Minggu, 22 April 2018

Combining Online and Offline Marketing to Build Business Credibility

Combining Online and Offline Marketing to Build Business Credibility

Image source: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/greatpromotionaltools-121016233026-phpapp01/95/top-4-promotional-tools-4-638.jpg?cb=1350430830

Combining Online and Offline Marketing to Build Business Credibility

How to earn new clients for your small business with these brand-boosting suggestions

I hope you enjoyed our recent series of articles and videos focused on what you can do to build your client roster for your business.

New clients are essential to the success of any business so make sure you keep up consistent efforts to draw in new leads you can then turn into paying clients. To quickly recap:

Proper planning
Have you taken the steps to define your ideal client yet? Its important to have a plan before setting off on a journey.

Ideal clients are just that: ideal. The more of them you have, the less stress you have in keeping any toxic clients who may be more trouble than theyre worth.

Make your presence known
Content marketing, email marketing, and social media marketing all work together when planned properly. Before you start any guess work at how to go about marketing your business online remember our tips on the value of planning it all out right and hiring a professional to get it done properly.

This article talked about the value of organic and paid marketing to drive website traffic in droves and the cost of messy DIY attempts at online marketing.

The importance of referrals
Referral business is a great way to generate leads. The leads are better and the fact that youre coming by way of a reference goes a long way to securing the client.

We looked at 4 ways to earn referrals so that you can feel more comfortable when approaching existing contacts for referrals.

Offline Marketing is Still Essential
A lot of what we focus on at eVision Media is specific to online efforts. That is essentially because we specialize in professional website development, social media marketing, and search engine optimization.

Your business success can rely on not only online marketing strategies and tactics, but also offline efforts. So remember to keep up some hard and true staples to keep the leads coming in.

Heres some suggestions to infuse into your overall marketing pie:

Event or Tradeshow Sponsorship

Sponsoring an event or a tradeshow is a great way to get your business in front of key decision makers within your industry or business sector. Our success with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce in 2016 was not only great for getting our name in front of local businesses over having won a Business Excellence award but the sponsor of our award, Blackwood Building Centre Ltd., also received a lot of recognition.

Contests Offering Merchandise

Holding a contest is a great way get word out about your business. Watch out for serial contest entrants (yes people have side jobs entering contests all day) and take the construct of the contest seriously. Look for loopholes that could be exploited and carefully plan your contest so it targets your ideal clients.

Offering free samples or credit as a reward is great when you focus on those who need what you have or do. You may get less entries but its better to get 10 qualified entries than 1000 entries from people who are really only after a freebie.

Radio Advertising

Radio ads are still a good tool especially if you deal locally. Many stations are eager to support local businesses so try reaching out to your local radio stations. The cost might be a lot better than you expect!

Newspaper Mentions

These are great for getting eyes on your business. Its even better if the newspaper has an online equivalent that publishes the article.

If you are able to get your name in a newspaper editorial and the author is willing to link to your site, then youre not only getting some amazing exposure but because of the link, you are also telling Google that your website has more value.

Journalists have trust placed in them by their readers so if you can get someone to feature your business in an article you should definitely do it.

*Bonus Pro Tip if you have key phrases drafted and website pages with them sending the right on-site ranking signals, then try asking the article author to link to your business with an actual term youre trying to rank for.

Networking

Never underestimate the power of good networking for your business. Getting yourself out there at events, trade shows, or anywhere else you can find your target audience is a great idea.

Not all events cost money and even if you dont make a connection you can still have a good time!

Some other quick ideas to boost your brand exposure include:
Sending postcards to past or prospective clients
Posting flyers, sending mailers or distributing door hangers
Goodie bag and door donations at events where your target market will be in attendance
Merchandizing
Volunteering
Even get your car wrapped with your brand messaging!

These methods are good on their own and together they result in you building your credibility and getting more exposure in front of your ideal target market.

The value of credibility is immeasurable for business success and the cost of not having any clients know, like, or trust you is equivalently high.

