Context Public Relations

Social networking- everyone’s doing it. And rightly so, after all it is a great way to get messages and campaigns across to your customers and key demographic, and keep up the profile of your company.

But while online social networking and social media is important to your overall PR and marketing strategy, we believe that good old-fashioned face-to-face networking is just as important.

Sending the quick tweet or updating your facebook page might be a good way to keep people updated on daily activities, but for times when a more in-depth conversation is needed, face-time with journalists is key.

We recently organised some media briefings for a couple of senior executives of one of our international clients who were visiting London. This gave editors and reporters of our client’s key trade magazines the opportunity for a one-to one. This gave them real insight into the business and in-turn generated a great deal of in-depth coverage in the titles which were important to our client.

So remember, while tweeting and blogging is great, it’s important to strike a balance. Put a face to your client’s name by getting them out and about and take your clients to events and briefings. Nothing beats face-time; it’s the best way for your clients to make an impression on the journalists who matter. 

Tags: Marketing Mix, Public Relations by Priya
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Social media has completely revolutionalised the way in which people communicate and more and more we are seeing sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook being used for PR and marketing communications, but how do you know when it is right to use these channels?

The most important thing to think about is what do you hope to achieve from your PR campaign and who do you hope will be reading your marketing communications? The answer to this completely depends on the area of your business. If you are a consumer brand, then you should be utilising major social networking websites such as Facebook to interact with potential customers and build brand awareness. However, if you are a specialist technology company, then a Facebook presence is far less of a priority. 

Developing a PR and marketing campaign is not about ticking boxes and return on investment is not guaranteed by having an active Twitter account. Think about who your target audience are and what communication channels they are likely to be using – these are the communication channels that you need to be using. Whether this is purely related to the online world of social networking websites, blogs, forums, etc. or spills over into face to face contact and events such as exhibitions, conferences and seminars, you need to know where your potential customers are in order to target them in the most effective manner.

If you’d like to discuss developing a PR and marketing campaign strategy that’s right for your business then why not give Context a call?  

Tags: Marketing Mix, Public Relations by Debbie
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For the first time in 23 years Pepsi has chosen not to feature in the US Super Bowl ad break – which usually costs the company millions of dollars for a 30 second slot.

Instead they are launching an online social-networking campaign, which will involve social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, allowing customers to interact with the soft-drink giant.

For those who don’t buy into social media, this may seem a bizarre business decision. But with Facebook campaigns such as the Wispa comeback and Rage Against the Machine campaigns demonstrating the full power of social media - then spending millions on a 30-second ad slot doesn’t seem as valuable as it once was.

Social media encourages consumer participation and can open new doors, and having thousands of followers on Twitter is a great way to target consumers with your latest products and deals, creating a favourable opinion of your brand and ultimately leading to a sale.

So why not speak to your PR and marketing agency to find out more about how to integrate social media into your marketing mix?

Tags: Marketing Mix by Priya
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There has been some confusion in the press over the past week about whether certain premier league football clubs had banned their players from using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However one of the football clubs clarified that they don’t forbid the use of social networking but have a Code of Conduct for players regarding what and how information is disclosed, and outlined that in fact they are very active in social media.

With social media fast becoming the communication tool of choice, having a social media campaign as part of your overall PR and marketing strategy is a must.

The main purpose of social media for business is to raise the profile of your company and encourage traffic to your website.  But with its informal nature it can often be difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t be talking about. And with numerous social networking tools out there it’s even difficult to know which one to use.

But whether you are blogging, tweeting or updating your Facebook status, it’s important that only information relevant to your business or customers is posted up for others to see.

If you are unsure about social networking ask your PR and marketing agency to advise you on how it can best benefit your business. By using their knowledge and expertise you will be able to implement a campaign that’s right for you without fear of saying the wrong thing.

Tags: Marketing Mix by Priya
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…. That is the question. With social media taking the World by storm and providing the perfect platform to get messages to your customers, is there really any place for e-mail marketing anymore?

In short – yes. E-shots and e-letters make up an important element of any marketing mix. Not only do you get your messages directly into your clients inbox, but keeping them informed with relevant and interesting stories will encourage both customers and potential customers to visit your site, boosting those all important click-throughs’.

To maximise potential, keep your e-letters simple, relevant and make sure the message is strong. A clear, easy-to-read format with simple but attractive design will provide the impact you need to catch the readers’ attention while personalisation will give your message the ultimate personal touch.

Most importantly, you need to make it a regular thing. A one-off e-shot once in a blue moon can leave customers wondering exactly what’s going on so develop a programme and stick to it.

This, combined with your Facebook page, your Twitter feed (also updated regularly of course!) and your PR programme will work wonders in boosting awareness of your company, giving you the potential to boost your profile and win more business.

Tags: Marketing Mix, Public Relations by Anna
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Writing on his blog, Ricky Gervais has confessed he doesn’t get Twitter, branding it undignified for adults, confining it to the realm of teenage social networking.  However, his tirade against the social media site seems somewhat ill-founded considering he was using another form of social media to make the comments. 

