Creating Remarkable News Releases

By Steve Stroum | September 24, 2011 | 0 Comments

In order to get the most publicity for my small business clients, I had to assure that Venmark International would be a “source of information” for media outlets around the world.

How to Conduct Market Research Using Product Publicity

By Steve Stroum | September 24, 2011 | 0 Comments

Many years ago, a client of mine in the plastics business was driving his expensive motor home during the winter in New England and his windshield wipers kept collecting ice.  Aggravated that he had to lean out his window while driving this large $250,000.00 vehicle and bang the ice and snow off of the wipers,…

The New Rules of Marketing & PR

By Steve Stroum | September 19, 2011 | 0 Comments

In his 2010 book, “The New Rules of Marketing and PR,” the author David Meerman Scott, wrote, “Don’t just send news releases when big news is happening; find good reasons to send them all the time.”

Are You Fundamentally Unemployable?

By Steve Stroum | September 14, 2011 | 0 Comments

I love LinkedIn and definitely recognize its value.  But, see too many questions about starting businesses that are way off the mark.  Too “what if” oriented and too academic.  For many of us, starting a business was a visceral experience.

Do You Have a “Sell-Me-Or-Else” Attitude?

By Steve Stroum | September 10, 2011 | 0 Comments

I met a prospect several months ago who perceives himself to be an expert salesman and something interesting happened.  He judged me, not on the basis of my work, but by assessing “how hard I sold him.” 

Managing Your Small Company Brand

By Steve Stroum | September 5, 2011 | 0 Comments

“A great brand raises the bar. It adds a greater sense of purpose to the experience, whether it’s a brand challenge to do your best in sports or fitness [like Nike], or the affirmation that the cup of coffee you’redrinking really matters,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman.

Place High in Organic Search Results by Arousing Interest in Your Products

By Steve Stroum | September 5, 2011 | 0 Comments

“Content is King,” is more than a cliché today.   Savvy marketers understand how news is created and know the value of it.  They also understand how search engines work. 

Selling to Engineers who Belittle Marketing

By Steve Stroum | September 5, 2011 | 0 Comments

In his classic 1957 book, “The Hidden Persuaders,” Vance Packard wrote about marketing in the automobile industry and how they put convertibles on display in their showrooms to attract customers, the majority of whom would purchase sedans. 

Create a One-Two Sales Knockout Punch

By Steve Stroum | August 31, 2011 | 0 Comments

The events that stimulate a prospective customers’ buying behavior are outside of your control; regardless of how great a sales team you have. 

Measuring Product Publicity’s Return-on-Investment

By Steve Stroum | August 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

Back in 1975 an article in “Advertising Age Magazine” entitled, “Money Can’t Buy This Kind of Advertising” went into a lengthy discussion about the value of publicity as a marketing tool.