If you're not in, you can't win

'If you’re not in, you can't win'.
 
Now I know this phrase is mostly used for the lotto and don't get wrong like every other person in the world I dream about but I also think that the phrase lends nicely to the importance of promoting your business online. 
 
Online, what really is it? Well, is basically everything. You can even read newspapers online now, which is pretty crazy if you think only a hundred years ago paper were only for the literate. Anyhow, thing isn't a history blog, this is a blog to let you know what benefits the internet’s can have for you in relation to your customers and service. 
 
Being online means you are going to gain access to a lot of people. Lots of people mean lots of prospective customers of clients, and I only have one word for that: CHACHANG! The more people that are exposed to your business (via facebook, twitter, website, blogs etc) then the more interest you will get and in turn hopefully the customers you will attract. You have the opportunity to communicate with millions of people-so take it and use it to your advantage. 
 
Have an online presence means you can sell over the internet which is great for you because the world is full of people who order everything via the web. Now a day’s people don't have to cut things from their schedule or replan their day just to access something, oh no, which a few clicks it can be delivered to their door. My advice is jump on this band wagon now. You need to be able to cater to all types of people...and this is so easily done through the likes of a website. Having a website means that your service is accessible 24/7, you could receive sales all day and every day, you could be literally be making money while you sleep. What's not to love? 
 
As a PR student I’m only too aware of the improved customer service having an online existence can bring and so should you, so here we go. On your website your customers should have access to every detail about each product or service you supply, when reading this they will form a decision about it and you will want to what that is. People can be shy or apprehensive talking face-to-face or over the phone so leaving a comment or emailing customer service is the perfect way to hear what they have to say. They’ll have an outside opinion of your service/product and that opinion will help you grow and improve. I can’t stress enough how important each piece of feedback is, take it seriously and change what you do to suit the needs of others. Trust me, it’ll pay off in the long run.
 
I guess all that’s lets to say is get in and start winning! 
 

Blog 1: Technology and PR

I know I'm a month late on this but: new year, new blog! As a Media and Public Relations student I hope to enlighten and inform you about how important technology is in today's world especially in relation to public relations, and in doing all that I hope to learn a thing or two myself.

So firstly, for people out there who don't know what the term public relations mean it is basically the actions of an individual or a firm to promote, maintain and develop a relationship between a company/individual and the public. Or in simpler terms to communicate with the public on behalf of a client, and in this day and age how would one go about communicating to the public? Why, through the means of technology of course!

As Bill Gates once said “IF I WERE DOWN TO MY LAST DOLLAR, I’D SPEND IT ON PR", now I don't usually quote but I think that sums up in one sentence just exactly how important PR really is. Among, digital marketing, advertising, direct mail, event management, brochures, photo calls  social media and press releases, public relations has to keep up with the last technology. This has proven increasingly harder in recent years due to the high speed growth of electronics, but hopefully after reading this blog you'll understand a little more how it all fits together.

Today I'm going to address the topic of e-mails. Nearly everybody has not only one, not two but three email address and possibly more, they may not be newest to the technological shelf but understanding how they work is key to making any form of electronic communication. 

As they are being used for almost EVERYTHING in the workplace; organising meetings, sending data or an invite to a photo call, the possibilities are endless and to be honest the benefits of e-mail are also endless.

Cost. The number one thing that effects businesses and individuals, but luckily enough it's free to send an e-mail. Connect yourself to the internet and boom-with the click of a buttons you have just informed hundreds of people about an event or meeting. Written words faster than the speed of a telephone, I'm sorry Mr Postman but snail mail seems to be long gone. The beauty of sending e-mails is that is also has no place or time constraints, like I said, connect to the internet and you have immediate access. In the world of public relations it is key to always know what is happening on projects and progress so with you use of e-mail you can easily keep on top of it all. 

People are often scared of technology, especially those of an older generation as they feel they may not know how to use it but e-mailing is a completely different story. Not only is it quick but also so easy to use. My Grandad even e-mails and that man has lived through the war. Like many others, he loves how straightforward it is. With one click to be able to attach a file, add a photo or even insert an emotion, you can't go wrong!

Being able to flag mails as important, sort into different categories and quick view certain mails, it is kind of like having a seriously efficient on-line diary. Going to be out of the office for a while? Set up an automated reply just to let people know that'll you're out and will reply once you are back. Polite and effective. 

Lastly of course, e-mails don't use paper and that's good because lets face it, every once in a while you should hug a tree.