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Did you catch RMR’s recent column in Washington SmartCEO Magazine?  If not, the article can be found below.  You can also find all of RMR’s articles from the magazine here.   These five questions will help you find the public relations firm that fits your growing business.       If you're looking for new ways to grow your business - and who isn't? - it's smart to turn to a public relations firm. The right PR firm can devise a strategic, integrated plan that maximizes your resources to give you the best return on your financial investment. But PR firms are not all the same. Some specialize in certain industries. Some may not have the right media contacts for your business. So how do you know what you're really getting?       The secret is to ask the right questions up front. By putting the same questions to each firm you're considering, you'll be able to compare what each offers and determine which one is the best fit for your business. Start by asking yourself these two important questions: What do I expect a PR firm to accomplish?       Most people say "I want to have a successful PR campaign." But everyone [...]

Did you catch RMR’s recent column in Washington SmartCEO Magazine?  If not, the article can be found below.  You can also find all of RMR’s articles from the magazine here.   6 Tips for More Effective Direct Marketing   While it's true that direct mail or direct email success depends first on the list, next on the offer and only last on the creative ... being last doesn't make creative immaterial. Think of it as the last leg of a relay team. After your strong runners build your lead, someone still has to cross the finish line.   So here are some ways to assure your creative keeps you in the race.   #1. Speak to the reader's self-interest. His favorite song is "I, Me, Mine." So play along. Headlines and lead paragraphs in your letter or brochure should immediately convey information of use, value, benefit, and - above all - interest to the reader.   #2. Tell the reader what they'll gain by replying (more time, more money, peace of mind, solutions) and what they will lose by not responding (the opportunity to solve their problems).   #3. Use visuals to reinforce your message and make it easy to [...]

Did you catch RMR’s recent column in Washington SmartCEO Magazine?  If not, the article can be found below.  You can also find all of RMR’s articles from the magazine here.   Eight steps to using the media to introduce new products The greatest challenge facing any new product is the FUD Factor—Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. This holds true whether you’re trying to influence analysts, editors, prospects or customers. Effective public relations not only eliminates FUD, it earns your product the dominant position in customer minds.   In PR, like many areas of business, the 80-20 rule applies. In this case, 20 percent of the market influences the other 80 percent of the market. In his book titled “The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding” author Al Ries says, “The birth of a brand is achieved through public relations, not advertising.”   When your product is first in its category, effective PR not only brands your product, it can make that entire product category synonymous with your product’s name. For example, if I say, “a candy with a hole in it,” it’s likely that the first thing that pops into mind is “Lifesaver.” Other recognizable examples are the first adhesive bandage, Band-Aid, [...]