Resources for making the most of your message
The resources on this page are designed to equip visitors with basic principles for achieving public relations success. Just as important, these resources can help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls as well.
As always, contact us to talk about how to apply these and other strategies to successfully achieve your goals!
How will AI impact the future of public relations?
It’s a fair question, and one I’m being asked more and more frequently. Until now, I’ve been responding by telling people about how my personal interactions with AI have left me wanting more quality, more insight and better syntax. In short, I’m safe because AI just isn’t up to par (yet). . . it’s the “yet” that needles at me.
How can I help?*
It’s an easy question to ask. It’s a good question to ask. But it’s often a very difficult question to answer. My job centers on getting my clients from where they are now to where they want to be. In order to do that effectively, I need to learn more than just the facts about my clients. I also need to learn their voices, cultures and values.
You need PR help. Do you hire a consultant, an agency or an employee?
Full disclosure: I’m an independent consultant, so I have obvious biases (“Pick me!”). Having said that, I’ve also been a full-time staff member, and I often subcontract with public relations agencies. The fact is consumers face real pros and cons with each option. Let’s discuss some of them.
A potentially unpopular word about content creation
We’ve been warned that it’s better not to say anything unless you have something to say. And yet, here we are, pushing ourselves to constantly create more and more content. Is it possible that less actually is more? Sometimes, those who speak the least are the ones we anticipate hearing the most.
Eliminate (or at least reduce) single points of failure
It seems safe to assume everyone who leads a team has thought at one point or another, “We can’t afford to lose Team Member X. He/She is the only person who knows how to do/run/operate ABC. No one else can do it.”
What if each function of your team came with a written set of instructions? What if there was a central location, accessible by your whole team, where you kept up-to-date manuals that, if followed, would make it possible for anyone to step in and perform the basic essential functions of each team member?
Five foundations of a winning social media strategy
A strong social media presence is never an accident. Like anything in life, it will help to have good timing and good luck, but it’s funny how timing and luck seem to favor those who work hard and are strategic about their efforts. So, how do you develop a winning strategy?
Grow your podcast audience in 10 easy steps
Starting and maintaining a podcast is no easy feat. But the work doesn’t stop there. Once your pod is up and running, you also need to be strategic about how and when you promote it in order to gain and grow a followership.
What does a public relations consultant do?
It turns out that introducing oneself as a public relations consultant is not self-explanatory. It occurred to me that if I have to explain it at parties, it probably couldn’t hurt to explain it here as well. Public relations is a lot of things you might expect (press releases, of course!). It’s also a lot of things you might not.
What’s the difference between marketing and public relations?
To the uninitiated, marketing and public relations might seem to be one and the same. Yet, there are significant differences that set the two practices apart from one another. While marketing and public relations are natural partners that sometimes seep over into one another’s spaces, they do have different objectives and they often employ different strategies.
The subtle art of steering an interview
There is a natural power imbalance to any interview, if for no other reason than because interviewees are subject to the questions of interviewers. If and when you find yourself in the shoes of the interviewee, knowing how to deftly pivot conversations back to your main points is an invaluable skill to have.
Three key principles of crisis communication
Every crisis is different and each requires a unique plan of action. However, these general principles can apply to most any situation involving an organization that places a high value on transparency, honesty and trustworthiness.
Eliminate “crutch” words, sounds and phrases in three steps
We are all guilty of sprinkling crutch words, sounds and phrases into our speech. So, look, it’s like, you know, ummm, right?
Need I say more?
At best, over reliance on crutch words, sounds and phrases can be downright irritating for listeners. At worst, it can negate any chance of them remembering what you said, because they’re so focused on how poorly you said it. Here are three steps to help you eliminate the crutch words, sounds and phrases that are sabotaging your speech.
When to send a press release (and when not to send one)
Reporters and editors have a non-stop influx of information to sort through when determining what to cover. Here are a few suggestions to consider when deciding whether (or not) your press release stands a chance of getting their attention.
Why is our communications team so grumpy?
The term “communications” is so vague, there is limitless potential for scope creep. If the skills, roles and responsibilities of the communications team are not mutually understood, clearly defined, respected and protected, the situation will become untenable quickly. If you are intent on hiring a “jack of all trades,” I guarantee you will end up with a very resentful master of none.
Tips for better on-camera interviews
Speaking on camera is not as easy as it sometimes looks. Most people are not “naturals” at appearing “natural.”