RE:INVENTION, a Chicago Marketing and PR firm - specializing in B2B marketing - HELPS COMPANIES MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO WOMEN. Welcome to our blog. Explore our toolbox and learn how women-targeted marketing and PR can boost your sales and profits. Visit re:invention's corporate website at: www.reinventioninc.com.


HOW TO MARKET 2 WOMEN


10 TIPS FOR 10 MILLION WOMEN™  

Read our archives of tips from women entrepreneurs & executives. NOMINATE a 10 Tips Expert! Leverage their credibility! Click on the 10 Tips Badge above to learn more.


BLOG SPONSORSHIP & ADS


Strapped for cash? EASY CASH ADVANCE LOANS range from $100 to $1500, depending on borrower's income. Cash advance loans are short-term solutions for handling emergency situations.

Interested in BLOG ADVERTISING? Our blog has a Google Page Rank of 6. We're the #1 Google ranked Chicago Marketing Blog. Crain's lists us as a respected Chicago Marketing and PR firm. Email us at: info@reinventioninc.com.


Click Here to Take the PollSurveys
| Web Poll
| Idea Management
View MicroPoll

WOMEN BIZ ORGANIZATIONS

RSS FEEDS!


ABOUT RE:INVENTION™, INC.


CONTACT US


RE:INVENTION BLOG BUZZ

Client Endorsements
- See What Clients are Saying...

National Media Mentions
- Read What Media is Saying...

"...Some of the smartest people I have met, I've never met..."
- Inc. Magazine (Aug '05)

"...a plethora of resources about women business owners...plus current news."
- Entrepreneur Magazine (Aug '04)

"...marketing and business tips and tidbits for women entrepreneurs."
- The Washington Post (Mar '05)

"...re:invention has been reinvented..."
- About.com (Jan '06)

"...Don't miss re:invention's shoe of the week feature!"
- Seth Godin's Bull Market 2004

"...one of the best marketing blogs out there for everyone."
- Web Digest for Marketers

"...wins honorable mention, Best Small Business Blog."
- Marketing Sherpa


FEATURED BLOG SPONSORS




RE:INVENTION'S SHOE OF THE WEEK™  ...TATTERED OLD SHOES (SIGNALLING THE LOOMING GLOBAL DEPRESSION).





SMART WOMAN QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"We encourage all our fellow men and woman to buy at least two stocks to help with the global economic crisis. We want everyone to step up and help in any way that they can. This is a huge crisis we face, but together we can make a difference. Do not just sit by and watch."
-- Jackie Christie, Fashion Guru/Founder of film production company, Infinite Love Productions.


RE:INVENTION'S "VENTURE FUNDING FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS" REPORT





SEARCH FOR TOPICS



The Web re:invention blog

ARCHIVES

APPRECIATIONS

Many appreciations to Scott Kiekbusch (A Fresh Design), Tony J. (CrashShop), Dan T. (Core12), Peter D., and Ann K. for their work sprucing up this BLOG. 4 good men & 1 great woman.

We began this blog with appreciations, a Whole Foods Market tradition. We thank our mentors, our business partners, our clients, and our readers. Thank you for giving re:invention wings.

CLOUDS

re:invention writes about...






Saturday, August 05, 2006


This week's featured woman entrepreneur or executive is Mary Schnack, CEO of Communication Bridges, Inc. (Sedona, AZ).

about Communication Bridges
Communication Bridges bridges communications among individuals, businesses, communities, governments, and cultures. Owner of Communication Bridges, Inc., Mary Schnack, is a public relations consultant and crisis communications expert. She has helped small businesses, associations and corporations with a variety of public relations needs and speaks on communications and business topics throughout the world. Her keynote presentations have garnered rave reviews internationally and her warm easy style, command of her subject and keen awareness guarantee that her audiences come away entertained, enlightened and most importantly, informed. Her topics are interesting and thought-provoking and offer communication tips that can be put to immediate use. By peppering her presentations with examples from her personal experiences in such places as Waco, Rwanda, Russia and Los Angeles, Mary offers real world perspective and not just textbook examples from other people's work. In 2004, The United States Small Business Administration honored Mary as Women Business Advocate of the Year for the State of Arizona and Region IX. She served on the national board of the National Association of Women Business Owners and received the association's Pioneer Award in 2001. She currently is the Chair-Elect of NAWBO's International Forum.


Mary's Top 10 Tips.


1. Begin with a Communications Plan.
It is imperative to create a Communications Plan, which serves as a road map for your outreach strategies. Just as you can take a turn when traveling, you can change the plan as you go if your goals change. But it is best to take some time to map out your strategy before you begin. The planning process is also a great way to get more people involved in the plan. The development of the plan by a committee of key individuals will give "ownership" of the process to others.

