One Discussion Leads to Multiple Sales

We talk to people all the time, in personal and business situations. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take part in a discussion that led to multiple sales -- for each of the businesses that were included in the discussion.

First, let me tell you about the discussion, then I'll tell you how you can generate more discussions like this for your business.

It was lunchtime, on a field trip for my daughter. Five parents were sitting at their own picnic table. One parent said, "That fruit salad looks great. How did you make it?" The other parent said, "I didn't. I got it at Juice 'n Java, the healthy restaurant in Mission Bay Plaza." Several parents mentioned that they didn't know about it, and would like to try it.

Then I said, "Has anyone been to Western Beef yet?" No one had, and asked me what it was. I hadn't even been yet, but was excited to go to this low-cost supermarket, which several people were now interested in going to, based on my description.

Then we started talking about Flip video cameras, and several parents wanted to know more.

I'm sure we discussed other things, but that's what I can remember. How many times have you had off-the-cuff discussions with people, and didn't realize you were a part of the P.R. process? Wouldn't you like more people talking about you and your business?

Here are some ways to generate discussions about your business:

• Give 'em something to talk about. Make sure people have a reason to talk about you and your business. Did you win an award, get a new client, launch a new product or service, get an amazing publicity placement, do something charitable, offer consistently good products or services, or help someone out?

• Have personal discussions with people. It's really easy to rely on email and written communications, but there’s nothing like a phone call or one-on-one meeting to really connect with people and share information. This leads to a deeper level of communication, and makes it more likely that people will remember and share your information

• Speak well of other people's products and services. While you'll tell others about your achievements, of course, you should also be recommending great products or services often. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will generate more positive discussions about you and your products and services.

So get people talking about your business, and watch your sales soar!

Publicity Opportunities

Here are some P.R. opportunities from our team:

Best Gadgets for Vacations: Reporter for a national women's business publication is looking for Women Business Owners to describe their favorite gadgets to take on vacation, to handle personal and business tasks while they are away. Deadline: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, noon Eastern. Email the gadget information, how it has helped you on a vacation, your full name, company name, a one-line description of what your company does, Web site, city, state, telephone number and email address to info@zfpr.com with Subject Line "Gadgets". No attachments, please. We'll contact you if the reporter is interested, thanks.

New Underwear for Women: Reporter for a national consumer magazine is looking for new, fun and colorful underwear (no thongs) for summer. Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2009, noon Eastern. Email a description of product, link to photo, price and Web site where available to info@zfpr.com with Subject Line "Under". No attachments, please. We'll contact you if the reporter is interested, thanks.

There are also several services that provide fr.e.e publicity opportunities. I recommend signing up for them.

Here are the fr.e.e services I recommend signing up for:

• Help a Reporter - www.helpareporter.com

• Pitchrate.com - www.pitchrate.com

Not sure what to include in a pitch? Check out my blog entry: http://zfpr.com/blog/wordpress/2008/08/17/how-to-write-a-pitch-for-a-reporter-query/.

Want someone else to do the P.R. for you? Click here.