indratno October 20th, 2007
You’ve known it already the power of visualization. This is the give from the best successful ‘The Secret‘ movie to get you focused on what you’re pursuing to realize you dreams. Enjoy.
Popularity: 26% [?]
indratno August 22nd, 2007
Being able to stand out and deliver a compelling presentation will set you apart. Read tips to help you be a better presenter.
An important aspect of business success today is the ability to communicate effectively. Not only with the written word but to be able to stand out and deliver a speech or presentation with confidence will set you apart.
As a business educator, I have the opportunity to meet some great speakers from around the world and learn more about how to grow my business. Like others in the audiences I am most impressed by presenters who not only impart relevant information but do it in an interesting and entertaining way. Do you make compelling presentations? If not here’s a few tips that may help.
What makes a great presenter? Confidence is usually the initial response and I agree. The number one characteristic that shines through is confidence. Acquiring this quality alone will put many ordinary presenters into the “good” category. What could you do then to go that extra step forward?
1. Awareness of what works for you and what doesn’t and the willingness to build on those foundations. Feedback is incredibly important whether you tape or record yourself and analyse your own performance or have someone else critique for you. But here’s the catch. Most of us only dwell on what didn’t work, try to fix those problems and don’t work on their strengths. By recognising what works for you, acknowledging and building on that base will give you the confidence to improve and become a great presenter.
2. Practice makes perfect, so they say. But practice also makes permanent. It’s important to try new things, experiment, take risks and most importantly to add variety to your presentation. Variety can be built into your presentation through storytelling, humour, use of props, audiovisuals, group exercises or audience involvement. Variety in your voice try soft, loud, fast and slow. Try a range of techniques to keep your audience energised and interested.
3. Have a clear outcome in mind of what you want the audience to take away from your presentation. Remember it’s about them and how they feel. It could simply be they feel comfortable with you to provide a particular service, or you’ve convinced them your product is the best on the market. It could be to motivate them to do something or inspire or challenge them to try something new.
4. Organise your speech into “chunks”. Rather than try to memorise or read a 30 minute speech (or a 3 hour one!) if you have several chunks that deliver a particular message it is easier for you and your audience to remember. As an example 30 minutes could be broken up into a 5 minute opener with a story, 3 chunks of 7 minutes where you talk about 3 different points using some variety while delivering those messages. Then a closer of 4 minutes perhaps to give out handouts or take a question or two then finish big with a call to action.
5. Use your body wisely. It’s okay to jump up and down and be energetic if that is your style. Many of you would have been to an Anthony Robbins or other motivating style of presentation and seen how they use their bodies. At other times a speech delivered with poise and stillness from a lectern is appropriate. What isn’t appropriate is distracting movement such as pacing up and down for no reason, gesticulating wildly for no purpose, rocking back and forth or playing with your hair (girls) thrusting hands in your pockets (boys) or scratching or picking at imaginary fluff on your jacket.
These are just a few of my observations and techniques I’ve learned while practicing to become a great presenter. I hope these tips help you next time you need to make that great client presentation.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Sue Currie, the
director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to
Business Ace your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. To learn
more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine, sign
up for free monthly tips at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/subscriber.html
Popularity: 7% [?]
indratno July 22nd, 2007
Learn some tips on how to write an effective media release that will help boost your profile through publicity and medi coverage.
Did you know that publicity is supposedly seven times more effective than advertising? And it is free that is if you do it yourself. If you know the elements of writing a good media release to capture the attention of journalists, you can cash in on no cost editorial coverage. Here’s a few tips to help you write a media release.
The Beginning
The first and most important thing is to have something interesting to say. Consider your USP just like in sales. It’s your unique selling proposition. After all publicity is “selling”. You are selling a story idea to the media. I like to call it the unique shining point. It really needs to stand out, shine, be compelling not an advertisement, not a boring product plug.
Another element that will really hook the journalist in is to consider the ESP the emotional selling point. Often it is the human element in the story that will capture the reader’s attention therefore the attention of the media. Think about what your story is. What is your background? Have you overcome any obstacles to get where you are today? Any achievements or milestones? Where is the human interest?
What’s more compelling? An announcement about a wedding limousine service, or the 30th anniversary both in marriage and business of the couple who run the service? This is a story I helped someone uncover in a seminar I conducted. The couple later went on to get a full page colour photo and editorial story in a wedding supplement in their local paper for free, just by working out the human element of interest to readers.
