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21 public relations essentials
The old saying, any PR is good PR is no longer true. Negative news can tear down any credibility your organization has in no time at all. Even with positive publicity, there are more outlets for companies to get exposure, so with all the noise, your message needs to stand out. Just getting your firm name listed in different forms of media is no longer a barometer for a successful PR campaign. Here’s a checklist of 21 public relations must haves: 1. A PR strategy. Just like with any marketing tactic, if you do not have a clear purpose and accountability within ...
The 2010 Financial Advisor’s Summit
Along with 14 other industry experts, Mike Byrnes spoke for thousands of attendees from across the nation at this year's Financial Advisor's Summit. His presentation, "How to grow, even when the economy isn't!" helped attendees learn about: Setting up a business plan to better prioritize initiatives for success Developing a brand to deliver communications with a competitive advantage Determining the right profitable target market Building strategic alliance tactics to build strong win-win relationships If you did not get a chance to attend the Financial Advisor's Summit, read this article to learn about the presentations from the first week. To follow up on special offers made during the ...
Increase sales without being salesy
Here are highlights from an article written to show 10 tips for developing your business without coming across like a used-car salesman. 1. Be a problem solver – not a salesman 2. Educate – don’t pitch 3. Have your clients sell for you 4. Take a team approach 5. Don’t be all things to all people 6. Develop and further relationships – don’t sell 7. Take a comprehensive approach 8. Do an inventory 9. Get permission to conduct research 10. Be well known Bonus. Compliment your competitors Read the full article written by Mike Byrnes at RIABiz, an online advisor community.
Use Golf to Grow Your Business
Receive our white paper... “Break the course record for new business this year!” by signing up for Byrnes Consulting’s eNewsletter today. Simply fill out this form, mentioning in the “notes” field that you would like to read the complimentary tips of how to grow your business using golf. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Know your exit strategy
Ten things to consider if selling a business 1. The mission. What is the purpose of the business? Is there an end goal, or can the firm continue into perpetuity? 2. The plan. What is the long-term business plan, including the time horizon? What happens if severe health issues or death suddenly occur? 3. Accomplishments. What defines success for the organization? What accomplishments still need to be attained and how much time is needed to achieve them? 4. Marketing. What marketing tools are needed to attract buyers? What information is needed in the communications (e.g. firm history, track record of services and products provided, ...
How leaders rise above the rest
15 behaviors of successful leaders 1. Share the mission – The person at the top has to have a vision of where to take the followers. By sharing the direction, building consensus and allowing others to buy into it, all oars will row in sync. 2. Have a plan – There is more to just knowing where to go. Those that map out how to get there are most likely to arrive at the destination. 3. Stay on the path – It is easy to get distracted these days, but successful leaders stay focused on their top priorities. 4. Communicate well – To lead ...
Master the internet and proudly wear the green jacket
Ten tips to be a dominant player on the internet 1. Entice them to click. Attract prospects from social media sites by giving them a taste of your website content, not the whole meal. First take a look at your social media strategy and answer this question… Within your online communities, are you currently interacting with more prospects or more competitors? Make sure you are reaching your target market. Consider working with a complimentary business. Through creating a strong strategic alliance, you can routinely promote each other’s sites. 2. Get the word out. Start by emailing an article or a newsworthy press ...
Ten branding best practices
Be honest. Build a brand that is true… not one that is a fraud. In today’s internet age, brand imposters are quickly discovered… and news travels fast online. Invest in it. A brand can help you win new business and lower costs of acquiring new clients, so make sure to dedicate resources to build and then strengthen it. Cherish it. Treat your brand as one of your most prized assets. Preserve it. You need to safeguard your brand image in all your interactions (and all the interactions of your employees.) There’s truth to the old adage that negative news spreads ten times as ...
Avoid common business planning mistakes
Business planning don’ts Don’t just keep your plan in your head Putting your plan on paper helps you hold your business accountable define your strategies and prioritize major initiatives identify metrics for success Don’t make your plan too cumbersome It is good to have details, but avoid making it overwhelming Don’t be short sighted Know how your short-term initiatives fit into the larger long-term plan Don’t let your plan gather dust Dedicate reoccurring time to review your goals Don’t set your plan in stone If new opportunities arise, don’t be afraid to reevaluate your priorities Please share some of your best business planning tips! And if you need help doing a business plan, contact Mike ...
Ten online best practices
Website advice from Byrnes Consulting Font choices should make content easy to read. Use font properties like color, size and style as variables to work with. (e.g. If your target market(s) include older generations, increase the font size.) When using background images or shading, use the best combination of font type and color so that the text is readable. Avoid using reversed type (a dark background with light text) for body content, as it is harder to read. Keep the backgrounds behind text solid and plain, to keep the words legible. Fonts on all pages should be consistent with the overall theme (including color and ...
Ten benefits of a super brand
A strong brand… helps prospects become aware of products and services, often making the first impression in a long lasting relationship lowers marketing expenses, as less marketing is needed to identify new clients lowers sales expenses, as sometimes sales are converted without other needed interactions differentiates your organization from the competition, giving a sustainable competitive advantage creates initial trust, making it easier to interact with clients increases client loyalty and retention creates the opportunity to charge a premium for products and services helps recruit staff, as most individuals would prefer a good brand name on their resume helps retain staff, as associates will become embedded in a brand name ...
What makes a great mission statement?
Ten ingredients of a strong mission statement. It should provide a direction for an organization, challenging it to move forward. It should be clear. It should be concise (ie. no more than three sentences .) It needs to be professionally written, but in the voice of the organization. It needs to be easy to remember and recite. Although it is not permanent, it should be written for the long term. It shouldn’t be too restrictive, as change is always constant. It should help differentiate a firm from the competition. It should resonate with the appropriate target market(s). It should educate strategic alliances and centers of influence. Need help determining your mission ...
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Why it pays to focus on a niche
Market segmentation has been a successful strategy for years, yet many do not benefit from implementing this approach. Most individuals know they cannot be all things to all people, but their businesses models underperform because they are trying to
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21 public relations essentials
The old saying, any PR is good PR is no longer true. Negative news can tear down any credibility your organization has in no time at all. Even with positive publicity, there are more outlets for companies to get exposure, so with all the noise, your
more -
The truth about client advisory boards
Client advisory boards can be very beneficial for a business, but there are some potential drawbacks too. Consider these points (positive and negative aspects) before creating a board: Pros: • They provide valuable insight as another form of
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The 2010 Financial Advisor’s Summit
Along with 14 other industry experts, Mike Byrnes spoke for thousands of attendees from across the nation at this year's Financial Advisor's Summit. His presentation, "How to grow, even when the economy isn't!" helped attendees learn about:
more
