Why Belong to Industry Trade Association?
By Maxine McBride
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is with regard to membership in industry associations. I’m often asked: “Why should I join? What can the association do for me?” The answer, quite frankly, is plenty.
Make the Pitch!
By Maxine McBride
Have you ever read the daily paper or perused a website and noticed one of your competitors (even though we know you don’t have any…) quoted as an “expert” in an article? Did you wonder how they snagged that favorable article? I’m going to bet that their public relations agency had something to do with it.
The Art of Follow Up
By Maxine McBride
Everyone is networking these days and it is a refreshing sight. We are building relationships and laying the groundwork for new business. And while networking is a strategic business development tool, I always encourage smart, savvy business professionals to follow up.
The Art of Mastering Corporate Meetings
By Maxine McBride
If any aspect of life at the office makes workers elicit a feeling of dread, it’s the countless number of meetings they must endure. Today’s businesspeople spend at least 25 percent of their working hours in meetings, and the higher you rise in the company, the more meetings you attend. But, unbeknownst to many meeting-goers, there is an art to managing and attending meetings that will result in productivity, team engagement, and… fun!
Look Before You Leap into Social Media
By Maxine McBride
President of Clockwork Marketing Services
Social media has jumped into the main stream as a viable, cost effective way to market your company. There are countless workshops, seminars, webinars, white papers and blogs available to learn more about social media platforms. Clients ask me all the time for assistance with marketing via social media, but the conversation always takes an interesting turn when I ask why they want to be on social media. Who exactly are they targeting? How will they participate? How will they measure success? What is their strategy?
The Next Decade of Marketing and Money
A 2010 Guide to Preparing Your Marketing Plan and Budget
It’s time for the holidays! Cool weather, comfort foods and family are on the minds of most during the month of December. But businesses owners and company executives have another annual tradition on their minds – budgets!
Crisis Communication: Expecting the Unexpected
By Maxine McBride, President
Clockwork Marketing Services Inc.
“We have a crisis!” The term “crisis” denotes that something more serious than a problem has occurred. This requires immediate and careful attention, but what do you do? Are you prepared for the unexpected?
The Evolution of the Press Release
From the Railroad to the Information Superhighway
By Maxine McBride
Hard as it is to believe, the press release recently celebrated its 100th birthday.
Outsourcing Can Benefit Builders
By Vikki Robbins
Everyone is coping with the realities of our current economy and adopting different and more efficient ways of operating a business. This is especially true for businesses in the homebuilding industry and real estate market. Many have downsized operations and reduced staff. Some builders and developers have eliminated key sales and marketing positions, a vital component for business success. These services should not be overlooked, especially when times are tough.
Giving Back Has Never Felt So Good!
By Maxine McBride
If there ever was a win-win marketing concept for builders, it is the use of charitable giving as an innovative promotional campaign. I’m sure you have all been involved with a local charity in some form or another – whether it was building homes for a local Habitat for Humanity chapter or donating to a cause close to your company’s heart.
What Can a Blog Do for You?
By Maxine McBride
How do you receive your daily news and topics of conversation? A large portion of people would say the newspaper, TV or radio, but growing populations refer to their favorite blog site. Blogs may seem like a new and growing technological leap into the future, but 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of these techy treats and I’m hear to tell you that these sites are a great marketing tool!
Are You Ready to Increase Your Visibility Online? SEO is the Answer
By Maxine McBride
By now, you’ve probably heard the term “SEO” flying around when talks of Internet marketing arise. But, if you’re like most people and have no idea what the three little letters stand for, don’t fret – I’m here to fill you in.
Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader?
By Tim Hamby, President / Renaissance Creative
Not long ago, as part of an art presentation I was giving for my daughter’s third grade class, I directed the students to use their laptops to log on to a clever website (mrpicassohead.com) where users can create their own Picasso-inspired masterpieces.
Selling to Singles
By Maxine McBride
Single homebuyers are falling in love with today’s real estate market. Why? They finally feel like they have a chance to own a home because of the tremendous advantages on their side.
PR: Is it Worth the Investment?
By Maxine McBride
With the current economy, many business owners are re-evaluating their marketing budget and asking – Is public relations worth the investment?
