Public Relations is about maintaining relations with the public according to Wikipedia. Well, this is entirely true. But it also goes on to explain that public relations encompasses a variety of other things including communication, community relations, crisis management, customer relations, employee relations, government affairs, industry relations, investor relations, media relations, mediation, publicity, speech-writing, and visitor relations. Whoa, that’s a mouthful and very broad although also true. To me, public relations is simply getting your message in front of people as often as possible. Awareness, awareness, awareness…..which in turn creates interest. The more people see or hear your message, the more curious or interested they become.

Here are some tips on what you can do to create your own BUZZ. Obviously I can’t deny it is beneficial to hire a professional since we can’t all be good at everything, and as I’ve stated before we should focus on being good at one thing rather than mediocre at everything. But, here’s how to start:

1. Learn how to write a proper press release and distribute it online. There are MANY sites where you can post it for free. Here’s a list of 50 free press release submission websites.
2. Network. Networking is a great way to get your name out there, networkingphoenix.com is a fantastic tool to find various networking opportunities in the Phoenix area. If you aren’t in the Phoenix area I’m sure there are comparable sites in your city.
3. Get involved in the online community. Social media, online forums, blogging, videos, photo sharing, social bookmarking, commenting, etc. are all ways to engage with your audience. Although these means of marketing have made it very easy for businesses to market themselves and gain visibility you shouldn’t rely solely on Internet marketing.
4. Offer current customers incentives to bring in new customers.
5. Newsletters. Make sure you ask someone if you can add them to your newsletter distribution list. Make sure it’s opt-in so people aren’t always opting-out.
6. Find out who produces the news programs at the television stations and send a press release with a creative idea on how a story about your product or service would be useful and newsworthy to their viewers.
7. Follow media personalities on Facebook and Twitter. Often they post stories they are working on and need resources.
8. Be visible in the community. Participate in community events, festivals, business organizations, charities, etc.

These are all great ways to make yourself visible and things you can do at little or no cost. If you are doing this on your own, you must be consistent in all areas. Checking in every now and then doesn’t help because getting exposure is often based on relationships. Now go out there and create some BUZZ of your own!

I’ll keep this post brief, I just wanted to wish everyone the best in 2010 and share this funny yet appropriate video with you.

Please check my blog

In addition, I leave you with this:

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” Dale Carnegie

May the New Year be fruitful for us all and bring continued hope and prosperity. Let’s make this a wonderful year regardless of the circumstances. We are the only ones that can change the way we think, the chances we take and the people we surround ourselves with. Take this opportunity to think about how we can improve things ourselves and not wait for someone else to tell us things are getting better before we believe it and start taking action. This year has been dismal for us all, to say the least, so let’s put change in motion and make 2010 a better year!

We are each responsible for our lives and our businesses and if what you did in 2009 didn’t work, try something new, something different. Don’t just sit tight and “hold on” this year; make things happen, take chances. If we ALL take action, change will come, it has to! But if we all continue to sit idle and wait for a sign, 2010 will be yet another depressing year for us all.

Happy holidays to you and your family and all the best in 2010! Here’s to taking chances and making things happen!

From what I understand, since I’ve never been in a Barneys, it is higher priced than Nordstroms but slightly under Neiman Marcus. This location will be 65,000 square feet of designers ranging from Bottega Veneta and Manolo Blahnik to Chanel and Proenza Schouler. I’m not convinced however that those that were able to afford such luxuries were ever affected by this depressed economy. Are the wealthy still spending money like they used to or have they cut back? Or, does this indicate that our economy is on the mend? I have yet to see any concrete evidence of a turnaround but perhaps this is a sign from the economy gods?! What are your thoughts?

So, let’s celebrate the opening of Barneys in Scottsdale by letting go of our fear and opening our wallets to at least things that will help our businesses improve. If people are spending money on Gucci then why not indulge in some much needed marketing for our businesses. Marketing is a call to action, give people a reason to spend and our economy will improve.

For more info. about Barneys New York opening in Scottsdale check out:

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/JaimeeRose

With that lead in, allow me to first introduce myself, my name is Leslie.  First name is good enough I think as just seeing my last name is a bit fear inducing.  I have been in the marketing industry for over 15 years.  Sure, I did my time and worked for a company, peddling their product or service but have never been much for being told what to do and how to do it.  So, 8 years ago I started creating the BUZZ on my own.  Unbeknown to me at the time, and maybe it didn’t exist when I started, but now there is actually a type of marketing called Buzz Marketing.  But, for me, my business is simply about creating a buzz about a business, product and/or service.  Buzz means talk, talk means interest and interest means sales.  It’s as simple as that!

So, with that brief thought I bid farewell for today. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, ideas and frustrations with you all.  For now I leave you with this: “Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?”~ Frank Scully