Tips and Tools for a Comprehensive PR Plan

It’s amazing. People are crowded into your store, and the phone won’t stop ringing. You’ve exceeded your goals for this quarter, and your employees can barely keep up. With all your profits, you’ll keep expanding, keep increasing your market.

Then your alarm clock rings and you wake up. It’s time to face the day and figure out how to make that dream a reality.

If you’re like most people, you want to grow your business. But what are the best ways to do that? Here are some ideas to get you and your brand noticed.

• Hold an event. No, your business may not be new, but find something to celebrate. “1^st Anniversary!” “Customer Appreciation Day!” “Open House!” However you label it, having a party will bring people into your store and generate traffic. Be sure to list the event in newsletters, newspapers, or other local media outlets.

• Give a speech. Doing some public speaking is a great free way to make yourself familiar to the community. Join organizations such as the chamber of commerce, Rotary, and business-related groups, then offer to talk about topics you think members will find interesting. You’ll become more recognized and have more opportunities to network.

• Find a cause. Support a nonprofit group in the community and get active. By working with a local charity, you’ll meet terrific people and spread goodwill.

• Make contact. It may sound old-fashioned, but take some time to figure out what local media your customers favor. It is radio and TV? Or maybe a community newspaper? Then contact the people who write for these outlets. Send them press releases on a regular basis, talking not only about your products but also how you solve problems for your clients.

• Go electronic. Social media may seem daunting, but embrace it! Make sure your website is appealing to visitors and stays current. Begin at Twitter and start following people and groups that you like. See what they are doing and then post your own tweets. Next, explore other platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. If you don’t have the time to update on a regular basis, hire a social media group to do it for you.

No matter what strategies you favor, never miss an opportunity to meet people and talk about your business. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to boost your brand.