Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Doing Good in Your Neighbourhood: Why You should Implement CSR For Your Business

As COVID-19 picked up pace globally, there was widespread chatter about ongoing discussions about ‘pivoting’, facing the new normal and preparing for the uncertainties. While many were able to shift gears to working from home and hoarding essentials for impending lockdowns, the outlook was dismal for the most vulnerable who had already been struggling to put food on their tables.

My client, the Ignite IGL Foundation recognised that there was a need for essential items among the communities hardest hit in the area where its parent company and branches were located. The team partnered with the local Red Cross to roll out its COVID-19 corporate social responsibility (CSR) outreach in 11 communities bringing unexpected joy to 450 families. Their focus was on the elderly, those living with disabilities, and low-income earners, and the team personally delivered grocery packages with essential staples in a gesture to show they care.

With masks on, observing the social-distancing protocols, the team seamlessly replicated a task they had been executing for several days, moving house to house to ensure non-perishable food items got to those who were shut in. The beneficiaries were able to provide for their families with the packages they received, and it meant the world to them. In the end, there was an immense outpouring of gratitude and an air of jubilation.

Have you ever wondered why some businesses give back? Sure make for great publicity but a key aspect of ‘doing good in your neighbourhood’ as a business is to create a sustainable relationship with the community within which you operate.

With a shortage of resources and countless causes that need funding, CSR stops a gap and helps create sustainable development. So what exactly is CSR? Corporate social responsibility is a company’s commitment to manage the social, environmental and economic effects of its operations responsibly and in line with public expectations.  

CSR is also called corporate citizenship and it’s one of my favourite aspects of public relations. I get to be a part of life-changing, community, and nation building projects that positively impact a range of people and organisations.

Businesses that practice CSR make a commitment to improving communities, the environment, the people they hire, and the economy in which they operate. 

There are four main CSR activities: 

  • Philanthropic efforts: this is where an organisation gives back to a good cause by supporting charitable initiatives in the communities in which the business operates. This includes donating money or equipment to civic organisations, engaging in community initiatives and facilitating employees volunteering time and giving back.
  • Environmental Conservation: focusing on reinvesting profits into health, safety, and environmental programs. Think about initiatives like waste reduction and limiting your carbon footprint. 
  • Business diversity and labour policies: this focused on recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and improving the wellbeing of your staff.
  • Community-Based Supporting volunteer efforts: Getting your staff out of the office and away from their desks for a good cause can allow for better bonding as they work towards a deeper purpose.

 

If you’re thinking whether CSR would be beneficial to your business and the community in which you operate, here are some reasons you should consider it:

Better Community Relationships

It goes without saying that when a customer likes a brand or business, they are more likely to be loyal and to promote it to others. Implementing CSR allows for better relationships with the people in and around your community and allows you to expand your reach beyond your immediate borders. When you have a good community relationship, you inevitably create brand ambassadors who speak well about your business, products and services. 

Increased Job Satisfaction & More Engaged Staff

Employee engagement goes through the roof when they feel fulfilled at work. And people are drawn to companies that show they genuinely care for their community and country. 

Positive PR/Publicity

Media outlets are always on the lookout for a great feel-good story and when you have CSR as part of your strategic goals, this is a great way to get publicity. Unlike advertising where you’re pushing dollars behind a campaign to self-promote, a CSR campaign means journalists use their voice and authority to weave a story about the good you’re doing. 

More Business Opportunities

A bonus from publicising your efforts is that you get to catch the attention of partners and potential customers who are looking to do business with socially responsible organisations. 

The onus is on the business owner or the management team to look at ways in which they can improve their relationships with the communities in which they operate. CSR is a great way to ensure that you’re working in harmony with your surroundings. It shows that you care about your customers and the community, and the benefits will extend far beyond solidarity with your business.

Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications, a PR firm with operations in Canada and Jamaica, and a focus on helping businesses to find their paradise. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect with people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

Connect with Kimesha:

Instagram – @oasisintegrated

Twitter: @TheOasisPR

Facebook: Oasis Integrated Communications

LinkedIn: @Kimesha Walters

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Public Relations Trends to Rock 2021!

