Blog entries

4 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:00:00 +0100

It seems like identity theft is on everyone’s mind these days. In addition to zealously guarding credit card information and being on the alert for cyber theft, there are other effective ways to prevent people from capturing your data.

The Better Business Bureau points out that some forms of unsolicited mail can put consumers at risk of identity theft. Who knew??? Here’s what you should do.

First, opt out of all “free” credit card offers. Pre-approved credit cards are aRead More...

Networking Events Are Great Places To Generate Referrals

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:37:02 +0100

Most of my business comes from word of mouth referrals and savvy networking. Clients recommend me to their friends and colleagues. Vendors contact me with names of customers who can use my expertise. And people who have heard me speak or read my articles often pass on my name to their business contacts – something called “second hand referrals.”

These referrals don’t come about by accident. I constantly cultivate relations. If clients are pleased with a service we’ve provided, foRead More...

Postcards Remain an Effective Marketing Tool

nick@isalsmanpr.com — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:07:39 +0100

The value of creative postcards in a marketing campaign cannot be overstated. Despite the increase in postal rates these days, postcards are still considered one of the most cost effective strategies for increasing the visibility of your brand. Unlike other types of direct mail, postcards don’t have to be opened, so if they creative enough, they will catch many people’s attention.

For the most part, business to business mailings are more effective than business to consumer. OversRead More...

Web Savvy Seniors Dominate the Internet

nick@isalsmanpr.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:31:41 +0100

Interestingly enough, the common thought that seniors are afraid of computers and that they think the web is merely something that spiders spin is not entirely true.

Recent findings from the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) that show seniors aged 65 and older have made the Internet an integral part of their everyday lives. Some of the numbers will absolutely blow you away! For example, did you know that 65+ adults lead all other generational groups wRead More...

6 Twitter Mistakes To Avoid In Your Tweets

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:02:32 +0100

I just returned from China and have been adjusting to life back in the U.S. According to veteran travelers, it takes one day per time zone to catch up with jet lag. That translates into 13 days of “re-entry” -- and it’s been pretty much the case with me.

China is amazing. The contrast between ancient and high-tech is startling, especially in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing where massive video screens and huge high-def electronic billboards tower over tiny shops and winding alleRead More...

Direct Marketing Still Reaps the Best Results

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:27:53 +0100

Do marketers still think direct is best? According to a new report from the Direct Marketing Association it is, with over half of advertising expenditures in the direct realm. Researchers found that, in the US, 54% of advertising is direct to the consumer; this is the fifth year in which direct marketing efforts have seen an increase.

In 2008 direct marketing accounted for just over 52% of marketing efforts, so although this is a small increase it remains significant. Added to thRead More...

How To Get What You Want

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:01:57 +0100

I was reading an interesting article by Kelley Robertson, president of the Robertson Training Group, about how to negotiate a lower price. Since I am generally a wuss when it comes to negotiating charges, I was inspired by Kelley’s recommendations and am happy to pass them along.

Let me know if you try them – and if you get what you want. Shoot me an email at iris@isalsmanpr.com.

Most salespeople and business owners hear statements like “What’s your best price?” Or “Read More...

Be Remembered For What You Do – Not For What You Say

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:55:19 +0100

I was reading the Letters to the Editor in a local newspaper the other day, and one diatribe (impressed with the big word?) caught my attention. It was written by someone I know; a business owner whose clients tend to be on the liberal side. This individual was criticizing President Obama’s healthcare plan, making strong statements about how – if enacted – his agenda would ruin our country, and comparing universal healthcare to communism.

“Bad move,” I thought. Although everyone Read More...

Making Lemonade in the Current Economy

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:14:57 +0100

Here’s a timely article by Charles Holland, MU Extension business development specialist, that appeared in the August 2009 newsletter.

As the old saying goes ... "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."

A recession provides you, as a business owner, an opportunity to look at your company and truly evaluate what you have. Especially now when sales are decreasing, it is the time to look at your marketing plan and see if it is current.

Fear is not an opRead More...

Never Have to Eat Your Words

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:39:58 +0100

I recently received a newsletter from NJC Printing that contained a great article about business etiquette. The author, Catherine Franz, offered some useful tips about business lunches.

Be in the present moment with whoever you are with. Limit glancing around the room. It’s a sign that you are looking for something better. There is nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who is half there.

Be on time.
The percentage of people being late is oRead More...

Put on Your Best Face

nick@isalsmanpr.com — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:33:45 +0100

It’s hard to go a full day without hearing the word “Facebook” come up in a conversation. Once thought to merely be a passing fad, Facebook has become the biggest outlet of the social media world.

Facebook has evolved since its birth, however. It’s not just a way for college kids to publish questionable photos on the web. Facebook has become one of the most effective business tools to get your message across online. Forget about those quizzes that can determine, if you were a “MixRead More...

Pick Up The Phone!

iris@isalsmanpr.com — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:59:05 +0100

It’s hard to believe that we’re already a third of the way through summer! The good news is: we still have two months to go until Labor Day. The bad news? What do we have to show for our labors over the last month?

Despite the rain and the heat – both of which provide lame excuses for our entrepreneurial inertia – it’s time to stop blaming The Economy and, instead, get on the ball and DO SOMETHING. Here’s a great idea to inspire you to action.
Read More...

Don’t Get Tangled Up in the Web

nick@isalsmanpr.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:59:04 +0100

We get asked so many questions about websites. And let’s face it, without a quality website, your company has as much credibility as a supermarket tabloid. So, how do you create a website that is interesting and informative, and will entice visitors to return often?

Here are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to putting together a professional website. Most of these tips are aimed at service businesses, but you’ll want to include some of the same information on other sites as well. WeRead More...

Making Your Competition Irrelevant

nick@isalsmanpr.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Every business person we know spends a lot of time worrying about the competition and how they stack up. Never fear! If you are concerned about competitors gaining on you, here are a few tricks of the trade that will render your competition irrelevant. Even with so much information bombarding clients and prospects, it is still possible to keep their attention—and even speed up their decision to buy from you rather than your rivals!

Create Differentiation. It’s essential that yoRead More...

Good E-Mails Skip Bad Words

mandy@isalsmanpr.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:32:08 +0100

As I was getting ready to prepare a media pitch, I came across an article that certainly caught my attention. Similar to the “Seven Dirty Words” you can’t say on TV by George Carlin, this article listed 100 “dirty” words for your subject lines---words that will definitely get your message deleted before anyone has a chance to read it. Are you guilty of any of these sins?

A Few Words NOT To Use In Your Subject Line

100% Free

Credit50% OffRead More...

I. Salsman PR Blog Goes Live!

chris@isalsmanpr.com — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Welcome to the new I. Salsman PR blog. Please check back frequently for helpful tips and important news. 8j36hek42r