Understandably, a lot of these tips seem great but are often tough to execute. If youre having trouble building your client base or simply want some more help on any of the topics covered here, please get in touch.

We dont give away all this advice for free without reason. At eVision Media we are always looking for great people to work with and when you review our posts, remember that before we started them we defined our ideal client hoping to find you, so we can work together towards your business goals and overall success.

Sabtu, 21 April 2018

Cocktail Etiquette - How to Drink like a gentleman

Cocktail Etiquette - How to Drink like a gentleman

Image source: http://www.refininggentleman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Manhattan.jpg

Cocktail Etiquette - How to Drink like a gentleman

Whether youre just starting out in your profession or a seasoned executive, there will be a time when you will have to join the cocktail party circuit sooner or later. Managing these events with style and grace is more important to create long lasting impressions on your fellow colleagues. Hrithik the brand ambassador of HE deodorant does it right when it comes to attending cocktail parties.

Be aware of the differences between cocktails, cocktail party, cocktail buffet and a cocktail reception. Knowing the difference will help you not ending look like a time watcher who wants to get out of the party anytime soon before it concludes.

Know the difference:
Cocktails and Cocktail Party: Most of the time guests are standing talking having conversations, and the attire can range from business to casual.
Cocktail Buffet: After guests fill up their plates at the buffet stations, there are usually small tables and chairs set around the room for the guests. Attire is business or formal. This type of event could last for not more than 2 to 3 hours.

Cocktail Reception: This event is the mostly formal and could be held for a distinguished guest of honor or an event such as openings of an art gallery or a new business venture. Attire is very dressy for women and usually black tie for men. Champagne is always served. Wearing the right deo for men also creates the difference. Complimenting ladies for the scent of their perfumes can earn you a lot of brownie points.

Few tips and tricks to sail smoothly through a cocktail party

Research always come handy! Learn something about the guests attending the cocktail party. Small talk will be much easier. Steer your conversations based on the business or social goals that you need to achieve.
Talk to people feel free to make new friends .Maintain eye contact during introductions and conversations.
Only have your drink or food in your hand, never both. Always hold your drink in your left hand so your right hand is dry, clean and available to shake hands. If eating hold your plate on your right hand and take the food with the left. If someone approaches you switch the plate to your left hand and your right will be clean to extend.

Dont head straight away to the bar, it creates an impression that you are at the party only for the booze.
Food and drink should not be your main goal. Connect with as many people as possible. Interrupting people while they are having a conversation is considered as a rude gesture. Wait until they include you or there is a break in the conversation.
When starting a new conversation with unknown people make sure you dont get to personal with them or pick up a topic of common interest you share with them.
People enjoy talking about themselves. Do not be looking around the room when you are speaking with someone. Maintain eye contact! Be mindful of others space; make sure you are standing at a hands distance away so that you are clearly audible and not very loud.
Never back someone against the wall.
Do not be a clock watcher, always looking at your watch. The person you are speaking with will get the impression you are in a hurry and not really interested in what they are saying. Never drink too much. Dont spend time looking at your cell phone. Remember to follow-up with everyone you connect with at each event.

Click Here for 10 Tips on Creating Great Blog Content for Your Automobile Blog

Click Here for 10 Tips on Creating Great Blog Content for Your Automobile Blog

Image source: http://writingclassesforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/new-cover-10-TOP-WRITING-TIPS-COVER-For-Kids-Who-Love-to-Write-copy.jpg

Click Here for 10 Tips on Creating Great Blog Content for Your Automobile Blog

Are you starting an automobile blog to channel your passion for cars in a profitable way?

An automobile blog is also a great way to market yourself in the car industry, from car reviews to mechanical issues, people are interested in topics related to cars.

But, it is important to understand that people will only be interested in particular topics related to cars.

In addition, quality content is everything in the blogging industry, and it is imperative to a successful blogging platform.

The good news is that there are a few simple tips to proving the content that people want to read the most.

