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Officially
the New Year has kick started and we are all back to work. Many of us have already
written down our personal goals for the year as well as our professional goals
with the hope that we will begin to do things different and eventually achieve
our goals by the end of the year.
That said, it is important to renew or set
new goals and work towards achieving them. Just like last year, new companies
in fashion, beauty and lifestyle will emerge and competition will become
tougher as we all compete for the same space and clients, It is important to be
ready to position your brand advantageously for opportunities that will not
just create visibility for your brand but drive sales as well.
Here are few PR
goals to guide you through the year as we set out to grow our business.
Invest in knowing your market
Whether
it’s a startup or an established one, you need to keep investing in knowing
your market in and out. This way you know how to package your product to meet
the demands of your target market. What makes your product or service unique
and then craft messages that will convey exactly what you intend communicating.
Your messages should be clear and straight forward such that you are able to
grab the attention of your target. Improve your customer experience by taking
feedback and working on it to maintain your client base as well as get new
ones.
Use social media wisely
The
use of Social Media is not going away any time yet so make sure to jump on it
this time round if you are not already making use of it. It is the best
channels to promote your brand to your target market without a third party. You
can begin managing it yourself and seek for assistance as your brand grows. It
is evident that there are enormous advantages that abound on the internet as a
result of technology which plays a major role in helping brands stay relevant
all time. There will continue to be an increased usage of these platforms by several
other competing brands. Bear in mind that not all the platforms are useful for
your brand. Carefully select which best resonates with your product and can
better reach your target. Maximize your selected platforms to engage your
potential and existing clients to gain some traction for your brand.
Build Mutual Relationships
Relationships
are important in business. If you didn’t do that last year, take another look
at it this year. Build and maintain relationship with your clients, employees,
vendors, stakeholders, influencers etc as they can become very useful to your
business at one point in time. Going into 2018, engage them in a series of
events that will make them feel important and thereby be willing to support and
assist you when there is the need to.
Your brand image is everything
This
year, spend time to work on both your personal image and that of your fashion,
beauty and lifestyle business. What people say or perceive about your brand is
crucial for your brand and as such you need to invest in nurturing a good and
positive image both online and offline. Be mindful of the content you put
online and how you manage your relationships especially with regards to your
product. Manage every issue that arises diligently to avoid it escalating into
a crisis.
Be media friendly
Getting
media features in which ever form could serve a great deal for your brand in
2018. Pitch your new products, events, initiatives to the right fashion editors
and bloggers in order to gain publicity and press coverage for your event. Several
mentions in the media can serve as a leverage point to gain and access several
new and potential clients. Earn your spot by engaging in activities or initiatives
that are newsworthy.
There
is no doubt businesses are going to get competitive this year. It will be in
your own interest and that of your business to position your brand in a way
that will optimize opportunities for growth. With the above in place, I am
confident your brand will experience growth both in value and sales. Let’s have
a fashionably prosperous New Year.
Photo Credit: Vine Imagery for GAFW2017
Faith Senam Ocloo
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts
