Can your business pass this financial test?

  October 23, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Our friend Ruth King says financial statements are our scorecard. We need them on time to properly price our offers, make good decisions to earn a…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

South Carolina ETV announces changes to staff structure

  October 21, 2019

Assistant general manager and director of Digital Strategies positions created South Carolina ETV (SCETV) announced a slight restructuring and the creation of two new positions – assistant general manager and…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: education, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move

MPA Strategies’ Leah Johnson awarded national education certification

  October 16, 2019

The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has appointed Leah Johnson as a Certified Education Administrator (CEA). The ASHA CEA is charged with overseeing the ASHA Approved CE Provider’s continuing education program…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications, on-the-move

Avoid your biggest business nightmare

  October 16, 2019

By Jerry Bellune   Running out of cash can give you hyper-stress and sleepless nights. This happens when you don’t have enough revenue in slow times, haven’t saved enough to…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Padgett Communications

  October 14, 2019

Padgett Mozingo, APR of Columbia, SC has nearly 30 years of public relations and communications experience. Before launching Padgett Communications, she was most recently director of communications for Family Connection…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications

Improve decisions & your bottom line

  October 9, 2019

By Jerry Bellune   Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie’s top advisers are women – an exception in a male-dominated sport. Lurie says he didn’t set out to hire women but…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

How to Pitch a Reporter and Be Heard

  October 7, 2019

By Angela Rogers  NP Strategy   Today’s reporters – both print and broadcast – are always on the move. Pivoting from one story to another, preparing a “package” for the…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move

Flock and Rally ~ Featured Listing

  October 4, 2019

Founded in 2010, Flock and Rally is a full-service, women-owned creative agency based in Columbia, South Carolina. The firm integrates branding, public relations, marketing, traditional advertising, digital advertising, social media…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications

3 steps to own your digital marketing power

  October 4, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   We see many large and small businesses make these 3 digital marketing mistakes: 1. They have a family member set up a clunky web site that…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Tiny ads can pack a powerful punch

  October 2, 2019

By Jerry Bellune   Imagine you are desperate for steady work to get your spouse off your back about feeding your family. Your kids are under-fed and always hungry. Then…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Carolina Event Consultants, LLC

  September 27, 2019

Plan: The first step in the plan for your next event should be to work with a professional team to ensure success. Manage: Your association and its members deserve a…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications

Unconventional Excellence

  September 20, 2019

By Heather Matthews NP Strategy   A standing ovation, mixed with enthusiastic cheers and a chorus of “good mornings” welcomed me as I walked in to get my car oil…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

5 questions all business owners must ask

  September 18, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   How do you build a business that rocks? Our friend Ruth King told us that Jim Howard who published her book, The Courage to be Profitable,…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Riggs Partners announces 2019 CreateAthon clients

  September 16, 2019

Eight South Carolina nonprofit organizations will be the beneficiaries of pro bono marketing and communication services provided by Riggs Partners during its 22nd annual CreateAthon®. The 24-hour marketing marathon will…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: business-services, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy

Are starvation diets a dumb idea?

  September 11, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Fellow Maverick Entrepreneur Suzanne Riley Whyte asks if you have ever been really hungry. Maybe you’ve gone on one of those diets where you eat almost…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Please, make a profit!

  September 9, 2019

By Ken Gasque   Have you heard the news media reporting that Warren Buffett wants to pay more taxes? “Please, raise my taxes.” Legendary investor Warren Buffett said on Monday…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

You should live large – like your dog

  September 4, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Ace ad copywriter John Carlton reminds us of an essential truth. To be successful, rich and happy, “we gotta be healthy.” That means taking time every…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

You’d better make a profit – or else

  August 28, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Our old boss Don Carter liked to ask job applicants what they thought was the 1st duty of a business. A few got the right answer…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Leah Johnson Named Director of Association Management

  August 27, 2019

MPA Strategies has hired Leah Johnson as their Director of Association Management. Johnson, a Certified Association Executive, serves as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Speech Hearing Language Association, a client…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications, on-the-move

Do you need a videographer?