Read on to learn ten of these easy tips that you can implement on your blog platform to build blog posts that people love.

1. Follow Current Affairs

This method is extremely effective in the beginning of a blogs life in order for it to become known.

Watch Google trends as well as social media trends, and form topics accordingly. This will ensure that the content is relevant and interesting to more people.

In terms of cars, try to keep up with the latest news, recalls, issues, and models to provide up-to-date info for your readers.

2. Consider the Audience

No matter how good your content is, it wont be read if you arent writing it with your audience in mind.

Before getting started and beginning to build blog posts, define your target audience and demographics.

The titles should resonate with that audience, as well as provide value to them as a group.

3. Use Keywords and Tags

Can you imagine trying to find a home without an address?

This analogy is also important in understanding how keywords and search engine optimization works.

The keywords you choose to use in your articles will help people find them on search engines.

This also applies to the taglines you use, and any hashtags you use to share the post on social media.

4. Track Interesting Topics

The hardest part of blogging can often be thinking of new and exciting topics for users to read.

In order to keep creating interesting content, track interesting topics. There are many ways to do this, but consider starting by making notes on your phone of any ideas you have in your day-to-day life.

As well, keep an eye online for any questions that consumers have about automobiles. Social media and online forums can be a great place for this.

5. Pay Attention to Influencers

Content often gets shared the most when an influential individual is involved. This is because they typically have a large following and audience in that field.

Keep in mind the influencers in your field when you build blog posts for readers, and reach out to them if you feel it is appropriate to do so.

6. Make People Laugh a Little

Humor can go a long way in motivating readers to continue to follow your blog platform.

It helps you stand out in the crowd and establishes you as a person rather than a platform alone.

As well, you can cater the humor directly to your audience, as well as let your personality show through a little.

7. Make Posts Unique

It can be tempting at first to frame all posts that you write based on what others are doing. But, try not to cling to them too much.

Unique content is content that will be read. Otherwise, your information will get lost in the crowd.

In order to provide blogs that a fundamentally different, consider offering a unique perspective or angle.

For example, there may be plenty of information out there about a particular make and model, such as Suzuki Vitara, which you can click here for more information about.

But, try to take on a more specific niche, such as the environmental benefits of the car or why it is a great car for frequent travelers.

This ensures that your content is different than the rest, without venturing too far off the trendy path.

8. Consistently Share Expertise

The influencers in any given field are usually in that position because they offer expertise in that subject area.

People want to get the inside scoop on their area of interest, no matter what that may be.

Establish yourself as an expert early on when you build blog posts. Let people know why they can trust the information you give them.

As well, try to use statistics or other facts in your articles frequently to reaffirm what you are saying. This will help users trust you.

9. Get Organized

A content calendar can work wonders in the blogging and influencer world. It makes sure that you will always have content to share with your followers.

In addition, it helps you have some organization in the otherwise hectic world of blogging, as well as keep posts regular to ensure the growth of your platform.

10. People Connect with Stories

People want to follow other people, not faceless platforms. That is why stories are important, as they remind readers who the writer is, and why they are writing on the subject.

This is a great chance to follow the other tips above, from humor to expertise, people will connect better with your blog if there are stories present.

That said, they do not need to be overly personal. Rather, get just personal enough without going into too much detail.

The Best Way to Build Blog Posts

Are you just getting started in the blogging industry?

It can difficult to know how to even begin, with all of the steps it takes to build blog posts that people will actually read.

The growth of a blog is typically slow-going, but with some professional help, this process can be streamlined to the fun part of blogging.

Check out our webpage for more information on the best blogging sites and platforms to get started today.

