Making your Media Strategy a Call to Action might be Controversial but might be your marketing savior.

I LOVE to cook and enjoy a great meal. It’s a passion of mine to include wine, dessert, cheese and an incredible entree into a meal whenever I can. I love fresh foods and those that I know are healthy for me. Every once in a while though – I love a great pizza too. Is it as healthy for me as an Avocado Salad? No. But I sure do love it.

My friend, Janet St. James, reported last night on the DISD’s current efforts to change their approach to food in their cafeterias. If you haven’t heard, the U.S. is the most obese nation in the world. We have plentiful food – and a good portion of that food is not fresh. It’s a sensitive subject and one that a lot of people are passionate about: Food & Our Children’s Health.

It can be a heated subject and honestly I prefer to avoid political debate. So I avoid it. But then there are people like Jamie Oliver and his new show Food Revolution where he tries changing the cafeteria menu in a school district. He gets the cold shoulder from local media and a wicked eye from the lunch lady but there’s something VERY awesome about that: he’s getting exposure and media coverage.

Sure he has a show but if it wasn’t controversial and up-front, how would it be good for ratings? If there wasn’t an element of passion and adversity, why would the media want to cover it? Honestly, their strategy is very lackluster for online media. But they have enough of a traditional news media strategy that they are sparking conversation and reports linked to their show. Reporters like Janet St. James have covered this before. Janet is one of the best reporters specializing in health that I know. Shows like Jamie’s offer reporters a chance to engage a sometimes non-chalant audience.

Sometimes the best media strategy is all about your mission. Want to change the world? Do it. Tell everyone about it and create your own call to action. When you offer a way for people to become active themselves you are more likely to get a response and see real results. What’s your call to action?

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend and for those of you planning Easter Egg Hunts – I’m hoping for sunny blue skies! See you Monday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

How FAT are We Making our Kids?? is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Simon Cowell - Media Marketing Mogul or Emmy Winner? What makes branding and revenue limitless?

Another person with an Emmy and it’s not me. Well someday maybe. American Idol has been rocking and now, with Simon’s imminent departure, his second best show ever is coming to the US: X Factor. Do both of these show really earn Simon an Emmy?

Here’s the thing: American Idol, Pop Idol, Britain/America’s Got Talent and X Factor are global. They span more than a decade and millions upon millions upon millions of dollars in revenue – a second. I’m just kidding – it’s every 60 minutes. I don’t think I’d give him an Emmy – I think I’m going to create my own “Media Marketing Genius” award (I may need help to come up with a better name!)

There’s not an element of any of his shows that do not churn revenue regularly. Want to vote by text? AT&T pays for the exclusive advertising during voting by text rights. Want to hear the judges give their critique? You have to see that they’re drinking from Coca-Cola cups if you do! Think the show ends in May? Hardly! Those contestants and the winner tour for months while the show starts the audition process for the next season!

The big concept Simon has down is that everything you do has the potential to earn money. It has the potential to be valuable to someone – just find them. This television phenomenon has taken branding to a whole new level. Auditions cause a stir, you can buy the contestant’s songs each week and you can finally buy the debut album from the season’s winner. Where do you not see potential?

Officially today I announce Tony Zazza’s [Insert creative name for a media marketing genius] Award – Candidates will be announced after we come up with our clever and creative name. So please, send in your nominations, your suggestions and spread the word! Tony Zazza is looking for a genius!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Simon Cowell wins Emmy?! For what?? is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Complications can make you and anyone stressful. Keeping your communication simple brings your better business success and media relations to enhance your media exposure.

How do things get so complicated? I get overwhelmed with overwhelming questions from overwhelmed people with overwhelming desires to stop being so … overwhelmed. Does that make sense?

I try very hard to remain simple – often because of a less I learned very early on: KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Sweet huh? I sometimes try to make it feel like a kick in the head by repeating “keep it simple stupid!!” to myself when I get a bit stressed. Do you feel that way too?

I promise there’s a strategy tip coming – just go along with me here. If you have ever been overwhelmed with your day to day activities or interactions, when do you reach your breaking point? Do you over-react to a minor irritation by lashing out? Not that I do that, *cough*, but I can certainly empathize.

Often I have to do something for me personally. Whether it’s get an errand done away from what I’ve been focusing on to exhaustion or maybe go downstairs and find a snack. Seems simple enough, right? Take a break and revert to simplicity. But I can’t tell you how many times I try to accomplish something to the side – something that’s supposed to be simple – and it ends up being a TOTAL mess. I usually call it Tony’s Law but now I’m seeing it as an opportunity for you, my clients and myself.

The opportunity is this: keep things simple for you, your clients and your business. Keep this mantra to heart throughout everything you do – especially when it comes to how you communicate.

Why? Because the media is always looking for simplicity in their content. Whether the storyline is simple or the facts are simple. Anchors, journalists and reporters have to keep content simple to communicate to a large audience effectively. They also work very hard and work best when they are communicated to simply.

Same with customers and clients. When they come to you, the more simple the transaction or service, the higher their satisfaction. Ever heard of a convenience charge? When you keep things simple for your customers they are being given a convenience – and they love to pay for that.

KISS away your stress and blues!

Send me some feedback – I want to hear from ya! I’ll see you again on Friday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

You could just pull your hair out!! is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Radio advertisers depend on listeners for success. Does your media strategy rely on your customers?

So here’s the truth about radio – I’m going to just let it all out. You, the listener, provide me my paycheck. No joking, you really do have the power. The more you listen, the higher the ratings. The more you interact with me here and on 1037litfm.com the more data the station has to back up the ratings data. Without you tuning in, there’s very little for us to operate on.

Whether a station is #1 or #20 in the ratings, you hold the power to speak your mind and contribute to what you hear on the radio. It’s the complete truth. Comments, tweets, wall posts and becoming a fan means the world to me and my great colleagues like Gene & Julie and Leigh Ann. There’s also a completely different side to the station you rarely get to know much about. Between my jabbering and playlist, there are those advertisements that pop in from time to time. There’s an entire team that negotiates with advertisers based on our ratings.

Advertisers sometimes pay very serious cash to get their word on the radio. I’m sure you’ve seen it with the Super Bowl and Olympics – ratings are king to advertisers. That makes you, in turn, king to the station. The radio business model is built on getting the best ratings you can so then you attract the most advertising dollars. Pretty basic right?

I’m sure there’s nothing I have just said that you didn’t already know – but do you practice this same business model for your benefit?

For most of you out there, customers are king. The more they buy, the more profit you make. Simple and easy. However, do you have any way of making your audience interactive with you? Can they send you feedback easily? Can they recommend you quickly? Are you focused on getting your customers to consider your brand and business an essential part to their everyday life?

Even for services where customers only stop by once or twice a year, how will your customers remember you when they need you again? Here an essential tip for any business to build better success:

Make your contact information the easiest to find and remember.

Whether you’re buying ads, building a website or starting your twitter account: make sure people can contact you. It’s a fail-safe measure that a lot of people actually miss more often than not. Post your phone number, a contact form or your Facebook Page front and center as best as possible. Given customers an avenue to be king gives you the upper hand for success each and every time.

It’s going to be an amazing weekend for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and I hope that each of you stays safe. I’ll see you back on Monday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

The truth about radio. I’m going to let it all out. is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Media is shifting to new adventures, new revenues, new platforms and new strategies.

If you opened a newspaper today you might be one of the few to know. It’s something that has been coming for a while but now it’s time to officially announce the truth. Traditional print media is dying.

Rupert Murdoch: eat your heart out. There’s less money today in print media. Just recently Rupert announced that the New York Times would charge for it’s online content by 2011. With the announcement of the iPad and the iBookstore – how will newspapers survive? CNN and the New York Times have dabbled in charging for online content before. It hasn’t been very successful. There are many reasons why.

First is that anyone can be a publisher. Anyone can produce content that is accessible worldwide. Total cost: almost nothing. You can find news directly from the source or varied opinions targeted to any very niche readership. The internet allows for very impersonal accessibility and very personal outreach. It is one of the very few fair playing fields for business today. The other being a Farmer’s Market.

Second is that people love a deal. Free information is a fantastic deal. Why look to a paper for the latest CDC warning when you can go directly to the CDC for what you want to know? Why visit twelve news sites when a few search engines put all of the latest headlines in a convenient location? Convenience typically results in a HUGE up-charge. When you can get a plethora (I love using plethora in a sentence!) of conveniences for a low monthly rate to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) of your choice – why pay for multiple convenience up-charges?

Finally – the old saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too” applies here. For decades newspapers sold advertising, classifieds and sponsorships for enough money to pay for operating costs and then some. Then they would charge readers to read the same newspapers littered with ads and the like. Brilliant business model for 1970. Horribly archaic for 2010. *Ahem – Rupert, I’m talking to you!*

Print media is not totally dead yet. It may survive in some form of retirement for a while. Monday, Pew Research Center revealed that the most popular form of news access in the US was still a tie between Local and National Television. Third was Online News. A growing gap was found between a fourth-place Print News and it’s online counterpart. Finally the advocates for online media are being proven right by constant studies.

Printing was last a revolutionary technology at the end of the Medieval Age. Today, online technology and gadgets associated with getting people online are hot, affordable and fun. Paper cuts are out. Just sayin’. We’re lucky in Dallas to have the Dallas Morning News. Why? Because they are embracing online technology and potential to bring new and amazing content to readers. Both online and offline.

Do you still read a newspaper or news magazine in print form? Let me know! In the meantime I encourage everyone to visit DallasNews.com to see the many niche blogs and videos you won’t find anywhere else.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you and I’ll see you again on Friday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

It’s sad but every good thing must come to an end… is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Please Rob Me - Online Media and the opportunity to grow your business.

When I first signed up for AOL Dial-Up over a decade ago I remember all of the security fears of sharing any personal information (even names) over the internet. Now there is more information about someone’s location, experiences and possessions to build a website called PleaseRobMe.com. A website that searches Twitter for tweets that spell out the person’s location, how long they’re away from their home and sometimes what they own. My how a decade can change things!

I’ve talked about security but today I want to talk about the sheer power of online media. If a website can display thousands of tweets an hour about people who are away from their homes, what else can online media tell us about people? Here’s a few ideas:

• Buying Habits;
• Likes & Dislikes;
• Where they shop and interact;
• much more…

When you really think about it – identity theft happens online as well. Phishing emails and trojans designed to capture your bank account information. But instead of instilling fear in this post I’d like to advise and make you aware of the possibilities.

Yes, people out there want to steal your information. There are also companies that just want your feedback. Sensitive information should be handled with very few people and companies. If someone is contacting you through Facebook – consider them to want nothing more than your opinion and if they ask for more simply stop and give nothing more.

Should you still not think that online media is not going to help your business, think again. Consider it a resource at the very least. What do people think of you and your company? What do they think of your product or service? Engage online media at the very least to see if it can help you gain more business. You may have to deal with clients in person but they can share their comments through a comment, message or survey.

Even the most skeptical can learn to appreciate and gain from online media. Hope you have a great weekend and share your online stories of surveys or phishing scams for others to hear. See you on Monday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Please Rob me, I will tell you when… is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Tony Zazza, Principal of Zazza Media Strategies

I do a lot of consultancy and service work. My clients depend on me to tackle the media, both online and in broadcast, to secure their brand and develop consistent exposure. I earned the trust of my clients through dedication and success. It’s not always easy and while most of my business is from referrals alone, I found I had people visiting my company’s site to learn more of what I do.

I’m not really tech savvy when it comes to websites myself – I have a team of experts that are and I rely on them. When I personally built my first website it was a train wreck. It had my information on there but it was clear I was not a professional web designer. Not a big deal but my company has grown leaps and bounds since last year. My website should showcase that.

When developing my new site there was one feature I knew I had right. That feature had to be at the front – it had to represent myself and my company: my picture.

When I investigated this industry of media strategies and relations, I only found one other company that had a picture of any of its staff – let alone their principal. Sure they were flashy, elegant and sophisticated websites – but no picture. Who are they behind the clever text and logo? What do they look like? What sort of vibe do they have to them? It’s so impersonal to not see who you’re considering doing business with. Do you agree?

Yes there’s a flashy splash of color and imagery on my landing page. Start reading a bit more and then you’ll see yours truly! It’s not about ego. Not TOTALLY about ego anyways…

It’s honestly about people knowing my smile, knowing I’m a real person and knowing who Tony Zazza is and what they can expect. For any type of media you need to be seen. Either just your logo, your name or the easiest way to contact you. But when someone visits your online media headquarters – they need to have that impersonal barrier broken down as soon as possible. Don’t use stock images or faces of people frolicking in a gorgeous grassy field. Use your most important strength: you and your team.

