Following on from our post last week about the first steps that it's really important to have in place before you embark on a journey into PR, here's part 2.
USPs – what are your unique selling points? When a customer gets in touch to find out more about you, what do you need to tell them that sets you apart from the competition? What do you do differently, what do you do faster, cheaper, better? List your USPs on your website and make sure they really are unique. Research your competitors and see what they are doing.
Business cards – make sure you always, at all times, have a supply of business cards in your pocket, purse, or wherever you may like to keep them! You never know who you are going to meet and where.
At your premises – there’s no need to roll out the red carpet, but a well presented reception that is clean, bright and welcoming will do your business wonders. At the same time as doing some virtual housekeeping with your email signature, website details and answer phone, make sure that your premises give the right first impression.
Time – raising the profile of your business takes time. Don’t be scared to block out some time each week to dedicate solely to building the business. It’s hard, but it will pay off. Spend time regularly ensuring the messages you put out to customers are accurate, professional and polite. Once the basics are in place, you’re ready to hit the headlines.
Social media – are you using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter? Have you started accounts with every social media site there is, and now they’re all sitting there having been updated once and once only? Close down the accounts that you don’t use; if Facebook isn’t for you, don’t use it. Focus on one or two tools that really work for you – your target market are using and opportunities to reach these people exist within them. There's loads of great information on the Internet about how and why to use each of these tools.
Help – there is always help available. For more advice and guidance refer back to local networking groups, as well as people like Business Link. Rope in friends and family to ‘mystery shop’ your business and give you honest (this is the key!) feedback about the service they experienced.
Want to talk more? Get in touch! Following our recent office move we're now re-connected to the outside world with a good old fashioned landline - 01235 202284.
Posts
