​​I love what I do. I always have. And, given my personality and that the creative wheels are always turning, I believe I always will.  For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with what makes people tick. Since college, I have been curious about different cultures, and the world around us.  I was drawn to classes in sociology, psychology and, was, in fact, a political science minor.  When I took my first marketing class, it was as if bells went off in my head.  I had found what made complete sense to me. 

As a marketing person, I understand why specific groups of people choose to do what they do. I have always looked at packaging and tried to envision better styles. I have always enjoyed slogans and words. And, aside from correcting the grammar (Apple’s Think Different is in fact grammatically incorrect), I understand the power of words and design. Merely looking at the FedEx logo will open your eyes to  - literally - what I mean.  I know I am in the right field. Marketing is all of this wrapped up into one neat package. 

Why do consistency and frequency matter? 

Understanding a company's image and how it is perceived is imperative to effective branding. And, if a company wants to develop and support its brand, it is vital that the messaging be loud and clear across all marketing and advertising channels. Is the voice the same? It should be! Is the design the same? It should be!  This explains why every two-year-old knows that the golden arches mean a Happy Meal and a toy.  

Let's talk about frequency. Yes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Right? Right! Regarding more traditional advertising vehicles, we are sold on the frequency of delivery as a means to gain top of mind recognition.  More so than ever, frequency and consistency are pivotal to brand recognition across social platforms. When a potential client tells us they post once or twice a week on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, I cringe inside.  You see, the benefits of social media are undeniable. But, if you are not going to dedicate 100% of energy to these incredibly strong platforms impacting your bottom line, then don’t waste your valuable time.

If this approach is yours, I suggest you see what your competition is doing. Your competition will reach out to their social communities- and yours. They will  capture not only their attention but their dollars.  

Social platforms offer the potential to drive traffic to your website and support brand. They provide the possibility of conversation with those who like or follow your brand. Social platforms offer the exchange of photos, and an opportunity to tell your unique story. They provide a forum for discussion, and the ability to educate your customers. With direct messaging features, customers can privately ask you questions about your products and services. And, the marketing mechanisms available within social platforms are superior. There is boosting. There are ads. There are contests and giveaways. There is the ability to promote your business locally. You can access thousands of new customers with look-a-like audiences. The marketing dork in me will tell you that this  is pretty spectacular. 

But, none of this matters if you are not going to work the platforms to your advantage - this means you have to have a social strategy posting regularly engaging your community while enhancing your story.  Frequency and consistency of messaging matter. Without this commitment, it's like running an ad without a phone number or logo. You know how that would work. 

Want to know more? Reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram. You can also email MRpr at [email protected].

The Shoemaker's Kids - we all know the story about the Shoemaker who works 24/7 crafting shoes for everyone else's children in his village. Yes - his children are barefoot most of the time. They go without their father's attention until the elves step in to save the day. 

If you are a business owner, you know what I mean -  it is hard to wear the many hats required for your day to day obligations. The list of a business owner's responsibilities goes on and on and includes but is not limited to the following: inventory, management, receivables, shipping, payroll, and vendors. - As such, the marketing for your business might not get the attention it deserves. As a matter of fact, your marketing might not get any attention at all.

The good news is that there is another way. Just consider those of us at MRpr  little elves.  

Realizing one's limitations takes courage. Delegating is not easy. It is a skill that is learned and requires practice. That said, reaching out when you need help to achieve a goal is a smart decision. Your expertise might be in widgets and not social media or content writing. You might be well versed in management, but not radio production or print media. Working with a creative group brings fresh eyes and perspective to your front door. This is a good thing. 

Yes - you will have to be involved. Yes, you will have to watch budgets. But, by working with another company whose expertise is branding, marketing, and advertising, you can focus on the day to day of running your business. You can rest easy knowing that your print, radio or social and digital campaigns have been thoughtfully developed, approved and are running smoothly. You can depend on the fact that your brand is being fully supported with every marketing effort. You can count on a plan of action that provides results. And, isn't this what keeps your business moving forward? We say YES! 

Reach out to MRpr with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your marketing strategy, and how to move your profits forward. You can email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Everyday, I get up, get dressed, walk the hall to my home office and get to work. Everyday, I create, plan, phone, email, post, tweet and share.  Blah! Blah! Blah!  Not really -  I love what I do! 

