6 Signs You Should Look for Before Hiring a PR Agency


When you are thinking about choosing a PR Agency, you want to have someone who is knowledgeable and trustworthy. They need to know what is going on and how to help you. There are several signs that would indicate you are putting your business in the hands of a reliable PR Agency.

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6 Tips for Successfully Giving Back to Your Community


Whether your business is large or small, it is part of the community and has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood. There are a variety of ways to give service, such as donating volunteer hours, providing monetary support, hosting events, offering teaching opportunities, and sponsoring charities. It’s pretty clear that supporting your local neighborhood can be done, but why should you do it? One answer is that even a small contribution to your community provides three important benefits above and beyond a boost in your public image.

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Express Yourself – Ways to Give Your Small Business Personality

Window Display
Getting attention from customers is something that all new businesses strive for. The brand identity that is established can be built upon, but if not managed carefully can actually be damaging. Building a brand doesn’t always have to come with a huge budget, as there are many cost-effective ways that can help build a brand. Here are some ways to do this and get noticed by customers

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5 Powerful Ideas to Help Your Small Business Grow

drawing business growth

drawing business growth


Every small business owner dreams of growing his business to the scale of Wal-Mart or Amazon. The sad truth is that very few of them can make it that big. However, that should not stop you from pursuing your dream and growing your business to the point where you can enjoy comfortable life. The key is to understand your strengths and limitations and use them to your advantage. Based on our dialog with number of small business owners we have come up with five powerful ideas that can help your business grow.

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Can Small Businesses Influence Local Charities?

Charity
More than 50 percent of the businesses within the United States are classified as small business. In many areas, these companies employ less than five people and have a limited supply of income. However, these organizations are still capable of impacting local charities to help those that are less fortunate. After all, a stable community is a more profitable community. By investing time, energy and funds in helping, you actually improve society in your local neighborhood while increasing future sales from those you have helped. Here are some additional considerations as you think about working with local charity.

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6 Smart Ways Small Businesses can Engage in Community to Grow Sales

Community
Small businesses do not exist in vacuum. They are an integral fabric of the community in which they operate, which is why it is important for them to be part of the community and get involved in community activities. Giving back to the community that gives them business is a powerful marketing tool, much more important than a catchy jingle or witty saying. Getting involved in the community and giving back demonstrates their commitment to the customers that are part of that community. So what are the ways in which small business owners engage in the community? Here are six powerful tips.

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Infographic: Measuring Online PR Effectiveness

Public Relations
Without standardization of measurement practices in the PR industry, Public Relations professionals won’t know how to quantify a campaign’s impact. As competition increases and budgets face greater scrutiny, the ability to accurately assess a campaign’s effects and communicate PR’s value in achieving the organization’s goals is paramount.

The topic of measurement is an ongoing debate within the industry and academia. While the guidelines outlined by recognized authorities provides a general structure for identifying WHAT to measure, the industry has yet to establish a clear standard for HOW we interpret and quantify these measurements to determine effect and ROI. One theme has become clear, however – measurement is getting more refined, and audience engagement and response carries the most weight. Look at the Infographic below to get more information on measurement of PR effectiveness.

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Small Business Owners: Wise up to Waste with Recycled Envelopes

Envelopes
At a time when countries and international organisations are trying to limit the damage being done to the planet by 21st century living, it’s important that businesses and individuals do all they can to help. One small gesture a company can make in this respect is switching to recycled envelopes. Not only will making the switch save your organisation money, it will give your company precious kudos in the eyes of your clients, as well as being a badge of honour for your business when you’re attempting to win new business.

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Safety and Sustainability in the Natural Resource Business

Sustainability
It is an unfortunate truth that many companies that are involved in the natural resources industry leave behind a large, damaging footprint on the environment. This can have a negative impact on the planet as well as on the local community where employees and customers live and work. It can also hurt the corporate image of the company, and in some cases, may subject it to fines due to violations in environmental regulations. If you are responsible for operating a natural resources business and you are looking for ways to improve safety and sustainability in your operations, you may consider few important points discussed below.

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How to Grow Business with Charitable Giving

Charitable business
As a business owner, your first priority is most likely the success of your business and growing your profits. After all, without a healthy bottom line, you probably won’t have a business for very long.

However, if your business is on solid footing, it’s also a good idea to make charitable giving part of your operational plan. There are number of benefits to doing so, not the least of which are the tax breaks a business can receive from giving back. A business with a track record of philanthropic activity often enjoys a better public perception, as customers want to do business with a company that shares their values. Internally, employees feel better about working for a company that supports charitable causes, and companies that give back often attract quality employees.

Even if you know that there are plenty of good reasons to add a charitable giving component to your business plan, you may be struggling with the best way to go about it. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

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