Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`m curious as to how many others have had this happen to them.  I have been fortunate enough to be interviewed by a scrapbook TV show that never got off the ground, a family lifestyle magazine for an article they never wrote and a couple of industry magazines have asked me for comments that they never published.  The only thing I have gotten was the Member Connection column of the Costco Connection magazine - which was a real boon for my business, believe it or not. 

Has anyone else gotten *this close* to a big publicity moment only to have it fizzle out?  I find it to be very disappointing to get all exicted about your "moment in the sun" only to have the sun set on the opportunity. 

~Kim

First for Women magazine photographed my jeweled hair sticks for a feature - it was cut out and they never returned the samples which they said they would.

I worked with a NYC stylist who used a few pieces of my jewelry for a shoot - 2006 Philly Eagles Cheerleaders Lingerie Calendar - he promised to send me copies of the calendar many times but never did, he did return my samples - a one-of-a-kind piece was broken.

Fashion designer and style expert/writer Mary Jo Matsumoto included a necklace I designed in an article published on SheKnows` website http://sheknows.com/about/look/6674.htm - she was great to work with, very nice and professional but I received no sales from the mention.

So I`ve learned not to get too excited over `potential` press - my day job is in a corp com department at a Big 4 accounting firm so I know that things often change prior to publication and sometimes if you do get a mention - it`s not always what you expected.  Fortunately, through my job, I have access to editors/writers contact info and ProfNet queries from the media so when I finally have a press kit ready - I can strategically target the right people who will hopefully by that time be bored with my overwhelming competition.

 

 

-------------------------

~Empowering and Inspiring the World, One Woman at a Time.

Kim,

In biz, as life, there`s ups and downs, the good and the bad - but you know that. At least you got close - mark down a bunch of points for that. I don`t have any close calls to share - however, I do want to mention a great source for learning how to get free publicity.

I have been following a lady by the name of Joan Stewart for many years - she calls herself the "Publicity Hound."  Her free weekly newsletter is full of tips and tricks and she even highlights a "hound" every week who is requesting help and other "hounds" sound off to offer suggestions of assistance.  I have learned many tips and tricks from this sharp lady. I highly recommend her to any business person at ANY level. Her website is http://www.publicityhound.com/. Enjoy!

R@

-------------------------

Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

My live has taken many turns. Although I have no experience with publicity in my new business, I have had many similar situations in my musical career. I, just as "Keycon," have learned not to be too excited. My experience has shown me, free publicity is like hooking that big customer. The big customers come to your store, but they are rarely caught. Of course when you do catch the big one, it`s nearly always a good experience.

Good luck on generating a buzz.


-------------------------

Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

kim,

don`t you love the support from these other folks?! i`m sure you expected it, and that`s why you posted this topic, but i`m so excited to see all of us "isolated" entrepreneurs banding together.

in reaction to your topic, i have this advice (and you`ve heard it before): persistance pays.

if there`s one tried and true "-ism" of being an entrepreneur, it`s that we must all STICK TO IT! failures, letdowns, unkept promises, things turning out differently than expected - all of these are realities in life and especially in business. but there`s something about the successful people... a certain tenacity, relentlessness, optimism, and a "take that hill" attitude that sustains them to new heights.

as you`ve described your situation above, you had several opportunities and only one of them actually came through and... it was a "boon" to your business. THAT`S THE IDEA! get as many lines in the water as you can and hope that one of them catches the fish!

just keep pressing on. we believe in you!

rich

-------------------------

Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Thanks!  I DO press on.  I can`t remember where I read it recently, but a b-book said that many entrepreneurs quit just as their business was about to take off.  They say, "Hey, I`ve tried everything and NOTHING works" and they quit just before they were about to realize success. 

While I have no thoughts of quitting, I find a lot of ScrapBiz members expect instant results from all their press releases and marketing efforts and get discouraged over the lack of results (as we all do at times).  There is often a lag-time between efforts and results.  So, I`ll keep on with the efforts and eventually, I`ll see the results!   When Oprah calls, I`m ready - LOL!

I was just curious to know if others had gotten close, "but no cigar" - LOL! 

~Kim

 

Have you tried sending out press releases to non-mainstream publications that may have an interest in your business?  A local paper may be intrigued by the experiences in your life as you built your business.  An arts and crafts magazine may feature or mention your products if they`re unique or just seem nice.  Also, this may seem like an idea that`s really out there, and I apologize if it does, - but have you ever tried to partner with companies that make window displays for large retail stores?   It can be a way to get some immediate revenue as well as a foot in the door with some stores to sell what you`re offering.

-------------------------

"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

Hi Kim...

Earlier this year, I got a call from Martha Stewart`s offices here in NYC...they asked for samples and said they were planning on doing a segment on new biz start-ups...

You can imagine how crazy I got thinking about the possibilities...to the point of practicing my greeting on camera to Martha.  Of course I jumped the gun and sent notes out to all clients and prospects, asking them to look out for the Pet Set sometime in Spring.  Received all kinds of congrats from people...and yet I have not heard a peep from Martha`s producers...how embarrassing.

Kim,
We all get excited and overzealous at some time. After all, our business (small or not) is like our children. We love it when it looks like success is about to knock on the door.


-------------------------

Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Kim,
For several years I was a VP at a big PR agency and worked on clients that included some national brands such as Levi`s, Visa, etc. who got tons of press but also dealt with the same disappointments that you have described as part of the process.  I also worked in-house for a women`s sports apparel company with no marketing budget to speak of and, with a compelling package and consistent approach, got them press in all the women`s magazines, NY Times, CNBC, WSJ, etc. Came close with Oprah many times (once I had to go down to a storage facility and dig through boxes of a particular black fitness pant to find 10 pair in the size ranges they wanted and barely got the package FedExe`d in time only to have the producer tell me the next day that they`d decided on an all blue theme). One thing I can tell you is that like most things, its a numbers game.  Some things take off, some fall through, sometimes they forget to return samples, etc.  The key is to always be ready to respond on your end.  Reporters and producers are busy, harried people and approved story ideas change at the drop of a hat.  But if you are responsive, concise and easy to work with they will remember you for future opportunties and, as you`ve seen with the placement that did come through, the exposure will pay off. 


-------------------------

www.andhowmarketing.com
http://andhowmarketing.typepad.com/andhow_to_reach_women/
Discover your women`s market(s)...and how to reach them.