Several factors can help a client’s message stand out if you’re pitching during an election year. It’s a politically charged period when pitching to the media, so here are tips to navigate a pitch.
Unraveling the Influence of Regulation and Laws
Understanding the influence of regulations and laws is a pivotal factor in effectively positioning a client’s message in the media if you’re pitching during an election year. The outcome of an election can significantly impact regulations and future legislation. By understanding and articulating how a client’s skills and knowledge align with these potential changes, you can empower your client’s audience. This can be done by highlighting specific bills and policies that could have legal implications after the election.
Be Patient and Persistently Pleasant When Pitching During an Election Year
Patience and persistence are not just important, they are crucial. The media landscape is unpredictable, especially during an election year, and journalists, reporters, and bookers are feeling the pressure now more than ever. If they don’t respond to your pitch email right away, don’t be discouraged. It’s acceptable to follow up, but be kind, compassionate, and understanding when you do so. The media is under unprecedented pressure to keep their audiences informed as quickly as possible.
Presenting Expert Commentary, Not Punditry
Positioning clients as experts who can offer informed commentary on specific topics is not just a strategy; it’s a key strategy. This approach not only sets them apart from mere pundits but also adds depth to their contributions, helping them avoid the pitfalls of engaging in politics.
Featuring Lifestyle Content When Pitching During an Election Year
PR agencies encounter special challenges if they’re pitching during election years. Journalists understand the value of promoting uplifting, inspiring, and powerful lifestyle messages. Despite global events, lifestyle content remains relevant, and people will continue to seek positive stories amid political unrest. Whether it’s about health, wellness, self-improvement, or feel-good stories, there’s a place for it. The key is to find angles that naturally fit within the broader media landscape while maintaining a balance.
Getting out of your artistic comfort zone can be really scary. It can be intimidating to pick up a new medium and try to learn a new skill. But artistic growth often thrives when you get out of your comfort zone. If you want to try new things and push your creative boundaries, here are some tips that can help you do so.
Try a New Medium to Expand Your Artistic Comfort Zone
Trying a new medium can be scary but it’s one of the quickest ways to break out of your comfort zone. If you’re a painter who works with acrylics, why not try watercolor or oil paints? If you like to draw with just your pencil, try out pastels, colored pencils, or even charcoal. Try clay sculpting if you usually stick to drawing on paper. Try scrapbooking if you enjoy designing online. There are so many options to try out.
My favorite thing is to go to a craft store and pick a craft I wouldn’t normally pick up. That is how I got into punching needling and embroidery. There are so many avenues you can go down and luckily it’s easy to look up help when things get tough. By working with different materials, you will challenge your skills and maybe ignite a new passion.
Collaborate with Others
Partnering with other artists introduces you to new techniques and perspectives. It can inspire new ideas and approaches to your art. Getting together with an artistic group will give you an opportunity to try out new methods. If one artist uses a certain medium that you are not familiar with, let them teach you their skills. It’s always good to bounce ideas off of others to gain knowledge and perspective on a new medium.
Attend Classes Outside of Your Artistic Comfort Zone
Enrolling in a class or a workshop outside your medium can open up new avenues for exploration. There are many resources online that can help you such as YouTube, Masterclasses, and sometimes even your local community college. There are also in person classes at your local craft store, libraries, or even museums that you can sign up for. Embrace a new venture, don’t let the fear of failure hold you back from trying new things.
Embrace Failure
When reaching outside of your artistic comfort zone, making mistakes is a natural part of the creative process. If you don’t make mistakes then you’re not learning. Each mistake is an opportunity for growth. It’s okay if you try something for the first time that doesn’t meet your expectations. At least you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.
Stepping out of your artistic comfort zone is a journey of exploration and self-discovery. By experimenting with new mediums, seeking feedback from others, and trying new things, you’ll not only enhance your skills but maybe find a new passion for a new craft.
In its simplest form, communication is the act of transferring information from one person or group to another. Whether personally or professionally, through talk or text, we typically spend much of our day communicating with other people.
It sounds simple, right? As someone whose job in account services relies heavily on communication with both team members and clients, I can assure you this isn’t always the case. Remember playing the telephone game as a kid? I do, and I can assure you the message that started the circle wasn’t always the message that ended the circle. Confusion ensued!
Improving Your Communication Skills
Undoubtedly our communication skills have improved since our days playing the telephone game, but we all still fall short in communicating effectively at times. So, how do we get better? Let’s first take a look at a few of the main ways we communicate.
