Author Archive

An Ode to White (Boards)

Posted July 14, 2010, by Joni Rainbolt

My favorite color is white. Well, at least when it comes to brainstorming, managing a big project or needing to monitor a big list of to-dos. Then, white is the only color that works for me – my beloved white board.

I first came to love white boards in my early days as a marketer. The conference room we frequented to manage our brand was lined completely with white boards. Even before it was fashionable, we developed our entire branding and marketing campaign on that white board — it circled the room in all its glory. No need to write things down on paper. We saved a lot of trees. Presentations to leadership were made on that white board. Changes were swift and easy, just erase and rewrite. We used different color markers to denote plan details.

Then, alas, as my career progressed, white boards did not come along for the ride. Gone were the days of getting a crack marketing team in the room and brainstorming ideas and concepts with immediate results highlighted on the board. I became stifled. My creativity was limited to the confines of the computer. But how can you show ideas as they flow, how can you make sweeping arrows to show connections in thoughts? It was rough.

When I started my current job and moved into the great office at 614 Seymour, I asked for one thing … a big white board. Now, I have one wall dedicated to my white board, filled with whatever the hot project of the moment is. People actually now come into my office to check out what is on the white board.

So take all your colorful creative thoughts and let them come to life on white … the white board!

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Toot your own horn

Posted December 10, 2009, by Joni Rainbolt

For some of us, it can be uncomfortable to talk about ourselves. We do not like to broadcast our accomplishments because it may seem like bragging or we’ll be tagged as having a big ego.  I get that.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of companies out there that, for whatever reason, act the same way. They go about their day-to-day plugging along and trying to move their business forward, but it never dawns on them to put public relations into the mix.

“Integrated marketing,” the latest industry buzzword, means taking an overall approach when developing your company’s marketing plan. Buying advertising (paid media) is one thing, but thinking consciously about how to promote your company by leveraging public relations (earned media) gets you something paid media can’t: influence over what others say and think about you, particularly the media.

Take control of what people are saying about you — don’t leave it to chance. Putting forth a good, consistent corporate image and being a good corporate citizen of the community can go a long way to keeping you top of mind should a prospective customer need your services now or in the future.

Remember this: the media are looking for stories to tell, especially good stories, particularly when most of the news these days is such a downer. So consider this:

  • Are you promoting someone?
  • Have you developed a new product?
  • Have you made a contribution to a charity?
  • Did you hire a new employee?
  • Have you won an award?

Let the public know about it!

Just one word of caution — don’t become the boy who cried wolf too many times. Space out your announcements, press releases and interviews, or it may quickly become overkill. Knowing the right balance of advertising, PR and promotions within an integrated marketing plan is key to developing an effective strategic plan, but make sure you do consciously think through the PR piece of it. Plan it out, don’t just let it occur by happenstance, or worse yet, ignore the opportunity to leverage this important element of marketing.

Tell someone, and toot your own horn!

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A Boomer’s Journey Into Social Media

Posted September 9, 2009, by Joni Rainbolt

Ok, I admit it. I am old. Well not that old, really, but when it comes to social media, I feel old. Reminds me of when my parents used to look at me strange when I begged for the latest thing, like say, a color TV or go-go boots, or listened to Led Zeppelin at 103 decibels … now I am really dating myself.

I work with a bunch of very talented young’uns. And being a full-fledged boomer, I was a bit wary of all this new social media stuff they were talking about. From “friending” others on Facebook, to tweeting on Twitter to being LinkedIn, it all seemed a bit over-exposed to me. After all, why would I need to tell everyone that I just ran five miles or what I think of the new health care proposal, or more importantly, why would anyone care?

I had heard how important it had become in the business world today to be out there. “Transparency” was what they kept saying to me. I raised my eyebrow, still rather skeptical that this can really help a business grow. But I was open to listening.

So I cautiously started a Facebook page. Lo and behold, within days I found people I had not talked to in many years.  It became fun!

Next, I LinkedIn, because others asked me to link with them. Seems like a good resource for networking, so I will keep that moving along.

I am still not 100 percent sure about the Twitter thing, but I set up an account there too! And while I won’t say I am on there a lot, I am starting to do my share of tweeting; I even have some followers! I keep asking why people would follow me; the team assures me they follow you because they do care what you have to say. I’m game. I may even go to the next Tweetup in town to meet all those out there tweeting and following!

All that said, what I have become absolutely convinced of is that it really does work. Networking and relationships is a big part of managing and growing a business. From my perspective, it seems to be a streamlined way to meet and connect with people all over that may have need of your resources–or you of theirs. I am glad I have the young social media whizzes around to guide me down that path. I may go a bit slower than they would like, I may challenge and still be a bit skeptical at times, but I am slowly getting it. Maybe you really can teach an old dog new tricks!  Hey, I am even blogging!

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