  August 26, 2019

By Taylor Kearns   Finding the best videography services for your business Ask a barber, and he’ll tell you yes, you need a haircut. Ask a videographer if you need…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

How to super-charge your motivation

  August 21, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune An executive recruiter friend keeps on his desk a photo of a fire truck-red Lamborghini he wants. This is no toy. The car costs $200,000. The photo…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Shannon Leigh (Turbeville) Keenan joins South Carolina Wildlife Federation as Director of Development and Events

  August 21, 2019

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) recently hired Shannon Leigh (Turbeville) Keenan as the organization’s new Director of Development and Events. In her new role, Keenan will maintain donor relationships,…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: employment, environmental, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move

Don’t underestimate the power of a sticker

  August 19, 2019

By Ken Gasque   “The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest.” – Frank Lloyd Wright. I think this applies equally to marketing and advertising. Any fool can…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

How to get free business publicity

  August 15, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Savvy business owners seek relations with local newspaper, magazine and broadcast reporters, editors and news directors. When they have something about their business the community should…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Six Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement

  August 12, 2019
Jean Cecil Frick

By Jean Cecil Frick   Business is about relationships, both good and bad. Successful organizations must be constantly aware of who will help move the organization forward, and those who…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Can you stand and deliver real value?

  August 7, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   What value do your products and services deliver to your customers? You know you will have to show that to your prospects. Your ‘value proposition’ is…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Guarantee your advertising will work

  July 31, 2019

By Jerry Bellune   Highly successful retailer R.H. Macy said he suspected half of his advertising didn’t work. He just didn’t know which half. Macy was smarter than that. You…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Call for Entries – 2019 Palmetto Awards

  July 31, 2019

The South Carolina chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is ready to celebrate South Carolina’s best and brightest communicators! If you are a communicator who has created, directed…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move

Breaking the Bad News: How to best deliver tough information

  July 29, 2019

By Sara McCarthy   We receive bad news almost every day. It comes to us indirectly through the news and social media, or directly in emails, letters, phone calls, and…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

MGA Marketing

  July 25, 2019

From social media to newsletters, community outreach and event planning, your priorities are ours. We offer a unique level of service that is not always found at larger agencies.

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: marketing-and-communications

What are your business’s values?

  July 25, 2019
Jerry Bellune

by Jerry Bellune   Paul Davis believed that for your business to succeed you must always practice your basic values. What are yours? Here are 3 of our values: •…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Rank your business on the SWAG Meter

  July 17, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Last week we talked about you and your business’s SWAG. That’s: S = Self Confidence. Customers trust you because you believe in yourself. W = Wonderment.…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Have you and your business got SWAG?

  July 10, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   If you are an entrepreneur or business owner striving to grow your business, you need SWAG. This attracts and keeps customers, says our friend MaryEllen Tribby.…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

It’s a Match: Pairing Your Passions and Career Goals

  July 8, 2019

By Amanda Loveday   The perfect job can be described as the combination of your passion with your potential. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with interesting and…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Maverick entrepreneurs’ independent lives

  July 7, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   When anyone asks what’s so special about maverick entrepreneurs, we laugh. It’s like asking why your faith is important to you or why it is that…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Jean Cecil Frick joins the ranks of Riley Fellows

  June 28, 2019
Jean Cecil Frick

Jean Cecil Frick, a senior strategic advisor with NP Strategy, successfully completed the Spring 2019 Midlands Class of the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI), becoming a Riley Fellow.…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move

Your local advertising drives higher sales

  June 27, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Local advertising is a small business’s best bet to attract customers, say advertising experts Brian and Michelle Mattingly. A simple, targeted approach to advertising will almost…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

8 questions, millions of answers

  June 19, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Ken Blanchard, co-author of “The One-Minute Manager,” “Raving Fans” and other books, has a challenge for us. As business owners and community leaders, we need to…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Four Common Mistakes When Engaging The Media

  June 17, 2019

By Heather Matthews NP Strategy   In all my years as a journalist, it never failed: 5:50 p.m. and my work phone would ring.  Did the caller not know we…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications

Can Absolut vodka teach us anything?

  June 12, 2019
Jerry Bellune

By Jerry Bellune   Have your products and services become commodities? Are you forced to compete on price, discounts and other concessions? Take a lesson from a former dish washer…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz   Category: advice, marketing-and-communications