We’re a few weeks into the new tax year and I don’t know about you, but I use it as a chance to make a few changes, plan and look ahead.
There are so many PR and marketing opportunities out there that it can be very hard to decide what to do, when to do it and how much to spend.
My golden rule of PR & Marketing is to have a plan and my top rule after that is to choose an order in which to carry out your PR.
Scattergun approaches don’t work and neither does a blitz job – doing it all in one go. This will not only take you ages, but you won’t know what’s working. There’s an element of trial and error to PR and marketing but if you have the right branding and messages to start with, then you’ve got a good foundation.
It’s best to start with a campaign – so that your messaging is simple and concentrated.
I’ll take Kent Vision LIVE as an example – coming up in mid-May. If you’re exhibiting there this year, then you can create a strategy to tell people that you’re going, what you’ve got for them (exclusive show offers / product launches / news etc), and your stand number.
Very simple information – that’s all they need to know.
You can use your social media before you go, joining in with all the relevant show conversations using the hashtags etc.
You can also use your website and printed material too – just make sure you are giving the same messages out.
I’ve seen it done lots of times before, when the messaging is all over the place and I’m not sure what the offer is, what the company does or if I need them.
You don’t want that, so do spend some time looking at your messaging to see if it says what you want it to, what you need it to and if your audience knows what to do next – how they can engage with you and ultimately, bring you a sale.
It’s a great time to look at your marketing, make a plan and take it forward but I know that whilst you’re busy running your business, it’s hard to do.
So, just like your accounting, IT, HR and legals, why not outsource your PR too – then you’ll get it done consistently and frequently, with the right messages at the right time.
Take a read about my ‘Where’s your PR at?’ assessment – to find out where you are with your marketing and what you need to do next.
