Unleash the Power of The Press

South Shore PR agency

Trick or ‘tweet’…Local South Shore Ad Club survey reveals small business owners on board with social media.

KINGSTON, MA…

We live in a day and age when what celebrities and athletes post or tweet grabs more attention than what they do in their respective industries. But if you’re a regular joe like a small business owner, how do social media sites affect what it is you do? More importantly, how do they impact your bottom line? A survey issued to attendees at the recent South Shore Ad Club business expo revealed that local small businesses are just beginning to embrace social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

“The small business owner has a different challenge when it comes to social media than celebrities like Chad Ochocinco or Kim Kardashian,” said Steve Dubin, owner of PR Works and former president of the South Shore Ad Club. “For small business owners, they realize social media is a force that needs to be part of their marketing arsenal. The question is how much.”

People who took the survey were asked five questions. There were 64 total respondents and the results of their responses are as follows:

  • 84% were small business owners.
  • 47% regularly post/update their business’ Facebook or Twitter.
  • 6% contract a third-party to post or Tweet on their behalf.
  • 17% noticed an increase in sales since using social media.
  • 39% look for deals, respond to offers, ‘fan’ or follow their favorite companies using their personal Facebook or Twitter account.

“Granted, it is a fairly small sampling but it’s safe to say small business owners who use social media on a personal basis are more likely to use it for their business,” said Dubin.

Adds Dubin, “That only 17 percent have noticed an increase in sales and a mere 6 percent hired a third-party to handle their social media is also telling. Does that mean small business owners are not yet convinced of the power of social media? Or is it because they are handling it in-house and not letting experts conduct their social media that they are not having more success with it?”

Based in Kingston, Massachusetts, PR Works does offer a social media package as part of its Small Business Survival plan. Small business owners can find out more by visiting www.prworkzone.com or calling 781-582-1061. 

PR Works offering The Works
For 20 years, PR Works has been providing a wide expanse of public relations services including strategic PR planning, news releases, feature story development, media placement, media coaching, newsletters, case studies, grand opening management, product and service launch management, press tours, and press conference management. In addition to public relations, PR Works provides complete marketing services such as brochure development, advertising campaigns, direct mail, and telemarketing.

For more information, you can visit our new website at http://www.prworkzone.com or become a fan of PR Works at http://www.Facebook.com/PRWorkzone. For FREE brochures entitled “How to Talk to the Press”, “Making Newsletters Noteworthy”, and “Seminars Lead to Motivated Prospects”, please contact Steve Dubin at (781) 582-1061, sdubin@prworkzone.com, 51 Lot Phillips Road, Kingston, MA.

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Speech! Speech! How giving speeches can win you business.

Speaking at seminars, networking events, professional or trade gatherings or teaching a class is a great way to not only strut your stuff and show off your expertise, but market your company.

Why? Much like the credibility factor you gain when a newspaper or magazine writes a story on your company as opposed to you placing an ad in that publication, being an in-person authority via a speaking engagement gives you considerable cache. It also gives you the very best opportunity to showcase your expertise. 

Developing a speaking engagement program takes a game plan. For starters, you’ll want to:
  • Decide which product or service you want to showcase. It can be an existing product or service or the launch of a new one. Sometimes the best way to get a new product or service off the ground is via a speaking engagement.
  • Select the right speaker from your organization – Sometimes the head honcho isn’t the right fit for certain audiences; some of your executives may not be as polished. You need to select the speaker that puts your company in the best light.
  • Target an audience; geographic region – Sure, you want to speak in front of people who might actually buy your product or service. Yet sometimes in speaking to a non-profit group or to students, you can strike a chord with somebody who knows somebody. In other words, there’s never really a bad speaking opportunity. In designing your speaking program, you want to target the most likely potential customers in the desired geographic location.
  • Assign ownership of your speaking program – Designate one person in your organization to be in charge of finding speaking opps so it’s an active part or your marketing. It also makes it easier because your go-to person for speaking engagements will be more familiar with the application process and working with event coordinators.
  • Make a splash with your presentation – While speaking engagements can be a great way to market, you can also fall flat on your face if your presentation doesn’t grab your audience. Invest the time and, if necessary, the expense in making your speech captivating.
While it may take a bit to get your speaking program off the ground, it’s well worth it. Not only will you be able to market your company to the people you’re speaking to, but it provides a number of opportunities to publicize appearances-before and after-with press releases and links. But that’s a subject for another PR Pointer.

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