Pam Perry, PR Coach at PR Bailout Detroit

http://www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

How to Really Get Your Bailout and Get Success!
1. Discover your dreams
2. Develop a 'blue print' for your life
3. Set & write down goals
4. Visualize success
5. Align your values
6. Create an 'action' plan and follow through
7. Prioritize your activities
8. Discipline yourself
9. Control time lines
10. Delegate! Manage the mundane.

Twitter.com/pamperry

7 Deadly Sins: Marketing Mistakes That Kill Businesses

When Marketing Works - it's exciting. When it doesn't...it's a sin! Don't miss the mark! Read and learn. Subscribe to my blog at least! :)
This article is directed to biz owners...but as a PR Coach, I read it and thought that every author needs this advice! Please read and HEED! And listen to my business talk show at www.blogtalkradio.com/ministrymarketingsolutions FREE anytime!

When it comes to marketing your business its imperative to make a good first, second, and lasting impression. Your marketing materials represent you, your business, what you do, and how well you do it. The list of "DON’Ts" for how to create and use your marketing materials is extensive, but to narrow the focus I have gathered 7 deadly sins of marketing materials that you need to avoid like the plague.


1. Out-dated materials or no materials. If you don’t have any other marketing collateral you absolutely need to have a business card, and a website. Both create an easy entry into your business for new clients. Your business card and website need to have your correct contact information-phone number, e-mail, and mailing address. Make it easy for your clients to get a hold of you!



2. Looking cheap. Tattered edges, stains, crossed out information, bad visuals, no visuals, fuzzy pictures, the same business card and brochure template as someone else in the room-and I could go on, are big "No-No’s." There is a huge difference between creating something that is cost effective and something that looks cheap. Committing this deadly sin will automatically drop the level of professionalism in your marketing piece by a few notches.


3. Poorly written copy. Having correct spelling and grammar in your materials should be a given, but unfortunately this often gets overlooked. I encourage everyone to find a good proofreader to review all of your materials. The voice, or tone, of your marketing materials is also very important and needs to reflect the mission, vision, and personality of your business. Working with a professional writer to help you find "your voice" is a valuable component to your brand.


4. Failure to differentiate you and your business from the competition. I want you to imagine your business as a Hollywood star nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. You step out of the limo, onto the Red Carpet and the unthinkable has happened…you are wearing the same dress as your competition! Just like on the Red Carpet, in business you need to avoid this ultimate faux pas! An important part of marketing your business is to know who your competition is, know how you are different, and express that in your marketing materials.

5. Not focusing on the benefits. Always keep your target in mind. Look through their eyes and ask the question
"well, what’s in it for me?" Go through your entire document concentrating on the benefits of your message, not the features. Another alarming, but all-too-common, trend that I’m seeing is too much "real estate" being given to outlining your education and business history. Although this is an important part of your business, how well does it answer the burning question in your client’s mind, "what can this company do for me?"


6. Failing to grab the attention and pain of your ideal clients. Give your audience just enough so that they want more. People don’t want to be overloaded with information. Especially if the marketing piece is a brochure or welcome kit, only provide enough information so that your audience gets the basics of what you offer and how you can solve their pain or problem. If you create some intrigue, your prospect will have other questions, giving you an opportunity to continue the conversation and answer their specific questions.

7. Inconsistency. Your business should have a clearly defined identity with a style that appears on your business cards, stationery, brochures, and website, indeed, all your marketing materials. Consistency sends the message that your business is stable and dependable. Your marketing materials need to visibly represent a business that is professional, successful, and at the top of its field.

Having well designed and strategically planned marketing materials will help you present a professional image and make a great memorable impression. Failing to present the professional image that your ideal client expects can kill the deal and could stop your business dead in its tracks.


©2009 Designer Nancy Owyang founded Eye 2 Eye Graphics with a focus on unique, sophisticated, and memorable identity brands that get businesses noticed by their ideal clients. Nancy’s specialty is in capturing the passion, the true essence of women owned service companies in a visual manner, creating a brand and other marketing collateral that present a professional, consistent image that attracts high-end clients. For businesses wishing to rise to the next level in their public persona. Nancy works with clients to move branding and marketing materials from "obsolete" to "outstanding." Learn more and view a variety of her work at
www.Eye2EyeGraphics.com

See the video from the Tech Club CPR

Pam Perry, PR coach has fun with Tech Club CPR Theme Song at Seminar from pam perry on Vimeo.

http://www.TechClubcpr.com

See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

How to Make Social Networking Fun and Productive

BOOK BUZZ 2.0 Guest Blog by Tyora Moody


I've been working with authors for about ten years on the web and graphic design front. It's amazing to me how many authors seek me for design services right before or after their book has been released. The days of getting by without an online presence have clearly been over for several years now. Whether you are an author or a business person, you can't afford not to be web savvy.