Verbal Communication Whether we communicate through face-to-face meetings, a phone call or video chat, all of these are categorized as verbal communication. Using our voice to deliver the message to our audience.
Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication accompanies verbal communication. When we speak, we give off different signals without using spoken words, and sometimes without even realizing we are doing it. This can include facial expressions, posture, eye contact, tone of voice, gestures, how we dress, etc.
Written Communication There are many ways we can deliver our message through the written word. And, often this is considered the most common and effective way to communicate. It can be through emails, letters, social media, articles, text messages, etc.
Visual Communication When we communicate visually it is done through a means that can be read or viewed by the recipient and has become more prevalent because of social media platforms. Such as infographics, graphs, videos, slides, etc.
Barriers to Being Effective
There are many barriers that can impede effective communication. Let’s explore a few of them.
Inattentive In other words, we simply aren’t paying attention. This can lead to missing important details and misunderstanding or misinterpreting what we do hear.
Mismatched Communications Styles Does how you prefer to communicate differ from that of the intended recipient? If so, there’s most likely a greater chance of miscommunications.
Poor Timing No matter how well thought out and prepared your communication might be, your message will fall short if it isn’t delivered at an appropriate time.
Too Much Jargon Although at times jargon can make your communication more efficient, often, your intended audience will not understand it and will be left in a state of confusion.
Troubleshooting Your Communication Gaps
Now that we have outlined both some of the common forms of communication and barriers to communication, let’s talk about how we can overcome them.
Active Listening If you find yourself struggling to absorb the communication, you might want to read up on active listening. It involves digesting the information, and then responding back through paraphrasing, asking questions and body language cues.
Identify Communication Styles You need to understand not only if your audience prefers to communicate face-to-face vs. emails, etc., but also if they prefer straightforward and to the point messages vs. being inundated with all the details. The answer may vary based on what is being discussed and you need to adjust your communication style accordingly.
Think Before You Communicate Timing is everything when it comes to communicating to your audience. Are you sending your message right before a big event, a planned vacation or late at night? Always make sure you take these things into consideration if you want to be heard.
Use Plain and Simple Language Shorthand and acronyms can save you time, but often it leads to your recipient feeling frustrated and confused because the language isn’t understood by all. Make sure you tailor your message to your audience, and only use jargon if you know it will be understood by all.
Regardless of how you communicate to your audience, there are going to be instances when it is ineffective. But, if you keep in mind some simple obstacles to avoid, you’ll find these instances will be few and far between.
As I was pondering what to share in this month’s newsletter, an email about books hit my inbox. It was my daily New York Times digest. And, one of the stories featured was the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. To be honest, I only scrolled through the first 50. And, gosh, I haven’t read any of them. But, of course, now I am excited to have a new “to read” list.
How to Vacation: Read Books
On our annual July Fourth vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama, not only do I cherish time with my kiddos, and the family tradition we have built. I enjoy reading, as I don’t have the opportunity to do it enough during the work week. On this vacation, I have a goal of reading a book a day. I know that sounds impossible, right? But I am a speedy reader when I’m engaged in a good book.
Reading to me is relaxation. It is an escape. Also, reading fills my head with new perspectives and ideas — even if I am reading romance or mystery novels. I do try to sharpen my parenting skills and throw in a parenting book now and then as well. In addition, adding business or professional development books to my library is important to me.
Books I’ve Been Reading This Summer
This year’s Fourth of July consumption, “dearest gentle reader,” did not disappoint. Highlights included:
James Patterson by James Patterson — My first audio book ever. Yes, stating this makes me feel like a dinosaur. I had no idea Patterson worked at J Walter Thompson. And was an executive there. He also produced some of the most iconic tag lines and creative concepts of all time! From this, I took away much. In addition to this one, I am adding two other books to my reading list: One by him and a book he gifts to others.
Five Principles of Parenting by Dr. Aliza Pressman — I have a 23-year-old son. Yet, parenting today and all the wise people and new learnings out there are still a benefit to me when I’m parenting my 11-year-old daughter. This book is a true treasure trove of wisdom.
Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson — Wowsa. There were many unexpected turns and twists. Also, mind blown regarding new learnings on the science of volcanoes and other things. A must read y’all.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune — This is one of the top easy-to-read and escape-into books of the summer.
Need More Insights on These Books?
Want to share why you read and what your favorites are? I’m happy to have a call or Teams chat. Or leave a comment here. Summer reading and time away from work are so important for the soul, don’t you think?
Of course, if we can help you with your marketing and branding needs, book discussion or not, email, call or text us.
We are welcoming intern Michael Panikkacherry, our newest rocker from Texas Tech, to the team this summer. We wanted to get to know him better, so we asked him a few questions! He’s an advertising student and eager to learn more about this industry this summer at Front Porch Marketing. Give him a big howdy!
What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?
The biggest misconception about marketing today is that it’s primarily about advertising and selling products, when in fact, effective marketing is more about building relationships and understanding customer needs.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would advise myself to embrace failure as a teaching opportunity and to concentrate on developing resilience and flexibility since these traits will help you navigate the ups and downs of life.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?
A good routine is key to success, especially in college when you’re living on your own.
What does good brand strategy look like?
A good brand strategy clearly defines the brand’s purpose and values while also building a strong emotional connection to the target audience.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
I would like to go to Iceland because I feel like it is a very unique travel destination and the land and scenery is beautiful.
If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead, who would it be?
I would want to go to dinner with Michael Jackson because I have always loved his music since I could remember and he was such an icon for me.
If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?
Sociable, dedicated, adaptable
Tell me about a major milestone in your life?
A major milestone in my life would have to be when I was elected leader for our community service project. I realized then that I was seen as a reliable person to the group that can help us get things done in a timely manner.
From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?
Front Porch Marketing differentiates itself from other marketing companies because of its close knit team.
What is a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love to travel outside of the country.
This summer, we welcome Natalie Johnson, our newest intern rocker, to the team. So we asked her a few questions to get to know her better! She’s a student at The University of Arkansas studying advertising and public relations. Natalie is excited to learn more about marketing, strategic writing, and client relations on the Porch.
What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?
That good marketing has to achieve widespread attention to be effective. It is so much more important that a campaign reaches its target audience, no matter its size, and is able to impact those who can directly benefit from what is being offered.
What advice would Natalie Johnson give to her younger self?
Everything happens for a reason! Even if you are confused in the moment, life always brings you exactly what you need.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?
College has taught me the importance of scheduling. Finding a healthy balance between schoolwork and social life is key to getting a good education while making memories.
What does good brand strategy look like?
A good brand strategy starts with building a strong brand identity. Once you know what you value as a brand and establish why consumers can trust you, content production can feel much more cohesive and authentic.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
The Amalfi Coast! I visited when I was younger and would love to go back.
If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?
My grandpa on my mom’s side of the family. He passed away right around my high school graduation, so I would love to tell him about where I am now and hear some more of his awesome life advice!
If you could describe Natalie Johnson in three words what would they be?
I would describe myself as dedicated, empathetic, and optimistic.
Tell us about a major milestone in your life?
One of my major milestones is transferring schools and going to college out of Texas! It has been my first time living in a new state, and I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had in Arkansas so far!
From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?
Front Porch builds such personable, caring relationships both internally and externally. Everyone in the company truly cares about the well-being of its clients and its team members, celebrating every success and always available to answer questions.
On the Porch, May is “grad …” month. Believe it or not, it’s not just graduates and graduating. “Grad” definitely has to do with branding and marketing. Overall, it’s about great celebrations for our Porch team, family and clients.
Grad Is For Graduation Graduates
We have two kiddos graduating from kindergarten. Rock on, twins! And one team mate has an accomplished high school graduate going on to do great things in business school and in golf. Our intern, Lillian, is planning to be an August MBA grad. Plus, I have a college graduate — go on with your bad self, son. I couldn’t be prouder.
Grades Start With Grad
All those with school age children feel me here. That final grade card is coming to a mailbox near you. We see how hard you worked! And, oh yeah, the standardized test results. How’d we all do on those AP tests and finals? Whew! What a feeling! (It’s over. At least for now.)
Gradual Branding and Marketing Changes
It’s rad to be grad! Gradual, that is. Taking a measured approach on marketing pays off. Our clients are embracing incremental changes in strategy and tactics this year. This deliberate and consistent path to progress allows our clients’ brands and teams to experience sustainable enhancement. It is a more stable approach to marketing resulting in visible, continuous improvement. Slow and steady wins the race I always say.
Grad … okay … GraTitude, But It Works!
