 When we are representing a brand, we have two primary areas of focus that we prioritize every day. 1. Establish and Protect the Brand. 2. Create a lasting bond between the brand and the public they seek to attract. Today we would like to focus on the protection of the brand and how it directly affects your bottom line. With the current state of affairs, small business owners must be conscious of the dangers that their businesses face. As businesses depend more on technology infrastructure and cloud operations, the vulnerabilities of these systems are being exploited by cybercriminals. While cyberattacks reported in the media mainly focus on large corporations, the reality is small businesses, with fewer resources and less technical expertise, are often seen as easy targets for cyberattacks.
Ransomware is a specific type of malware that infects and restricts access to a computer until some sort of ransom is provided. Ransomware will commonly encrypt data on the victim's device and demand money in return for a promise to restore the data. Ransomware exploits unpatched vulnerabilities in software and is usually delivered through phishing emails. Most of us have heard about phishing emails for years. Phishing is another type of cyberattack that uses email or a malicious website to infect your computer or system with malware or to collect sensitive information. Phishing emails appear as though they’ve been sent from a legitimate organization or known individual. These emails often entice users to click on a link or open an attachment containing malicious code. Be very cautious about opening links from unknown sources. If something seems suspicious from a known source, don’t just click on it - ask the source directly if it's legitimate. Cybercriminals assume that weaker security measures will make small businesses easier to crack than larger enterprises and the statistics seem to support this: -82% of ransomware attacks in 2021 were against companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. -In 2020 alone, there were over 700,000 attacks against small businesses, totaling $2.8 billion in damages. -75% of SMBs could not continue operating if they were hit with ransomware. -59% of small business owners with no cybersecurity measures in place believe their business is too small to be attacked. -55% of people in the U.S. would be less likely to continue doing business with companies that are breached. For most small businesses, just one cyberattack could mean losses and damages that are irrecoverable. To combat the threat of a cyberattack, consider taking these simple actions to beef up your cybersecurity: -Use security software. -Train your employees. -Practice good login/password techniques. -Keep your systems up to date. -Restrict access to sensitive data Make sure your company has a policy in place for the steps to be taken should an employee’s computer become infected with a virus. Train your employees to be able to recognize fake antivirus warning messages. Malware is a sneaky program that can obtain information by making its way onto devices via the Internet, social media, email, attachments, and downloads. For example, key-logging malware can track everything the user types on their keyboard. This means cybercriminals could access bank accounts, customer information, passwords, and other company-sensitive information. Make sure to keep your security software up-to-date to help prevent malware from sneaking onto your system and networks. As threats continue to evolve, so will ways to combat them. It’s clear that developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy is far from a straightforward task. But with the combination of reliable systems, clearly defined processes, training, and strong compliance techniques you can keep your company safe from those who wish it harm. If you have questions or concers about your brand's safety, Mango Media offers free consultations. 
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 "If you can be anything, be efficient."
Spring cleaning your business means reevaluating your advertising strategies as well as taking a close look at your expenses and yearly numbers. Are your current tactics working? Are there areas where you can cut costs? Do you need to shift your focus to a different platform? Are you meeting your financial goals for the year? These are essential questions to ask yourself as a business owner. Use this time to create a budget for the rest of the year and set achievable goals for your company. Take a look at your analytics and see which channels are bringing in the most traffic. From there, you can make informed decisions about where to allocate your advertising budget.
 Wondering what we will be chatting about in April?In our next blog post, we will be talking about all thing Security. Cybersecurity, Brand safety, and the importance of protecting your assets. A special thank you to Ember Hennessy for her help with this blog post.Your hard work and dedication to the team is always appreciated.  We have all heard the saying, |
 | Every small business owner, to one degree or another, began their career with a desire to enjoy the journey of owning and growing a small business. The expected, "ups" and "downs", of something new and exciting - the stress of making a mistake and the overwhelming drive to get it right the next time. The values and principles that guide how you manage those around you are directly proportional to the personal drive you have for your profession and your placement within that profession. The brightest and boldest brands in the area are owned and managed by people in our community who not only enjoy their businesses, they have a profound and oftentimes deep-rooted passion for their brand. These individuals lead their brands and employees with commitment and conviction, all while making it look both easy and captivating. So, to the captains of industry who are doing what you love and loving what you do- we salute you! |
"It's not enough to want to be the captain; you've got to love the sea, wind, crew, and the journey."
Back to the Beginning
| We began doing what we love all because we were given a chance by a local small business. Our very first client, Nature's Nuggets Natural Foods was incredibly generous with sharing some of their thoughts on our 4 year long journey together:
|  A huge heart-felt thank you to Alan, Sue, and the entire Nature's Nuggets team for taking a chance on us. 4 years ago we were little more than a name and a dream; since then we have blossomed into a steady growing business with a wide variety clients from both near and far. |
Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new. You never know what you might find that you Love!
Black Owned Business Highlight
| Society American Nosherie Society American Nosherie is a black owned restaurant located right on the Square in Downtown Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Serving up delicious meals since 2015, Jason Grayson and his family own and operate this fantastic restaurant that has quickly become a staple here in our beautiful and historic town. Jason's family has a long standing history serving up delicious food in Lawrence County, they were once the proud owners of Skip's Soul Food Restaurant and have clearly passed on their passion and dedication for feeding their community. With gourmet dishes like the Sam Adams Burger, Fresh Sandwiches, Hearty Ramen Bowls, Garden Salads, Charcuterie Boards and so much more! We have a rich and vibrant history with Society and the Grayson family, having worked on their staff as well as managing their online presence for several years. The entire family is a pleasure to work with and be around. If you're ever in the area we highly recommend that you stop in, grab a drink and #jointheSociety |   A sampling of the incredible food prepared by Society American Nosherie Photos by: Crafted Images |
Join The Cause!
| West Gaines School We wanted to highlight the noble mission of preserving the history of The West Gaines School Community Center with a direct quote from one of the board members, Ms. Thalia Young. "The West Gaines "Colored" School, which was what it was called in the era of Jim Crow, operated from the 30's until the 60's as a school for the black children of our community. When they completed 8th grade, they were required to travel to Mt. Pleasant to complete their high school education. |  |
The building was later used as the Lawrence County Board of Education and then as the Department of Human Services . When these entities moved into other quarters the building was allowed to fall into extreme disrepair.
The West Gaines School Community Center, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit, which wishes to purchase & restore the building to the public as a community center and black history museum!"
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If you are in a place to give, they are always accepting donations towards furthering their goals. They also always accept new members, the next meeting will be Sunday March 5th at 4pm at St. John United Methodist Church; 324 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg, TN.
Black History is not only American History but it is also Lawrence County's history and as such should be preserved and celebrated. A big thank you to Thalia Young for her quote and for answering our questions.
Members include:
President - James Wallace
Vice President - James Dailey
Secretary - Onezean Otey
Treasurer - Thalia Young
Click the button below to read more about the cause and see photos from their most recent event!
January brings with it a sense of renewal and freshness.
That feeling of beginning another chapter of excitement and growth for you, your family, and your small business.
Small businesses everywhere have just started to leave the financial chasm created by Covid and are profiting again. But every small business owner would still agree, we aren't out of the woods yet.
As a result; we have an easy, free plan we recommend you try ASAP.
This, "New Year, New You", approach has become a type of theme we adopted in the office last year, and it worked. The idea is simple, ask yourself this question,
"If I keep doing my advertising the same way I have for years, do I really expect a better result?".
Often this question has to sit with you. It has to develop and grow into a willingness to try a new approach.
Our agency took this same advice and changed the way we marketed to small business owners; eventually creating interactions and developing contacts who were more qualified and establishing mutually beneficial relationships.
Changing our approach, paid off.
Who knows, maybe this year will be the year you try something new?
Take advantage of the fresh start and use January to create the brand that you want your business to be.
As we move into the new year, it's the perfect time to think about developing a new business plan.
This plan should be a strategy focused on taking your business to the next level.
It should include a clear definition of your company's mission, goals, and objectives - and how you plan to achieve them. You should also include an analysis of past performance and an evaluation of the current market.
This will help you identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals for the future.
It's also important to consider any changes that may affect your plan, such as new regulations or trends in the industry.
Developing a business plan is the first step to better your company and it’s worth taking some time to get it right.
Think about what your company's mission is and how you can achieve it.
Examine your strengths and weaknesses, and create a strategy to capitalize on your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. Consider what trends are happening in the industry and how you can take advantage of them.
This plan should be a strategy focused on taking your business to the next level.
It should include a clear definition of your company's mission, goals, and objectives - and how you plan to achieve them. You should also include an analysis of past performance and an evaluation of the current market.
This will help you identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals for the future.
It's also important to consider any changes that may affect your plan, such as new regulations or trends in the industry.
Developing a business plan is the first step to better your company and it’s worth taking some time to get it right.
Think about what your company's mission is and how you can achieve it.
