Pr Tip 21/04 - Links?

So you’ve written your release, got your contacts sorted, carefully put said contacts in to mail wizard and you're just about to click that send button...is there something you’ve forgotten? No I don’t mean to spell check and proofread your release as I’m sure that would’ve been top on your list. What I mean is...

Is the link you’ve sent to your site working?

No point in sending out a mass email to journalists when your website isn’t working properly...because you will not get a second chance. So please, before hitting that all important send button you need to check, double check and triple check your website.

PR Offers....get them whilst they're hot

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, I’ve got some great PR offers at the moment, however you’ll have to move fast as only one person per offer. I’m going to be around all evening (20/04/09) and about for the next few days if you want to discuss anything you can catch me on email - hello @ kochou.co.uk or msn rach@kochou.co.uk

So the offers:

Offer One

3 Release package - Special offer price £550

What you get:
A 90 minute online consultation {split in to three 30 minute sessions}
3 press releases written and distributed to a tailor made contact list
Press releases followed up and a report sent to you on their progress
A press kit compiled

Offer Two
Press Release - Written only - £125

30 minute online consultation on your business and to discuss angles for your release/media pitch

A Press Release produced for you to distribute to your own contacts

Offer Three
Press Release written and Distributed - £175

30 minute online consultation on your business and to discuss angles for your release/media pitch

A Press Release produced and sent to you for approval

Your release distributed to a tailor made contact list

Offer Four 

PR consult - £65 **** no limit on numbers for this offer...

If you want to do your own PR but are struggling to come up with some creative ideas and need advice and help on where to take your campaign we are offering a PR consultation package.

What you get:

- 60 minute online session to discuss your business, your current PR and marketing and some ideas

- Templates: Press release, media sheet

- Advice sheets: You will receive tips and hints on how to write a press release and compiling a press kit



- A personalised to do list based on the initial consultation

- 14 days email support

PR Tip 20/04 - Watch what you are saying

PR Tip 20/04

Watch what you are saying - it will come back to haunt you.

Twitter, facebook, myspace, forums - all great ways to promote your business and brand however, be careful about what you say. Making rude comments, bitching about products, companies, competitors - have you thought about who may stumble upon this information?

Just take a moment to think about it...when you’re looking at using a company how many of you google the company first? I know I do and I know that people around me do too. So you need to think about that when you post on sites such as twitter etc as these do show up in the search engines. Therefore - demolishing your hard work in 140 characters.

Learning just to get along...

This may not seem like a PR tip but it is! Learning to get on with your competitors can be a really good way to not only network but to get extra business. I work with other PR companies on projects that they feel are more suited to my needs or projects they just can’t handle alone. By getting on with other businesses you open yourself up to a whole new world of work and not to mention one of the most important things - you get to keep an eye on what your competitors are actually doing.

I’m writing this as I’ve received a response to a survey I complied from another agency who’ve just shown themselves to be rude and quite frankly child like. Now, I know who this mystery respondent is I’ve vowed to ensure that I never pass on any leads or referrals to this company. Which is a shame as I’ve spoken to them on twitter several times and was actually quite impressed by the work they did.

Very rarely are you going to be the only business in your field, if you’re reading this now I’m sure that you are one of dozens, maybe even hundreds or thousands of businesses operating under the same activity. You aren’t going to get all the work all the time, learn from your competitors, get on with them, talk to them...this doesn’t mean you’re giving away all your secrets but you will learn things and make good contacts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So, it's the end of the first business week after Christmas and how have you found yours? I'll be honest I've not found it the easiest week after all it's the come down after the festivities and that dreaded diet has to come back in force but this week should be a lot easier – well here's hoping!

But how have you found your marketing for 2009 so far? Have you really thought about it? With a to do list the size of Mount Everest no one would really blame you for not having the time to think about it.

With this is mind Kochou is offering some fantastic packages to get your marketing and PR kick started and get your business noticed!

Check back soon for more details...

So all that's left to do is to wish all my clients and people who visit this blog a VERY Happy and prosperous New Year!

Remember to include your details!

Remember your contact details!

Just wanted to post a small message to remind you all to add your contact details on everything! Whilst tidying my desk I found a voucher for £5 off my next online order. The only problem is there are no contact details or logo on the voucher meaning I don’t know who it’s from.

I’m a sucker for a bargain so it’s likely I’d have logged on and had a peek at what I could get so I got my £5 voucher but as I don’t know who sent it’s a waste of paper.

So top tip: when creating a special offer, sending out mail etc do not forget to include your branding!

Rachael

Tip Two

Marketing on a budget – part two.

Is it just me or do the weekends seem to be going quicker and quicker? Well, this Monday morning leads us in to December which means just 31 days left of 2008. Have you thought about your plans in 2009? Are you going to organise your marketing and PR ideas in advance so that you’re hitting the ground running and bringing in new business?

Hopefully you said YES to the above, which leads me nicely on to tip number two in our marketing on a budget theme.

Tip two – Become an expert.

This is a fabulous way of getting your name out there as well as bringing more attention to your business. Here are Kochou’s top tips…

Forums: Join forums, answer questions, help people out. Don’t use forums just to sell your wares – join and immerse yourself in the community – help others and learn.
Not only will you get satisfaction from helping out fellow businesses but you will also add to your network and you’ll be demonstrating your knowledge of your subject.
If your business is retail based rather than service based don’t be disheartened. You can still use this method especially around Christmas and other holidays.

…And don’t forget Friday’s tip – USE YOUR SIGNATURE SPACE!
Articles: Start writing articles. Offer a set of tips (much like what we’re doing here) relating to your business. The articles don’t have to be novels or masterpieces but instead short, snappy and informative for example:
’10 tips to becoming your own boss’. Don’t forget don’t overly sell your business but do make references to it and do include your contact details at either the bottom or top of the article.

Start a blog: Start a blog with hints and tips relating to your business. Link with other blogs and make sure you spread the word – the Internet allows you to reach out to a variety of people so take advantage. For micro blogging and getting a network together try Twitter – short blogs of no more that 140 characters so perfect that short and snappy style.

And finally…
Some links that you may find useful -

4 Networking
UK Business Forums
UK Business Labs
Ecademy
Twitter
Squidoo
Blogger