The QR: Are you up to speed?

DO you know the power of the QR Code?

Let me explain... this code is the easiest way to market and connect with companies, organizations, & people in 1.2 seconds... or less!

How does it work? Go to the app store on your Android, Blackberry, or iPhone... Search "QR" and and app that reads QR codes should be available for FREE!

Once you have downloaded it, open and click the button "scan" (or something of that nature) and watch the MAGIC happen!

Here is OUR code!

You can Create your own code by visiting http://qrcode.kaywa.com/.

Try it out and send it to us at @keyprgroup on twitter!

How to market yourself: Tip #6

Identify a target market!

Develop a strong marketing message and hook

Create one piece of marketing collateral that will attract prospects and set you apart.

Get visible in your target market---the manual way

Keep following up to build relationships and credibility

!!! Free iPhone/Android App Contest !!!

This contest is for all entertainers looking to enhance their accessibility and visibility! This App will be custom made for you and your work to be displayed to the WORLD. To develop an app the price usually ranges from 300 and up! So take advantage of this wonderful opportunity from Key PR Group!

To Apply, email info@keyprgroup.com with a sample of your work, epk (if available), and the reason as to why you should win this app!

Have questions? Email us or Tweet us!

Good Luck!

Winner will be announced Friday, April 15, 2011!!

How to market yourself: Tip #5

The Importance of Relationships.

Form relationships with other local businesses that cater to your customers. Ask them to offer a discount to their customers if they mention coming from their store when they purchase from you. Feel free to reciprocate.

Twitter... It isn't a monologue!

The key to Twitter is thinking of it as a dinner date, rather than an opportunity to promote your product. A dinner date (or at least a good date) means a dialogue between two people, who share thoughts, ideas, and interests. Twitter is not a monologue or a place to simply post thoughts. Networking, engagement, and responses are required. While promoting your product or company is important, successful Tweeters do not simply post sales or information. Talk with your followers, engage them, and learn from them. Then, they’re more likely to take an interest in your brand. Make it a two way street and make it a great Twitter-date!

--Molly Lynch, Lynch Communications Group — @mollylynch--

Follow us on twitter!! @keyprgroup

How to market yourself: Tip #4

Do not expect to get response to cold emails

This has nothing to do with bad people. Please understand that writers and major influencers are getting thousands email a day from startups. It is physically impossible for them to process and respond to each email. You may find it unfair, but this is just a simple fact. So once again, this is where a PR firm or at least a friendly connection via LinkedIn will come handy. If you are introduced, the chances are you will be heard. (No guarantees that you will be written up).

How to market yourself: Tip #3

Do not launch on Friday and on Monday

This may or may not be obvious but there are only 3 days when things get done: Tue/Wed and Thurs. These are the best days to do the launch, in that order. Monday could work, but in the afternoon, because in the morning people still can’t believe that the weekend is over. Fridays are really bad for PR - everyone can’t believe that the weekend is not here yet. Plan smart and think like your influencers!

How to market yourself: Tip #2

Shoot a short video and put it up onto YouTube!

Marketing and Advertising

1. Set up a channel to reflect your brand and engage with others. Here’s an example fromThe White House.
2. Choose a user name that reflects your brand for your channel URL.
3. Add your channel URL to marketing collateral and social network profiles.
4. Post customer video testimonials to add to your credibility.
5. Put together a creative video explaining your product or service.
6. Show your product in action using movie trailer-style: fast, creative and catchy.
7. Show the results of someone using your services.
8. Promote your events using recordings of previous events.
9. Introduce your staff to add authenticity.
10. Take viewers on a tour of your offices and city to help them feel connected with you.
11. Ask others to use your product in their videos (like product placement in movies) and cross-promote each other.
12. Post links to your videos on various social networks.
13. Look into YouTube Promoted Videos to reach your target through contextually-relevant search results.
14. Use Google AdWords on Google Content Network, which includes sites like YouTube. These use text-based ads and don’t require a video from your business. Research thePlacement Tool to identify the best placements for your ads.
15. Earn money from your videos by entering into a partnership with YouTube.
16. Run a contest.
17. Add Call-to-Action overlays to your videos to drive traffic to your web site.
18. Study your channel’s performance with the integrated Google Analytics and YouTube Insight to make the most of your videos.
19. Display company information in every video including name, URL, phone number and email address.