Examine your strengths and weaknesses, and create a strategy to capitalize on your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. Consider what trends are happening in the industry and how you can take advantage of them.
All hail Viva Magenta!
| The concept of color theory is a compilation of rules and principles employed by creators and designers to establish a connection with their target audience by means of aesthetically pleasing color palettes. It was the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle who first discussed the idea that all colors originate from white and black, and symbolize air, earth, fire, and water. However, Sir Isaac Newton is credited as the inventor of the color wheel in 1666. Neither Newton nor Aristotle likely paid much attention to how colors can affect consumers' buying decisions or the effect of colors on brand recognition, but they set the groundwork for further exploration of color theory and its effects on human psychology and behavior. |  Pantone 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta |
When it comes to marketing, color theory is an essential tool.
It can be used to evoke specific emotions in your audience, and those emotions can lead to tangible benefits such as increased sales and conversion rates.
This is why picking the colors that best match your brand's personality is so important. If your brand is bold and adventurous, bright and cheerful colors will help communicate that. If your brand is more conservative and subdued, you may want to opt for softer, more muted tones. Whatever colors you choose, make sure they're in line with your brand's overarching message and aesthetic.
Take Mango Media PR, for example.
Our brand's personality is vibrant and bold, so we opted for a bright orange and blue color scheme. These colors represent our fun and energetic brand, and it has helped create a lasting impression on our clients.
Don't neglect color theory when it comes to marketing and sales — it can make all the difference.
It can be used to evoke specific emotions in your audience, and those emotions can lead to tangible benefits such as increased sales and conversion rates.
This is why picking the colors that best match your brand's personality is so important. If your brand is bold and adventurous, bright and cheerful colors will help communicate that. If your brand is more conservative and subdued, you may want to opt for softer, more muted tones. Whatever colors you choose, make sure they're in line with your brand's overarching message and aesthetic.
Take Mango Media PR, for example.
Our brand's personality is vibrant and bold, so we opted for a bright orange and blue color scheme. These colors represent our fun and energetic brand, and it has helped create a lasting impression on our clients.
Don't neglect color theory when it comes to marketing and sales — it can make all the difference.
Let's start 2023 off right and make it a year of growth and success for you and your small business.
Mango Media!
| Your brand is more than your business name. It's your reputation. It's what people say about you when you're not in the room. And it's one of your most valuable assets. That's why you need a strong team to help you build and protect your brand. Public relations is all about managing your reputation. It's about building relationships with the media and your customers. It's about creating and maintaining a positive image for your brand. But it's also about responding quickly and effectively to any crisis that might arise. A great PR team can help you get media coverage, setup and design your website, as well as manage your social media accounts. They can also help you respond to any negative publicity. |  |
If you want to protect and strengthen your brand, you need a strong public relations team.
 | The focus of a Public Relations Agency is not something imbued into our cultural psyche or very often discussed in the small business setting. Most people see a PR agency as something large corporations and big-name labels primarily use. A Public Relations Agency, in our opinion, has two primary goals. The first, establish and protect the brand and its image. The second, create a lasting bond between the brand and the public they seek to attract. Both of these tasks are as broad as they are deep and require creative marketing, clever advertising placement, and a team dedicated to you and your brand. Our agency is exclusive to each client as well as their type of business, within their market. We only represent one restaurant, one realtor, one furniture retail store, etc. This level of focus to one client in any given field allows us to dedicate our team to only your needs and goals. |
No matter where you are in the timeline of your small business, an agency representing your brand will only increase the value and reach of your brand. We have helped clients with everything from logos, websites, Facebook ad targeting, google management, print media, billboard advertising, direct mailouts, email marketing and so much more. We take pride in generating every ad & post organically at our agency - that means, every post and advertisement we make for you is very unique to your brand and conveys your company to the public on various platforms.
Okay, It's Public Relations but What Does That Mean??
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At Mango Media PR, we understand that leveraging our expertise in social media can help your small business find a voice, reach your target audience, and increase your customer base.
We understand that social media is a powerful platform to create a community of loyal customers and advocates for your brand.
We are passionate about helping local businesses reach their goals and succeed in their industries. Our team of professionals will work with you to develop an effective social media marketing strategy that will get the attention of your target audience. We will also help you create and share engaging content that will keep your followers engaged and excited about your business.
With Mango Media PR, we are confident that your small business will reach its full potential.
We understand that social media is a powerful platform to create a community of loyal customers and advocates for your brand.
