Tip: How NOT to run a consumer-direct promotion

Yesterday I was shopping at an Ulta store near my home. I usually love Ulta but the following experience really put a bad taste in my mouth.

As I was checking out, the associate asked if I wanted two free copies of InStyle Magazine. Call me a cynic (I’m really not), but I took economics and I know there’s no such thing as a free lunch, so I was looking for the “catch”. Here’s how the conversation went down:

Tip: Building connections in the online community

Social media is the newest frontier in marketing and public relations. It’s fresh, it’s fun and it provides a real connection to your audience. Social media outlets – blogs, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter – have quickly grown in popularity and are on their way to becoming as essential as a website for many businesses. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, now is the time!

Check out our five best tips for forming a following online:

Tip: Leveraging your biggest asset to drive new business

Looking for a low cost way to drive new business? Referrals from existing clients are price-friendly and priceless.

If you don’t have a referral program in place you’re missing out on lost opportunities every day. Your clients are your frontline marketing team. On a daily basis they interact with hundreds of people who could be potential new business for you. So, how do you leverage this resource for the maximum benefit?

Tip: 3 things to think on before creating a press release

It’s easy to get caught up in what you find exciting about your company. Maybe you’ve just introduced a new lipstick in ravishing red or updated a shoe line with a blue strappy sandal, but before you send your exciting news out with a press release - STOP! Just because it’s exciting to you, doesn’t mean it’s exciting to others. Does this mean it isn’t newsworthy? Not necessarily – but you have to spend a moment thinking about what makes it newsworthy. Here are three “think points” that will help you make your news worth noting:

Product Review: Lowe Lights by Billy Lowe

Bring a touch of southern comfort into your home! Georgia native and celebrity style guru Billy Lowe has introduced a new line of handmade, scented candles inspired by his southern roots.

Product Review: Avery Dog Boots

I've been a dog owner for most of my life. I thought I'd seen it all when it came to the bumps, scratches and bruises that seem to come with daily doggie escapades, but a few weeks ago I faced a new dilemma.