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April is Emotional Overeating Awareness Month, International Customer Loyalty Month, Landscape Architect Month and National Kite Month.  The first week is National Public Health Week, the second is World Homeopathy Awareness Week, the third week is National Volunteers Week and the fourth week is Turn off the TV Week.  Unique days - April 18th is the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, the 19th is Husband Appreciation Day and the 29th is National Teach Children to Save Day.

Have fun!

What are your plans to promote yourself this summer? 

PR Opportunities

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July are the big holidays we’ll be celebrating in the next few months.  Did you know you can celebrate National Ice Cream Month, National Hot Dog Month, Air Conditioning Appreciation Day or Cousins Day?  Call me if you need some unique dates to create a community event and publicity opportunities.

Networking Tips for Summer 

Summer is traditionally slower, what can you do this year to make summer your busiest season ever?  Are you keeping up with your contacts?  Maybe you could host a picnic for your clients.  Is it time to pick up the phone and touch base with them or send them a hand written note? While we work so hard to build contacts it is important to remember to connect with them and grow them.

Blogging Basics

Need ideas for blogging for your business? Use your PR or marketing plan that lists your monthly activities or promotions. If you don’t have a plan, today is the day to jot down some ideas for what you can do to effectively tell your story.

Use every tool possible to grow your business and stick with it.  Sometimes it can take months or even years to see results.  Persist, make that call again.  Take time to help others reach their goals, it will be a great seed for you to sow.

There are so many options available to business owners today to get their message across.  I’m taking a survey about how people use social media.  You are invited to share your input in the survey accessible at

Click here to take the survey.

With all the push for glitz and glam and piling yourself under debt to achieve it, the timing of the release of this movie couldn’t have been better.  Living under the burden of debt was cleverly portrayed in this movie.  If you find yourself in a similar situation with too much stuff and mounting bills, one of my colleagues can help you sell your stuff.  If you need help, let me know and I’ll pass along her info to you.

Having been established in LinkedIn for several years, I began using Facebook in the last few months and just started using Twitter.  The possibilities for each application are impressive. 

 There needs to be a focus with your social media efforts.  The idea is still to effectively use these tools to help you tell your story.  What is it that your audience wants to or needs to know about your business?  What keywords will they use to search for you or competitor?  Keep these in the forefront when using social media.

The timeline has shrunk considerably for getting the word out.  Consider that you would submit your press release two to three months ahead of an event for a monthly publication.  Now you can broadcast it on your schedule to those in your distribution online. 

While publications options have shrunk, they are still a valid tool for PR.  Don’t overlook the traditional media as a tool to help you tell your story.

If you need help with using social media to tell your story, let me know.  I’m speaking to groups to educate the boomers on how to use social media to grow their business.

Ah, the only date with a military command - 3/4 or March Fourth (forth) which is actually Hug a GI day.  Let’s show them some appreciation and be sure to tell the media what you are doing for them so the GI’s will hear about it!

March is National Chornic Fatigue Awareness Month, National Frozen Food Month and Small Press Month.  It also hosts National Professional Pet Sitters Week  as well as World Day of Prayer during the first week.  Of course there is St Patrick’s Day on the 17th.  National Cleaning Week is the last week followed by National Mom and Pop Business Owner’s Day.

You’ve got time to plan and prepare a special event this month.  With all these possibilities for activities be sure to implement a press release campaign to let people know what you are doing!

The bicentennial celebration of Lincoln’s birth is a time to reflect on a man who overcame continuous challenges.  His life was not defined by the smooth path, but one of persistance, determination and faith in God.  His early reading material was the Bible, think of the great ethics and values he learned.  The timeless principles of how to be a good person, how to get along with others, examples of good leadership and patience.  I am sure he was inspired by his Biblical namesake Abraham who had opportunities to learn and practice patience as is took him years for the promised son Isaac to be born to him.

As we deal with challenges facing America today, let’s turn to the source where Abraham Lincoln learned the characteristics that led America through its darkest days.  Let’s read the Bible.

Did you know January is National Financial Awareness Month?  Or that last week was Creative Frugality Week?  Financial planners, accountants and even banks could use these dates to provide a special PR campaign to generate exposure for them.  They could create a top ten list, post it on their website and send out a release to let the media tell consumers about the free information.  With the unique twist it would catch their eye.

How can you find these dates?  Each month I’ll list a few unusual dates, as well as a number of online sources.  First, what industry are you in - do they have a special date.  For example - if you are a coach the International Personal and Business Coaching Week is the first week of February.  Not only is February 14th Valentines Day, but also Arizona Statehood.

Other February celebrations include - American Heart Month, International Boost Self-Esteem Month, National Cherry Month & National Pet Dental Month.  The second week is Random Actos of Kindness Week, the third week is National Engineers Week and February 28 is Floral Design Day.   

Put on your thinking cap - what can you come up with to create some useful information or event to create publicity?  If you need help, just give the Small Business Public Relations Coach a call!

Communicating with current and potential customers is essential to growing your business.  But, you don’t want to be a pest.  Where is the balance?  Providing something of value (that your customers would value, not necessarily what you would value) in a format that is cost effective and delivered in the manner they would desire is the challenge.  Coupons through the mail are traditional, especially for restaurants.  Tips to improve just about anything are sent via email newsletter like constant contact.  Surveys to better understand their needs can be done with survey monkey. 

A hand written thank you note when you receive a client referral will put you on top.  With all the technology available to us, the traditional thank you note has been overlooked and has great value because it stands out so much from the rest of the noise.

Have you asked your clients how to best communicate your new products, services or promotions to them?  Now would be a great time to get their feedback so you can plan your communication strategies for the rest of the year.

Are you a small business owner or administrator for a church or non-profit?  Are you looking to stretch your marketing budget and be more effective?  If so, you’ll want to attend “Smart Marketing for Challenging Times” on March 2 in Glendale, AZ.

 The two hour session will cover ideas for free social media, entreprenuer survival tips and how to use free publicity.  The seminar is $50 and all attendees receive “How to Maximize Your Publicity” book, a $20 value that features 18 sample press releases for 11 newsworthy angles.

Visit www.maximizeyourpublicity.com today for more information.  Register before February 23.