

            The final tip towards being productive is to lighten up. As much as we like to think so, we cannot do everything. Keep a list of all projects or tasks that need to be done and cross them off when accomplished. This will help organize all that you need to get done and give you a time frame of when to accomplish them by. Although you may not be able to complete the list in a day or even a week, each task is a small victory until the list is completed.

The balance sheet doesn't drive business....

Many people think the balance sheet of a company should dictate decisions and opportunities. Not true!
People are now making more and more of a difference with companies small and large.

 If you have a great customer service rep or account manager, you may have clients for as long as those employees are with your company. Brand loyalty is built through relationships and not sales prices. The data shows this too.

Are you in need of an employee make-over? Have you been letting your balance sheet control your destiny? I can help. Send me a message and let's talk!

The ability to sell.... can you?

Business owners need to know how to sell their products / services. If they can't sell a product / service then how can they convince others to buy or invest?

The ability to sell is directly related to how successful an entrepreneur really is. In business you need to know how to negotiate (from buying paper in bulk to obtaining clients), to deal with "no," to build industry confidence, and to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Relying on sales people may be needed to streamline business but YOU also need to know how to sell!

Sell and work! Selling is what makes you successful but you also have to put the time in. An eight hour sales day isn't going to cut it. True entrepreneurs work long hours and don't mind doing so.

Want to know more about selling and putting in the time to make that dime? Contact me! I am available for speaking engagements.

Twyla

Leadership .... do you have it?

In order to lead you need to have the follow key elements: Passion, power, trust, mystique, prestige, alarm and rebellion! These elements will transform a brand into something people want to talk about or buy. So how to you use these elements to lead?

1. Take command. It is that easy. True leaders don't wait around for approvals or for opportunity  They take charge and make opportunities.  So don't wait for that investor to find you... .go out and find that investor!

2. Be emotional because it IS business. I head someone once say they can't be emotional because it is business. WRONG! If you show your passion, people will want to be a part of your brand or buy your products.  

3. Stir up curiosity and use your poker face. Have customers ready to buy? Sell them the product and invite them to read about your super, secret  upcoming product, via your VIP preferred customer marketing newsletter, when that great product is finally ready. Talk new ideas, services, and products up before they are out but don't reveal everything. Do a great business striptease! 

4. Inspire respect.  Don't just make people follow your lead, make them WANT to follow your lead. Show compassion and empathy whenever possible. 

If you start leading by implementing these four key elements then you will be on your way to success!