Related Posts:

How to Build a Strong Promotion Strategy for a
Why a Logo Maker Is a Must for Advertising
12 Local SEO Solutions That Will Help You Outrank
How to Run a Successful Auto Blog

CHRISTMAS A HALLMARK MYTH

CHRISTMAS A HALLMARK MYTH

Image source: http://s.ecrater.com/stores/151094/4d4086b26bfd9_151094b.jpg

CHRISTMAS A HALLMARK MYTH

I grew up in the Midwest during the end of what climatologists call the Little Ice Age; a short period of time when the Northern Hemisphere was supposedly much colder than normal. What I recall about winter, up through my undergraduate college days, are frequent cold snaps and snow falling shortly after Thanksgiving accompanied by a season-long hard freeze. We built snowmen, had snowball fights and sledded down a hill at the local cemetery for the entire month of December. Snow continued to fall throughout the month, and rivers, lakes, and ponds were solid enough to support ice skatingand/or the occasional teenaged driver slipping and sliding in his hotrod from shore to shore. We did not have sleigh ridesthose disappeared (along with stringing popcorn) with my parents generation due to the invention of the snowplow. Sudden thought: Once in a while wed bully each other by taking someone down and washing his face with snowgave one a nice ruddy complexion, yknow?
Starting about the second week of December, raucous office parties took place, and in the streets, inebriated carolers reeled from house to house; except carolers from churches (I surmise) remained sober. They sang longer, but not as loud as their intoxicated counterparts. Inside, mistletoe hung, chestnuts were roasted over a fireplace, bowls of nuts with nutcrackers were on tables, and mothers made divinity and fudge. Christmas trees had simulated snow called angel hair wrapped around the bottom, a substance made from spun glass that children were warned not to touch. Bubble lights hung on the tree with homemade red and green chains, and tinsel was liberally thrown from top to bottom. I also remember little gumdrop trees on tables, and bowls of red, green, and white hard candy. The latter makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it.

Downtown was gaily decorated, and Christmas music was piped into the streets competing with Salvation Army bell ringers. People were bundled up; stores and bars did a bustling businesshappy folks buying each other cocktails. Churches had Nativity scenesand I believe the town did as well in the town squareours was actually a triangle.

In other words, these are scenes now only lived in Hallmark movies. Perhaps there are places in the northeast or Minnesota where they still play out. I dont know. I do know that after I returned home after living in SoCal everything had changedmostly the weather. Often, snow doesnt fall in quantity until January, and hard freezes are rarecertainly not enough for ice skating. The latter probably doesnt matter since sue-happy society has relegated skating to inside rinks; if you can find one. Much of the Christmas Hallmark scenario has gone the way of hayrides and apple-bobbing at Halloweenthat is, gone for good.

Also gone from yesteryear is (practically) everyone smoking, thinking maybe lighting-up helped drive away the chill; holiday-decorated cigarette cartons, and gifts like cigarette lighters, and other smoking paraphernalia. Christmas (not Holiday) specials were also different back-in-the-day featuring a mix of happy snowman and Santa Claus tunes with religious songs batting clean-up near the end of the show. The presentation was joyful and upbeat often with cast family members making an appearance: Perry Como, Lawrence Welk, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Arthur Godfrey, Pat Boone, etc., etc. That said, I am traumatized to this very day by one particular show ending. The scene was an attractive woman in whiteovercoat, hat, and muffwith snow falling and a white church steeple in the background. The light was filtered making the scene even more compelling. Music began with the familiar intro notes to O Holy Night. Then it happened; the woman opened her mouth and started to sing. It sounded like an out-of-tune Bob Dylan-type voice with poor enunciating skills. Talk about nails on a chalkboard or grinding gears. It was Cher! Now I have no problem with Cher except when she decides to warble a difficult song written for an operatic soprano. What were the producers thinking? It was gosh-awfulworse!

My point is Christmas is no longer like a Hallmark movie except in our memories or in the fantasies of younger folks. So-called political progressives are against Christmas songs, Christmas trees, Nativity scenes (crches), that racist Santa Claus dude, colored lights, and almost everything else that makes the season fun. Aside: Heres a good idea to get the whining wimps to buy-in. Why not call a crche, a three-sided homeless shelter? That PC label should stop their complaining. Nah. Who am I kidding? They love being miserable, and wantno, demandthe rest of us share their wretchedness.

