June 2009

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Phoenix is Hot and HAUTE For Business!

June 27, 2009 | No comments

This week I’m traveling for business and pleasure. My sister, Tandy Vincent–who lives in the hot, arid climes of Phoenix–invited me out for a visit. AND, she arranged a lunch meeting with an artist friend of hers who has written a new book and needs help promoting it–perhaps that help is me. We’ll soon see! :)

Anyway, I also do some work for my sister’s growing shop-for-a-cause business, Swank. Swank’s very unique business model supports the fundraising efforts of charities by hosting high-end shopping events. Ladies, I’m talking about products by Gucci, Prada, Burberry, True Religion and other brands being worn by today’s hottest celebs. Very FUN clothes! Tandy and her partner, Kristen Sandquist founded the business out of a garage but business quickly demanded retail space.

Tandy and Kristen recognize the value of cultivating complimentary relationships with like-minded business owners. For example, here at the end of their business year (they close for July and August), they had left-over product. Rather than let the clothes sit on the shelf for two months they partnered with a store owner–whose clients appreciate the high-end labels–to sell it for them. In the end, Swank has done some of the most time-consuming work for this business–the shopping.

While some folks might have viewed this as a competitor, the Swank ladies viewed this as a complimentary relationship that is helping to advance their business. How many complimentary relationships are waiting out there for your business?

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Creative or Chaotic?

June 22, 2009 | No comments

Two of my clients–an author/new book and an entertainment/movie company–are in the process of building and refining their brand identity, including developing a new website. Melding messaging with a new logo and website to support an overall brand are some of my favorite types of projects!

Recently I was introduced to The Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe Web property.
Pretty snazzy–at least at first blush. Lots of bells and whistles, sounds, interactive options, games and MORE (I’m confident that this site was very costly to develop). My husband was really impressed, but from my perspective, I’m not so sure it’s all that.

There’s a lot to figure out if you’re just trying to find locations and menus. Potential customers who just want to grab the essential information and make plans could become frustrated with complex navigation and functionality. While this experiential site is super cool–and appropriate for this food chain–most small businesses would be wise to consider whether this level of creativity serves them or their audience well.

The old cliché, Less is More is so true. Remember, simplicity speaks volumes.
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What's in a Title?

June 4, 2009 | No comments

I practiced public relations in the faith/religion niche for a little more than 10 years. Often times folks would ask me, “Well I know you work with religious media, but do you work with ‘real’ media, like Good Morning America or USA Today?” The answer, of course, was–and still is–”Yes.”

I have a great deal of experience with both “religious” and mainstream media. This question usually indicates a bit of a misunderstanding about what media titles really mean. Religion reporters, for example, are not necessarily Christian. They could be Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist.

USA Today’s, Cathy Lynn Grossman may be one of the most well-known media contacts in the world of religion reporting. She’s experienced and passionate about covering religion and the issues that impact religion.

This evening she posted an excellent article called “A window into the faith of religion reporters” that clarifies that religion reporters may not even be religious at all.

In the end, media is media. Pitches must be customized to meet the needs of each outlet and each reporter–regardless of their title or the outlet with which they are affiliated.

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