WIFM
What’s in it for me? Or what is in it for them. How does your product or service help others? You media release needs to state that key element. How will the reader benefit?
It’s uninteresting to just say, “Jones & Smith Accountants today announced the launch of their revolutionary new accountancy software package Better to state small businesses now have a better way to measure, monitor and manage the costs involved in running their business, thanks to Jones & Smith’s new online measurement & analysis accounting system.
The Heading
Write a catchy headline with a short, punchy phrase. Observe how headings are written in newspapers and magazines. You need to grab the reader’s attention. Of course that is if you are planning to post your media release snail mail with your product sample or full media kit. But most releases these days are emailed. However, the same principles apply. Use a compelling subject heading or the journalist will simply hit delete. Make it provocative.
The Content
Have a bright opening; start with your strongest point first. Instead of the conventional “today announced that” lead, you should make your release stand out from the crowd with a strong, compelling lead paragraph. As editors and journalists get so many releases every day, you only have seconds to grab their attention. The first paragraph is where your important information goes but it needs to be written in an exciting, creative, interesting way.
Consider the 5 W’s Who, What, When, Where, Why; This is an easy formula to remember when writing your release but it is still not enough without some “zing” or compelling elements to “hook” the reader in.
Again - how does it help? Remember the benefit to the reader and perhaps include some “how to” tips on whatever your product or service is.
Use memorable quotes; either of you or someone well-known who can endorse your product. Quotes are often used by the media as they make the story more “real” or personal. A good quote can include why you’ve started this business or developed your product or how it helps your target audience.
The Format
Title it “Media Release” and always include the date. Include your contact details of telephone, mobile, email and website address. Use letterhead and keep the content to one page any more and you will lose the journalists’ attention. When using email, cut and paste into the body of the email don’t send an attachment.
The Contact
Send your release to the appropriate person be sure to do your research. Check that the “food editor” is still just that and not now the “finance editor”. Find out the name of the person and their direct email.
Always follow up with a phone call or email and keep your media liaison consistent. If you provide good information you are not a nuisance, you are providing a service. Journalists and editors need our information to fill their newspapers, magazines and radio shows.
Supply a creative photo or suggest a photo opportunity that will add to the impact of having your information publicised.
Gaining publicity in the media will help you become known as an expert in your business field; it will enhance your image and reputation and help you to grow your business.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Sue Currie, the
director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to
Business Ace your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. To learn
more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine, sign
up for free monthly tips at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/subscriber.html
Popularity: 7% [?]
indratno June 22nd, 2007
Most of us are aware of the many benefits to having an internet presence. These days a website is an essential element of your public relations and marketing mix. Particularly for small businesses, it establishes you as a leader in your area of expertise and provides you with a competitive advantage. But you need to promote it.
Some websites are designed as an on-line brochure for your business, yet others really drive the customer to make their buying decision. But what is the point of having a fancy brochure if no one is buying your product or service. A website can be a cost effective public relations tool for your business. It can help you attract prospective clients who may not hear about you otherwise and increase sales without adding overhead.
Don’t just launch your site and then wait for business to come knocking at the door it may not turn up. If you’re looking at creating a website or wanting people to know more about your on-line presence, here’s a few public relations tips to promote your site on and off-line.
One of the first things you need to do is look at who your ideal customer or client is and who you want to attract to your site. It is important to know your audience so you can target your public relations campaign to them.
Send out a media release to attract interest to your site through the appropriate media. Is it a business magazine or a women’s weekly? Perhaps the ideal avenue for you is your local newspaper. Of course just issuing a media release doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a run so let’s consider a few other points.
Spread the Word Off-line
* Put your web address on all your communication collateral such as brochures, newsletters and on business cards, postcards, flyers about your products, catalogues and posters
* Don’t forget to include it on letterhead, fax cover sheets and invoices
* On stickers used for mail outs, packaging and products
* Include it on promotional products such as pens, caps, coffee mugs, fridge magnets, t-shirts or uniforms and key rings
* In your voicemail messages or your on hold message service
* Mention your website address during radio or TV interviews and speaking engagements
* At meetings suggest to clients they can find out more information about your company by visiting the site
* Put it on all media releases
* Include it in all your advertising print, TV and radio
* On the company car or van
* Yellow pages, white pages and other business directories
* All your email signatures
Think back to your target audience and include your website address anywhere a potential customer is likely to see it.
You’ve sent out your media release but don’t forget to let existing clients know your site is now up and running. Use direct mail, send them a note a good reason to communicate with them or send them an e-newsletter with the latest news. Or perhaps use in-store posters to announce the site launch to your existing customer base.
Consider running ads in the local paper or business magazines if that is where you attract your customers. In short, keep doing what you’re doing to attract clients or customers to your business but add your website address to the mix.
How to Find You On-line
The way most companies promote their websites is by search engine submissions, but search engines and their effectiveness can be a bit of a maze. It does pay to talk to the experts on this one, try your web designer or web host first, as just registering with search engines does not guarantee you traffic. Also just because you have a lot of “hits” on your site doesn’t necessarily mean they are your ideal target market.
Most search engine traffic comes from Google and Yahoo! By using a combination of these search engines and using the right words and phrases on your site you would optimise your chances of being found. You don’t need to spend a great deal of money as some sites don’t charge at all and others charge a nominal fee. Perhaps you could explore Google Adwords. Again it pays to seek advice from your web expert.
Once you do get that traffic to your site, here are a few ideas to keep them there and to encourage them to visit again and again.
* Keep your site interesting. Commit to updating on a regular basis
* Optimise. Again talk to your web expert on this one but make sure your site is user friendly so visitors don’t log out because it’s too hard to find the information they want or it takes too long
* Portray a professional image. Ensure consistency of your web design with your other marketing materials and don’t forget to include your logo
* Present interactive features that keep visitors returning, perhaps a competition or an on-line survey. And don’t forget freebies. You must give your visitors something of value such as articles or e-books
* Send out a regular e-newsletter to your data base that offers tips and information and a link back to the site
* Post articles on other websites with links back to your site
* Explore online advertising or sponsorship on another busy website
* One of the most effective PR tools to drive customers to your website is through link exchanges with sites of similar interest. Locate sites that make a good match to your own and contact the owner to ask if they’ll link to your site in exchange for you linking to theirs
Like any public relations campaign, attracting visitors and potential clients to your website will take hard work, creativity, perseverance and commitment over an extended period of time. But don’t let your website just sit there make it work for you so you can allow your expertise to shine.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Sue Currie, the
director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to
Business Ace your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. To learn
more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine, sign
up for free monthly tips at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/subscriber.html
Popularity: 7% [?]
indratno May 22nd, 2007
Building relationships with your public is public relations. One way to build connections and relationships is through networking. It is very effective personal PR and one way to reinforce and let your personal brand shine through.
When we think of public relations what generally springs to mind is publicity or gaining media coverage in the press or on television. But if we think of public relations in terms of “relationships” with our “public”, then there are many other activities where we can promote our product or service perhaps even ourselves. People like to do business with people they like and trust so it is vital to build strong rapport and relationships with those we hope to do business with. One effective method of meeting people and doing personal PR is networking.
The most important point about attending networking functions is that you’re there to meet people and make effective contacts. You won’t do that if you spend your time flitting around the room from person to person or spending all your time with people you know. You’re better off meeting three people and having a good quality conversation than trying to get around to thirty people. Go for quality contacts rather than quantity.
A good idea is to set an objective before you head off to an event. Perhaps it is just to meet and make contact with three people, maybe meet the guest speaker who you’ve admired for a while or perhaps talk to that elusive business contact you’ve been playing phone tag with.
Wait until the end of the conversation to exchange business cards and ask the other person for theirs first. You don’t want to make a sales pitch at a networking function and thrust your business card at them like you’re handing out flyers in the main street of town. It can be off putting to other people if you come across as too pushy or needy after all you are there to build good relationships.
Have good quality business cards made up and make sure you have plenty to hand out if asked, keep them within easy reach.
A networking function can be great PR for you and your business if you remember it’s also about the other person. Try and make the other person feel comfortable and enjoy your company by having a quality conversation. And that often means we need to listen twice as much as we talk! Most people will think you’re a brilliant conversationalist if you let them do most of the talking.
You’ll have a lot more fun and enjoy networking if you remember to take an interest in other people, share a quality conversation before you excuse yourself politely and move on to establish another relationship with a member of the public.
When it comes to following up your contact, if you have established some rapport send an email the next day to say hello. Perhaps suggest meeting for a cup of coffee. If appropriate send a short note with your brochure.
I have made some very valuable contacts this way. Not all have led directly to work, but most have been very enjoyable encounters and I have been able to refer work to others which in turn has helped my clients and further cemented relationships.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
Sue Currie, the
director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. To learn more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine, sign up for free monthly tips at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/subscriber.html
Popularity: 6% [?]