We are passionate about helping local businesses reach their goals and succeed in their industries. Our team of professionals will work with you to develop an effective social media marketing strategy that will get the attention of your target audience. We will also help you create and share engaging content that will keep your followers engaged and excited about your business.
With Mango Media PR, we are confident that your small business will reach its full potential.
Happy Holidays from
Team Mango Media!!
 | When it comes to social media, "sharing" can have several meanings. You may be sharing content for your customers to see but you may also be sharing your experiences with other business in your community. In the spirit of giving, our focus this season is on the importance of sharing the positive experiences when shopping in your local retail community. We are all busy getting ready for the upcoming holiday festivities and oftentimes forget the importance of leaving a review for that yummy restaurant or stylish boutique after you've had yet another positive and memorable experience! |
A Community that Shares is a Community that Cares
| Visitors to our little community will undoubtedly pour over these reviews before adventuring out into the town and will be hanging on every word. Studies show that 81% of visitors to a new town will read reviews before planning their day out. Online reviews are also a key factor in how businesses get ranked when they are searched for on Google. In other words, if you've got a 2-star reviewed business on Google, you probably aren't going to be listed first when someone searches for your business. Positive Reviews are pretty important and an easy way all of us can help each other out. |  |
Sharing is a great way to build your audience while promoting your business.
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great places to start as they allow you to share content with your followers, build local brand awareness, and grow your customer base. You can share a picture of your product or post an article about how it has helped a friend or family member. Share photos of yourself at events or post about things your business is doing to help the community. This helps to establish you as an expert in your field, which can lead to a more trusting relationship between business and consumer.
Another way to build trust is by providing reviews for other people’s products and services. If you have used a product before and found it helpful, it may be worth sharing the experience with other people who may be interested in what you have to say.
This will help create a community of people who understand your needs and can help make buying decisions based on your experience.
By sharing content that others find valuable, you are building quality relationships, which can result in future sales. It’s all about getting the word out there and sharing the love remotely!
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great places to start as they allow you to share content with your followers, build local brand awareness, and grow your customer base. You can share a picture of your product or post an article about how it has helped a friend or family member. Share photos of yourself at events or post about things your business is doing to help the community. This helps to establish you as an expert in your field, which can lead to a more trusting relationship between business and consumer.
Another way to build trust is by providing reviews for other people’s products and services. If you have used a product before and found it helpful, it may be worth sharing the experience with other people who may be interested in what you have to say.
This will help create a community of people who understand your needs and can help make buying decisions based on your experience.
By sharing content that others find valuable, you are building quality relationships, which can result in future sales. It’s all about getting the word out there and sharing the love remotely!
Work, Share, Grow, Repeat.
Sharing your business with the world often requires a lot of work and effort.
From creating a compelling branding strategy to getting the word out about your product, there are many things that you need to do to bring in new customers and grow your business.
One of the most important things that you can do is to build a strong brand identity for your business. What is your "brand identity"? Brand identity is the visible elements of a brand such as color scheme, website design, and a logo that identify and distinguish the brand in a consumer's mind.
This will help to reinforce your message and attract potential customers.
You can read more about the importance of branding in our October blog post.
From creating a compelling branding strategy to getting the word out about your product, there are many things that you need to do to bring in new customers and grow your business.
One of the most important things that you can do is to build a strong brand identity for your business. What is your "brand identity"? Brand identity is the visible elements of a brand such as color scheme, website design, and a logo that identify and distinguish the brand in a consumer's mind.
This will help to reinforce your message and attract potential customers.
You can read more about the importance of branding in our October blog post.
Thankfulness and Gratefulness
We all have so much to be thankful for this year and every year.
Our fantastic clients that trust us with so many of their business decisions.
Our wonderful team here at Mango Media PR.
Loving friends and families.
And our office/home fur babies, just to name a few.
While sharing is definitely an important part of any healthy online presence, it's just as important to share while offline. Good old-fashioned word of mouth is still such a great way to build trust in your community. Hearing that someone was speaking highly of your business is one of the greatest feelings as a business owner. Getting a new client or contact because they were referred to you by someone who was happy with their experience is a delight.
One more way to share the love this season is to donate to a local organization that is dedicated to helping those in your community. As for our community here in Lawrence County, Tennessee, there are several groups with that mission in mind. If you are in a place to give this year, here are a few of our favorite local groups with a focus on helping others.
Our fantastic clients that trust us with so many of their business decisions.
Our wonderful team here at Mango Media PR.
Loving friends and families.
And our office/home fur babies, just to name a few.
