NPJ is thankful for…

Posted: November 21, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Last Thanksgiving I couldn’t have imagined having my own business, much less it being as successful as it has been. I have to admit that in the beginning, I was afraid of leaving my work as a full-time journalist and corporate public relations, but I am blessed, my business is blessed and I am so grateful.

Here is my top three list of people that NPJ is thankful for. If you have helped me in my business, I hope you know how much I truly appreciate you. Thank you , thank you, thank you.

  1. My husband, Sean Preyor-Johnson. He helps me in every way possible. From reassuring me to patiently waiting as I work late or weekend hours, helping me with last minute logistics for events or listening to the stuff I write–he is always there to help.
  2. My clients. I am thankful for those who have stayed with me from the beginning and those businesses that are new to my services and take a chance on me. There are lists of other respected freelance writers and public relations consultants and I work hard for and appreciate the continued business.
  3. Other businesses such as printing companies, photographers, graphic designers–all of those people who help me do my job better. They are often flexible and professional and so helpful. Thank you!

Facebook has one billion active users

Posted: October 4, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Today’s reports confirmed what we all already know: Facebook is here to stay. Where else would one billion active users communicate? Facebook is engrained in the way we live our lives. We check Facebook to check in with family, share photos, advertise our businesses and more. Thousands can’t watch a Presidential Debate without sharing thoughts on Facebook. Here is some coverage about Facebook’s 1 billion active users:

http://mashable.com/2012/10/04/facebook-one-billion/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/10/04/facebook-tops-1-billion-users/1612613/ 

http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml 

http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml

I’m going to make this one brief…Back to posting for clients on Facebook. Are we friends?

Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson | www.NPJCommunications.net

Coolest social media policy I’ve seen

Posted: June 19, 2012 in Uncategorized
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I found this gem on Twitter and had to share with you. Because there really isn’t such a thing as common sense, social media guidelines are ultra necessary. But social media guidelines are sometimes a drag to communicate. As a business you are tasked with trying to tell people what they should have learned in…well, grade school. But  found a fun, effective way to spread the news about their social media policy. Check it out, and let me know what you think. Here’s the link to the YouTube video.

 

 

Who is watching you?

Posted: June 18, 2012 in Uncategorized
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A few weeks ago, I was doing some last-minute shopping for a friend’s baby shower that I helped host. I went online to search for Winnie the Pooh decorations at Party City and saw some cute decorations, but decided against purchasing. Weeks later, I am still seeing the advertisements for those items. It seems that no matter where I am online and what I am doing, those ads are there.

I am more impressed than annoyed. As a marketing and public relations professional, I love how smart our technology is–and how easy it is to target and help prospective customers. I see it as a win-win for businesses and customers. In this recent Silicon Valley Business Journal article, a report found that Google and Facebook do most online tracking. Twitter was also mentioned. Here is a news release from Evidon about the study.

What do you think of online tracking? Does it give you more faith in advertising online? Does it annoy you as a consumer? Let me hear from you.

Check Out Entrepreneurs: 5 things to Unlearn from School

Posted: May 25, 2012 in Uncategorized
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This blog by Jeff Haden can give everyone something to think about. From excelling to toeing the line to success, this blog  is a must read. Enjoy it and let me know your favorite parts. Do you have others to add? 

The Good Old Business Card. Tips about how to make yours stand out.

Posted: April 23, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Communication isn’t as straightforward as it used to be, but that’s a good thing. There many dynamic, effective platforms you can use to communicate your business and they change everyday. Depending on your business and goals, you could use social media and a blog and perhaps advertising and public relations.

But one of the most basic of tools is the good old business card. Business cards are still relevant–a necessary tool of doing business. If you don’t have one, you should and if you haven’t tweaked yours in a while, you might consider updating it. The hope is that your business card will stand out from the rest.

There are some really great companies out there to help, or you can try a DIY business card project.

I recently purchased new mini business cards on Moo.com and I have to say, I am loving them! These cards don’t disappoint.Most times I give them away, I get compliments. Yay!

Don’t fade into the background. Invest in your branding and get a card that will make people talk, and remember you. Here are some tips:

  • Set a budget for how much you want to spend on your cards. Remember, you get what you pay for. I paid less than $30 including postage for 100 cards.
  • Find a business card company you trust. You’ll want to find a company that offers a guarantee, as Moo does. They call it the MOO Promise.
  • Ensure that the card is catchy. Design, colors and content are all part of that package. Moo makes this easy with myriad designs. Check out MOO’s Inspiration Gallery.
  • Ensure that your font is easy to read.
  • Include pertinent information. Don’t forget your business name, email, phone and website. A slogan helps, too.
  • Last but not least, spell check, spell check, spell check.

Questions? Thoughts? What are your tips? Show us your business card.

Happy communicating,
-NPJ

Social media: why making the secret sauce takes skill

Posted: April 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
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I was delighted to find this an excellent article in USA Today that brings up some really good points.

Journalist Laura Petrecca definitely did her homework. Social media is the secret sauce for small businesses and, indeed it takes time and dedication to do social media right.

Social media can broaden and diversify your audience, increase engagement, build awareness, fortify branding and yes, it can even lead to an increase in sales. And it’s not only for companies like Smashburger.

That is why I often find myself integrating social media into marketing plans for clients. Even if I am only hired to write and distribute press releases or write and edit web copy, I try to integrate social media in the mix. To skip these valuable platforms is a big no-no in my book.

I use social media for my own business, NPJ Communications. NPJ Communications has its own Twitter and Pinterest accounts and I use my personal Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and Linked In to network.

It’s true that social media takes a time investment, consistency and skill. It’s not rocket-science, but it takes time and effort and patience to get real results.

Let’s discuss. What are your thoughts about social media? Are you doing it in-house? What are your challenges? How well has it worked for you?

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