How to Get Motivated for a New Year of News Announcements
January 11, 2018
They came. We enjoyed (for the most part) and they went. We are talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. The decorations have been taken down, the lights are off for another year and now we have a long winter ahead.
Most small business owners work all year round taking little or no time for themselves. Getting back into the swing after the holiday season can be difficult from a mental standpoint. Distributing a press release to the media to update them on the latest can also be a challenging task -- particularly if everyone has been in a lull for the last few weeks.
Don't fear, as we have a few thoughts to assist you in getting back up on the horse and start your creative juices flowing again.
Getting the blood flowing
The turkey was done to perfection and the Christmas cookies were more than enjoyed. Holiday eating can certainly leave you feeling lethargic and not in the mood to write your next press release. An excellent way to snap this slothfulness is to get the blood flowing. We recommend a 30 -- 45-minute walk. With the fresh air at hand and blood flowing, you will be motivated to get the creative thought processes rolling again.
Have a co-worker or colleague to lean on?
Do you run your business by yourself? Are you a partnership? Or do you have employees? Go for a walk and talk about business. Sometimes just having someone there to bounce ideas, concepts and thoughts off of is the best way to generate a concept for your next press release! Conversations could include what new products or services are coming down the line, or what is going on within the industry. You could combine some of these thought processes with some ideas from a previous article we wrote titled 'Press Release Ideas - Overcoming the Writers Block - A Few Ideas to Help'
Using a Vision Board
Let's be honest: if you live in a winter climate with the frigid temperatures, going outside to take a walk may be easier said than done--and your colleagues may think you've lost it! So, when you need to stay indoors and enjoy some quieter time, using a vision board might be a great tool.
If you are not familiar with what a vision board is, WikiPedia summarizes one as being "a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations of your dreams, goals, and things that make you happy. It can also be called a dream board, treasure map, or vision map. Creating a vision board can be a useful tool to help you conceptualize your goals and can serve as a source of motivation as you work towards achieving your dreams." SCORE (a partner of the US Small Business Administration, SBA) also has some further excellent information on vision boards here by Rieva Lesonsky.
Meditate in a Quiet Room Find an area of the office or home office where you can either play some quiet spa music or simply sit in the dark. Breathe deep and visualize what lies ahead for your business. What upcoming milestones may be worthy of being announced in a press release? You have a list of press contacts, put yourself in their shoes and think of what might be interesting for them to report on. What would the media like to know about your business?
Map Out the Year Ahead During the first few weeks of the New Year, many businesses spend quality time thinking about what will be important during the year ahead. Some businesses start late in the 4th quarter of the previous year. Part of this mapping out process should include deciding on strategies that may include the use of a press release.
Have faith that once you start, it will start to become easier and you will be well on your way. If you are still stuck for ideas, these following informational pieces may help: