Stay on top of trends and information by allowing the Media to come to you. Make your strategy effortless.
Ever feel like you’re playing catch-up? Whether it’s work, family or even just some rest and relaxation, playing catch-up is annoying and frustrating. I feel like I’m there every week! Things get too fast or they’re not fast enough. Either way something must be done quickly and other items are pushed down the to-do list. It’s a huge bore. HUGE.
When it comes to plotting your strategy to take over the world – or your industry – the Media never seems to sleep. It may move at a snail’s pace, but it never fully stops. This does get very overwhelming and tiresome. It’s a never-ending marathon. And I hate to run.
What’s also great about it is that there are tools to help you stay on pace with the Media and not lose precious hours working. You can literally find the Media knocking at your door by taking advantage of some time-tested tools. They’re very quick to put in place and honestly these tools are becoming more and more essential.
First, discover Google Alerts. Sign-up for an account with Google and you can have search items sent straight to your inbox. Like to keep up with the Chicago Cubs? Set a Google Alert to literally search for ‘Chicago Cubs’ and email you either daily or as-it-appears with a link to the article, page or website mentioning ‘Chicago Cubs’. This works great for keeping up with your industry.
One of my clients uses it to keep up with her franchising company. Results are delivered to her inbox. Sometimes its odd articles about other nationwide locations and sometimes it’s a friend mentioning her location on their blog. It’s really usefully to keep random news coming to you without having to routinely search.
Second, find some way to track and analyze traffic to your website or blog. Do not use a ‘Hit Counter’! Those were cute when you could build an AOL Free Webpage back in 1997. They’re useless now. You want to know where people are coming from. Is it your Facebook? Is it your local newspaper? Your YellowPages ad? Knowing where people are coming from helps you in so many ways.
Let’s say you sell toy animals. You advertise, you’ve joined the Chamber of Commerce and you’re tweeting away. You’re sitting pretty good. You then begin to analyze your traffic and see that there’s a local toy animal fan club you knew nothing about that is accounting for a good portion of your traffic. You now have the knowledge of a great source of customers and advertising that you had no idea about before. It’s almost magical where your web traffic can come from!
Lastly, discover Trending. Whether it’s Twitter’s topic trends or Google’s Hot Trends, knowing what is capturing the attention of the online world can help you know what’s new, hot and in demand. All with no effort from you.
Do you sell collectable 1980’s movie posters or former child star memorabilia? This morning sadly, Corey Haim was discovered dead. Too young to pass on in my opinion and I’m sure in yours but if you specialize in such material, maybe you should advertise your Corey Haim products because their demand and value have increased. Sure you could search news sites and search the web for every person you may have products for – but why waste time? Discover breaking news fast.
It seems spring is finally arriving! I’m so excited – ready for warm days and bright sunshine! I’ll see you all back here on Friday to get ready for the weekend – keep in touch with comments!
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.
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Strategy for the best Media Exposure is all about Making Lemonade from Lemons. Any Publicity is Good Publicity.
Winning an Oscar guarantees at least a few more years of solid work in Hollywood. Winning a Razzie for the worst performance only gives you a bruise that gets worse without any work. Actors in Hollywood have the same problems like many businesses including yours. Typically a struggling actor is just like a fledgling brand. They work tirelessly to improve their brand’s image and portfolio. Sometimes they have to cut their losses and find another career or sometimes they hit it big.
You can imagine that even being nominated for a Razzie might lower an actor’s value. But the best Oscar moment was actually brought to you by the Razzies.
Sandra Bullock has had a very long career and was first nominated for an Oscar just this year. I was so excited to see her win but not even Meryl Streep could carry the weight of an Oscar around like Bullock. Why? On the heels of her Golden Globe win and impending Oscar glory, one of Bullock’s other films from 2009 was getting bad publicity: All About Steve. So bad was this press that it was Bullock who won the Razzie for Lead Female Role. How would you handle one of the biggest achievements in your career with one of the worst of heckles?
Publicity Gold!
This happens a lot. A business is hitting gold with a new product or service. They’re getting amazing praise and tons of new business. Then with the good comes the no so good. A harsh critic highlights a poor choice or business decision that shines a not-so golden light on you and your work. Why can’t things just be consistent and be not just good but GREAT without a sour moment?!
Well voting for the Oscars ended far before the Razzies were announced. Bullock already had the Oscar in the bag last night. But instead of ignoring the bad and hoping that it will just go away, Bullock became only the second Razzie winner in history to appear in person to accept their not-so-triumphant award. And it made headlines.
It’s only instinct to feel like you have to be afraid of anything negative. It’s not horrible. But it’s not very clever. Bullock proved to movie executives that even if she is in a flop with them it will be memorable and hopefully profitable. Bullock gave away free copies of All About Steve at the Razzies. The movie which was never meant to be an Oscar contender has become etched in Oscar history as the movie that earned 2010’s Best Actress a Razzie.
Who wouldn’t want to be etched in Oscar history?
For those like you and me, we can learn to embrace negative feedback and make it positive. I’ve always been a huge fan of self-motivation. It’s not always easy but you must always remember that you are in control of your own image. You don’t have to be the next Tiger Woods – be the next Sandra Bullock!
I wish you a great start to the week and hopefully next Monday will have a lot more sunshine – it’s gloomy here in Dallas! Until Wednesday, take care!
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.
Today I’m out and on the road for most of the day so I’m posting from my iPhone while I have a chance. It beautiful outside and I’m so glad not to be stuck indoors! I’ve met a few friends and clients today that had the smae concern: I have a virus on my Facebook.
First, that’s NOT true. I’m really glad though that people are erring on the side of caution when it comes to links they find. It is true that there are malicious people looking to spread viruses and Trojans through Facebook and many other online networks. It’s not very fun. Have you ever encountered a Facebook virus?
Now everyone wants something of theirs to “go viral” on YouTube or anywhere. But the effort you put to online media needs to focus on being personable and informative. Things do not go viral by plan.
Now I’m also a very big advocate of listening. If you try to engage an audience you have to be both intimate and responsive. So finally after most of my babbling I get to my question for you. How would you like to get updated on my new blog posts?
Be creative! I’d love to hear it!
Until next time when I actually get to sit at my desk, have a great weekend!
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.
Filed under: Accessibility, Communication, Online Tools, Social Media/Networking, Strategy Tips — @ 11:23 AM
