Tag Archives: public relations

Benefits Over Features

One of the biggest mistakes even large businesses make in their promotions and marketing materials is to focus on the “features” of the business, without exposing all the “benefits” that the products or services have to offer. It is a common mistake, but also one that can be easily fixed… Features are simply things that your business does; things that your products or services are and do. For example, stating that you have 14 different kinds of widgets is a feature of your business, as is stating that you are open seven days a week. In order to be a … Continue reading →

Enhance Your Image

Okay, let’s talk a little bit about your business image. I know that for a small, home-based business it may seem silly to talk about image—after all, many of us get up in the morning and work in our pajamas! Image? You’ve got to be kidding! But, even if you do work in your pajamas, or at midnight, or without taking a shower or even seeing most of the people you do business with—your business still has an image, and paying some attention to that image is an important part of marketing and doing business. It might help to separate … Continue reading →

“Self Promotion” is NOT a Dirty Word

I admit that when I hear the phrase “self promotion,” my immediate reaction is to think of some know-it-all who barks nonstop about his or her business and all the things he or she does and knows. Now that I have admitted that is MY first reaction, I will also say that as a small business owner, I know very well that self promotion is important and that it doesn’t have to be sleazy or annoying. Self promotion is NOT an undesirable part of business—in fact, it is imperative… Self promotion or promoting yourself and your business does not have … Continue reading →

Understanding Visibility for Your Business

There is a difference between public relations and “visibility” when it comes to your business marketing and promotions. Visibility refers to how visible your business is—how “out in public” it is and how aware your public or market is of your business and what you do. Visibility can be a real problem for home-based businesses since many of us don’t have a physical location or “store” where we can draw attention to our operations. This reality doesn’t have to mean that we toil away in obscurity, however. In this day and age, we can create visibility for our businesses without … Continue reading →

Should You Use Promotional Products?

What do you think of when you think of promotional products to market your business? Do you think of the annual calendars that your hardware store or bank gives out? Or, perhaps all those ball point pens you’ve collected with the names of various businesses written across them? The idea of putting a business name or brand on a useful item as means to promote the business is an old one, but it does still work. Have you given much thought to ways you can use promotional products to get the word out about your home business? In addition to … Continue reading →

Keep the Information Flowing

When there’s only one of you running your home business, things can get bogged down and pushed to the side. You may forget to tell your clients or customers important things, or forget to pass on information that they really need to have. You may think that since you are a small business, the flow of information isn’t such a big deal–but it can be… After all, when there’s just one of you–who do you need to tell? Unlike a more traditional job or business, where you might be part of a department or group or have a boss to … Continue reading →

How Can You Make Your Business More Visible?

Visibility is important in the world of business, and it can be a particular challenge to home-based business that might exist and operate in isolation. Businesses started in someone’s basement or garage, or a small business operated out of the corner of a spare bedroom–don’t have the automatic visibility of a storefront or large corporation. In this day and age, you don’t have to have a large physical building to develop a presence and a visibility in the business market. However, it does take attention to marketing and promotions if you want to become more visible. This means tapping into … Continue reading →

Keeping All Your E-mail Accounts Organized

I am not exactly how I have collected different e-mail addresses and accounts over the years. I remember what a big deal it was a decade or so ago when I got my very first e-mail address, and now, I’ve had various accounts for jobs and work and changed providers a time or two. Keeping all of that information organized can take some effort! If only it was just a matter of changing an e-mail account or provider and getting on with things. Unfortunately, you may have used a specific e-mail address on one web site or link, and another … Continue reading →

Understanding Integrated Marketing

One of the things I try to do here is to deconstruct some of the business terms that you may notice flying around and wonder how on earth they apply to your little home-based business. After all, many of us get into business without really knowing or understanding much about the nitty gritty of the business world. Since I have such a strong background in marketing and public relations—that is one of the areas where I have a little better understanding (although I’m still bumbling along as a beginner too!). One very trendy term and business philosophy is “integrated marketing”… … Continue reading →

Do You Need a “Bio?”

What do you want people to know about you and your work? A resume’ or C.V. might not be enough, or it might not be suitable and appropriate all of the time. It might be work your while to take some time to write up a “bio” or biographical paragraph or two about yourself and your business that can be used in publicity, press releases, publications and other promotional materials. Why would you even need a “bio”? Well, a bio lets people (clients, customers, prospective customers, media, etc.) know who you are, your background, your philosophies, etc. It helps you … Continue reading →