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economies and industries globally, leaving virtually none untouched. Through it all public relations professionals have stood guard like a loyal soldier. We’ve been a tower of strength, and we’ve fought to keep our clients top of mind through the unpredictable curves and turns. 

PR pros have come to the rescue with crisis management strategies, communicating lockdowns, creating new campaigns to amplify messages about health and safety, mental health care, educational shifts to virtual classes, and ongoing changes that continue to keep us on our toes. We have managed conversations about businesses transitioning to e-commerce and the uptick in online shopping and curbside pickups. So too have PR pros led efforts in corporate social responsibility, pinpointing areas where businesses and nonprofits can give back to their communities and help the less fortunate to keep food on their tables and take care of the essentials.

We’ve been there through the tough moments and the unifying ones, urging leaders on, supporting our clients through a maze of hurdles, and getting them publicity across a host of media outlets. As the 2021 progresses, there are several PR trends that are popping up on the radar that organisations should take into consideration if they are to make meaningful conversations and stay ahead of the game. Here are some of the key ones to keep an eye on:

 

Innovative Content

We’re online a whole lot these days. From virtual classes, to Zoom meetings and webinars, we are having more screen time than ever before. To capture your audience’s attention, you will have to dig deeper to create innovative content and to incorporate brand storytelling to connect to the heart of their ideal clients. Think of the pictures, videos and the words you use. It’s important now more than ever to show up in a memorable way. Innovative content is relevant and necessary for owned media channels like websites, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. When you produce thoughtful content, it makes you stand out. Which social media channels do your audience use? Do they love videos? Are they crazy about Tiktok? How about LinkedIn for B2B connections? Or the latest craze, Clubhouse? Wherever they are, using thoughtful, creative content is the way to get and maintain their attention. Let’s not forget innovative content to get the attention of traditional media houses. When you land publicity via blogs, newspapers, or online outlets it operates much like SEO for your brand. You extend the life of your stories, you get social proof and third party endorsements that overtime can yield great benefits for your brand or business. 

 

#RepresentationMatters – Focus on Diversity & Inclusion 

Through all the changes since the pandemic, one of the main conversations that continues to evolve is the importance of diversity & inclusion. A McKinsey’s Report, Diversity Matters which predates the outbreak of the global pandemic, stated that companies should pay much greater attention to inclusion, even when they are relatively diverse. Since the global protests and increasing conversations around Black Lives Matter, more businesses globally are giving a nod to the inclusion of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) audiences. Business leaders have had to acknowledge that the archaic and stereotypical messages and approach to multiculturalism are now out the window. There has been a paradigm shift since the protests and ensuing conversations, and now, the pressure is mounting for them to be mission-consistent, and to stand the accountability litmus test. Major iconic brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben’s have been renamed because of their connections to racial stereotypes, organisations have revisited how they embrace diversity & inclusion, and many are actively taking steps to integrate multiculturalism in the workplace and to find out how to better engage multicultural audiences through messages and campaigns. In October, CBC news announced that Canada plans to bring in more than 1.2 million new immigrants over the next three years to fill gaps in its labour market and boost the economy, both hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. That in itself is a reminder that the shifts will continue in this space and they should not be ignored. As businesses battle the debilitating effects of COVID-19, tapping into this diversity & inclusion conversation will go a long way, and PR pros will play a huge role in ensuring that it is done right.

 

Personalised & Hybrid Events

Live events have been halted across the globe but that hasn’t stopped brands, businesses and individuals globally from reaching their audiences in the virtual space. If you’re a big music fan, a highlight of 2020 was the impact of Versuz TV, an American webcast series created by producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. The producers reeled in over 5.6 million followers since they launched in April last year, hosting epic music battles with some of the top musical acts and thrilling fans globally through live clashes that brought nostalgia, sheer joy, and a sense of camaraderie. Businesses, too, have taken the reins to engage audiences via online channels, whether by hosting webinars, live chats, or events to complement their integration of e-commerce. That said, there should be no mistaking the fact that people still crave human connection, the opportunity to connect in an authentic space, and to share in experiences that leave them fulfilled and yearning for more. Hybrid and personalised events can fill this gap. By creating engaging and immersive experiences that will leave a lasting impression on current and prospective clients, you set the stage for a solid long-term relationship.

