Greetings Communicators
The power of the web is unlimited and getting yourself or your company known doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Years ago most localy based businesses relied on a listing in the local Yellow and White Pages but today your opportunities for reach are exponentially increased if you go online. Local search research by Kelsey Group found that 70 per cent of online searchers used local search to find offline businesses. So it is more important than ever to be visible for local online search engines by getting listed in Google Maps, Yahoo Local and other search engines and directories such as Yellow Pages.
If you haven't taken advantage of online promotion yet here's some tips to boost your online search results.
YellowPages.com: this online local directory also includes city guides and user reviews. Search options include local city and state, category and keyword search. Businesses can get a free basic listing. The advantage is the huge exposure -- up to 34 million unique visitors each month.
Local.com: free basic listings are available here also with your company name, address, phone number, website URL and a brief description.
Google Product Search: Local merchants can get free listings on Google's free product search engine.
Free Yahoo local listing: consists of a profile listing basic company information.
Free Google maps listings: list your business in Google Maps by going to Google's Local Business Center, where you'll find information for creating your free listing.
So get online, get noticed and boost your company's online search results!
Until next time, yours in prosperity, passion and purpose
Heidi Alexandra Pollard, The Professional Communicators' Coach
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Greening your brand article
Greetings friends - today I thought I would share with you a recent article by Matt Heinz titled "10 ways to "green" your brand".
I myself am leading a rebranding exercise for a large government agency at the moment so I found this article very timely and relevant. In essence Matt outlines that making your brand more environmentally friendly can add market share, cut costs and make your CFO very happy. He then goes on to give the how including how green aware consumers, audiences and the general public now are and the fact that they are increasingly interested in protecting our environment and reducing its collective carbon footprint.
To read more about Matt 's 10 ways to green your brand including recycling, power management and community participation visit: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/17876.asp
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
The Professional Communicators Coach
I myself am leading a rebranding exercise for a large government agency at the moment so I found this article very timely and relevant. In essence Matt outlines that making your brand more environmentally friendly can add market share, cut costs and make your CFO very happy. He then goes on to give the how including how green aware consumers, audiences and the general public now are and the fact that they are increasingly interested in protecting our environment and reducing its collective carbon footprint.
To read more about Matt 's 10 ways to green your brand including recycling, power management and community participation visit: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/17876.asp
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
The Professional Communicators Coach
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Starting your own home-based communications consultancy?
Here's 4 tips to keep you sane...
So you've decided to take the plunge and start your own home-based consultancy.
You have grand ideas of being your own boss, visions of leisurely days, working in your jeans, having time to 'do lunch' with your friends around your work time.
For those of you, like myself who have been working from a home office for sometime you will know only too well that often the line between work life and home life soon blurs. When I started I often found myself putting on a load of washing before I wrote a proposal for a workshop, or cleaning up the kitchen before returning a call.
Hello real world home office! So much for increased productivity and flexibility.
Over the past two years I have spent some time trying to work out how to keep some of my time structured and some of it flexible. Here are some of the tips I have found to help keep me on track:
Tip #1 Create a work space - keeping a separate, distinct work area in your house will assist you to still be able to go to work when you need to and switch into work mode. I am fortunate to have a spare bedroom that I use as an office however I also share this space with my husband and for him time on his computer is for leisure so I have had to at least define part of the desk space as the 'office'.
Tip #2 Plan your work week - just as you would have used your calendar or outlook when working for someone else to schedule your time and account for your activities, so too you can allocate your time when self employed. For example, if you regularly exercise (I walk my dog Chops at 6am every day), try to do it at the same time each and every day - create the habit. If you commit to start work each day at a certain time - my start time is 8am - then keep that commitment with yourself and keep the pattern and habit a part of your every day.
Tip #3 Let technology be your friend. Client meetings are very valuable when appropriate as there is nothing quite like face to face communication, but schedule them only when required. For correspondance in between sessions or meetings where possible try to use the assistance of technology such as phone, fax, email and if you love technology like I do, use your blackberry or similar device so you can keep in touch with urgent emails and appointments even when you are out of the office. Also make absolutely sure that you get separate lines for your business phone, fax, and internet, the days of the home phone/fax are over!
Tip #4 Keep time zappers at bay. Many of your friends and family will see you as suddenly available now you are working from home. For me the biggest zapper is my husband who is so pleased with his own efficiency when he calls and asks if I can pop down to a local supplier for him. It is very hard to be clear on boundaries but so important if you want to be effective in your business. When zappers call you simply to chat, politely remind them that you're working, and ask them if you can call them back after work or at your designated break time. I allow myself an hour and a half each day for lunch from 12.30 - 2pm and use that time to run all my errands such as going to my PO Box and the bank, so I make it very clear to hubby that if I can fit the errand into my break time then I will do it. He knows now to make sure he's called before noon if he really really needs something.
Working as a solopreneur has so many benefits and pluses and can be very rewarding if you form good habits early on. I hope you find these tips useful in your journey to becoming a successful home-based consultant.
Yours in prosperity
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
So you've decided to take the plunge and start your own home-based consultancy.
You have grand ideas of being your own boss, visions of leisurely days, working in your jeans, having time to 'do lunch' with your friends around your work time.
For those of you, like myself who have been working from a home office for sometime you will know only too well that often the line between work life and home life soon blurs. When I started I often found myself putting on a load of washing before I wrote a proposal for a workshop, or cleaning up the kitchen before returning a call.
Hello real world home office! So much for increased productivity and flexibility.
Over the past two years I have spent some time trying to work out how to keep some of my time structured and some of it flexible. Here are some of the tips I have found to help keep me on track:
Tip #1 Create a work space - keeping a separate, distinct work area in your house will assist you to still be able to go to work when you need to and switch into work mode. I am fortunate to have a spare bedroom that I use as an office however I also share this space with my husband and for him time on his computer is for leisure so I have had to at least define part of the desk space as the 'office'.
Tip #2 Plan your work week - just as you would have used your calendar or outlook when working for someone else to schedule your time and account for your activities, so too you can allocate your time when self employed. For example, if you regularly exercise (I walk my dog Chops at 6am every day), try to do it at the same time each and every day - create the habit. If you commit to start work each day at a certain time - my start time is 8am - then keep that commitment with yourself and keep the pattern and habit a part of your every day.
Tip #3 Let technology be your friend. Client meetings are very valuable when appropriate as there is nothing quite like face to face communication, but schedule them only when required. For correspondance in between sessions or meetings where possible try to use the assistance of technology such as phone, fax, email and if you love technology like I do, use your blackberry or similar device so you can keep in touch with urgent emails and appointments even when you are out of the office. Also make absolutely sure that you get separate lines for your business phone, fax, and internet, the days of the home phone/fax are over!
Tip #4 Keep time zappers at bay. Many of your friends and family will see you as suddenly available now you are working from home. For me the biggest zapper is my husband who is so pleased with his own efficiency when he calls and asks if I can pop down to a local supplier for him. It is very hard to be clear on boundaries but so important if you want to be effective in your business. When zappers call you simply to chat, politely remind them that you're working, and ask them if you can call them back after work or at your designated break time. I allow myself an hour and a half each day for lunch from 12.30 - 2pm and use that time to run all my errands such as going to my PO Box and the bank, so I make it very clear to hubby that if I can fit the errand into my break time then I will do it. He knows now to make sure he's called before noon if he really really needs something.
Working as a solopreneur has so many benefits and pluses and can be very rewarding if you form good habits early on. I hope you find these tips useful in your journey to becoming a successful home-based consultant.
Yours in prosperity
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Philosophy of Public Relations
I was reading an interesting article this week that you may also glean some insights from. In summary here are some of the key points...
Public relations is about man, its fundamental function is to enlighten, educate, emancipate, energize, empower, elevate and enrich man. It can empower an individual through the dissemination of relevant information (education). Therefore the philosophy of PR is the philosophy about human kind. It is important to know the nature of man,this will help in knowing the means of educating man. Because man is not just a biological organism but an animal endowed with reason whose highest dignity is in the intellect. Public relations as a management function helps in defining and achieving organizational objectives and philosophy, adapts to a changing environment and facilitate organizational change. PR practitioners communicate with all relevant internal and external publics in the effort to create consistency between organizational goals and societal expectations. Their duties go far beyond the skills of communicating like their counterparts in other functional areas of their organization, must be able to influence policy decision and developing strategies to implement them. PR informs, creates ideas,persuades people and makes things happen. It establishes and maintains mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance and cooperation between an organization and its publics.
To access the full article visit http://www.globalpr.org/knowledge/features/philosophypr_odele.pdf
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Public relations is about man, its fundamental function is to enlighten, educate, emancipate, energize, empower, elevate and enrich man. It can empower an individual through the dissemination of relevant information (education). Therefore the philosophy of PR is the philosophy about human kind. It is important to know the nature of man,this will help in knowing the means of educating man. Because man is not just a biological organism but an animal endowed with reason whose highest dignity is in the intellect. Public relations as a management function helps in defining and achieving organizational objectives and philosophy, adapts to a changing environment and facilitate organizational change. PR practitioners communicate with all relevant internal and external publics in the effort to create consistency between organizational goals and societal expectations. Their duties go far beyond the skills of communicating like their counterparts in other functional areas of their organization, must be able to influence policy decision and developing strategies to implement them. PR informs, creates ideas,persuades people and makes things happen. It establishes and maintains mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance and cooperation between an organization and its publics.
To access the full article visit http://www.globalpr.org/knowledge/features/philosophypr_odele.pdf
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Branding your small business
With so many small businesses in the marketplace, how do you differentiate yours from the competition?
If you want to set yourself apart from the others you will have to think outside the box. The most important things to remember when conducting business are the three C’s; Creativity, Credibility and Clients.
Creativity
You shouldn’t follow the sheep when creating your business brand, be different, daring and innovative. Think about what you could do that your competitor isn’t doing or if your product or service is similar, find a way to do the same thing but in a different and more effective way. Consider what you can do to add value in a new and interesting fashion.
Credibility
When building your brand in the market it is important to remember that first impressions are everything. You should always have a good turn around time and a quick response to enquiries to strengthen your credibility. People talk and just one unsatisfied customer can damage your brand name and reputation.
Clients
Clients are essential in keeping your business thriving and growing. This isn’t science, it’s how businesses work. If you can’t keep your clients then you can’t keep your business. Consider having annual sales and discount coupons for your regular and first time customers. Coupons are a great way to get your brand name out there and more companies should use them to strengthen their trademark.
Separating your business from another business takes a lot of work and persistence and the best way to make it work is to leverage off everything you do. Make sure that you conduct your business in a creative and credible way where your clients are your number one focus. If you do this, you will be sending your company in the right direction towards creating the brand you desire.
Written by Cae Besaw
www.etiquettesystems.com
cae.besaw@etiquettesystems.com
If you want to set yourself apart from the others you will have to think outside the box. The most important things to remember when conducting business are the three C’s; Creativity, Credibility and Clients.
Creativity
You shouldn’t follow the sheep when creating your business brand, be different, daring and innovative. Think about what you could do that your competitor isn’t doing or if your product or service is similar, find a way to do the same thing but in a different and more effective way. Consider what you can do to add value in a new and interesting fashion.
Credibility
When building your brand in the market it is important to remember that first impressions are everything. You should always have a good turn around time and a quick response to enquiries to strengthen your credibility. People talk and just one unsatisfied customer can damage your brand name and reputation.
Clients
Clients are essential in keeping your business thriving and growing. This isn’t science, it’s how businesses work. If you can’t keep your clients then you can’t keep your business. Consider having annual sales and discount coupons for your regular and first time customers. Coupons are a great way to get your brand name out there and more companies should use them to strengthen their trademark.
Separating your business from another business takes a lot of work and persistence and the best way to make it work is to leverage off everything you do. Make sure that you conduct your business in a creative and credible way where your clients are your number one focus. If you do this, you will be sending your company in the right direction towards creating the brand you desire.
Written by Cae Besaw
www.etiquettesystems.com
cae.besaw@etiquettesystems.com
Friday, October 5, 2007
Websites that work
How many of your customers come to you as a result of your website? If the answer’s not many, perhaps it’s time to put the spotlight on your site’s content and look at the best way of writing websites.
Reviewing our own websites is a task many of us procrastinate over - yes I admit including me - since I launched my website in 2006 (www.leadingvalue.net) I am ashamed to say I have only update it a few times.
But as a communicator and marketer I know that regularly checking all the weapons in your marketing arsenal, including your website, is a valuable exercise. So it is part of my business focus over the next few months...what about you?
So perhaps its time to give your website and check it meets the following criteria:
1. Is it useful and relevant to my target market?
2. Has the content been written with the web in mind?
3. Is it current?
4. What do people think?
5. How many people are visiting and staying?
Writing websites with decent web content requires time and effort, but it’s worth it if you want to turn browsers into buyers. Get writing and improve your online presence today!
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Reviewing our own websites is a task many of us procrastinate over - yes I admit including me - since I launched my website in 2006 (www.leadingvalue.net) I am ashamed to say I have only update it a few times.
But as a communicator and marketer I know that regularly checking all the weapons in your marketing arsenal, including your website, is a valuable exercise. So it is part of my business focus over the next few months...what about you?
So perhaps its time to give your website and check it meets the following criteria:
1. Is it useful and relevant to my target market?
2. Has the content been written with the web in mind?
3. Is it current?
4. What do people think?
5. How many people are visiting and staying?
Writing websites with decent web content requires time and effort, but it’s worth it if you want to turn browsers into buyers. Get writing and improve your online presence today!
All the best
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Recently posted was a message from “Blankset” who asked some questions about the industry and I’d like to open them up to you all for comment.
Q1 What is the best approach to making media contacts within industries in which you are completely un-networked? A simple email intro?
Q2 Who is the best first-point-of-contact person at various publications?
Q3 What are some of the most exciting break-the-mold new types of 'PR' you have observed in the last 5 years?
I have my thoughts – what are yours? Feel free to post a reply answer to one or all of the questions.
CONFERENCE OF INTEREST TO THOSE IN GOVT SECTOR IN NSW AUSTRALIA
Following is a link to a conference in Sydney on “Achieving Internal Communications Best Practice in the Public Sector” that I am delighted to be speaking at
http://www.arkgroupaustralia.com.au/events-b078-internalcommsps.htm
Yours in prosperity, passion and purpose
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
Q1 What is the best approach to making media contacts within industries in which you are completely un-networked? A simple email intro?
Q2 Who is the best first-point-of-contact person at various publications?
Q3 What are some of the most exciting break-the-mold new types of 'PR' you have observed in the last 5 years?
I have my thoughts – what are yours? Feel free to post a reply answer to one or all of the questions.
CONFERENCE OF INTEREST TO THOSE IN GOVT SECTOR IN NSW AUSTRALIA
Following is a link to a conference in Sydney on “Achieving Internal Communications Best Practice in the Public Sector” that I am delighted to be speaking at
http://www.arkgroupaustralia.com.au/events-b078-internalcommsps.htm
Yours in prosperity, passion and purpose
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
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