Having worked in Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising and now Social Media Management for about 30 Years (how is that possible since my writing style seems like that of someone 29?) I have had the good fortune of working in just about every realm of the MAD MEN’S industry. Whether slinging ads, writing copy, producing TV and radio commercials, media buying, developing and implementing creative campaigns or pitching new clients, I have had an amazing career for which I am very grateful.

Lately, I have been reflecting on what I enjoy most about my work. It is time to turn these thoughts loose and embrace what I love best.   The day-to-day interaction with my clients is absolutely, hands down, no question about it, what I love best about what I do. Taking this a step further, my work is very personal. I have to believe in what my clients are doing and what they represent in order to help them walk the path to success. If I don’t feel the love, I can’t do my best work.

Being connected allows me to slip into their shoes and fully experience what their strategy can offer. I like to think I become more of a partner and friend than a hired hand. And for me, it is not just a job. Sitting across a table and discussing an idea is how dreams are made and success stories are written. One-on-one interaction is the greatest part of what I do and affords me the opportunity to understand a business from the ground up. Over time, I meet the spouses, kids, grandkids and the golden retriever.  I fully engage in the “WHY” that makes the business owner tick. It is a gift that I will always cherish and value.   

MARY RAU PUBLIC RELATIONS’ niche is marketing, advertising, public relations and social media management for the small business owner and I LOVE what I do.

Sir Richard Branson recently stated that “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” I wholeheartedly agree.

Sir Richard Branson offers an interesting perspective and I believe that most entrepreneurs would agree with his point. This seems no different than trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. Struggling to fit one’s life in what might appear to be another’s world, and not the other way around, encourages great thought, concepts and ideas out of necessity.  

Thinking outside the box to solve problems lends itself to producing solid innovation. Therefore, the “unreasonable man” – (I know he also meant women) - presumably lends himself to being a great problem solver bringing progress, change and foresight to the world around him.

If we were to briefly examine Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg as examples of thinking outside of the box, Branson’s theory is better supported. Society tells us that in order to achieve some level of success, one must stay in school, get a degree and a profession. But, neither Gates, Jobs, nor Zuckerberg officially finished college. These brilliant minds used their own version of reason to take risks and make decisions that worked for them and billions of others. After all, where would Mary Rau Public Relations be without these great minds?

Applying Branson’s theory of the “unreasonable man”, these gentlemen were and still are success stories based on fitting the world into their version of what LIFE is and should be.  They have taken chances making situations work for them.  One can assume that they might see the world for its opportunities and possibilities not its limitations. They see hope not despair. What is wrong with this? Not a darn thing!

As a social media moderator  for small businesses, I've had the pleasure of hearing different views on social media's significance and it's place in our modern world.  After listening to older clients discuss "THE TWITTER", "THE GOOGLE" and "THE BOOK OF FACES" -  yes, these comments are for real - I am reassured of one thing pertaining to marketing
and  generation gaps.  The basic principles of neither have changed. That said, a level of acceptance must exist between the two for successful marketing.

Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media enables getting goods/services to buyers who will open their wallets to purchase wares. Marketing encompasses  image, branding, packaging and presentation. This age old concept is the core of how it works and applies in today's world.

In this regard, the generation gap is the same as it has always been. Older generations shake their heads at the young wondering why their music is so loud, why their hair is so long or why their jeans are worn so low. "Back in my day" is a mainstay of many conversations. And, let's not forget the over 50 crowd were once teenagers sending shock waves to generations before with the use of what was hip or cool at the time.  (Who is this ELVIS person anyway?)

Let's think about how this applies to social media. Seniors don't understand why anyone would make their personal information public on the internet. Younger folks make public their secrets for the universe to see.  Now the irony arises because older folks have realized social media is a great way to communicate with their younger family members.  Just because they don't understand it, doesn't mean they won't use it.

The end result is that the gap is still open while a "social media" bridge has been built allowing the free flow of communication.  If social media can allow the generation gap to narrow - even slightly -  a business owner best pay attention. Using social media as a part of a marketing plan sounds pretty significant to me.