 

Integrating the ‘PESO’ Model

Media houses have downsized significantly since the pandemic, advertising and marketing budgets have been slashed, funds have been redirected to the most critical aspects of businesses, and to add to that, there continues to be significant changes in the social media algorithms that make it a never-ending maze to get your messages to your target audience. So the question is, how do you navigate this while making sure that you’re communicating effectively? The solution is to create integrated campaigns that incorporate Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned (PESO) media. Each channel has its unique advantages, and compliments the others in creating a seamless campaign that reaches all the major touchpoints for your audience.

As COVID-19 continues to stir ongoing shifts, it inevitably affects organisations across several industries. Communication strategies will have to be adjusted to amplify the messages about the changes, and PR professionals stand ready to take on this challenge as they did at the start of the pandemic. By creating innovative content, honouring diversity and inclusion, incorporating personalised, hybrid events and integrating the PESO model, you’ll be on your way to rocking the year!

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Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications, a PR firm with operations in Canada and Jamaica, and a focus on helping businesses to find their paradise. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect with people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

Connect with Kimesha:

Instagram – @oasisintegrated

Twitter: @TheOasisPR

Facebook: Oasis Integrated Communications

LinkedIn: @Kimesha Walters

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Jumpstart Your Career and Business! 12 Ways to Become an Expert in Any Field

Are you in a slump? Do you feel that you might have stalled professionally and you’re not sure about how to jumpstart your career or business? How about investing in yourself and sharpening your skills?

The story is told of a strong woodcutter who got a job with a merchant. Being an expert at woodcutting it was a joy when he realised the pay was good and so were his new working conditions. What a perfect combination!

Elated about this ideal job, he set out to work, reaching the incredible accomplishment of felling 18 trees on his first day. His boss was proud and prodded him on with some encouraging words.

On his second day, despite his best efforts, he could only bring down 15 trees. The third day, he figured if he tried harder, he would secure better results. But, again, the numbers were lower, and he only managed to cut 10 trees.

Despondent, the woodcutter thought “I must be losing my strength.” Feeling embarrassed, he went to his boss and apologised, saying he was baffled as to what was happening.

His boss replied, “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?”

“Sharpened? The puzzled woodcutter asked, “I didn’t have time to sharpen my axe, I’ve been busy cutting trees!”

If you’re like the woodcutter, you might be over-exerting yourself but you’re not seeing the results. Personal growth is inextricably linked to career and business development. To jumpstart either of the two, how about you invest in yourself and sharpen your proverbial axe to grow into the best version of yourself? Here are 12 tips to get you started:

  1. Create a professional development plan. Keep in mind that ‘A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.’ If you’re intent on growing, you have to create your ultimate life plan, work on what you need to get there, and know the steps you need to take along the way.
  2. Listen to podcasts and motivational content. Download a podcast app and scout the ones that delve into the areas you’d like to grow. Motivational content gives you that extra push to reach your goals on days when it’s difficult to muster up the courage to keep going.
  3. Read more books and watch videos that feature your area of expertise. Going back to basics and picking up a good book or an e-book is a great way to soak up some new knowledge while unwinding. Choose a topic based on your career or take a deep dive into a totally new one that can widen your knowledge. Not a fan of reading? Watching videos is a great alternative!
  4. Attend webinars and industry events. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a host of free webinars continue to pop up with a tonne of experts who are ready to share their knowledge. Do your research to scout the webinars and (virtual) industry events that can contribute to your personal and professional growth.
  5. Get certified. Take that course, start that degree! A certification is one of the best ways to show that you’re capable and trainable, and it’s a great way to stand out.
  6. Find a mentor. If you’ve already settled into your career, the idea of a mentor might seem a bit archaic, however, you’d be happy to know that a mentor can help at any stage in your growth process. To guide your selection, choose someone who has the career and skills you’d like to master and follow their advice.
  7. Shadow a work colleague. If you’re employed, a great way to develop new skills is to shadow a work colleague to learn new skills.
  8. Say ‘Yes!’ to new ‘discomfort zones’. There’s no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone, like diamonds, if you want to become valuable, you need to undergo some pressure to change. Be open to taking on a new challenge and learning a new skill.
  9. Speak up! Listen with intent to understand, and always ask questions when you don’t understand something.
  10. Fake it till you make it. Start acting like the successful person you want to be. This should be reflected in the way you speak, dress, and your overall demeanour.
  11. Tick those wins off your list! Encouragement sweetens labour; celebrate your wins, take time to sit in the feeling of victory, and then hit the road again.
  12. Network, network, network! There’s much value in the statement, ‘Your net worth is your network”. Be strategic about expanding your network and engaging with like-minded professionals.

These 12 tips are great ways to invest in growing personally and professionally, and jumpstart your career and dream life. By all means, feel free to repeat each step as often as you wish, after all, repetition is how we shift our paradigms and create new habits. Now that you have the tools to sharpen your skills, what are you waiting on to get started?

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Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications, a PR firm with operations in Canada and Jamaica, and a focus on helping businesses to find their paradise. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect with people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

Connect with Kimesha:

Instagram – @oasisintegrated

Twitter: @TheOasisPR

Facebook: Oasis Integrated Communications

LinkedIn: @Kimesha Walters

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The Holidays are Coming! Last-Minute PR Ideas to Boost your Visibility

It’s November, and that means 2020 is finally winding down, whew! While people across the globe are breathing a collective sigh of relief that we’re about to wave goodbye to a year of chaos and heightened uncertainty, if you’re a business owner, you might be singing a different tune. You now realize you’re heading towards the end of Q4, and the holidays are right around the corner!

If you’re behind with planning for the holidays and you haven’t quite solidified your goals and how to get added visibility, or if you need to boost what you already have on the radar, here are a few last-minute public relations (PR) tips to end the year with a bang.

‘Tis the Season – Speak the Language of the Holidays

Shake things up a bit. Nobody likes a Scrooge during the holidays, so let the chaos of 2020 fade into the background and focus on the positives. Start incorporating cheerful holiday-themed content: language, photos, and videos into your owned media – website and social media channels. A good old throwback post to previous holiday fun can drum up nostalgia, too, so don’t underestimate it. Cap this off by showing how your products and services can fit into your ideal customer’s life, and use brand storytelling to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Position Yourself as the Holiday Expert

At this time of the year, journalists are busy scouting interesting stories that will capture the eyes and hearts of their audience. Positioning yourself as an expert in your field means an opportunity to get the right story out, and to possibly be quoted or interviewed; this way you get your business into the spotlight.

Thrill with Customer Appreciation Offers

Your loyal customers are your best assets. They help keep your business up and running, they spread the news of your amazing products and services, making them your brand ambassadors even in the worst of times. Show that you appreciate their business now more than ever. Are there any discounts or promotional offers that you can implement to give them another reason to keep the business relationship going? If so, go for it!

Tap into Industry Influencers

Influencer marketing has become a huge trend over the years. Tapping into endorsements and product placements to give your business added visibility across niche markets means more coverage as the holidays draw closer. Bonus tip, your influencer marketing campaign can be centred around gifting your latest products and services. We all love a great gift; it shows that someone thought of us and took the time to prepare something that would make us feel appreciated. Bonus points if you personalise it to speak to the influencer’s likes and preferences.

Present your Products/Services as Ideal Holiday Gifts

As it gets closer to the holidays, the shopping frenzy increases and more people are on the lookout for gifts that suit various personalities and age groups. For a successful holiday campaign, focus on how target customers that can benefit from your products, eg. “Gifts for kids”, “gifts for moms/dads”, “gifts for the techie” or “gifts for travellers”. With so many things to think about in the pandemic, why not make away the stress of customers puzzling over what to buy from you?

Harness the Power of Social Media

This year has brought unprecedented changes, and with that, many campaigns are being done virtually. There are endless “live” videos, and free events, and messages that are tugging at people’s attention and these generally get louder going into the holidays. Added to that, the changing social media algorithms aren’t helping. So how can you stand out? Amplify your PR messages by sharing them on your social media channels. For added visibility, throw some advertising dollars behind your main messages, use visually appealing graphics, creative copy, and holiday hashtags.

Piggyback on Charitable Events

With all the ‘pivoting’ to sustain business and maintain a sense of normalcy as COVID-19 ravages businesses and economies, you might have had to cut back on budget. That means hosting a charitable event or goodwill initiative from scratch might be a bit of a stretch. However, you can get creative and become an event sponsor, or donate cash or kind to help spread the holiday cheer. While you’re at it, share the great news via a press release and your owned media channels.

The main point here is, if you haven’t quite figured out what the holiday visibility looks like, there is still a bit of room to catch up. Schedule time on your calendar today to sift through these recommendations and implement those that apply to your business. If done right, you’ll find that you’ve made an investment in getting back on track for the balance of 2020, and of course, you can tweak these strategies and use them in the year ahead.

 

Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications, a PR firm with operations in Canada and Jamaica, and a focus on helping businesses to find their paradise. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect with people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

Connect with Kimesha:

Instagram – @oasisintegrated

Twitter: @TheOasisPR

Facebook: Oasis Integrated Communications

LinkedIn: @Kimesha Walters

Jump! From ‘Wantrepreneur’ to Entrepreneur : How I Launched My Business During COVID-19

 

 

I Jumped! I launched my public relations firm Oasis Integrated Communications in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s been an exhilarating, life-changing experience. How did I do it? It was a combination of strategies that came together at the right moment and pushed me to make this dream a reality. Are you on the fence about whether to start that business you’ve been dreaming about? Read on to get some clarity on the steps you need to take to get out of the rut.

 

The Whispers

In Oprah’s latest book The Path Made Clear, she explains that life whispers to you all the time beckoning you towards your life’s purpose. If you don’t heed the whisper, it gets louder, then it feels like a little pebble – a little thump upside the head, soon it becomes a brick upside the head, then it becomes a crisis that leads to the entire brick wall falling down.

While the decision to launch my business during the past few weeks might seem like a bold one as the world continues to navigate a new normal and economies face a downward spiral globally, it didn’t happen overnight. As COVID-19 all but halted the world, it provided me with more time to focus on developing my business, but the whispers started a while back when I became more aware of my passion for communications. I was getting many nods of approval and heaps of praises and commendations for my writing, I relished the sense of accomplishment and joy I got from doing my PR activations and seeing my clients happy. I also  knew that with my work ethic, professionalism, and passion combined, I would be able to create my dream company and dream life.

There were several indications over time that I needed to work on my entrepreneurship journey but I ignored them and moved on. My client list had been quietly growing over the years, and the jobs often demanded more of my attention. On the other hand, there were several circumstances in my 9-5 that became niggling pains – exhausting work weeks, extended commutes, demanding hours with less than reasonable managers, and just an overall feeling of dissatisfaction.

Then, one day it hit me. I came across Steve Harvey’s famous Jump speech and as I sat reflecting on the message, pondering the details of this painstaking life I had been dragging myself through, I was moved to take action.

 

Live, Not Merely Survive

A few hours earlier, my alarm rang out in a crescendo as the melodic sounds of I’ve Gotta Be Me, by Sammy Davis Jr. echoed through my room. I stirred, groaned, and involuntarily hummed the song in my mind. The temptation to return to sleep was overwhelming and after several rounds of hitting the snooze button, I finally arose.

The irony of my alarm ringtone is that I wasn’t being me. I’m a happy person, I’m super motivated and I’m a go-getter who gives 110% at whatever I do. But for the past few months, life had taken a turn for the worst, with inevitably long work hours on the weekends and late evenings toiling at the office, my sleep hours were dwindling fast, and my social life had taken a hit. Something had to change. Here are the top four steps that paved the way for me:

 

  1. Research & Create Your Roadmap

For months, I had been deliberating on what to do and now I was ready. I started a vision board and commenced mapping my journey and pinning down the details of the life I’d like to live. What exactly did I want to do? What did I love most about my skills and expertise? Where would I be if I realised all my dreams? How would I feel?