We are so grateful for our team, clients and advocates, here at the Porch. Amidst all the grad chaos that May brings, we are celebrating those who value that we continue to do what we love, with those we love, for those we love, while taking care of our loves. May was something else and we enjoyed every chaotic moment of it. Congrats Grads!
Brand Guidelines help keep your brand on track. I think we can all agree that your brand is your most important asset. Some people may think your logo is the sum of your brand identity, but it’s more than that. It’s the personality of your brand. You’ve spent countless hours, not to mention your blood, sweat and tears making your brand come to life. And you want to protect your brand identity through consistent marketing and messaging across all your channels. To do this, you need to develop brand guidelines.
What Are Brand Guidelines?
By definition, brand guidelines are clearly defined rules and standards that communicate how your brand should be represented to the world. We typically think these rules are utilized by designers, but they should be adhered to by anyone who interacts with your brand whether inside or outside of your organization.
The components included in brand guidelines vary from company to company, and they can range in size from a few to many pages. Typically, at a minimum, brand guidelines will include logo usage guidelines, color palettes, typography and brand voice.
Why Are Guidelines Important?
It can be tricky to keep your brand identity consistent. As your brand grows, you may also grow your team and start to use external resources. When you have clear and consistent guidelines in place, you protect how your brand is portrayed both visually and in writing no matter who is developing the communications and no matter if the audience is internal or external.
Ensure Consistency — From your website to your social media posts and print materials, your communications should be cohesive. Part of a family. It makes your brand reliable and shows you take pride in your brand.
Create Recognition — Your audience should be able to easily recognize your brand. They help you stand out in a competitive market.
Set Standards and Rules — These rules make certain everyone is using the brand visual elements correctly. This can range from logo placement to color palettes and fonts. These are not meant to stifle creativity, but rather safeguard that everything appears correctly.
Build Value — They create compliance inside and outside of your organization. When guidelines are adhered to, it creates and maintains a strong brand presence in the market.
When you have brand guidelines in place, you have the foundation to create a consistent and successful brand identity now and in the future.
In the dynamic world of business-to-business interactions, forging strong B2B partnerships is essential for long-term success and growth. These strategic alliances not only expand market reach but also foster innovation and mutual support. However, building strong B2B partnerships requires careful planning, effective communication, and a commitment to shared goals. Here are some key strategies that businesses can implement to cultivate meaningful and enduring partnerships in the B2B landscape.
Establish Clear Objectives and Alignment in B2B Partnerships
At the core of any successful partnership lies a shared understanding of objectives and alignment of goals. Before embarking on a collaboration, take the time to define what success looks like for both parties. Clarify mutual expectations, identify common challenges, and outline how each partner can contribute to achieving shared objectives. For example, a technology company seeking to enhance its cybersecurity offerings may form a strategic alliance with a cybersecurity firm to jointly develop integrated solutions that address both data analysis and security concerns.
Foster Open and Transparent Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and B2B partnerships are no exception. Cultivate an environment of open dialogue and transparency, where both parties feel comfortable expressing their needs, concerns, and ideas. Regular check-ins, status updates, and feedback sessions help ensure that everyone remains on the same page throughout the partnership journey. For instance, a manufacturing company building strong relationships with suppliers ensures a steady supply of raw materials or components, fostering reliability and efficiency in the production process.
Prioritize Mutual Benefit and Value Creation for B2B Partnerships
Successful B2B partnerships are ones where both parties derive tangible value from the collaboration. Focus on identifying areas of mutual benefit and value creation, where each partner can leverage their strengths to achieve shared goals. Whether it’s access to new markets, innovative technologies, or complementary expertise, seek opportunities to create win-win scenarios that drive mutual growth and success. For example, a software company may partner with a network of resellers to distribute its products to different geographic regions or industries, expanding its market reach while providing the resellers with a lucrative revenue stream.
Invest in Relationship-Building and Trust
Building strong partnerships takes time and effort, and investing in relationship-building is essential for long-term success. Take the time to get to know your partner’s business, culture, and values, and foster personal connections with key stakeholders. Building trust is paramount, so be reliable, transparent, and honest in your interactions. Demonstrate a commitment to the partnership by following through on promises, addressing concerns promptly, and actively seeking ways to add value to your partner’s business. For instance, marketing and co-marketing partnerships allow businesses to collaborate on initiatives that amplify both parties’ reach and visibility, such as co-creating content or launching co-branded campaigns.
