The New Year brings new PR opportunities
What will 2009 mean for public relations?
Naturally, as public relations experts we watch and read the news, as you would expect us to. So while the cycle of glum rhetoric and evidential stories of economic turmoil seem relentless enough to block out the sun, we can see the light! For such are the depths of despair, even the most curmudgeonly news editors will delightfully grab a positive story about survival in the economy - even if it ends up with a clichéd 'trend bucking' headline!
So (and calm down those of you we are already seeing precisely to exploit this approach!) what has been happening to your business that could make a newsdesk team go 'Hmmm...'? What amazing orders have you secured? What did you do to go above and beyond the call and dazzle a client? Are you recruiting? Have you restructured? Have you moved offices (bigger or smaller - it really doesn't matter), a new website? Perhaps you've launched a blog? Or are you offering free seminars? You surely get the idea?
So stop despairing at the stories you read in the newspaper, that tax your ears on the radio and send you grasping for the remote control when they dominate your television. Instead spend a moment thinking about what positive story you could tell.
And this is going to be the flavour for 2009 – success will sell amid the misery the media will merrily portray, not least as a reduction in advertising revenue and reduced pagination means less space for news stories. This is why, now more than ever, your PR portfolio needs to multi-faceted; you do not need to rely on the media for your public reputations, you can market yourself directly to your clients and prospects alike. The success of this newsletter is testament to that.
________________________________________
Why you should be LinkedIn – social networking for business
Quite a few recipients of this newsletter have gone on to become LinkedIn with me – often followed by a flurry of emails asking for the best way to exploit this popular networking website.
This has led to this month’s main download ‘Why you should be LinkedIn – social networking for business’. This is my take on LinkedIn after only a few months using the service – if you spend just a few minutes on Google and indeed on LinkedIn itself, there is a wealth of information to help you get truly exceptional results. I try to give you the foundation that will ensure your LinkedIn profile becomes a cornerstone of your e-footprint online.
It is also a great way to showcase how great your reputation is with clients and associates. The ‘recommendation’ function can reflect what people think – Do check out mine!
________________________________________
Have breakfast with West Berkshire’s MP
You would expect the chairman of Newbury Business Group to expound its virtues, but honestly, it is at the forefront of networking in Berkshire and its independence ensures it thrives for its members.
We meet for breakfast on Friday mornings at the Donnington Valley Golf Club at 7.30, and this week, 16th January, we will be joined by Richard Benyon, the MP for West Berkshire. He will be seeking our views on the local economy, sharing his thoughts and answering our questions.
The event is set to be one of the most popular we have held and has already attracted a significant number of guests, however we are certain to fit in a few more – so if you are serious about networking and would like to hear first hand from our representative in Parliament, email me promptly to secure a seat at the table.
________________________________________
And finally... your opportunity to catch Nigel Morgan live!
One of the networking groups that Morgan PR supports is the Faringdon Business Breakfast Club, which meets bright and early on the first Monday of each month and where guests always receive a warm welcome over hot bacon butties.
At the meeting on 2nd February I will be giving a presentation on ‘The Path to Networking Nirvana’, which expands on our download and will include a One-Minute Masterclass to give everyone the chance to polish their 60 second elevator pitch!
Whether you are a networking novice or a professional seeking to polish, why not expand your network at this event next month? Visit the FBBC website for directions and to book your place.