I created my roadmap, and I got to work, starting with research on tips to launch, a business coach who could guide me, and courses I needed to take to build my knowledge. An Entrepreneurship Connections course from ACCES Employment, a Canadian not-for-profit corporation had workshops and seminars covering writing a business plan, accounting, marketing, and all the key topics I needed to learn about, so I successfully applied and enrolled.

 

  1. Seek Advice & Work with Others

Let’s be honest, no one is perfect but we can buffer that imperfection if we plan for it. The mistake most entrepreneurs make is seeking advice from others who don’t understand the journey they are on. As motivational speaker Bob Proctor puts it, “If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you’re aiming for, seek advice from them, and do exactly what they tell you.”

That said, I started a business consultation with Dwania Peele, Founder of the Canadian Small Business Women Association who’s had a host of business experience and contacts through her expansive network. She proved to be the perfect mentor to guide me. I needed advice on the daily struggles of running a business, and she was quite vocal. So, too were my contacts in Jamaica. What were the main challenges they were facing? How were they dealing with them? And what were the pros and cons of working in your own business?

 

  1. Be Strategic with Branding & PR

Be intentional with everything, your business name, logo, your social media handles, and the partnerships you forge. I chose ‘Oasis’ for the business name as I wanted something that represented my vibrant energy while speaking directly to my target market. I was aiming to help businesses find their paradise and my PR knowledge came in handy here as publicity is my specialty. I spent countless hours refining the look and feel of the brand, the brand voice, planning my initial social media posts and visuals. Added to that, I devised a strategy that would thrust my business into the spotlight once I made my first posts. This paid off immensely, as the commendations came rolling in as soon as I made the official announcement.

 

  1. Be Realistic & Enjoy the Process

The time is now. If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll probably be waiting your entire life. While it is important to get the research done and to ask the relevant questions, these will never substitute for doing the actual work. You don’t want to look back a few years from now thinking “What if I had started the business?” All the entrepreneurs I spoke to in my initial outreach wished they had made the leap earlier. They reiterated that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step so you have to get started. You have to jump! You’ll inevitably make a few mistakes in the process so be open to learning, and let go of the need to control outcomes.

I have gotten to several points where I’ve felt frantic about meeting my own deadlines and getting ahead of what I needed to do. However, I find that once I relax and enjoy the process, it’s so much easier to be productive and achieve my goals with ease. Most importantly, I’ve had several achievements since my launch, and I’m excited about the months ahead. The possibilities are endless! Need some more tips and advice? Drop me a line and I’ll be happy to help!

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Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect to people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

Connect with Kimesha

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

Bring the Thunder! From Publicity to Profits – Why you should Hire a PR Firm

Picture this, you’ve been in business for a few years and you feel it’s time to position yourself for further growth but you don’t know where to start. Even worse, you’re noticing your competitors in the news and on social media, and bloggers and influencers are talking about them as if they are all the rage.

Or perhaps, you’ve created your dream business, you’re excited about serving your target market and you’re eager to let them know that you’re not just here, you’re the best in the market, and yes, they should choose you! But how do you get noticed when your competitors seem to always get the publicity? They have the media mentions, they are the talk of the town and they are drowning you out and driving you crazy.

Chances are, they have hired a public relations (PR) firm to tailor strategies to speak about their brand, products or services. But never fear, you too can get in on the action. The key to getting started on your goal is hiring a firm whose focus is on curating laser-like tactics that are geared towards sculpting your image. This company would ensure that it accentuates the positive buzz-worthy happenings in your business, reaching your key demographics and media outlets that serve as their main touchpoints.

When done right, PR is one of the most powerful tools that you can use for creating visibility and turning passion into profits. The effectiveness of any campaign with proper brand messaging is based on its repetition and proliferation across various media outlets, through the right influencers, and, of course, at the right time. The good news? A PR firm is ready to get you started.

