My Photo

Search This Site



  • Web my blogs

Client Comments

  • "Angie wrote an awesome press release for us and advised us on marketing and preparing for our first CHA show. The service was professional and high quality. Angie’s experience in the industry was extremely helpful as we created the press release and prepared for the CHA show. She advised us in many different aspects of our business in addition to the press release, and we were much more prepared for the show as a result. Her immense knowledge of the industry is invaluable to newcomers, and she treats every question like it is important. Angie performs her job with the utmost professionalism and integrity. She is a terrific writer and has wonderful ideas for marketing on any budget." -- Christie Welch, co-owner, Two Chicks Designs

Awards

What Scrappy Marketing Solutions Can Do for YOU

PLEASE NOTE: I am not currently taking on new scrapbook marketing clients.

I recently did a phone consult with a new marketing client. After the initial hi’s and hello’s, he asked, “So. Angie. What is it that you actually…you know…do?” I laughed out loud. I guess it’s time to define myself and my services a bit more.

It’s my job to help small businesses get noticed. I work with business owners to brainstorm different ways to promote their products and services economically, and then help them with spreading the word. I do this through a variety of ways:


Here’s how it works:

The process begins with a phone call. Let’s say I’m working with Betty Business-Owner. (Clever, I know.) I ask Betty to tell me a little bit about her business, and her marketing goals. She describes her “target market”, the people most likely to do business with her. Betty answers my “leading questions” to help define problem areas, so I can figure out where I can help. I ask what marketing techniques she’s tried, and what has and hasn’t worked for her in the past. All this information forms a sort of snapshot of the current situation. Then we take that, and see where we could tweak things.

Together we determine what products or services need attention, and brainstorm ways to increase exposure and awareness within her target market. I offer suggestions on ways to reach her target market, both on and offline. We come up with an Action Plan of steps Betty can take to start promoting her business more effectively. After the phone call (which lasts about an hour, typically), I follow up with an email, outlining the main points discussed, and the next steps to take.

Let's say Betty and I decide a press release will help promote her business. Again, this process starts with a phone call, during which Betty and I discuss what she would like to highlight in the press release, and different angles I could take when writing it up. At this point, we’ll also discuss how many different press releases will best represent her business. (Does she need just a one-sheet describing a new product release, or does she also need a Company Profile and tipsheet?) We define what information I will need from her to complete the assignment, which she later emails to me. I write the press release as a Word document, then email it back to her for approval. I also provide expert suggestions on how to best present a press release, and where to submit it.

After I write the press release(s), Betty may follow up with another phone consult to brainstorm ideas other ways she can use that same press release. Once a piece is written, it’s easily “re-purposed”, so I give her ideas on how she can tweak it to get more mileage out of her current materials.

Betty may tell a friend about me (thanks, Betty!), and her friend Susie emails me. She’d like some feedback on something she’s already written. The editor in me can’t resist. Susie emails me the material, which I review. It might be a previously-written press release, newsletter article, or website content. Then I email her back with suggestions on how to revise the copy to be more effective. I call this my Review-and-Revise service. (Catchy, huh?)

Betty emails me, wondering if I can help beef up her blog. Sure! I also offer a similar Review-and-Revise service for websites and blogs (also called blog consulting). I’ll review the navigation, content, and promotional tools on a blog, and provide suggestions on what should be tweaked to improve traffic and search engine rankings. I can easily identify what’s missing, and can give simple instructions on how to make the changes. We may discuss adding an online press room, revising subject lines, or potential blog topics.

(Of course, I can also write these pieces for her, so she doesn’t have to worry about getting to it later.)

Maybe Betty wants to get a little more cutting-edge with her promotion. I might offer to call and interview her, and/or members of her staff, using talking points she provides. I’ll record the call as an mp3 file, playable on computers and portable mp3 players like an iPod. She can post that file on her website or blog, or burn it to a CD to send out to media and prospective clients.

Whew!  Betty’s going to be a busy lady!  ;) At least this gives you an idea of what it’s like to work with me, and how I can help you promote your business. Please check out my full list of services in the sidebar at the right , and email me at angieATonescrappysite.com to get the ball rolling. I’d love to hear from you!