Fall 2011
Greetings!
 
MORE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH PIC     
 
Elizabeth Trew







Elizabeth Trew,
PIC Director of Communications

 

We listened to you

 

Our members told us they didn't have enough networking opportunities at our monthly meetings. We responded by adding facilitated networking and providing one member at each monthly meeting with the opportunity to showcase his or her business. The feedback so far has been positive. Members have told us that they are pleased with the changes we've made and that they meet more new people at monthly meetings now. 

Holiday cheer

In December, members and guests can participate in "Show, Share and Socialize" to talk about their businesses. Afterwards, we'll head to the TIFF Bell Lightbox for some holiday cheer!

Want to improve your visibility? 

PIC is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to serve as Director, Membership and Events.

He or she will take over the position from Amy Sept, a self-confessed "geek," who is moving on to replace Gary Schlee as PIC's Social Media Director. Thanks to Amy for her work in the membership and events portfolio. And thanks to Gary for his work in giving PIC a sustainable social media presence.

Check the Help Wanted section in this newsletter for the Director, Membership and Events volunteer job description.

 

Looking for speakers for PIC workshops
If you've attended a presentation or heard someone speak on a topic that could be of interest to PIC members, contact us at [email protected]. We're always looking for new ideas.
 

In This Issue (links)
More networking opportunities through PIC
Save the date!
September program report
October program report
Help wanted
Blogging opportunity
What's up?
Quick Links
Tidbits of Knowledge

IABC/Toronto members and non-members can now access our Professional Independent Communicators - Toronto blog and check out content by your peers and event podcasts.

Upcoming events:

"Show, share and socialize" 

Writers needed

We'd love to hear from you if you're interested in becoming a volunteer writer for PIC or IABC/Toronto's Communicator

PIC's mission & the buzz
PIC's mission is to support independent IABC/Toronto communicators through professional development, networking and marketing.

The buzz is PIC's e-newsletter, intended to inform independent communicators about our activities, share professional development tips from past meetings and keep us aware of what's going on.
Join Our Mailing List!

marketingSAVE THE DATE!

 

Do your fellow PIC members know about your business? Come to PIC's first "Show, Share and Socialize" event to share your story. Afterwards, join us for some holiday cheer at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, just a stone's throw away!    

 

Date:               Wednesday, December 7, 2011

 

Time & Place:  6:00 to 7:30 pm for "Show and Share" at Metro Hall, Room 303 (55 John Street) 
                       

                       7:30 pm to ? for socializing with your fellow PIC members at TIFF Bell Lightbox

                       (Blackberry Lounge), 350 King Street West

 

Price:              Reduced pricing for the holiday season!

                       $12.50 + HST for members and $22.50 + HST for non-members

 

For information on how to prepare for the event or what to bring, listen to a podcast of PIC chair Donna Papacosta interviewing PIC director of programming Pat Davies.

 

If you want to showcase your business or need more information, email [email protected].  

 

REGISTER NOW! 

SEPTEMBER PROGRAM REPORT

Marketing on a Tight Budget
 
By Sheldon Gordon
 
Tom Kaufmann, the founder of TK Enterprises Inc., a sales and marketing consulting firm, advises PIC members to market themselves as "problem-solvers" rather than simply as communicators.

 

In his wide-ranging Marketing on a Tight Budget presentation on September 7th at Metro Hall, he told a PIC audience to "promote your expertise along with your products and services."

 

He suggested members who cold call use a script to introduce themselves and ask prospects questions in order to draw them out. "The more you talk, the less you learn," he cautioned.

 

continued.... 

OCTOBER PROGRAM REPORT

Using social media to grow your business  

 

Does social media bring in business?

 

For PIC panelists Susan Crossman, Andrew Schiestel and Amy Sept, the answer is a resounding yes! For both Susan and Amy, social media is their main source of referrals; for Andrew, social media is his business.    

 

About six months after writer Susan Crossman of Crossman Communications started blogging, people started noticing and contacted her. Susan reports three quarters of her revenue comes directly or indirectly through her social media channels and feels her time spent blogging and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter is more than worthwhile.

continued...  

 

For a more detailed write-up including benefits of being active in social media and dos and don'ts, go to PIC member Sue Horner's event review, Social media can be magic

 

helpHELP WANTED: DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
 
PIC is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to serve as Director, Membership and Events.   

Responsibilities for this position include:
  • Maintaining and updating PIC membership list
  • Providing outreach for PIC members
  • Drafting, distributing and analyzing PIC's online membership survey
  • Promoting PIC membership in online PIC marketplace
  • Assisting the director of programming with event logistics
If you're interested or want more information, contact PIC Chair Donna Papacosta at [email protected].
iabcblog BLOGGING OPPORTUNITY

Want to showcase your writing skills? 

 

PIC members can write for fun, share success stories or provide valuable information on the IABC/Toronto chapter blog. IABC/Toronto blogAs an added bonus, you can link your blog posting to your own blog or website to drive traffic to your business.  

 

So start typing away! If you need more convincing, read 10 reasons why you need to write here, by blog co-moderator Barb Sawyers.   

 

If you have any questions, please contact Barb at [email protected] or co-moderator Neil Hrab at [email protected].

WHAT'S UP?
 
What'sUpimage
What are you up to?

Copywriter and blogger Susan Crossman of Crossman Communications is thrilled her first novel, Shades of Teale, is scheduled to hit the market in late November. Watch Susan's website for more details regarding the launch and purchase of her book! Susan specializes in writing with clarity. She produces speeches, newsletters, web content, media releases and biographical profiles for corporate clients.  

Please send your What's Up! news to Elizabeth Trew at [email protected]. Keep your blurb to 60 words or fewer! If you wish, you can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile, website or blog (only one link, please).

IABC-logo.buzz

PIC is a special interest group of IABC Toronto. As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC Toronto provides access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. IABC helps people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication. For more information, visit the
IABC website.
Don't forget to connect with us on the web: pictoronto.com