How To Stand Out From The Crowd

So you want to be seen? You want to be noticed in the marketplace. You need to have a strong brand to get business. You need to be visible.

Visibility has a lot to do with the answer to these questions.

- How well-known are you?

- Do you have an email list of subscribers?

- Do you have blog or newsletter fans and followers?

- Do you have a history as a guest speaker, both online and off?

- Are you visible and active, online and off, in your niche community?

When you go to a networking event and you meet someone, does it take longer than two sentences to tell them a little about what you do? If so, you need to work on that. And if it short, is it memorable? Does it cause intrigue or make people yawn?

Here are some tips to make yourself a memorable brand:

1. Up level your visual marketing materials. Have a professional brand strategist or hire a coach to help you sort out the best way to make an impact with things like logos, biz cards, presentations, websites, social media buttons and banners. And please, have professional photos! Not just a head shot, but business branding and lifestyle shots.

2. Come up with a slogan. Not everyone has a slogan, but catchy phrases help people remember you. Mine: “Pam Perry PR – We help you brand like a superstar!”

3. Define and display your signature style. The way you dress yourself is part of your marketing package (online and off). Depending on your business you might have a signature style that people will remember and respect. Whether it’s crisp business or urban chic or unique eyeglass framer – almost everyone has something that stands out about them. Or maybe it’s a signature color that matches your logo. Remember Mary Kay and her pink. She also always wore a bubble bee. I love butterflies – great conversation starters too.

4. Become a walking-talking billboard. Every encounter you make with someone, online or off, is a branding opportunity. Become an expert at selling yourself. Don’t be afraid to nominate yourself for awards too. If you don’t, who will. You want to win? Be ready to fill out that nomination form yourself and submit that professional photo and bio.

You want to get on major television shows or featured in magazine but how do you cut through the clutter? How do you find the right media contacts? How do you attract media attention over and over again?

Here are three tips to help you get the PR you desire:

1. Connect with people. Yes, journalists, producers and editors are just people. They are people that want to do a good job for their media outlets. So, make them a hero. Offer help even when you’re don’t want something. It’s good old-fashioned networking. One way to make yourself stand out is to provide useful tips and information when you aren’t trying to push for coverage. Give them some “scoop” or new trending information about your industry or introduce them to someone you know might be useful for their beat or show. Be resource. People don’t like people who only call them when they need something. Also, most media are on Twitter. Try retweeting them stories; this helps their numbers. Remember, their bosses are watching the response they’re getting from their stories or segments. Help them out!

2. Be a good story teller. Don’t just pitch stuff so you can be “famous.” Be a person that has stories that will connect with their audience. Be a visual as possible with your words. Be funny. Be interesting. Practice. Hire a media coach or join something like Toast Masters or the Black Speakers Network if you need help getting your public speaking skills upgraded. Those who tell the best stories win. Hands down.

3. Write short pitches. When you find a reporter or producer you’d like to pitch (I suggest reading the publication or listening/watching their shows first), address them by their name. Tell them in bullet points why you think your story would interest their audience. Don’t write too much in an email. Make it a :30 second read and offer to send additional information if they’re interested. They’d appreciate your brevity and will reach out if it’s something they can use. If not, don’t take it personal. Follow up in 48 hours to see if they’ve read it and try CALLING and leaving the same pitch but only in a voice mail. If they don’t respond, don’t take it personal. Keep it moving.

If you want to stand out, remember to be bold not blah. You’ll be remembered for what makes you unique and how CONSISTENT you are about sharing that uniqueness.

About Dr. Pam Perry: An award-winning PR Pro who can help you build your platform, package your expertise, pitch you to media, put you on stages, produce your podcast and promote you so you can get PAID! Visit www.pamperrypr.com