Ive lived in the southwest desert for the past three Decembers. Sand substitutes for snow, and Saguaros for snowmenexcept for the blow-up kind from Walmart, and we have enough sunshine to lay some off on Pittsburgh. Kay still goes over-the-top decorating the inside of our home, and music by dead people fills the airBing Crosby, David Seville, Gene Autry, Ray Conniff, Nat King Cole, the Andrews Sisters, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como

Come to think of it, in my youth decorating wasnt nearly as lavish as depicted in the made-for-TV movies. Mainly, we had a real tree with a few strands of lights, and colored spherical ornaments. You mainly saw the tree, not solid lights and hanging knick-knacks with no part of the tree visible. The rest of our home, and others, basically looked the same, that is undecorated, although some people did string colored outside lights on their eaves.

Kay grew up in Southern California where decorating throughout the house was typical maybe to make up for lack of a Winter climate. Her mom also loved the holiday season; and I suspect Kay relives her youth, and remembers her late mother during the process of converting our home into a Christmas showplace. When we lived in a home with three floors, there were four trees along with every other kind of Christmas paraphernalia. Me, I still enjoy the season as much as I did as a youngster, but no longer feel the excitement in the pit of my stomach that festooning a home used to bring. Dont get me wrong, I still like the look of the house when everything is done, but the prevailing thought that nags me constantly is what a pain in the rear its going to be to take it all down and stow it when the season passes. Other than that Grinch-like sentiment, all is well. I enjoy the smells, music, gatherings, drinks, and food. Im ambivalent about shopping, receiving and wrapping presents; and absolutely annoyed with the vocal minority of whining, tightly-sphinctered, politically correct, so-called progressive (actually regressive) steaming lumps of excrement in society than insist the season is racist and/or offensive.

In a few days, our community is going to have a ChristmaserHoliday Parade that ends up at the bandstand where a local band will play. For the benefit of our local Shalom Club, a really nice collection of friends and neighbors, I will present a Chanukah song about a dreidel that spins off the counter, down the stairs, out the door, and drills into the ground where a tree grows with millions of dreidels for all. That will be my tribute to Judas Maccabeus, the hammer, who led the Hasmoneans in kicking the crap out of Seleucid forces.

Bottom line: I consider myself fortunate for having grown up in the Golden Age of Hallmark Christmas when the scenes were real, not a mirageand free of people who attempt to stamp out anything and everything that brings joy. With that in mind, Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays (select one).

By the Spirit of Christmas Present himself (aka Gene Myers), a right jolly old elf.

Jumat, 20 April 2018

Choosing a Web Testing Service - What You Need to Know

Choosing a Web Testing Service - What You Need to Know

Image source: http://www.bitterneparksurgery.nhs.uk/website/J82171/files/Choose%20well%20poster.jpg

Choosing a Web Testing Service - What You Need to Know

For anyone who is into software development, then you need to know how important a software testing service is. You may be in a big hurry to get your software released into the market and start making lots of money, but if you do not have it examined first before you release it, then you may be in trouble.

Using a software testing service may delay the release date of your software, but it will keep you from engaging in trouble.

A testing service is merely like the name appears. It is a service that will test your software to see bugs and errors. This will help to ensure that the application program is working properly before it is released. These services will have standardized quality control testing that each software set must pass before it is suited to release. You can also prefer to look for best software testing services that handle your project effectively. 

Do you want another good reason to use a tests service? They will discover problems that can cause damages to a company by the software. Intended for instance, if your software is supposed to perform certain calculations and there is a mistake in how the calculations are built, you could wrap up getting sued because this problem could cost any company that uses your software a lot of money. No one wants to take the liability for damages caused by a faulty program.

That you can do a search online to find a range of services available. You can decide on an offshore testing company for the lower prices or perhaps you may choose to use the one that is available in your country. No matter what, try to get tips from other people that hired them and used their services.

Read their website carefully to make certain that they follow a standardized protocol for testing. Be prepared to wait a while for the results of your software testing. There are so many intricate details which a good software tests company will check for in your software that it will take some time. They have to also put your software through many testing phases to ensure user compatibility.

So if you are into building software or are starting your own software building company, do not omit this step. When you get to release your new software, you want to be able to know certainly that it is the best software that it can be. It offers the difference between making and breaking your software development business.

While new technologies emerge, more testing procedures are being developed and implemented by organizations across the world to ensure that new software performs according to their requirements and specifications even when additional functionality is introduced into the software.

The rising testing solutions, that happen to be driven by new technology, are made to reduce the time and resources necessary for examining in order to improve the look of the quality control as well as the good quality peace of mind services associated with software development.

Some additional types of testing, which are currently used in the software industry are white box testing, system assessment, non-functional testing, acceptance assessment and integration testing. Every of these testing was developed to distinguish and solve application/software limitations in a specific set of conditions; hence they are useful for software testing taken out in case of specific quality assurance and testing procedures.

A key area to focus on when considering a software testing company is its software testers. Today there exist two popular certifications, ISEB and ISTQB. Try and ensure that the software testers at least hold these certifications at foundation level.

Chocolate - History Of Hershey

Chocolate - History Of Hershey

Image source: http://www.momendeavors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Hersheys-Kisses-History.png

Chocolate - History Of Hershey

In this article we're going to review of brief history of one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate in the world, Hershey.

The Hershey company itself started with a decision that its founder, Milton Hershey, made in 1894 to produce sweet chocolate as a coating for his caramels, Milton's first business. He set up his new shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and called the company the Hershey Chocolate Company. By 1900, only six years after its chocolate covered caramels first hit the scene, Hershey was producing milk chocolate in bars, wafers and other shapes. Because of the Industrial Revolution and mass producing methods, Hershey was able to lower the cost of his products and thus make what was once an item only for the rich, something that everyone could enjoy.

Because of the company's immediate and overwhelming success, Milton decided to greatly increase his production facilities. So he decided to build a new production facility in south-central Pennsylvania, in Derry Township, where he was born. This facility was in an excellent location as it was close to the ports of New York and Philadelphia where he could easily get his supply of sugar and cocoa beans. It was also surrounded by dairy farms so he was able to get all the milk he needed. Add to that a location where there were plenty of people eager to go to work and everything couldn't be more perfect. By the summer of 1905 the factory was in full production manufacturing their milk chocolate.

In 1907, Hershey decided to expand his product line and came out with the ever popular Hershey's Kisses. At first they were individually hand wrapped in foil but in 1921 when the wrapping machine was invented this process was greatly speeded up. This process was also used to add that "plume" at the top of the Kiss that we come to expect. As a matter of fact, in 1924 the company actually had the Hershey Kiss trademarked.

Over the next twenty years a number of other very popular products were introduced such as Mr. Goodbar in 1925, Hershey's Syrup in 1926, chocolate chips in 1928, and the Krackel bar in 1938. In spite of the great depression of the 1930s these new products helped Hershey maintain its profitability and avoid having to lay people off.

Hershey helped the war effort during World War II. For starters, a number of new products were introduced and an old company had been acquired by the name of H.B. Reese of the famed Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Hershey ended up making the chocolate coating for those cups and a perfect marriage was made. In 1963, seven years after Reese's death, the company was sold to Hershey.

Over the years since, Hershey has grown considerably. Today, they are the leading manufacturer of chocolate and chocolate products. Their products are exported to over 90 countries. They have over 13,700 employees worldwide and have net sales of more than $4 billion annually. And in all this time they have never deviated from the values established by the man who started it all.

Cash In With Newspaper Clipping

Cash In With Newspaper Clipping

Image source: http://lowcost2.ru/i/news/lowcost2.ru_2014.05.12-09.13.13_953741_w-barlow-steel-money-clip-174953.jpg

Cash In With Newspaper Clipping

Bet you never thought about this money-making opportunity! If you're looking for a decent work-at-home opportunity with good returns, why not consider starting up and operating a newspaper clipping service from home.