 

There are several reasons you should hire a PR firm, and here are a few of them to get you started:

 

We Bring the Thunder

Not sure how to best represent your company? Need to conduct market research? Are you unsure about the main messages that you would like to communicate about your product or service? Not sure what media channels to use and how to put your best foot forward with owned media – your website and social media channels? A PR firm offers a fresh external perspective to find the answers to all these and more. Deciding what you want to communicate about your business and how you want to communicate it is of paramount importance to your success. A PR firm has the team to bring brainstorming power to get you hand-picked solutions that work – after all, you need brand awareness to build a demand for your product or services. There is more to communication than meets the eye, and the right PR firm can help you craft your message to make it irresistible. Then you’ll be on your way to more publicity and more profits.

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels.

We’re Your Gladiators

We are your fighters. We’re experts in the business arena and we will wage war to get you the results you need to create long term value. We strategise, we go for the jugular to execute, and we make it look good. As gladiators, your PR team lives and breathes communication. That means we are highly skilled at curating campaigns that feature your key selling points and brand messaging. Not only that, PR agencies are highly skilled at media relations, meaning they have well-established relationships they have fostered over time with top tier media outlets, industry spokespersons, and potential investors. They know how to get your messages published via the most appropriate media outlets to connect with your target market where they live, work and play (think magazines, newspapers, TV, radio shows, high profile websites, blogs, and podcasts). A huge bonus in hiring a PR firm, too, is that the teams are typically made up of professionals at various levels of their career – from the intern to the veteran journalist or corporate communications specialist with accolades under their belt. Cue meme mastery or journalistic skills which gives them an insider perspective on what makes a compelling brand story, or a newsworthy angle that will have your audience clamouring for more of your content.

 

Visual Ninjas? We’re all That and More

There’s something inherently visceral about arresting visuals that pull you in – the power of the right colour combinations and just that perfect pop. It creates a lasting first impression. Visual content marketing continues to play a huge role in creating buzz about your business. Think about it, statistics show that people remember about 80% of what they see, and 30% of what they read. Your audience is most likely to form their first impression in about 50 milliseconds, and it’s estimated that posts with images garner 650% higher engagement than posts with only text. That said PR firms specialize in telling powerful stories to connect with your audience. From social media graphics, to gifs, posters, infographics, ads, videos, that can enhance your connectivity with your audience, your visual ninjas get it done with stealthy precision.

 

Media Monitoring

Monitoring your results is just as important as getting the message out about your business, after all, how else will you measure the success of your campaign? Media Monitoring is the  process of reading, listening, checking and recording the coverage that comes through your PR outreach efforts – whether through traditional media (print and broadcast) – online or social media. PR agencies subscribe to various media monitoring channels and contact databases that other organizations don’t use, but can tap into once they forge a partnership. That way, the monitoring process is automated and allows you to continuously scan various platforms more efficiently and at a much quicker pace. Was your story picked up? Was it ever shared on other channels/outlets? What was the reach of the outlet that published it? These important questions are answered through effective media monitoring, and the results can help you to improve on messaging, gain market intelligence, understand which influencers are having the most impact on your brand, and gauge how you plan media outreach for further campaigns.

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels.

 

So there you have it – proof that a PR agency brings several benefits to the table. Defining your key messaging and reaching your target audience are important ways to get started. With the right tactics, your PR gladiators will deliver added value and build long-term relationships with the key media outlets and influencers that share your brand stories. And, of course, monitoring those results will help you determine the success of your campaign and to figure out whether to ramp up your current PR machinery or to finetune your message for the best results. PR firms are flexible with various budget-friendly packages and payment options to get you started on your journey to more publicity and profits, so don’t be hesitant to reach out.

 

 

Kimesha is the CEO of Oasis Integrated Communications. She’s a seasoned PR professional with a passion for crafting meaningful stories that connect to people. An eternal optimist who thrives on perfecting solutions that marry creative brand experience with consumer engagement, she believes in tapping into the core values of a company and tailoring strategies that share their narrative and find affinity. Her experience spans public relations, corporate communications, marketing, social media and advertising across a range of industries. She has executed projects in Toronto, New York, and Jamaica where she has deftly managed some of the foremost brands across North America and the Caribbean.

 

IG@oasisintegrated

LinkedIn: @Kimesha Walters

 Website: www.oasisintegrated.com

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