
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Refer & Earn - Get Paid for Sending us Customers

Thursday, August 6, 2009
Public Relations for Law Firms: Leverage the Media Effectively
Law firms that lack a sound public relations strategy are missing valuable opportunities to represent clients who are involved in the most important and impactful legal issues of the day. To secure such clients effectively, smart law firms know how to engage and leverage the media effectively.The most effective public relations strategies for law firms are founded upon a keen understanding of the issues. They entail the effective positioning of the law firm as a credible resource offering valuable insights into the issues and problems their clients face.
Here are 5 tips for conducting effective and efficient public relations for law firms:
Tip #1: Know your audience: It is essential that law firms identify the key spheres of referrals, relationships and prospective clients in their field of specialty. Each time the firm initiates a media outreach campaign, it should be sculpted to speak directly to one of a set of clearly-defined target client segments. The most commanding strategies are those that seek to inform audiences while highlighting key issues that personally and directly affect those target clients.
Tip #2: Intersect your firm's expertise with real pain points: Showcasing your firm's true talents and specialties entails first understanding the real pain points of your target client segment. Fostering a relationship with clients that is conducive to trust and loyalty increases the likelihood that they will approach you in a reliable, confident manner. If you are unclear as to which issues to specifically address with your target client group, ask yourself: what is an issue or cluster of related issues that are important to the lives of my target client segment? How might the resolution of these issues increase their upside (e.g., income, happiness, peace of mind) or decrease their downside (e.g., expenses, stress, health problems, etc.)?
Tip #3: Understand current trends: Trend commentary is a frequently-employed method for generating visibility and increasing exposure for your firm. To generate trend commentary, PR practitioners collaborate with executives to identify key thought leadership platforms that traverse both current business trends and the law firm principals' own expertise. The platforms are then shaped to cater to the target segment and then pitched to the media.
Tip #4: Represent yourself to the media as a resource offering substantial, well-articulated insight: The final secret to success in media placements is approaching a topic with an insightful, well-articulated perspective. It is important to reach out to the right reporter(s) with relevant information. The main goal here is maximum reach and clarity, which can only be possible with effective and lucid channels of communication. The law firm's presentation must be eloquent, refined and precise. This is crucial in terms of the portrayal of the firm's image vis-à-vis the media.
Tip #5: Author expert articles: Another facet of a thought-leadership campaign is the authoring of in-depth, by-lined, expert articles. These articles, often written in partnership with public relations professionals, have the power to go into specific details that highlight trends, problems and solutions. Expert articles can be developed for specific industry trade segments or for general business magazines. In some cases, they are developed to articulate detailed trends to other expert audiences. Articles and other literature often receive coverage in local publications such as newspapers, journals and newsletters, which in turn can create a potential gateway to national and possibly international exposure.
When launching a PR campaign for your law firm, the end game involves knowing your audience, identifying their pain points, and effectively positioning your firm as a thought leader who holds a substantive, insightful position on the issue or topic.
Author: Melissa Anthony, www.anthonybarnum.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Marketing for Ministries: Don't Stop Fishing!
You have a particular group of people in mind that you believe God has called you to influence, BUT what happens when you reach out to the very people you believe should make up your base, only to receive no response and no support?Before you get discouraged, consider this. Whatever you’re marketing from your ministry is only going to appeal to a specific audience. You have to be comfortable with knowing that even though you may have a desire, or a burden to assist a particular group of people, they may not be willing or ready to accept what you have to offer. This is when you need to cast your net more broadly, or in other words, go fish in other ponds. Sometimes we stick to our tunnel vision, because we think that only one specific group of people can benefit from our services. Don’t make this mistake. You’ll be surprised at what you catch when you combine the right bait with the right base.
Consider Jesus for a moment. Although he was sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” the Bible says that, “he came to his own, and his own received him not.” Did Jesus stop fishing? Absolutely not! He ended up broadening his base and servicing the needs of the gentiles; they believed in and supported his ministry.
If you cast your net and the individuals you originally cast the net for don’t respond, don’t panic. When the original path doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to change course. After all, Jesus did.
In closing, whether you’re seeking to attract new converts, or new clients; you have to fish wisely and remain open.
This article was inspired by Diana Hobbs @www.hobbsministries.com
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Business Referral Strategies in the 21st Century: How to Reach Out To Another Rolodex.

Referral programs are a great way to boost your Consulting Business.
If you offer a referral program you provide your clients or other individuals with an incentive to pass your name onto other businesses.
When putting together a referral program there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Give your referral program a catchy name.
2. Give or mail to every satisfied customer, particularly the ones who are born networkers, a flyer or short description of your referral program.
3. Communicate your referral program to your contacts every 3 months.
4. Change your referral program every 3 months - according to the need and demand of the person who refers business to you.
5. Add a line to your email signature promoting your referral program.
Some of your clients may feel awkward about accepting the reward offered with your referral program. They still look at referrals as simply a way to thank you for the excellent work you do. In this case you can consider making a donation in their name to a local charity, bring in chocolates, send flowers; anything to show your appreciation.
We have great experience with referring business and getting referrals. If you want to know more about our referral programs, please get in touch with us directly: breezepublicrelations@gmail.com. We offer specific packages to our clients: i.e. 10% of the budget they refer to us (between $150.00 and $2,000.00) or FREE Strategic Marketing Consulting for their business (2 hours, value: up to $3,000.00).
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Role of an Investor Relations Firm
Depending on the size and nature of a public offering, it may be necessary to hire a separate investor relations firm. In many instances, both direct and initial public offerings can benefit from the services of professional investor relations assistance.For a company going public with an initial public offering, the decision to hire an investor relations firm will probably depend on the company's ability to internalize the function or the underwriting firm's ability to provide the service. Because an investor relations firm can be very important in the establishment and maintenance of relationships within the financial community, many corporations opt to hire a firm that specializes in such tasks. In some cases, companies may opt to hire out this function in hopes of gaining additional contacts through the investor relations firm.
The function of a good investor relations firm is relatively straightforward. The investor relations firm serves as a highly visible point of contact for interested investors and members of the press, answering questions and providing information as necessary. These goals are often accomplished through a combination of internet resources, press releases, webcasts, and phone calls. Brochures and other types of corporate collateral are also the responsibility of the investor relations firm. This includes the fact sheets, presentation materials, and earnings releases that are necessary before an offering.
Prior to an initial public offering, the role of the investor relations firm is especially critical. A good firm can play a major role in the success of an issue, creating an impression of success and stability for investors. Heavy roadshow support is a given with any investor relations firm, and the company may help compose various financial reports to present to prospective investors. Good firms will also help by arranging numerous meetings with potential investors, based on the preferences of the issuing company.
Because direct public offerings are generally used by companies with smaller capital needs, the use of an investor relations firm is somewhat less common. Regardless, its function is just as important to a smaller company as it is for a company seeking funds through an initial public offering. With a direct public offering, there is no underwriter to guarantee sales, so full responsibility for the success of the issue lies with the issuing corporation.
Because the process of issuing and selling public shares is time-consuming and stressful, it may be beneficial to enlist the aid of an outside investor relations firm to help with marketing the issue and communicating with investors. In addition to easing the stress, the use of an investor relations firm can help a corporation appear more professional to investors, creating a greater image of stability and profitability.
It's not impossible for an issue to be successful without the aid of an investor relations firm, but success is certainly more likely with one. By allowing capable hands to take over investor relations functions, the corporation can focus on other important tasks at hand before the issue.
Author: Joel Arberman is the Managing Member of Stock Aware, LLC. Details @ www.stockaware.com