The Power of Networking
By Maxine McBride
If you think networking is still about schmoozing with buddies, slapping backs and rubbing elbows – it’s time to wake up and work the room. Just as your business model and selling tools have changed over the past few years, so has the definition of networking. What once was a good time to catch up with friends, grab a quick bite to eat and a cocktail has transformed into one of the most powerful business development tools for your company.
Social Media: How It Can Help in 2009
By Maxine McBride
I know you’ve all heard about social media. To many of you it might seem scary because you don’t know what it is. But maybe you’ve visited a few blogs to see what all the hype is about. Or maybe your kids and friends are on Facebook. Well, now it’s time to find out what social media really is and how it can help your business in 2009.
Showcasing Your Finest With Awards
By Maxine McBride
There’s no better way to showcase your company’s achievements and quality product than through awards – a tangible recognition of work well done. Your company is the best and it should be recognized as such.
The Holiday Office Party: What to Wear, Drink and Do
By Maxine McBride
The holidays are fast approaching and that means its time for the annual office holiday party. If you take one piece of advice from this column, let it be this: Do not mix business with pleasure and too many drinks with your co-workers and boss. We all have stories about that one office party that got out of hand or that one employee who got tipsier than a spinning top. While your holiday party should be fun, it should not be the hottest gossip around the cubicles the following Monday.
Marketing Plans and Budgets
By Maxine McBride
It’s Fall! Football season is in full swing, there’s a crisp bite in the morning air, and leaves will slowly start turning glorious shades of orange and red. Fall also signifies another exciting annual event – budgets. I know, budgets may not be the highlight of your year, but a little time invested now will pay off later. Trust me.
Extend Online PR to Blogs
By Maxine McBride
The time has come to start embracing today’s newest media outlet – blogs. You may have heard your children or younger employees talking about blogs or maybe you’ve come across some in your own Internet searches. Blogs are no longer just for socializing or “soap box” forums – they have become an important marketing tool for businesses to spread messages to a broader audience on the Internet and it’s time to join in on the action.
How to Get Your Money’s Worth with Event Sponsorships
By Maxine McBride
Businesses are continually looking for new, state-of-the-art ways to reach their target market – or an entirely new market. Blogs, edgy websites and mobile billboards are a few methods marketers are using to capture a wider audience. However, there is one old-school method of marketing that still delivers big impact – sponsoring events.
Don’t Under Estimate the Power of the Paper
By Maxine McBride
One of the most frequently asked questions our team gets from clients is: “What is the future of the newspaper?” Clients often wonder whether or not electronic newspapers will trump the print edition and make the traditional newspaper obsolete. I can comfortably answer that print newspapers are here to stay.
Business Etiquette: Good Manners Pays Dividends
By Maxine McBride
Networking is an excellent opportunity to build rapport and boost your company’s image. There is an art to meeting and greeting with charm and style that can be mastered with a few key business etiquette skills. These tips will help you work a room with confidence and make your next meeting in the business workplace enjoyable and successful.
Team Building Opportunities - Investing in Your Players
By Maxine McBride
Maximum sales results are rarely a stroke of good fortune. Strong sales are generated by professional teams that are well-trained, expertly managed and inspired to succeed. A focus on the latter is fundamental to generating and maintaining an enthusiastic sales force – particularly in the current real estate climate.
Public Relations - PR vs. Advertising
By Maxine McBride
Ever wonder how your competitor got that front page story in the newspaper this week? A majority of the time, a public relations company helped them get there! Public relations plays a tremendous role in marketing companies to consumers.
Marketing Budgets – Don’t Underestimate Their Value
By Maxine McBride
As part of your overall budget, marketing is a big expense. If you don’t know where that money is spent it can be the equivalent of having someone on your payroll with a big salary and vague job description – they may look busy, but you’re never quite sure what they actually do.
Focus Groups: When Research Counts
By Maxine McBride
Most people would not buy a new home, a new car or a new insurance policy without doing their research – so why build a new community without first doing your homework? After more than two decades in the home building industry, I still come in contact with builders, developers and marketers who create new projects without doing any preliminary research.
Advertising Value Equivalency
By Maxine McBride
As we dive head-first into 2008 and builders and developers prepare for another year of belt tightening, every marketing dollar is critical. Now, more than ever, each line of the marketing budget must be justified and is being evaluated for value, return and necessity.