Newspaper clipping, although often misunderstood, is an extremely lucrative opportunity that is growing in demand and popularity. It's a very simple opportunity and can be started instantly from home with little or no cost or investment.

Not many people know about this opportunity and if you tell your family or friends that you operate a newspaper clipping service, most of them will think that you skim through newspapers looking for birth announcements, funeral announcements or wedding announcements, cut out this clipping and send it the people concerned.

In actual fact, this is only a small part of this business opportunity. The real money is in the contracts you have with corporations and institutions to provide a press clipping service. These corporations and institutions want to keep updated and be aware of any matter that is reported in the newspapers that may have a direct or indirect affect on them. Information they may want to know includes public perception of a specific product/service, competitor activities, public demand, government comment and intentions, press write-ups about the corporation, public complaints against the corporation/product or industry-related complaints, business or marketing opportunities, etc. An informed company is a successful company.

Some bigger companies have their very own research department with full time employees to undertake these activities for them on a daily basis. But there are some companies, especially the smaller ones, and non-profit organizations who outsource the work to independent individuals who perform these tasks for them from home. That's where you can fit in.

GETTING STARTED

Getting started in this venture is relatively simple and easy. Your most important piece of equipment is - wait for it - a pair of scissors! You'll also need a great deal of newspapers and magazines to skim through. You can buy them, if you wish, or you may simply visit your local library and use the newspapers and magazines there. You won't be able to clip items out, though, but you will be able to make copies of the relevant articles you need and clip out the required bit afterwards.

Your next step is to arrange your clippings according to the name of the company or institution mentioned. Create a file for each company/institution and file these clippings accordingly in chronological (date) order. When you have collected a sufficient amount of clippings about a specific company/institution - about ten - send them to the company/institution concerned with a letter. Address the entire package for the attention of the media liaison officer or director. Explain in that letter who you are and what service you perform. Offer to provide this service to them on a monthly basis and name your fee.

HOW MUCH TO CHARGE

How much you charge will naturally depend on the size of the company/institution concerned and the impact they have in public. Companies/institutions who expect to appear in the media very frequently will obviously be charged a higher rate as opposed to one that's not. As a rule of thumb, charge between $50-$100 per month, depending on the size of the company/institution concerned.

You may also expand your services for which you could charge extra. An expansion example could be to scan all the clippings into digital format with a scanner and computer. You can categorize your clippings and create a search facility. You could then offer your clients information in digital format or handle once-off requests from other interested parties. Taking the idea still further, you can even start a website and sell subscriptions for access to your database. The possibilities are endless - you just need to be a little creative and do some lateral thinking.

FINDING CLIENTS

Formulate a sales brochure outlining your services, the benefits, samples of your work and a rate card. Mail these to prospective clients whose address you can find in telephone directories and your local chamber of business. Before you mail out your brochure, it is a great idea to find out beforehand the name of the person from the company/institution who would be the decision taker with such an activity. You can then address your correspondence directly to him or her. This tactic ensures that the right person reads it and not some low-level employee who won't understand the significance of your offer and may just take your letter and file it away.

A little ad on the internet or the classifieds may bring in some good prospects by telephone. Follow up these telephonic requests by mailing out the sales brochure as mentioned above.

Your best clients will come from referrals. Companies who use your services may recommend you to other companies they do business with. It is therefore imperative that you strive to render a professional, reliable service at all times. As you build up your business, you will find that a lot of companies will be approaching you directly. If you handle just ten companies and charge $100 per month, you could make an extra $1000 a month just by doing a couple hours of work per day.

Copyright (c) 2006 Anwar Ahmed Ally

Things that Most Burglars Think and Do

Image source: http://m.likesuccess.com/quotes/9/444441.png Things that Most Burglars Think and Do These days burglary is becoming more c...