Jive Communications is a Vancouver public relations firm
Richard Branson – sit down and watch it!
As an entrepreneur I know you are constantly bombarded by newsletters, blog posts and articles telling you how to streamline your business, how to find more clients, how to measure ROI, etc etc etc. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how you should run your business yet not all of them are successful themselves… enter Richard Branson.
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Branson in-person last year so when I stumbled across this intimate Q&A video online with him I started to watch it… My attention span for online content normally lasts 5 minutes but this 40 minutes video held me captive the entire time. There are a few people I really admire in this world and Richard Branson is at the top of that list. If you are an entrepreneur and you want some business insight, sit down and watch this… you won’t be disappointed.
Some of the points discussed:
- What every entrepreneur needs to do in order to succeed.
- Delegation vs. Managing and Steve Jobs.
- Marketing and getting PR for a new product or service.
- Business as a source for good -- VirginUnite.com
Enjoy!
One of the Top Ways to Get Better Media Coverage: Use Human Interest Stories
You want to get your name out as much as possible, but buying massive amounts of advertising isn’t feasible unless you are in the billion dollar leagues with Coke and McDonalds. One of the top ways to get better media coverage without having to pay for it is to get human interest coverage.
What is Human Interest?
In journalistic circles, human interest refers to articles about people that cause the reader to interact or sympathize with the subject. During the holidays, tragic stories abound that are attempting to generate sympathy and assistance for those who are in bad life situations. At other times of the year, you may see mainly stories about little kids or the elderly. A human interest story can be a tear-jerker, heroic tale, current event, or any other topic that is of general interest to your readership on a personal level.
How to Make Your Business Qualify as Human Interest
There are several ways to get media attention in the form of a human interest story. These include:
- Experience personal tragedy
- Experience personal success
- Write about another’s success or tragedy
- Lead a campaign
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Apple – re-inventing the wheel in the form of an iPad?
Once again apple has taken a product that already exists on the market and convinced consumers that they are the first to come up with such a conventional concept. Granted, they did develop the iPad light years beyond the existing tablet PC, however based on recent media reports you would never know one had previously existed.
How will the iPad effect how people do business?
It has not yet been proven that the iPad will be a raving success. However, based on initial sales and those of the iPhone and iTouch, you would think Apple had the Midas touch.
Some notes on the iPad:
1. The iPad has the potential to revive the downward spiral of the magazine and newspaper industry. The media has been struggling to unsuccessfully re-create a new circulation strategy that will encourage subscription before paper media all together becomes obsolete. The iPad provides a realistic solution for the media to once again generate revenue.
2. Apple is going to give Google a run for its money in the ad world. It has already introduced the iAd network, catering specifically to the mobile side of advertising. Undoubtedly the iAd will shortly translate into iPad applications.
3. Not…
Work Hard, Play Hard(er)
I’m sure everyone can relate to the feeling of being way to busy… the relentless emails that continually build up, the crowded calendar that has more red meeting blocks than clear white space and lets not even start on the dreaded to-do list. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time to get it all done…. ENTER VEGAS!
When you think of sin city you don’t exactly think of peaceful relaxation however, a recent Jive trip there was exactly the break two overworked entrepreneurs needed. After a couple nights dancing and lazy days by the pool our spirits were miraculously restored and we were ready to take on the world again. Plus, it gave us a chance to catch up outside the office and reconnect as friends (which often gets overlooked running a business).
Moral of the story: To increase productivity and build internal team dynamics take a break and connect outside the office.