One mistake companies make is thinking of social media as solely an advertising tool. Consumers don’t want to hear the same messages thrust out in traditional media. Followers want engaging material that sparks discussion. If done well, they will want to share this information with others.

Think of your social media efforts as a two-way street. Information should be going out to the consumer and insightful information must be coming in. Before posting material, ask yourself, will your message generate a response?

According to a 2011 IBM study, 42 percent of consumers are reluctant to interact with brands and companies on social media due to a concern for spam. Those that interact with brands need to feel a company is communicating honestly before they participate. In order to generate a response, you will have to work hard to gain trust and prove your material is related to their interests.

Before posting, take your time to jump into the shoes of the consumer and ask if the message you are sending out is engaging. According to Facebook.com, there are over 900 million objects to interact with on their site. What makes your information stand out?

For more tips, see the 9 Easy Social Media tips put together by Off The Grid News.com.

Sources:

Off The Grid News.com

Autonews.com

Treva J. Marshall

First of all, it’s hard to believe it has been 10 years!

This milestone is very personal to me, not only because it’s my company, but because of all the people who have been part of the vision. It places me at a loss for words, as I can never fully express gratitude to the family, clients, staff, colleagues and friends who have made this moment possible.

 A special thank you to my family for being by side and in particular, I want to thank my husband, Scott Marshall, for all the sacrifices he has made to help me realize my dream.

 In summary, my thoughts, my perspectives, my feelings are all focused on gratitude and looking forward to our next big milestone with the same support system we’re so fortunate to have!

Sabita Balmick

Congratulations on 10 Years!  Treva, I wish you and the company another 100 years of success!

 I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already… it seems like only yesterday that Treva was my manager at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. One day, she called me into her office and said “Sabita, I’m quitting the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin because I am starting my own PR firm.”  I still remember how very disappointed I was with that statement, but how happy I was for her desire to start a new journey…

 I take pride in saying that I am fortunate to have Treva as my manager at both of my jobs since I’ve moved to Florida!

Dipika Joshi

I joined the TJM team back in 2004 and can’t believe how fast the time has flown by!

The company quickly jumped from a one-woman operation to an incredible team of dedicated professionals.

From working a restaurant opening alongside the legendary Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula to observing the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis and seeing a piece of history in the making, we have been able to work with wonderful clients and afforded many unique opportunities throughout the years.

I wish TJM a very happy 10^th anniversary and look forward to the next 10 years!

Re-build a public relations program, including engaging tourism partners and government officials; expand coverage and market awareness and re-build client trust and communication.

Action:

Re-energized the entire public relations program in 18 months. Developed “Making Headlines” electronic media leads communication program, which engaged tourism partners to participate in story leads, support media visits through complimentary rooms, attraction access, etc…  Made monthly presentation to elected officials and Tourism Development Council members on public relations program. Developed media visit protocol. Enhanced client and tourism partner interaction through engagement and communication.

Results:

Increased media coverage to include major national placements, including:  USA Today, New York Times, Sirius Radio, WUSA-TV (Washington, DC), History Channel Magazine, Travel + Leisure.com, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Chicago Tribune, etc… Achieved 297 story placements, totaling 42 million impressions and more than $10 million in corresponding ad value in 18 months.  Resulted in increased client satisfaction, partner engagement and elected official buy-in.

To leverage national publicity for the resort by profiling the executive pastry chef, who won the World Champion Pastry Competition.

Action:

Pitched the chef’s accomplishment in the context of a light-hearted national “surprise” feature for TODAY Show hosts.

Results:

Chef was featured on a segment of the TODAY Show, demonstrating his artistic abilities to pull and sculpt sugar and presented a sculpture to the hosts.

Launching an inaugural destination event to garner broad-based coverage for the destination; to garner major market coverage and brand the destination in the context of an inaugural sand festival and competition.

Action:

Developed a media campaign which highlighted the uniqueness of the event, capitalized on the destination’s Florida appeal as well as the participating sand sculpting artists and their work.

Results:

Secured over 53 million media impressions with a corresponding ad value exceeding $300,000. Major coverage included the nationally syndicated television show, Daytime and a placement in the print and on-line issues of USA Today.

To effectively position the new South African Vergelegen wines (DeBeers) in the United States and expand the U.S. branding of South Africa as a leading wine producer.

Action:

Developed and managed a regional launch event with key media and VIPs, supported by publicity
outreach.

Results:

Secured favorable media response from the wines and supported the selection of the winery as Wine Enthusiast’s “New World Winery of the Year,” designation, the first-ever for a South African winery.

Who knew that opening TJM Communications, Inc. would mean playing a role in promoting some of the world’s most phenomenal places, doing some of the most exciting things and meeting some of the most incredible people?

But none of this would have been possible without people who believed in and supported me, clients who came to the table to give us the opportunities, and an unwavering staff who always said “Yes, we can!”

As we celebrate our 10th year this year, I am humbled. I am grateful. And I look forward to the days ahead…

Launching TJM Communications, Inc. wasn’t an easy choice, but 10 years later, it has shown me it was the right choice.

10 years would not be possible without family, friends, clients and staff, and to you all, I am eternally grateful.

Thank you all!

Treva

To penetrate ethnic/niche market media outlets regarding travel to South Africa, a long-haul
destination, in order to increase tourism to the country.

Action:

Developed a strategic niche tourism campaign aimed at the African-American travel market, the fastest-growing travel market segment in the U.S.

Results:

In 9 months: Secured more than 20 million media impressions.  Generated 25 media visits to the country; contributed to an overall increase of 1% US tourism traffic.

To introduce various niche market media outlets to the state of Illinois and travel options for African-American visitors to the destination.

Action:

Developed a niche tourism campaign aimed at the African-American travel market, the fastest-growing travel market segment in the U.S.

Results:

Secured coverage on two of the top three national urban radio shows and other nationwide media, totaling more than 10 million media impressions. Hosted a “Soul of Illinois” FAM trip, with five publications, which delivered 2.5 million media impressions. Partnered with Southwest Airlines for complimentary airfare for all attendees; free fares on Amtrak to travel within the state; discounted ground transport fares and complimentary meals.