Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish
Last week, Steve Jobs and Apple launched the new and eagerly anticipated iPad. Over the years I have admired Apple for their branding, product launches and product innovation.
This post is a more personal glimpse at a much-respected and innovative thinker. I thought I’d share with you a speech by Steve Jobs where he shares three very powerful stories. It never fails to inspire me.
How to Use Photos to Get PR (and save time and money)
Sometimes a good photo can illustrate a story more than words. I guess that’s why they say “a photo is worth a thousand words.”
When we had our men’s socks company (which due to a ton of media coverage, attracted a buyer less than a year after we started it), one of the things we struggled with was, “how on earth do we show photos of boring men’s socks?”
Business Baby Shower
January 31, 2010 by Elena
Filed under Mompreneurs and Entrepreneurs
When I heard Traci Bisson and Lucinda Cross launching the Business Baby Shower, I knew it was the type of contest I’d like to support.
Although I’ve been working with very large companies for years, once I had my own children, mompreneurs and smaller businesses took over my heart. Starting and running a business is hard enough under any circumstances, having toddlers afoot wanting your attention and love while you’re trying to close a deal takes an infinite amount of patience, resourcefulness and grace.
Read more
10 Questions To Help You Write a Media Pitch
I have friends whose big dream is to sequester themselves and write a book. Although I like to write, it’s not something I dream of doing day in and day out. I don’t like sitting in front of a blank page, but I do know that once I get an idea and get started, things usually flow.
Most entrepreneurs I know are not writers. You started your business because your passion and natural gifts are in a particular space.
Most entrepreneurs I know didn’t realize how much marketing they would need to do in order to succeed. And that effective writing- from websites to sales materials, direct mail to blog posts- will be a crucial part of you getting heard above the noise. Read more
The 3 Mindsets for Successful D-I-Y PR
When I first started my career in PR 18 years ago, I had graduated at the top of my class, was recruited by the largest PR firm in San Francisco and had my senior thesis published in an industry magazine.
But when the day came that I had to start contacting the media for the agency’s clients, I was shaking-in-my boots terrified.
Palms sweaty, heart beating so loud I couldn’t think, and memorizing scripts, facts and figures over and over again so I wouldn’t make a mistake.
I was representing really large clients and didn’t want to ruin their reputation, and I was going to talk to hardened, cynical reporters who get pitched hundreds of times a day by more seasoned pros than a recent graduate like me.
“They’re going to think I’m ignorant, stupid and wasting their time.”
“They’re going to eat me alive,” I thought.
If you’re an entrepreneur, mom or small business owner doing your own PR, that may be how you’re feeling. If you’re fearing doing your own PR because you might face a grumpy reporter or be rejected by a blogger, chances are, you are stuck and not trying to get any publicity at all.
How to Set Unrealistic Goals
In a recent post, I wrote about How to Create a Personal Vision. In order to make your vision a reality, you’ll need to tie it into specific goals. Otherwise your vision will remain a daydream.
Other benefits of goal setting include:
* Using your mind and talents fully
* Making better decisions
* Being more organized and effective
* Having greater confidence and self-worth
* Being more enthusiastic and motivated
* Accomplishing uncommon or “unrealistic” projects
I’m particularly intrigued by this last point about Unrealistic projects because one of the most popular systems out there about setting goals proposes they should be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.
I’d like to propose a version called S.M.U.R.T – Specific, Measurable, Unrealistic, Resonant and Timely. Here’s what it would include:
Does Your Website Need a Makeover?
January 11, 2010 by Elena
Filed under Online marketing
I was talking to Alexis Martin-Neely recently, an entrepreneur, mom and family lawyer that I absolutely adore, getting to know each other, talking about the online business I started with my husband and how we sold it for six-figures in less than a year because of PR - when she asked me a question that stumped me:
“Where is that story on your website?”
Umm, it’s there buried in my bio, typically called “About” on a navigation bar but I had decided to be creative and use SEO terms that had nothing to do with what most readers would expect landing on a new site.
“You should really make it easier to find, as it builds your credibility,” says Alexis.
Well, duh. Did I feel dumb.
How to Create Your Vision for 2010
Note: A longer version of this article appears in Working Mom Magazine
In the last four years, I’ve been in a constant state of re-invention.
One year we sold our house in the city and moved to our dream house on an island – population 3500. The next year my husband and I started a quirky Internet business, which got so much attention we got bought out in less than a year. Then we had our second child and we moved countries. And last year, I started this website, PR in Your Pajamas.
Some decisions may seem drastic but were consciously planned, and some decisions were more spontaneous but still purposefully aligned with my values. Every year began with a personal vision, which have led to numerous incredible and often unforeseen experiences.
So it seemed fitting as I write this at the beginning of 2010 to help YOU explore and define your personal vision for the coming year.
How to Write a 3-Paragraph Media Pitch
If you can write an email, you can write a media pitch and get publicity for your small business.
When we talk about pitching the media, a pitch is simply a way to introduce a reporter or editor to you, your company, products or services.
It can be really easy, using the few sentences you already use everyday to describe your business, such as:
“We sell men’s socks by subscription, so it comes to your door like a magazine. You’ll never have to worry about the mundane task of shopping for socks again.”
How to Love Marketing
I very rarely come across entrepreneurs that love marketing. Most often, it’s a chore on your to-do list, or a nagging thought that accompanies you everywhere, everyday – you know you need to do it to gain clients or sell your product, but maybe it can be put off for just a little while longer.
What often stops small business owners from marketing, is the word marketing itself. For many of us, deep down the word “marketing” equates to “selling”. We don’t want to be perceived as pushy, in-your-face, annoying or needy. It feels stressful so we don’t do it. And when we do nothing, we get nothing.
One way to be more successful is to think of another word for marketing that reframes your current negative beliefs. When you market your business, what are some positive benefits you are hoping to achieve?
Hi, I'm Elena Verlee and I help entrepreneurs like you get the publicity that will skyrocket your business! I hope you enjoy my site, where you'll find easy, no- or low-cost ways to get buzz, as well as personal coaching tips to build both a business and a lifestyle you'll love.