Now I don't know too many authors who have a tremendous amount of free time to devote to marketing. Most of us don't live as hermits. Some may still work nine to five jobs. Even if you do have the opportunity to write full-time, I've noticed many authors supplement their income by providing services like editing, teaching or design work. Plus there are even more important priorities such as taking care of your family. You also may have obligations to church or volunteer work. Managing your time is essential.

Whether you are a published author or an aspiring writer ( let's pretend the ink is dry on your contract) and you have received word of your book release date. In nine months, your baby is going to be placed on bookshelves nationwide. Should you sit around and daydream about your bestseller? Not! Now is the time to get down to business to increase your odds of selling your book well in the marketplace.

What Can I Do for Free?

What can I do for free? Well, there’s a ton of stuff you can do online, but I’m going to recommend the easiest and that’s social networking. The key word is TIME.

You are probably already familiar with several types of social networks. You can easily sign-up for a ton of social networks and never really use them effectively.

My recommendation. Choose five and spend quality time within each social network. This may mean spending one hour five days a week or spending a Sunday afternoon. However you can fit it into your schedule -- make time.

That means don’t just drop into say, “Hey, I have a book coming out. Buy it now!” Most people might call that spam. Find at least two networks you are most comfortable with and spent time developing relationships. Share your experiences with people you may never meet in person, but who may read your book. These are your potential INFUENCERS. Remember the number one form of advertisement of all time (and it’s free) is word of mouth.

I hope have given you some food for thought as you put together your book marketing plan. Take advantage of the huge opportunities online, but be sure to do it efficiently and most of all have fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tyora Moody is the owner of Tywebbin Creations is also a social network enthusiast. You can find her online at two of her favorite networks, Facebook and Twitter.

For more BOOK BUZZ 2.0 marketing tips and social media coaching classes, be sure to stop by the NEXT LEVEL Marketing blog at http://www.tywebbin.com/next.

If you are an author seeking a professional website or would like to set-up a virtual tour, visit Tywebbin Creations full line of services at Tywebbin.com.


See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Social Media Marketing Training for Authors, Entrepreneurs and Ministry Leaders

Are you drowning from all the new info about social media?



Well, the Tech CLUB CPR is YOUR Life line!
"Your go-to folks for technology questions"






Don't be left behind, learn all the tricks, tips and techniques of online marketing.


Hey everyone, there was an "early bird" enrollment fee of $97 for the Tech Club CPR boot camp taking place on Saturday, July 18 at the Farmington Community Library.

Unfortunately, the special offer you're referring to expired at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

However, I have excellent news! Due to the overwhelming response for the program (and people not checking email over the holiday), we decided to extend the $97 enrollment special offer for a very limited time.

To take advantage of this special pricing, you must enroll for the course before the final cut-off of Wednesday, July 15th and before space runs out.

You may enroll by clicking the following link: here.

Because the size of the group is limited, space may fill up quickly, so I urge you to enroll as soon as possible. After 7/15/09, the enrollment fee will go up to $197.

Again, go to: www.TechClubCPR.com



P.S. Whether you are a ministry leader, an entrepreneur, author or aspiring - it's crucial you know HOW to navigate technology tools and leverage social media for marketing.


Register TODAY for the Tech Club CPR. Don't get left behind. We want to see you be a success online!



See www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!

Tips and Books on Self Publishing

It still surprises me how many writers don't do their homework and read before writing the "next best seller" - before in you invest the time, energy and effort, read this post and go to www.PamPerryPRCoach.com and take to the quiz to make sure you are ready to be a published author!

Pam's list of SELF PUBLISHING BOOKS

Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual

The Fine Print of Self Publishing by Mark Levine

Self Publishing for Dummies by Jason R. Rich

Complete Guide to Self Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book by Tom Ross and Marilyn Ross


RESOURCES FOR BOOK PUBLISHING

Dan Poynter’s Para Publishing
www.parapub.com

Book Wire
www.bookwire.com

The Author’s Guild
www.authorsguild.org

Author House Self Publishing
www.authorhouse.com

Write and Publish your Book
www.writeandpublishyourbook.com

Publishing Central
www.publishingcentral.com


Common Mistakes Made in Do-It-Yourself Publishing (and How to Avoid Them)

Settling for Less. This is your art. It deserves the best. Don't settle for less. You can swing deals—and should swing deals because, let's face it, you're on a do-it-yourself (DIY) budget—but make darn sure you’re getting the most for your money and time. Invest in the best and you'll never be disappointed. Disappointments are unavoidable but you'll be a lot less disappointed when you deal with competent, experienced beings (A.K.A. "professionals") from the beginning.

Trying to Impress Your Friends. Don't waste your time doing this. Other writers can't help you. Most are struggling to help themselves. Limit mailings of your first draft to individuals who will do a swift, stern, kick-in-the-pants copy editing of the work. Revise your manuscript and get on with it. Ask professionals - not friends.

Not Querying Potential Publishers Before You Do-It-Yourself. A proper publishing deal would save you a lot of money. Not necessarily grief, beefs, sleeplessness and high anxiety, but it would save you a lot of money. And time. It would also free you up to focus more on promoting the release. You can do both (publish + promote), but first try to interest an established press to invest in you and your work.

Assuming All Designers Read. Under no circumstances should your book be designed by someone who hasn’t read your manuscript. Every. Single. Word. Of your manuscript. Most designers don’t read what they are contracted to design. They may "skim" or "read parts" but reading something in its entirety is a different kettle o’ fish. If you feel you would have to pay extra to ensure that the designer will thoroughly read your work, find someone else for the job. Straight-up. Find someone who wants to know exactly what—and whom—she or he is dealing with. That is: your book, and YOU.

Not Setting Deadlines. Let's say you find a suitable designer for your book. You've seen their portfolio. They actually have a portfolio. They have up-to-date design programs and they know how to use them. They have a scanner. Hot damn. You're in business. But if you don't set a deadline for all of the design work and corrections to be completed, you're in trouble. All designers know how to read a calendar. And count money. Put it in writing. Get it done on time.

Choosing the Most Inexpensive Printer You Can Find. I wanted ALARM to be regarded first and foremost as a book. That's why I insisted on a perfect-bound format with CD pockets neatly folded-up and glued on the inside front and back covers. Nice. But my choice in printers was foolishly based on price rather than on the company’s practical experience with book-publishing. I had to deal with innumerable printer errors—some of them utterly preposterous—and I was unable to get enough advance copies on time for potential reviewers. Don’t let this happen to you. Make sure the printer you choose has the chops it will take to produce your vision in a timely, professional manner.

Getting Sidetracked By Art-Talk. If you find yourself getting balled up in art-talk banter with the girl processing your print order—books, CDs, business cards, flyers, stickers, whatever—you’re losing it. Skip the art-talk, bub, this is business. Tighten it up. This is your craft, remember? Your baby. It deserves strict attention to detail. Always insist on seeing the printer’s proofs. What you “sign off on” and pay for is what you should get as the finished product. Don’t settle for less. I repeat myself sometimes. I repeat myself sometimes.

Not Giving Yourself Enough Lead-Time. Forward-thinking is imperative. Absolutely imperative. Get bar codes, ISBN numbers, blurbs for the back cover, a post office box, etc., as soon as possible. Set up business accounts with online mail-order companies such as Amazon and CDBaby. All that stuff. It takes time. Magazines and newspapers need to receive press releases and review copies at least three months prior to your release date. Three months! Plan accordingly.

Not Being Prepared For The End-Of-The-Novel Blues That Will Hit You—And Hit You Hard. After your book is out, you'll get post-partum. :) Some get depressed. Be prepared for it. A friend knew exactly how I was feeling. It’s the same post-release depression that hit him after every book he’s ever put out. It comes from exhaustion, he wrote, from the exhilaration of release wearing off. The best thing to do is to just crash. The work you are doing cannot be done by anyone else. Crash. Have some bacon and eggs for breakfast...

source: www.writeandpublishyourbook.com

For more free publishing and book publicity tips see www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too and join www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com!