Rembrandt’s Blog

Do you have five minutes?

If you have five minutes, you can help boost awareness for your business online!

Here are three quick things you can do in about five minutes. Pick your favorite:

1. Enter information on a forum or blog.

Visit an online forum or blog where your target market hangs out. Then, enter your quick comments about the current subject being discussed.

Provide a valuable statement without pitching your business. Just make sure your name and business name appear in your signature online (also include your website address if appropriate).

2. Change your home page.

Look at the home page of your website and make a change. Add a valuable statement, a link to a good article, a blog entry, etc.

You can even add some keywords to improve search engine optimization. After all, when was the last time you updated your site?

You need to appear “home” so make a quick change now. And when you have more time, go back later and add new updates.

3. Share a blog entry.

Visit a blog carnival like http://blogcarnival.com/bc/. Then, review the different carnivals and add your favorite blog entry to the appropriate group.

If you don’t have time for this, send the link to your entry (or a good article) to a new customer, partner or other person as a reminder or networking tool. It only takes a minute to convey a good message.

It Only Takes a Few Minutes

Now, these activities only take me a few minutes to complete, and they may take you a bit longer. But when you feel like you are short on time, and you really need to accomplish something, try to do one small thing.

Think of things that you can do quickly that will make a difference. Then, take a moment to take action.

Not only will you get a small break from whatever you are working on, but you’ll feel more positive. And you’ll be able to return to your other, long-term activities with a better attitude and a new sense of accomplishment!

For additional help with your online copywriting and PR needs, feel free to contact me here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks!

It’s Thursday morning, and I’m responding to an e-mail from a new entrepreneur who wants to know how much I charge to send out a press release.

Now, I respond to many of these messages and don’t mind helping out new entrepreneurs. But it always makes me wonder. How much research have these people done prior to contacting me?

After all, I post information about all of my services, samples, articles, etc. on my website. I write three different blogs about online copywriting and small business public relations. Plus, I provide current information in numerous articles and newsletter entries.

But many of these new entrepreneurs want me to explain the entire publicity process to them. They tell me all about their great products and how they are ready to send out a press release. Then they want me to tell them exactly what they need to do to get more customers – for free!

Well, I don’t mind helping out and answering questions whenever I can. But come on. If you are starting a new business, it’s important to have your plan in place and know what you are doing. Even if you are clueless and have zero budget, there are many resources available to help you such as:

StartupNation, www.startupnation.com

Entrepreneur, www.entrepreneur.com

Inc., www.inc.com

Fortune Small Business, www.fsb.com

Pink Magazine, www.pinkmagazine.com

AWAI, www.awaionline.com

The point is that as a small business owner, you need to prepare yourself and do some work. Of course others can do it for you, but that’s a good way to lose money…and control of your business.

It’s like buying a car. If you do your research and know how much a car is worth, you can work with the salesperson and get a good deal. But if you go in “with blinders on,” you may make a purchase you’ll be sorry about later.

Now, there are many businesses out there that will be more than happy to take your money and promise big results.  Unfortunately, I’ve had to rescue many entrepreneurs after they dealt with bad publicists and agencies in the past.

And I don’t want this to happen to you.

Please take a little time to plan ahead and conduct the appropriate research before hiring any kind of service or buying a product to “do the work for you.”

I really don’t want you to get a “lemon.” Do you?

For additional help and information about small business public relations and online copywriting to help boost sales, awareness and credibility, please feel free to comment below or send me a note a www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks!

It’s early in the morning and I just returned from a trip to Detroit. My aunt died suddenly, and I wanted to pay my respects. She was a wonderful person who lit up every room she entered.

This is a sad event, but it also got me thinking. You never know when things are going to happen.

With this in mind, what are you doing to accomplish your goals now? How do you want people to remember you?

If you are procrastinating or just “going with the flow,” you may run out of time before you know it.

To help you get moving and really live your dreams, check out the advice on these sites:

StartupNation, www.startupnation.com

American Writers & Artists, Inc., www.awaionline.com

Pink Magazine, www.pinkmagazine.com

Inc. Magazine, www.inc.com

Fortune Small Business, www.fsb.com

Entrepreneur Magazine, www.entrepreneur.com

Sometimes, we take things for granted – our family members, friends, jobs, homes, health, etc. It’s always a good idea to take a moment each day and think about all of the things you are thankful for.

In addition, it’s smart to work towards your overall goals every day. Who knows? Anything can happen. You may run out of time.

Now, I don’t mean to sound pessimistic. I just want to give you a little life reminder that may jolt you into action. After all, I don’t want to have any regrets. How about you?

If you need help moving forward with your PR and copywriting efforts, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks!