SKC Insights

Small, medium or large? The real world presents us with an endless array of choices—from the clothes we wear to the size of our computers and sound systems. In a world of shrinking gadgets where nanotechnology reigns supreme, we've learned that big is not necessarily better. In the world of public relations and digital marketing, we've learned that small is often better!

Sometimes it is nothing short of mystifying when a competitor with lesser products, numbers, and brand recognition generates more ink than you. Just as the art of Chinese calligraphy is built upon layers of subtleties, spanning thousands of years of knowledge and imbued with the spirit of the masters, so are the complexities of telling your company's story.

Imagine… your words inspire, enlighten, provoke, stimulate. Imagine… your phone ringing off the hook. The media wants you, customers want you, and investors are interested in you. Media interviews give you an opportunity to demonstrate your company's thought leadership as well as breathe life and personality into your company’s image. They also allow you to reach an exponentially targeted audience quickly. This can be a momentous responsibility, but it is also a momentous opportunity.

Let's face it... few of us are truly comfortable in the spotlight. 

This is especially true when we come face-to-face with the media. When the camera rolls, we put on our most valiant voice, and pray secretly that we're not misquoted, misrepresented, misunderstood, or even ridiculed. Are those knees shaking? Is your heart racing? Fear no more, it's time to quash the nerves and embrace the spotlight!

We've talked about why and who should keep a close eye on your business' social media feeds, and now it's time to go over how to respond to all of the tweets, shares, and comments about your business. All of that feedback is a great source of unfiltered news, but the sheer amount can be overwhelming.

In our last post, we talked about why social media monitoring is so important for generating leads for your business. Today, we'll go over which groups should monitor your company's channels and how they benefit.

Social media, when managed properly, can be a great asset to any business. Last month, we talked about how to set up a simple and quick social media plan for your business with SKC's Weekly Social Media Checklist. Now that you have a plan, monitoring your channels is the gas that keeps your machine running.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first year and 95% fail within the first five years. Businesses who escape this fate and succeed, more often than not, have mastered the art of public relations. These companies have figured out how to use PR to multiply their effectiveness with customers, partners, and investors.

Among the hustle and bustle of your growing business, it’s easy to forget the little things. A mere 140 characters feels so unimportant compared to that big meeting and looming deadlines. Social media can drive brand awareness and generate leads, but keeping the machine running takes up your valuable time and resources.

Customers, partners and investors make decisions about your product or service based upon what they read, hear and experience. You are the expert on how to optimize your IoT product, fortify your cereal or leverage your portfolio of investments, but do you know the best approaches for optimizing your partnership with your PR firm? Here are five ways: