When it comes to brand building, taking on the tasks best left to an advertising agency yourself can be quite challenging. Let’s face it, there are only so many hours in the day and when you are busy running your business do you have the time to also be your own best public relations person, too?

Brand Building with The Right Advertising Agency

Branding your product or service isn’t just about how great your logo looks. Hiring a great Public Relations (PR) agency not only takes that major chore off your shoulders, but ensures your business is highlighted in the best possible manner. Sure the saying goes, “Any publicity is good publicity,” but isn’t it a whole lot better when the word “out there” about what you do falls only into the outstanding category? Of course!

The Right Advertising Agency For the Job

The only potential problem an individual or business can run into is choosing the wrong agency to help you out. You need to make sure that the Advertising Agency you select understands that one false move can tarnish a reputation faster than… well a speeding bullet.

You need to select an advertising agency that is familiar with all the proper methods to build your brand. The agency should be well adapted to handle such items as news releases, increasing awareness within your community, ensuring that goodwill is automatically associated with your business, and that it works well with local and online media (as just a few examples).

The reverse side of the coin is also hiring the right firm who knows how to put out fires so to speak. Called a crisis management plan, should your business fall under “attack,” the right public relations firm knows how to calmly and effectively put out that fire.

Whether you are building a business online or have a physical brick and mortar company, hiring a public relations team translates into expansion. And, it goes without saying, that as long as the advertising agency you select is doing their job, your business expansion grows, too.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.

Currently, I’m one of the few left on the planet that does not (apparently) own a cell phone. However, due to living arrangements around here, getting a mobile phone is moving higher and higher up on my list of “must haves”. My reason is simple… I no longer trust my car. Sad but true (and a whole other story).

So today when I came across Boost Mobile I jumped at the opportunity to see what programs and services they provide.

One feature I noticed right off the bat was the ability to manage my account online. Their other options also include paying in person or paying by phone, but I’m partial to online access. It’s easier to keep records that way (and if you run a business online that comes in very handy). Called Re-Boost, you can use either a credit card or your debit card, or just eliminate the “worry” completely and sign up for automatic payments.

That out of the way, in my brain, I wanted to see what types of phones are available. Of course, the ever popular Blackberry is one of many choices in phones, and also has a very attractive monthly plan.

What I love about the Blackberry offer in particular is the “unlimited” idea. I mean how in the world would anyone be able to guess how many minutes they will or will not use each month? Having unlimited, nationwide coverage is best. Being able to talk, text, browse the internet and check email… all critical features to me.

I just found another MUST HAVE feature to me… No contracts! Boost Mobile is looking better and better the more I look around their website, yeah!

So it comes down to price. Keep in mind, I’ve shopped around – both online and offline – and I like what I see at Boost Mobile (and I’m willing to bet you will, too). In fact, their Blackberry Unlimited is so attractive, I’m not even going to post the price – you’ll want to visit for yourself (it’s that good)!

Let’s face it, you’d have to be blind to not have noticed the wide-spread use of mobile technology. While I advocate strongly NOT talking and texting while driving, I do see real value in staying connected say via Facebook or Twitter, and especially checking emails, when one is not sitting at home on the computer. Heck, with unlimited everything, you can even take your Blackberry into the living room, and during television commercials, keep up with your social life and/or your business.

Sounds like real freedom to me!

Again, I’m shopping. But Boost Mobile’s Reboost program is looking like a clear winner to me

Nothing beats using all forms of communication at your disposal when it comes to marketing and advertising. And mobile marketing is a great option to add to your array of reaching out to others this year.

Millions text daily, and many marketers are finding their bottom lines increasing through the use of this simple, yet highly effective, form of communication.

And, of course, marketing is not the sole purpose to texting. For example, the use of short codes can also be applied to any arena. Imagine how highly effective it becomes when schools and colleges use this lightening fast way of passing important messages! Student-teacher interactions happen at almost the speed of light! Class canceled? Voila you know! Campus security issues, again in a flash you are notified! Assignments altered? Due dates delayed? Again, using 8444.com, you (the student) are informed in a snap.

Actually, I am going through their site, and quite frankly there are just so many ways to use their service – too many in fact to list them all (hence for more about short codes, click that link). Their list of applications and vertical markets is quite extensive! And, with your own creativity and imagination, this large list has plenty of room to grow!

So is 2010 the year you incorporate mobile marketing? There’s just one way to find out. Find out if your mobile phone carrier includes the 8444.com service. You’ll find a comprehensive list (current as of December 1, 2009) here at 84444 Supported Carriers.

Pull out all the stops! Use all available methods of communication at (literally) your fingertips, and see what an exciting year this one becomes for you, your family, and your business online!

This morning I ran across a website (scrub that “Qlog”) that has me not truly confused, but a tad at a loss for my typically gregarious posts.

First, I’d never heard the term “qlog” before now (I’ll explain in a minute), and when I arrived at amyafrica.com, and started reading a rather lengthy (and crazy) story about beaches, birkin bags, and gabby individuals, I figured it was just a “personal blog” filled with someone’s stories.

However, I was wrong. What you will find is a combination of what Amy is calling “99% queries and quintessentials, 1% quibblings.”

Which means when you arrive at the qlog (the one I read is called Puttin’ Spanx on a Sidewinder!”, you’ll first encounter a highly detailed account of the above mentioned story of Hermes Birkin Bags on the beach.

BUT… right when you get to wondering what this is all about, there at the bottom are “5 Things Customers Really Do Care About.” This is a solid section of seo and marketing information.

So above you get an entertaining story, below you get useful information to help you navigate the world of seo, consumer confidence, and essential tools for doing business online.

Amy’s entire qlog is filled with similar entries. Another interestingly strange mix is the post about Why Epiphanies Never Occur to Couch Potatoes,” accompanied below with more solid marketing advice on how to get your visitors to click.

Of course the whole premise of this new qlog is give and take. You can make use of her “Ask Amy A Question” link, interact yourself by commenting on her qlog, etc.

An entirely different perspective on the use of blogging and combining “social community participation” that I encourage you to experience for yourself

Click here to visit http://www.amyafrica.com