Just don’t use anyone that might be camera shy or any incriminating photos. LOL

Keep up your great work, Friday is just around the corner!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Did you see my picture… ? is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Amazing Confections (Chocolates)! Strategy starts with quality.

I can’t believe I’m admitting this. I will take all of the heckling in a bit so promise not to laugh TOO much! My good friend Carla just left for South Africa and stopped by to drop off a box of chocolates. I’d never heard of the chocolate company before. I honestly didn’t know what to think.

They were in a green box and didn’t say they were ‘chocolates’. The box said ‘confections’. I was TOTALLY thrown off. I wasn’t used to thinking of chocolates as confections. When I opened the very classy box I saw twelve gorgeous truffles. They didn’t look like typical truffles – they had swirls and looked like art. I was totally impressed.

But finally I came to the best part – and the part I’m not so proud of at all. Each of those truffles was DELICIOUS. Great taste, great quality and I couldn’t stop at just one. That’s right – I ate ALL twelve. It sounded like the logical choice at the time. I didn’t feel bloated but twelve truffles can NOT be the best thing when you’re committed to a diet. LOL

When I was done with all of the chocolates I sat back and realized that this company had done a few things amazingly. First, the box looks great. Second, the chocolates looked amazing. Third, the chocolates were incredible!

This company also has a few things against it. First, what are confections? Why not just say chocolates? Second, the box said they were from Florida. I don’t imagine Florida when I think of great chocolates. Third, they were not a recognizable name. Now I do not hold prejudice against a company that doesn’t have a recognizable name but when it comes to business – it’s best to be recognizable.

Now in the day of social networking, text messages and emails you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a lot of exposure (I should know, that’s what my company specializes in!). But my strategy tip of the day is to focus on quality. Most of the top brands built their name on quality, not price points.

Sometimes the best strategy is simply quality. Doing at least three things better than anyone sets you apart from any competitor. It also makes marketing a lot easier and cost-effective. Most people in business are in business with a product or service they believe in. But when you find no amount of dollar spent bringing business your way – focus on quality. Or you can just send me a really delicious box of chocolates!

Have a great start to your week! I’ll see you again Wednesday, make sure to share the name of your favorite chocolates!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

It wasn’t BAD, wasn’t GOOD – It was GREAT! is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Google Buzz - The Newest Social Media Network

Today I get to share some very exciting news. A few of you might groan and moan. (I kinda did too at first.) But trust me on this, it’s going to be fun at least. There’s a new social networking site – just launched today by Google. It’s called:

Buzz

The most iconic name of the last decade in search has been constantly growing beyond being ‘just another search engine.’ The weight of this company to develop and launch a new social networking site is huge. And at first I had to moan a bit. Why? Because the technology is out there for a new social networking site to be launched every hour of every day.

Some are niche networks and some are simply not needed considering pioneers like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. Buzz is targeting Facebook – almost directly. What has yet to be seen though is what, if any, role Buzz might play in Social Media.

Right now, only a few people have access to Buzz. Google is integrating it with Gmail so check there to see if you are one of the lucky few. For the rest of us – don’t even worry. There’s a video @ google.com/buzz and to be honest, if Buzz isn’t available to anyone and everyone just yet – it’s not a threat. Just a fact.

Facebook, Twitter and others are available now for everyone. I’ll be keeping up with Buzz but for right now, there’s no need for you to much more than watch the video.

Be safe everyone and I’ll see you again Friday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

You HAVE to hear the latest Google BUZZ word… is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Pepsi has a long tradition of Advertising and Marketing around a Super Bowl Ad - Not in 2010

… If you did see the commercial – you were NOT watching the Super Bowl. Nothing hilarious and nothing noteworthy about any ads from the cola manufacturer. If you, like millions of us yesterday were (I had queso, dip and great sliders! Yum!), were watching the Super Bowl you saw millions of advertising dollars for Coca-Cola and Doritos. However Pepsi was noticeably absent yesterday.

