You are a busy business owner. You want to set your company apart from the competition and reach new heights – obtaining all of your business objectives.  Problem – no one knows who you are, what you do or that you even exist – what do you do in today’s noisy and crowded environment?

MFC can help not just set you apart from the competition, but establish or build upon your brand reputation and move past the competition.  From start-ups to established market leaders, MFC can help you determine the right audience for the right story at the right time.

What’s the best way to communicate strategically?

It all starts with research and planning.  You have to know where you are in order to know where you are going and how you are going to get there.   It also takes research on what your competition is doing in the marketplace.

• Market Research & Competitor Analysis – the first step in any good strategic communications plan.  We look at the overall market place and analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  We also look at what the competition is saying and where they show up to determine any gaps where your product or service might fit in.
• Communications Audits – at MFC, we take a deep dive into what you are already communicating across a variety of channels – from collateral materials to your web site, we want to make sure there’s a consistent story and that it’s the best story for your company
• Media Coverage & Awareness Audits – Not only do we look at the quantity of media coverage you have already received, but we also look at the quality of that coverage.  All news coverage is not good news coverage.  We want to make sure that your story is told clearly and concisely in the media.

What does all of this Web 2.0 technology mean to today’s business owner?  It’s really not as complicated as it seems.  Powerful communications have always been and will always be about getting people to pay attention and take action.  Web 2.0 communications are no different – these are all just new communications channels.

Social media is a new way businesses can cultivate relationships with the people who use their product or service.  Social media is another channel for dialogue, for conversations – it’s not a place for one-way brand marketing.

Savvy businesses will explore ways they can talk about their products and services and develop loyal fans through relationships and dialogue vs. traditional marketing.  Social media takes word of mouth to new heights.  That said, it’s important to know what consumers are saying about you – good and bad – so you can take advantage of the opportunity and highlight the good and squelch the bad.  But that means having a conversation.  Even with consumers who may have had a bad experience.

How should you get involved in social media?

• Develop a social media strategy – not every business is appropriate for Facebook or MySpace.  The social media strategy should be part of your overall strategic communications plan.
• Monitor what is being said about you – Good or bad, you need to get involved in the conversation about your company.  Perception is reality and you need to be the one to frame your own reality.
• Just Do It – whether it’s getting on twitter or writing a blog.  Companies who wait or are scared of the new channels will get left behind. Or worse, someone else will do all the talking about your company for you.  Explore ways to enhance your communications strategy through social media and just jump in – many of these channels are free, except for time spent developing content. MFC can help you explore and take advantage of reaching consumers in a new way while minimizing your risk to brand reputation.

Everyone has a story to tell.  But not everyone is a good storyteller.

At MFC, we want to help you tell your story in the most interesting and compelling manner.  We help you develop press releases, we reach out to members of the media directly and we can even serve as your spokesperson.  We are part of your team and care about your business and want to let others know about the great products or services you provide.

• Story Development -We’ll help you get through the weeds to discern the best, most compelling story.  Then we’ll help you tell that story through all your communications channels from marketing materials to your web site.  We’ll make sure the most important messages are the ones that get through.
• Media Materials – Whether its talking points for an interview with print or broadcast or fact sheets for a press kit, we’ll help develop the materials needed so that all your executives can tell your story clearly and concisely.
• Press Event Management – From creating the news to lining up speakers, MFC will make sure people know about it and show up as well as professionally  manage the public event from start to finish.