The VIP databases are fun to create and can be an excellent source for your small business. You say; VIP database, "what is that; who would I put in it?" It will contain things like mayor, city council persons, city managers, service club board members, campaign contributors in previous elections, human resource directors, P.R. directors and presidents of large companies, etc. And anyone who's anyone in your market or trading area should be put into your VIP database for easy reference. We recommend using a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet as a format.
To insure accurate information you will need to call the presidents of all clubs and introduce ourselves. By clubs we mean the Rotary, Kawanis, Lions, Elks, Optimists, Soroptimists, Genealogical Society, New Comers, etc. Then jot down all of their annual and or big upcoming events they have planned, their basic mission, big projects, weekly meetings and club contact names. Presidents of clubs love to talk about all the great things they are doing. They'll talk your ear off. So listen. When they are done talking, you start talking, volunteering and telling them about your services or products and thus you become a resource for them to do good in the city. They will pretend to care for ten to fifteen minutes and then give you the names and phone numbers of their club officers and various committee heads. These go in the VIP database. It doesn't take much to get yourself invited to a meeting or two.
Most local politicians are listed in the white pages. They usually have an answering machine and don't pick up the telephone. They want to look accessible, but it's all a facade. Half of the local politicians return phone calls and the others don't care unless you are a contributor to their re-election or you are a VIP. You need to make contact with them and tell them of your pro-active approach in your business to be a community based business and you want to help.
As your database gets bigger you will see the value and the simple meeting of all these folks will start an insider buzz and it will bring business your way as you tap into the community that supports you. Think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs
When you are planning to call a reporter for the... Read More
Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out... Read More
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More
One of the primary tools still used by PR professionals... Read More
PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
I don't know about you but I get really frustrated... Read More
And here it is: public relations alters individual perception leading... Read More
Question: Why should your business issue a press release? Answer:... Read More
Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More
1) Establish Rapport, then get the editor/producer excited.There's not a... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
The power of PassionPassion is an extraordinarily powerful spring. Without... Read More
As if making sure your company runs smoothly on an... Read More
How do you make a friend of the media? A... Read More
Can you honestly say that your business, non-profit or association's... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
You do not have to hire a publicist or advertise... Read More
For a business, non-profit or association manager, they could be... Read More
Have you ever heard of the saying, "One person's trash... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
When I search Google News for "surveys," I get nearly... Read More
Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More
Some people think that publicity is all about paparazzi snapping... Read More
You worked hard to get a story on your business... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
Yes?Good!Still, as a business, non-profit or association manager, if you're... Read More
SORRY?WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING?Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same... Read More
Most small businesses do little to no public relations (PR)... Read More
Ideally, you will have two types of quotes in your... Read More
Does the thought of knowing your verbs from your adjective... Read More
Last month, we told you about "pay for play," a... Read More
What do Monica Lewinsky, Shoshanna Lowenstein, and even Richard Hatch... Read More
PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More
When you are planning to call a reporter for the... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
Sorry about my otaku with this issue (otaku = more... Read More
This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
Done right, it delivers the key, target audience behaviors you... Read More
So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations... Read More
The media need you. Need the information and expertise you... Read More
Because it can alter individual perception and lead to changed... Read More
I recently worked with a group dealing with an unusual... Read More
Would you like to expand the volume of your business?... Read More
Just think about it.If I come to believe that you... Read More
How to write a press release that generates free publicity... Read More
Stripped down to its core, publicity is little more than... Read More
Successful buisnesses know that media attention reaches consumers better than... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you'll know it's... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
Imagine you're the technology reporter at a daily newspaper. You... Read More
"Cindy, where's that story? I need it yesterday!""Coming right up,... Read More
Layout1. 1-2 pages in length.2. Double-space.3. 1.5 to 2 inch... Read More
?lose the confidence of your key target audiences? discourage them... Read More
The most sensible way for business, non-profit or association managers... Read More
Do small-business owners always have to rely on large PR... Read More
Press reviews are a common and basic feature for surveying... Read More
Sure, any publicity is good. But don't invest time and... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out... Read More
To survive in business, you've got to focus your attention... Read More
Public Relations |