Instead of spending $30 million + on marketing and buying airtime for the big game, Pepsi turned to an online campaign called ‘Refresh Everything’. The company built this online campaign with a blog, Twitter and Facebook account to reach out to local communities with grants ranging from $5k to $250k. Grants have been distributed based on input from the nearly 400,000+ followers and fans. Even NFL stars were given the chance to choose local community centers to receive a piece of the $20 million Pepsi was dolling out.

Has it worked? – Yes!

This campaign is being referred to as a ‘Crowd-Sourcing’ project and so far Pepsi has already received 21% of Super Bowl-related media coverage and buzz. This coverage and buzz is great for their public image AND keeps them involved locally. To make matters even BETTER: rival Coca-Cola has only received 2% of coverage and buzz for their marketing dollar. Sometimes it’s the strategy and options you use when marketing and NOT the amount of dollars you have to spend!

Who do you think is the winner here?

I’m exhausted from being so festive yesterday – plus the weather is gloomy and it just makes me want to stay inside! Let me know what you think of today’s post and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can sneak in a quick nap! LOL. I’ll see you again on Wednesday for another post!!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Did you see that HILARIOUS Pepsi Commercial?! WOW… is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Look in the mirror right now. Don’t get out of your desk though. And don’t be to hard on yourself if any new year resolutions haven’t provided any results. Do however, make sure you look at you and your business in the mirror. And don’t do these two things.

One: Never ignore the obvious. Your public image is your reputation. If you want to be trusted and earn business through any sort of referrals then make sure you act like a business people can trust.

Take Toyota for example. There’s growing rumors that they knew about their faulty brakes for a while and did nothing. This is a company who’s products are entrusted with the lives millions of people and thousands of families with children. Think it’s a good idea to lose a reputation for safety and maintenance like that?

Two: Always assume the obvious. When you’re managing your reputation realize that if people associate you with harming a cute cuddly polar bear they’re going to associate you with a lot of terrible things. Don’t harm polar bears and don’t harm your reputation.

The Alaska Legislative Council has approved $1.5 million to fund a PR campaign to curb the Endangered Species Act. The State’s Senate Majority Leader has recognized that this might give Alaska a black eye. In a state full of natural wonder and wilderness does it make sense for some of its leaders to remove protective provisions to sustain the natural wonder they hold so dear?

When you’re in a position to help cute and cuddly polar bears or you manufacture products designed to keep children safe, do not take anything for granted.

I hope you have a great weekend – We just launched some new “under-the-hood” tools for our website here. You probably notice a few changes. I’m always excited about growth! I’ll see you on Monday for sure… if not sooner!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Look in the Mirror and Shape Up! is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Top Military Secrets on Twitter - Did you see?

Directly from Mikko Hypponen, of F-Secure, British Military secrets were leaked via Twitter within the past year. Isn’t that ridiculous? The U.S.’s key ally in a number of military activities has a security gap via a seemingly harmless website like Twitter. Doesn’t that frighten you a bit?

British Military documents reveal a very pro-active approach to online security – even restricting all but a few computers from even allowing access to Twitter, Facebook, etc. Yet even the very few computers allowed access, someone seriously dropped the ball and tweeted sensitive information.

The Ministry of Defence, similar to our Defense Department, is an elaborate, highly-trained, and well-funded mechanism. If they can’t stop harmful tweets – what can you do to protect yourself or your company online?

What is very important to realize is that controlling information you consider sensitive or personal is paramount. You can employ the latest and most expensive techniques to keep employees, family, legal information or trade secrets safe from exploitation and still have a HUGE failure – like military secrets on Twitter.

I cannot stress enough that it’s best to strictly define what is expected from your employees – especially via Twitter, Facebook or any other networking site. Can you imagine what a disgruntled employee might say about you online? Can you imagine how quickly that might spread to your clients and harm your business?

Just as you may use Social Media/Networking to your advantage – and I work with a lot of clients on this – you need to monitor and police what might be a disadvantage. If you expect people to respect and trust what you publish online, what’s to say they won’t respect and trust something circulating the internet that isn’t true?

Let me know if you need some easy (and even FREE) monitoring tools to keep you safe and well positioned! I’ll see you back on Friday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Military Secrets Leaked on Twitter is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Time slips away quickly - even if you're watching all of your minutes!

What’s even more odd is that there are some days where I’m really good about getting up on time. I’m out the door, I have energy and yet still – my day slips away and somehow chaos follows me like a rain cloud. Ever get that feeling too? I’ve planned plenty of schedules for myself over the years. Do you think that’s ever helped? NO!

When I hosted my morning show I was up every morning on time (well, maybe just a few times I pushed it a little). Now that I’m my own boss I make sure I’m up and at ‘em by 8:00a. That’s still a good time but at the end of the day no matter if I keep to my schedule or not – chaos follows me and it seems like my day has somehow slipped away. I mean, c’mon, really?!

Here’s what I’ve come to love to do to help me get over that chaotic feeling whether I keep to my schedule or not: I plan to accomplish little things. Whether it’s simply paying a bill or spending all day to organize a feature story for a client. If I remind myself of a few things to accomplish – things that I can truly say they’re done – no matter how big or how small, I feel much less chaotic and suddenly that rain cloud turns to sunshine.

Do you have a simple trick to stay on top of your day? Sometimes I have to count a dozen or so emails as being my little tasks for the day. Sometimes business is at full throttle and other times it’s creeping through a school zone. How do you keep it all motivated? For a Monday, thinking about organizing your work and your strategy makes for a very accomplished day. It does for me anyway!

Come back by on Wednesday – I’ll have something juicy for you then!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

It's all about the little things. is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Have you looked to see if you're in the News?

What is so intriguing is that my agent has clipped articles throughout the years that pertain to his industry. The articles range from industry news to stories of local families impacted by the unexpected. Each article is an opportunity to inform and start conversations for his services.

My agent has been around for decades and loves to brag about his planned retirement. To long-term clients like myself, we’ve heard all of the stories through all of years. It’s a great information tool for him. News articles give a credibility to the information they present. Even though my agent is not mentioned or interviewed in any of them, they’re great assets that help inform his clients and they’ve obviously produced results.

Media offers results. How you choose to use media immensely impacts your potential to grow. I spend a lot of my time doing homework: researching my client’s industry, catching up on the latest news and determining the most effective strategy for success. Whether you’re in the news or not – are you using the media as a tool?

Have a great Monday and I’ll see you back on Wednesday!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Are You in the News? is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

There's nothing better than relaxing on the weekend!

I’ve finally made it to the weekend and it’s the first one in a long time that I’m not running around doing errands or catching up with distant friends in town. I have been anticipating this weekend all week long like I’m sure you have too. And I’m proud to say that I’ve fully prepared for this weekend as well.

How is that? Well I’ve already planned next week. I have set some small personal and professional goals for myself to be done by Sunday evening. I’m able to sit back and contemplate the work I’ve done for my clients and what work I want to do for them in the near-term.

I cannot express enough how we all need to slow down from time to time. I didn’t schedule a THING this weekend yet I told myself what I want to do. It’s absolutely amazing. I could not feel as good as I do right now without my forethought!

You are probably thinking I’m somewhat of a loon right now for saying this but when you think of preparation as a task and not a chance to procrastinate you really do get great things done.
From a Media Strategies standpoint I get to take advantage of slow news days and get my clients some extra airtime. The weekends are great for work, relaxation and enjoyment.

I’ll catch up with you on Monday. Until then – enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

It's the Weekend: Did you fully prepare? is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Get in the habit of talking. Even if now you're a talking head - at least you're on the right track!

My family is good at many things but collectively we are known for being vocal about our opinions. It’s a part of the glue that binds us and the salt in some of our wounds. It is also a habit of perseverance and success.

Aristotle once said that excellence is not an act but rather a habit. It’s what we repeatedly do that tends to define us. So while in a single post I cannot coach you on what you might be saying, I can encourage you to at least keep talking.

Think about it, who will know what you do and who you are if they cannot hear you because you’re not talking?

For those of you with a grasp on social media and networking I implore you to keep talking and for those not in tune with social media or networking: write your thoughts down!

You can always refine your message, grammar or words but developing a habit is a milestone.

I am finally having a relaxing weekend starting today! I might even update between now and Monday. Take care everyone!

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

Quick Tip: Keep Your Opinion to Anyone Who'll Listen is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Three Steps for Your Success

A lot of people, myself included for a while, hate marketing. There is nothing more frustrating than hating what you’re doing. You feel unaccomplished and unsuccessful. Those are two feelings that no business owner should ever feel. Here are my three steps to be GREAT at marketing.

1. Value what you do.
   Realize that you’re in business for a reason. There’s some sort of value to your work or product. There’s got to be some way to maybe change your service or product to increase value. In times like these if you’re not believing what you’re doing is valuable then you might be in trouble. But if there’s even an inkling that what you provide has value, then you’re just fine.
2. Be meticulous.
   Know where your money is going. Know how much work earns you how much money. Know where your clients or customers come from. What do they want? What’s their email address? Being meticulous gives you information that puts you in complete control. That sort of control is essential to success
3. Think BIG.
   If you’re not thinking big then you’re not thinking forward. I’m not suggesting everyone plan on being a major corporation but I am suggesting you prepare for the possibility of being big. Whether you want to be a multi-millionaire company or something a bit more modest, have a plan for change. Change is inevitable and even if you don’t make a detailed plan you’re better off to think about being big or working to remain modest.

Taking these few steps will freshen your perspective on your business and more importantly it will make you a great marketer. It’s not rocket science but it is something that requires dedication. Your success is an opportunity waiting to happen.

Stop by Monday.

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.

3 Steps to Be Great at Marketing is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Easy and Simple yet Deadly

It’s dubbed “Social Media” and you’ll learn quickly that I’m a fan of the service and a sceptic on the “social media experts”.

Here’s the deal: there’s a lot of confusing information out there. I was on Facebook only a few months after it launched. I stumbled upon Twitter years before the local news anchor had an account. I’ve been from building websites pre-New Media to working in a world where no one can get enough of it. There’s a fundamental concept that people often lose:

Stay focused on your content and where your content is launched

If you don’t think you understand “Social Media” do not try to use it. Tackle a service one at a time. Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Digg, etc. – each of these services do not need to be daunting. You’re running your own business after all, don’t get anxious over a simple web service.

Remember that most “Social Media” services were created to have fun. So make sure you do just that: have fun with it.

Come back Wednesday for another Tip & Strategy.

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising veteran, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in small to medium sized businesses.

Save Time – Avoid Social Media Chaos is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

Many recent polls of small businesses listed their 2010 resolution as “Reducing Overhead”. It was my first thought this year and I’m glad I’m not the only one. After a quick review of my situation I found myself pleased that I was not bogged down in overhead costs.

Are you feeling bogged down?

I’ve been laid off because of the economy and it is not fun. It was not fun for my boss either. But if you’re looking to lay off anyone – why lay off someone who helps to bring in the money?

Nothing is simple and sometimes decisions are not easy but necessary. So why not find someone with your drive to succeed as a business to run your Marketing/Advertising and Media Strategies division?

Take a look at the benefits having another small business owner manage your Media Strategy:

• As a Fellow business owner – they can relate to your needs and constraints;
• As independent experts it is much easier to avoid micro-management and demand exactly what you need;
• Being on a billing system rather than payroll you avoid unnecessary costs (i.e. health insurance, etc.);
• Get more bang-for-your-buck by managing your ROI directly and not superficially.

What it boils down to is that when you negotiate the terms of your goals with an out-sourced Media Strategy expert it is much easier to manage the results and costs.

I make my costs to be competitive with a low-salary employee so that it’s practical and investable for a business to use my quality services. Take a look at your situation and make a resolution be smart about reducing overhead.

Come back Monday for another Tip & Strategy.

Tell a Friend,

TZ

Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising veteran, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in small to medium sized businesses.

Reduce Overhead with Media Strategies is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.

I trust that you are enjoying the start of 2010 – I’m sure that like me you probably have a resolution or two.  This blog is a resolution of mine to further engage people who could benefit from my expertise.

I want this to be a resource for small to medium business owners looking to grow their marketing reach but not their expenses.  You still have to spend money to make money – but you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a fortune.

Keep coming back for Tips,  Strategies,  News and Trends from me and my team at Zazza Media Strategies.  I look forward to seeing you often!

Tell a friend,

TZ

Happy 2010! is by Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Area Media Strategies, Relations, Advertising and Marketing firm.