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What’s the best thing that has happened to your business due to PR?

 
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PRPro

posts: 441

Aug 16, 2006 3:11 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Fellow Entrepreneurs,

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if any of you would like to share positive things that have happened to you (or for your business) due to PR efforts.

Perhaps you`d like to share successful, cost-effective examples or unique PR ideas with the rest of the group?

I think we`d all like to learn from the successes of other entrepreneurs and hear about current trends.

Thanks!

Melanie



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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites
LogoMotives

posts: 772

Aug 16, 2006 4:21 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Great topic Melanie!

Over the years my PR efforts have led to articles being written about my business, interviews, new clients, speaking engagements, being included in books, offers to write magazine articles myself, and more.

My personal PR efforts in using my "Toot! Toot!" press releases led to me being featured in articles written by Ilise Benun and in her book Self-Promotion Online: Marketing Your Creative Services Using Web Sites, E-Mail and Digital Portfolios.  One such article was eSelf-Promotion, which appeared inthe international design magazine HOW.  She also mentioned my business web site in an interview about self-promotion.  The exposure from those sources, and encouragment from Ilise herself, directly led to me being offered a contract for my first book.  I`m now writing my second book and four other publishers have expressed interest in having me write books.

My press releases (via smail mail and email) are an incredibly low-cost form of promoting myself and result in all kinds of additional exposure.  My pro bono involvement with nonprofit causes have also created interesting results.  Speaking engagements and serving on conference panels has become a source of PR for my business - and I usually get paid as well.  Writing articles for magazines and webzines had been an additional PR outlet for my business.  My blog has become another effective, low-cost PR vehicle for my business. Each PR tool creates a type of "snowball" effect, in playing off of each other, and leading to other PR opportunities.

Rather than money, my PR efforts take quite an investment in time.  That`s why my office is "closed" on Fridays and I spend much of that day each week just dealing with PR projects - including writing some blog entries in advance. 

My marketing/promotion budget is spent on design competition entry fees.  With award-winning works comes the opportunity to put my PR efforts into place - and the cycle begins all over again.  I do no paid advertising or direct mail.

Not all the tools I have used will work for all businesses - but a variety of resources from the PR "menu" may be very effective in increasing the profile of other businesses.

The ultimate impact has been for my business to move in the direction of more high-end projects and consulting. Much more of my time is now spent writing articles and books.

- J.





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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!
PRPro

posts: 441

Aug 16, 2006 4:37 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Congratulations Jeff! It sounds like you are really using cost-effective PR to your advantage. Thanks for sharing your successes with us!

Melanie



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

Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites
NicoleC

posts: 332

Aug 19, 2006 12:25 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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The most creative PR endeavor I have used for my business is to decorate a corporate duck.  Doing so has provided multiple opportunities for exposure both online and at the local community`s Heritage Festival. Unless submitted late, each of these corporate ducks compete in a Dapper Duck Contest and in a water race.   The best part is the funds raised for the corporate duck sale go to the local Chamber`s Educational Foundation. Therefore it is a fun community event, a PR opportunity, and a wonderful way to give back to educational programs.

To view the corporate duck competition go to: http://www.ypsichamber.org/duck.php



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Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!
PRPro

posts: 441

Aug 19, 2006 9:37 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Nicole,

I love it! This is a very creative, cost-effective idea. Do you have any photos of the duck that you could post on your StartupNation profile? I would love to see them!

Thanks for your input Nicole,

Melanie



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

Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites
NicoleC

posts: 332

Aug 19, 2006 12:41 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Yes, I do have one photo of the duck posted on my profile.  It was fairly easy to create thanks to supplys from the local craft store and the ability to print graphic images onto fabric.

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Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!
PRPro

posts: 441

Aug 19, 2006 3:43 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Nicole,

This is great! Thanks for sharing your photos. You are definitely on the road to huge success!

Melanie



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

Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites
onestop

posts: 1

Oct 03, 2006 2:14 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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As a veteran entrepreneur and spiritpreneur of over 35 years, I have given over $5 million of pro bono work for nonprofits and start-up companies.  It has been both rewarding and successful.  By getting involved in social issues which I believe in, I was able to use this both as a reference and as a case study for my profit clients.  It is also very gratifying to be able to use my talents and gifts to help others. Here are some suggestions I would offer to those who provide pro bono consultation to nonprofit and professional entities:

1.  Say "Yes" to one nonprofit and learn to say "No" to others.  You can be diluged with requests constantly, and it is for both the balance in life and business that one needs to make sure that the social cause you are providing service to does not conflict with your business philosophy, mission or vision.  It is ok to say No.

2.  Choose an organization which gives back to your community.  As my new company grows, I have committed to 10% of my business revenues to organizations which promote financial literacy for youth and start-up businesses.  I make it a value-added selling point with all my clients, as I want them to know that I am concerned about giving back to the community.

3.  There is a win-win for both the organization and the company if pro bono work is provided.  Make sure that you have the agreement in writing, and that whatever promotions you specify are carried out in the organization`s marketing materials.

4.  It is personally gratifying to see an organization`s bottom line increase when there is a win-win solution for all.  What a blessing it is to share my talents with others.

 

Sherrie Graham

CKIO, OneStop Business Institute, Inc.

POB 40134, Mobile, Alabama 36640

251-404-3924

sherriegraham@onestopbusinessinstitute.com

PRPro

posts: 441

Oct 03, 2006 2:46 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Excellent advice Sherrie. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

Melanie



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

Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites
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