Maybe the irony was intended; Gervais is after all a comedy genius.

In all seriousness though, social media such as Twitter, Blogging, Linked-In and Facebook are all important elements of any marcomms campaign, maximising the way you communicate and engage with customers.

The advantage of Twitter is that if forces you to be highly succinct in your messaging.  Bite-sized, digestible headline news over Twitter is an effective way to get your message across to busy professionals.  He may be on a Twitter holiday, but Stephen Fry is an exemplar of how being a man of few words can help you to engage and hold the attention of 1.2 million followers. 

It’s a mode of communication which has found a practical use in many sectors.  Hospitals and schools can use it to inform patients and pupils about planned closures or postponed operations, and as part of continuity planning.  Entertainment venues can use it to raise awareness of forthcoming gigs and shows, to help drive ticket sales.

Of course, for this to work, you need to have your followers, but again this is something you can look to promote and grow as part of a comprehensive marcomms campaign, in the same way that you will build up and add to your customer databases and mailing lists.

Tags: Marketing Mix by Luke
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I recently read an article that said that SEO was the most important part of any marketing campaign. Obviously it was written by an SEO expert but just because we all use the Internet every day does not mean that it should be the only source of new business opportunities.

SEO is a very valuable part of the marketing mix but you should also consider using other programmes to help develop new business. Even now some of the more classical approaches work. Here are just a few activities you may want to implement in 2010.

Direct Mail - Have you noticed how much less mail you get now. It’s all sent via email and if we are honest most of it is deleted straight away. Think about your next campaign and see if it would be worth putting something in the post. A nice letter and company promotional flyer is much more memorable than an email.

Events - Gone are the days of spending thousands on stands, hotels and hospitality but there are some very good regional or vertical market shows where you can pick up business.

Networking - We’re not just talking about Linkedin and Facebook. There is absolutely no better way to win business than meeting and talking to people. Don’t forget the “virtual world” but also get involved in local business clubs and networking events at trade shows. You never know you may just meet up with that old customer who moved on years ago.

Advertising - Like all marketing communications you should use advertising when it best suits your business. We all know that there are cheap deals available but look at what you are trying to achieve and how different activities can support your business.

Public Relations - If you are ever wondering how your competitors always seem to be in the media it’s down to PR. It may not make the phone ring instantly but it could help close the deal.

If your business is looking for more business ideas don’t forget to give us a call.

Tags: Marketing Mix, Public Relations, SEO by Rob
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With the likes of facebook, twitter, IM and myspace becoming more and more popular, many people have started to keep in touch on a more regular basis – and many even keep regular contact with those they only previously contacted once a year with a Christmas card. With this being the case is there still any real need to send a Christmas card? With social networking people can get in touch with family and friends as often as they want, quickly, easily and more importantly, for free. 

Tags: Marketing Mix by Priya
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December is once again here and many marketing departments may have a little extra time on their hands to put in place all those things they meant to do earlier in the year. Number one on everyone’s Christmas list this year is Social Networking - Twitter, Facebook and Blogging.

If you are one of the companies thinking about Social Networking please take a moment to think about what you are doing.  Social Networking can be great for online SEO and keeping your customers and prospects informed about what you are doing but if you don’t keep it up it can reflect badly on the business.

Here is our quick guide to Social Networking that could help you keep it going:

• Select the right tools - When you start out don’t go for everything at once - Blog to start with and then think about Twitter. Set up your Linkedin profile before you start adding content to your Facebook group.
• How much time can you spend on Social Networking - it takes time to do so how long are you going to spend on it each day
• If in doubt outsource it - don’t be ashamed to admit defeat. Contract the professionals to write the content on your behalf
• Whatever you do don’t give up - If you don’t keep content fresh and interesting your customers and prospects are going to stop visiting the site.

Tags: Marketing Mix, SEO by Rob
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Social media is becoming an increasingly important part of the marcomms mix. And the reason for this? It’s down in no small part to the baby boom we’ve seen in people getting digital; 73% of the UK’s population is now online, according to figures from Netview UK, and this figure can only continue to rise.

You may instinctively think that social media such as Twitter and Facebook is something for the lunch break, a domain for the kids. You need to change your opinion, and fast.

The informality and instantaneous nature of online social media enables you to communicate your key messages quickly and concisely to your target audience, and on a frequency that simply isn’t possible in the traditional print world.

Of course, more traditional elements of media relations cannot and should not be neglected. Press releases and case studies provide the very grist that feeds your online activity and ensures your blog, Twitter and Linked-In accounts are up-to-date and relevant.

In an integrated, well thought-out media relations campaign, engaging with your target audience online is an increasingly significant part of the whole. With the majority of us online at home and at work, it’s a channel of communication you simply cannot afford to ignore.

Tags: Marketing Mix by Luke
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