Embrace Collaboration and Adaptability in Your B2B Partnerships
Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities for successful B2B partnerships. Embrace a spirit of collaboration and be open to exploring new ideas, strategies, and opportunities together. Remain agile in responding to changing market dynamics, evolving customer needs, and emerging industry trends. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, you position your partnership for long-term relevance and resilience in the face of uncertainty. For example, companies often form partnerships to enhance their product offerings or expand into new markets, leveraging each other’s expertise to develop innovative solutions that address evolving customer demands.
Leverage Expertise Through Strategic Partnerships
Leveraging expertise through strategic partnerships can provide B2B companies with specialized skills and knowledge to enhance their offerings and market presence. Collaborating with a marketing firm, for example, can offer significant benefits for businesses looking to elevate their brand visibility, generate leads, and drive revenue growth. A B2B partnership with a marketing firm can provide access to a range of marketing services, including strategic planning, digital marketing, content creation, and campaign management. By tapping into the expertise of marketing professionals, B2B companies can develop tailored marketing strategies and tactics that resonate with their target audience and align with their business objectives.
For instance, a professional services company seeking to expand its market reach may partner with a marketing firm specializing in B2B lead generation and digital marketing. Through this partnership, the services company gains access to a team of marketing experts who can develop targeted campaigns, optimize online presence including SEO, and leverage data analytics to identify and nurture leads effectively. By outsourcing marketing efforts to a trusted partner, the services company can focus on core business operations while benefiting from the marketing firm’s industry knowledge, resources, and experience.
Cultivating Strong B2B Partnerships is a Win-Win
In the interconnected world of B2B commerce, building strong B2B partnerships is not just advantageous — it’s imperative for sustainable growth and competitiveness. By following these strategies and incorporating examples of specific partnership types, including collaborations with marketing firms, businesses can cultivate meaningful and enduring partnerships that drive mutual success. As you navigate the intricacies of B2B relationships, remember that the strength of your partnerships lies in your ability to collaborate, communicate, and innovate together.
Networking is perhaps an undervalued, but critically important aspect of marketing. In the world of marketing, staying ahead of trends, understanding emerging technologies, and leveraging innovative strategies are immensely important. However, amidst the whirlwind of digital campaigns, content creation, and market analysis, one fundamental aspect remains critically vital: networking. This week, as some of our team is attending the Marketing 2.0 Conference, let’s delve into the significance of networking within our industry, particularly through conferences and conventions.
Networking is a Gateway to Opportunities
Networking serves as a gateway to a multitude of opportunities; including partnerships, client leads, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas. More often than not, who you know can be as important as what you know. Creating meaningful connections can catapult your career and business to new heights.
The Value of Face-to-Face Interactions
While social media and digital platforms offer convenient ways to connect, they cannot always replicate the value of face-to-face interactions. Conferences and conventions provide a unique environment for marketers to engage in real-time conversations, offering a depth of communication that virtual encounters cannot match. The exchange of ideas, the use of body language and the immediate feedback of in-person discussions enrich the networking experience and can foster stronger, more meaningful connections.
Networking Means Learning from the Best
Attending conferences and conventions exposes you to impressive leaders and innovators in the marketing world. Keynote speeches, classes, and panel discussions provide exceptional insights and knowledge, highlighting cutting-edge trends that have yet to become mainstream. These learning opportunities not only inspire but also equip you with fresh ideas and approaches that can be applied to your own business.
A Platform for Visibility
Participating in these events offers an invaluable platform to raise your personal or brand’s visibility within the industry. Presenting a paper, leading a workshop, or simply engaging in discussions can position you as a thought leader. In turn this can open doors to media coverage, speaking opportunities, and collaborations. The exposure gained can significantly enhance your reputation and credibility among peers and potential clients.
The Ripple Effect of Sharing
One of the most underrated aspects of networking at conferences is the ripple effect it creates. Sharing your own experiences, challenges, and success stories not only contributes to the collective knowledge but also helps in creating meaningful connections. This mutual exchange fosters a sense of community and support within the industry.
Looking Ahead
As our team prepares to immerse ourselves in the upcoming Marketing 2.0 Conference, the focus extends beyond just attending. It’s about actively participating, engaging with new faces, and absorbing every bit of knowledge and insight available. The importance of networking in marketing cannot be overstated, and conferences and conventions represent a place for nurturing connections that could shape the future of your business.
