How to Fail in Business Without Really Trying
This is a real email I received a couple of days ago:
Hi Shonali,
I came across your company Shonali Burke Consulting and wanted to connect with you with regards to how you handle your issue/topic tracking in the media. Recently, I have worked with organizations who have needed help during issues or major events in their history to promote and protect their brand.
<REDACTED> has worked with similar large organizations such as Disney and Burger King to support their efforts to effectively manage their brand. I would like to set up a 15 minute phone call with you to demonstrate how <REDACTED> helps with:
Please let me know when would be a convenient time to set up this call. If you are unable to connect; however, feel there is another individual who would be more appropriate to connect with please let me know and I will connect with them appropriately. Thank you in advance.
Additionally, I will be sending out periodic communications regarding this topic – please feel free to unsubscribe at anytime.
Filed under Business, Marketing, Public Relations, Shonali Burke, Writing | Tags: bad pitching, building relationships, business development | Comments (54)On Attracting v. Closing Business
Yesterday I received an interesting email.
I say “interesting” because it resulted in my writing this post… and maybe some more will come of it.
It was from a guy who was let go from him job late last year, and who is now “actively pursuing” self-employment. To that end, he wants to pick my brain.
Image: Yorick_R via Flickr, CC 2.0
I get quite a few emails like this, and I suspect that if you are perceived as a successful independent PR consultant, you do too. However, there were a couple of things about this particular email that stood out:
- This person put “PR opportunity” in the subject line of the email, and began it by asking if I would be interested in talking with one of his current clients to see if some of their needs – I assume requiring a different skill-set from his – and my services would be a match;
- He directed me to a few different web properties of his, so that I could learn more about him; and
- The “picking brain” part of his email said this:
Filed under Business, Shonali Burke | Tags: business development, client relations, closing, sales | Comments (30)
“No” is Not a Dirty Word
Acquiring new clients
is critical to a business like mine.
Nothing earth-shattering about that. It’s pretty much a rule of thumb for business in general.
And as an independent, it’s very tempting to say “yes” to every business opportunity that comes my way.
I suspect it is for you too.
After all, we have to pay the bills, put food on the table, etc., too.
But yesterday, I said, “no.”
Now, this wasn’t a small opportunity.
The potential client seemed to have significant dollars to invest in outreach, and what could be a pretty impressive service and campaign, if everything worked out.
Filed under Business, Public Relations, Shonali Burke | Tags: business development, client management, how to say no, Public Relations | Comments (13)