2. Consider Awards.
Awards are a wonderful way to get publicity for your business and boost employee morale. They are a terrific form of recognition, whether it's within your community or industry, or in front of clients, professional associations, government officials or shareholders. (Plus, mom and dad are always proud, too!) It may take a significant portion of time, but enter award competitions in your industry. These are one of the highest forms of recognition for your work. However, rarely do these awards "find you." Contact your local industry association(s) and find out if they have an awards program. Search the Internet for other related associations that may have awards programs.

3. Build your reputation as an "expert."
One of the most effective public relations tactics you can employ is to let the media know that you are an expert in your field. There are two ways to accomplish this task. Smaller newspapers, professional organizations' newsletters and trade publications will often print articles that are of interest to their readers. If you are a car dealer, you may want to write an article on leasing vs. buying. A business in the health care field may want to address the many changes occurring in the marketplace. A lawyer may write about the pros and cons of incorporating a business.

Another way to be seen as the "expert" is to write a simple letter of introduction to your local media, to reporters who often cover your area of expertise, or to editors of sections where you would like to be mentioned, to make them aware of who you are.

4. When it comes to P.R., think national AND local.
When it comes to public relations, many clients aim high and think of exposure in national magazines, the morning network shows, the Top 100 newspapers or even Oprah. But don't overlook your local weekly-targeted articles that promote you and your business can often be a goldmine if placed there, too. Don't overlook or underestimate local media in your PR campaign. Many times your local media can be your best ally.

5. Turn speaking engagements into media opportunities.
Are you asked, from time to time, to speak at meetings? If so and you just "do somebody a favor" by lugging your PowerPoint presentation, giving the talk, taking a bow and leaving, you're missing a great public relations opportunity. Using the event to promote yourself could spark a media chain reaction from local coverage to national. With the Internet, local stories are easily accessible to national writers as part of their research for national stories. Knowing this, you can possibly spark a chain reaction from local exposure to national coverage.

6. Use testimonials.
Third-party endorsements help build and identify your brand. Having others tout your success and talk about how you helped them carries more weight than if you say it.

7. Get your brand out there!
Include your logo and tagline on all your materials, including your web site, letterhead, business cards, advertising and marketing materials, such as brochures, presentation portfolios, packaging materials, shipping materials and supplies. Have additional items, such as pens, coffee cups, bags, and notepads, that carry your brand. Because people use these items every day, they provide a great vehicle to build brand awareness.

8. Learn how to handle crises.
Whether you are part of a large corporation or a small family business, no one is exempt from a crisis. Crises appear in the news all the time and small businesses are often the victim - business loss due to arson, product tampering, someone getting hurt on your premises, or a sexual harassment lawsuit. Crises are not always "negative" - an employee that wins the lottery may create enough media attention that you need to activate your crisis communications plan! If something were to happen at your place of business, would you be prepared? It's too late to develop a crisis communications plan once the crisis hits. You need to have a plan in place with professionals "on call," know how to communicate both internally and to the media, know who the "quarterback" is going to be to get you through this stressful time, and what message you will want to transmit.

9. Media training is key to help you prepare.
Media training helps make people in the spotlight, or people on the spot, feel comfortable not only in handling questions, but also in clearly presenting business key points while sounding sincere and credible. It comes in handy for standard publicity interviews and during times of crisis. Media training encompasses instruction in interview guidelines, techniques for directing interviews, developing message points, and handling different (and difficult) interview styles. It is important that training be done on a regular basis, at least once or twice a year, to refresh the spokespersons' skills and maintain their confidence level.

Media training techniques can also be used as general communication skills, giving executives, business owners and employees new tools in their communications toolbox. Start using them immediately. You will be more satisified and confident in your interactions, and consequently have less stress overall in your business and social relationships.

10. Spread the good word.
Send in information on your business - regularly - to your Chamber, association, website, newsletters. Very few members take advantage of this free membership perk and it goes a long way in helping your peers, local community and potential and current customers understand about all the services/products that you offer.


Contact Information

Mary Schnack
Communication Bridges
Bridging Communication Among Individuals, Businesses, Communities, Governments and Cultures
928.204-9834 or 800.529.7599
Web: www.communicationbridges.com


A big thanks to Mary for her wise words.




Share your expertise! Submit A REQUEST to have your company featured along with your 10 Tips For 10 Million Women.

RETURN TO TODAY'S RE:INVENTION BLOG POST.

ARCHIVED FEATURES
Click HERE to read previous 10 Tips for 10 Million Women features.

posted by reinvention-marketing | 5:43 PM |  | |
CLICK TO LINK TO THIS POST

SOCIAL BOOKMARK THIS POST
Blogmarks del.icio.us Diigo feedmelinks Furl Google Give a Link Newsvine reddit Sphinn StumbleUpon