While sharing is definitely an important part of any healthy online presence, it's just as important to share while offline. Good old-fashioned word of mouth is still such a great way to build trust in your community. Hearing that someone was speaking highly of your business is one of the greatest feelings as a business owner. Getting a new client or contact because they were referred to you by someone who was happy with their experience is a delight.
One more way to share the love this season is to donate to a local organization that is dedicated to helping those in your community. As for our community here in Lawrence County, Tennessee, there are several groups with that mission in mind. If you are in a place to give this year, here are a few of our favorite local groups with a focus on helping others.
- Kid's Place A Child Advocacy Center - Dedicated to helping children in abusive situations
- The Shelter Inc. - Dedicated to helping those affected by domestic abuse
- Working Dogs for Vets - Dedicated to providing service dogs to Veterans
- Friends of Lawrence County Animals - Dedicated to supporting animal well-fare related missions
- Friends of the Lawrence County Public Library - Dedicated to supporting our local library
- Friends of the David Crockett State Park - Dedicated to supporting our beautiful park
Remember, Shop Local and leave a good review!
 | Fall is the perfect time to try something new. Letting go of old ways of thinking leaves room for new growth. Growth can be as simple as knowing where you want to go, or as complex as knowing the optimal strategy to get you there. |
Why is building your brand important?
Small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy. As such, they have a unique set of challenges and requirements that can make brand management more difficult than larger businesses. For one thing, the smaller size means there is less room for error. It also means that small business owners have more limited resources to put towards advertising and promotion.
One of the most important things small business owners can do is establish an effective brand management system. This will allow them to monitor their company’s performance across all areas, from sales to customer service. This help's identify new opportunities for growth and improvement before they become a necessity. It will also be much easier to spot any irregularities before they become problems.
An effective branding strategy is crucial to the success of any small business because, without a well-thought-out strategy, it’s easy for your brand to get lost in the crowded marketplace.
The right brand can attract new customers, inspire confidence in your products and services, and help to build your reputation as a trusted business.
This is where Mango Media comes in.
Mango Media strives to provide an affordable alternative to an on-staff marketing hire. Our team not only monitors your entire online presence, we also provide you with new ideas for expansion.
Since its founding in 2017, Mango Media has helped dozens of local small business owners reach their goals of increasing sales, growing their online presence and creating enduring branding campaigns configured to reach their customers on all the available platforms.
We're always up for the challenge of learning something new and growing with you.
An effective branding strategy is crucial to the success of any small business because, without a well-thought-out strategy, it’s easy for your brand to get lost in the crowded marketplace.
The right brand can attract new customers, inspire confidence in your products and services, and help to build your reputation as a trusted business.
This is where Mango Media comes in.
Mango Media strives to provide an affordable alternative to an on-staff marketing hire. Our team not only monitors your entire online presence, we also provide you with new ideas for expansion.
Since its founding in 2017, Mango Media has helped dozens of local small business owners reach their goals of increasing sales, growing their online presence and creating enduring branding campaigns configured to reach their customers on all the available platforms.
We're always up for the challenge of learning something new and growing with you.
Getting into the Holiday Spirit
| As a business owner, you know that we are coming upon the busiest season of the year. Everyone is shopping which means that everyone is online; looking for ideas and inspiration. Searching for everything from gifts to food, travel and decorations; the holiday list goes on and on... Social media has become the new, "hang-out" spot. It's where you share this year's family photos and grandma's bread recipe. It's also where we talk about our favorite (and least favorite!) places to eat, shop, workout, and so much more... |  |
Whether your goal is to get people in your door or just onto your website, the best course of action is to make sure your brand is represented uniformly and accurately across all available platforms.
Your customers are more likely to click on a link to your website if they identify with the image you present to them. They're more likely to stay on your website if it is organized and aesthetically pleasing.
All of those same people are more likely to go into your physical store when their online experience with your brand creates a lasting impression.
This creates a more stringent standard for quality and consistency across all aspects of the business.
Your customers are more likely to click on a link to your website if they identify with the image you present to them. They're more likely to stay on your website if it is organized and aesthetically pleasing.
All of those same people are more likely to go into your physical store when their online experience with your brand creates a lasting impression.
This creates a more stringent standard for quality and consistency across all aspects of the business.
Our goal is to see your business succeed.
We can't succeed if you don't succeed.
With that in mind, try something new this holiday season.
Growing your business is only a phone call away.
With that in mind, try something new this holiday season.
Growing your business is only a phone call away.
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Alexis Walker-Story
Josh Story
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