In
This Issue
-
Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina
-
Public Relations Workshop set for September 21
-- Early Bird rate extended through Friday!
-
Developing Your Strategy: What Sets You Apart?
-
Leadership Corner
-
Strike for Survival -- Bowl to Support
Cancer Research
-
Pioneer Strategies news
-
Our
student intern needs your assistance
-
Are
you missing opportunities?
-
How to subscribe to this newsletter
Click
here to read previous editions of this newsletter
"You can't build a
reputation
on what you are going to do."
- Henry Ford
Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina
As
we approach the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our
nation is in the midst of another unprecedented tragedy -- this one
inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. In the days and weeks following 9/11
our nation was united. United by our shared grief. United by a sense
of purpose. United in patriotism. United in our desire to help those
directly impacted by the terrorist attacks. Now, when faced with a
disaster that could ultimately inflict a higher human toll than 9/11, we
should again be united in our efforts to help those impacted by tragedy. Please consider making a financial contribution to the
Salvation Army,
American Red Cross, or another
legitimate charitable organization that genuinely seeks to meet the
needs of Hurricane Katrina's victims.
- Frank Williams
Reflecting on 9/11
Article:
An Unimaginable Experience in New York City: Oct.
4-7, 2001
Public Relations Workshop set for
September 21
Pioneer Strategies' first Fall 2005 Public Relations Workshop
is set for Wednesday, September 21 at the Cardinal Club. Due to
the Labor Day holiday we have extended the early bird discount through September
9th.
Upcoming workshop dates include:
- Wednesday, September 21
(early bird
deadline - extended to September 9)
- Wednesday, October 19 (early bird
deadline - Oct. 5)
Seating for these interactive workshops is limited;
reserve your seat today!
Click
here for more information.
Click here to
pre-register.
What
will you gain from attending one of our workshops?
-
Learn how an effective Public Relations campaign can help build your
business and boost your sales;
-
Develop an understanding of the principles you must follow in order to
implement an effective Public Relations campaign; and
-
Learn practical, cost-effective tactics and strategies
you can put to work to spread the word about your small business.
Reserve
your seat today!
Our
workshops
are interactive, therefore seating is
limited. Click
here for more information.
Developing Your Strategy:
What Sets You Apart?
Imagine that you have decided to redesign
your company's web site. Your designer has developed a sharp,
eye-catching graphic architecture; now, all you have to do is develop
the content. As you are working to develop your web site content,
one of your not-so-bright employees suggests the following headline for
the home page: "We're just like everyone else in our industry."
You'd probably think they were crazy, and they would likely NOT be in
the running for a promotion.
As you craft your Public Relations strategy,
it is important to develop a clear picture of what sets you apart from
the crowd. From a sales perspective, this is your Unique Selling
Proposition (USP); it is what differentiates your product from
your competition's product. From a Public Relations perspective,
you should explore what makes your organization unique.
Public Relations is about building a strong, credible reputation for
your organization, and a clear definition of what sets you apart will
serve as one of the building blocks for your message.
Ask yourself the following questions:
-
What makes your organization unique?
-
What gives you credibility in your
field?
-
What are your strengths?
-
Which of your strengths set you apart
from your competitors?
-
How can you capitalize on your
strengths?
-
What are your weaknesses?
-
How can your strengths compensate for
your weaknesses?
-
What benefits do you offer clients?
-
What problems do you solve for clients?
-
If you asked your most satisfied clients
to articulate the greatest value they receive from your
relationship, what would they say? If you don't know, ASK
THEM; their answers may surprise you.
-
What is your organization's history?
-
What, if anything, about your
organization's story sets you apart?
-
What is your organization's personality?
The answers to these questions will help you
develop a clear idea of what sets your organization apart from the
crowd.
-
Frank Williams
Leadership
Corner
"He knows not his own strength who has
not met adversity."
- Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
"We are responsible for actions
performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible."
- Allan Massie, British author
Strike for Survival -- Bowl to
Support Cancer Research
Strike for Survival, a bowling competition
to benefit the American Cancer Society, will be held on Friday,
September 16 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Lanes,
located at 5501 Commercial Avenue in Raleigh. Pleasant Valley Lanes can
be reached by phone at (919) 783-0080 or via the web at
http://pleasantvalleylanes.amfcenters.com.
- If you are interested
in sponsoring Strike for Survival, please email us at
info@pioneerstrategies.com
and let us know.
- If you are interested in registering as a
bowler, you can do so at
www.strikeforsurvival.com; for more information, call 919-313-4588.
Pioneer Strategies News
Pioneer Strategies
president Frank Williams spoke to a packed house at the
Greater Raleigh Chamber of
Commerce's Central AM Network meeting on
Thursday, September 1st. The topic was "Public Relations:
Spreading the Word About Your Business."
Invite
Frank Williams to Speak
If
you wish to invite Pioneer Strategies president Frank Williams to speak to your organization, please send an
e-mail to info@pioneerstrategies.com
or call 919-833-4345.
Our Student Intern Needs Your
Assistance
Last month's newsletter
announced that Erin Worley, a Senior in North Carolina State
University's Department of Communication, is interning with Pioneer
Strategies this Fall. As part of her internship Erin is conducting
a Triangle Business Study. Those who agree to participate are
asked to complete an anonymous two-page questionnaire that delves into
the challenges facing Triangle-area businesses. Please consider
assisting Erin with this project. If you are willing to
participate in this study, please email Erin at
email@pioneerstrategies.com;
be sure to include your name, company name and mailing address.
Are
you missing opportunities?
The
press release is the public relations tool used to communicate
your organization's newsworthy accomplishments and activities to the media.
The purpose of a press release is to generate positive news coverage for
your organization -- coverage which builds your name and enhances your
credibility far more than a paid advertisement or company brochure.
Below
are a few newsworthy opportunities for your company to distribute a
press release:
-
Hiring a new employee;
-
Opening a new location;
-
Completing a major project;
-
Signing a new client;
-
Your company or a key employee wins an award;
-
A company representative gives a speech or teaches a class;
-
Hosting a seminar or other special event;
-
Launching a new product line; or
-
An employee receives a promotion.
Are
you missing out? If your company has done any of these
things and has not sent out a press release, you've missed
opportunities!
Click
here to learn more about our Small Business PR Packages.
How to subscribe to
this newsletter
If you are receiving a forwarded copy of
this newsletter and would like to subscribe,
click
here.
This
newsletter and all content and information contained herein are the
property of Pioneer Strategies, Inc. and may not be
reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the
publisher.
