Articles

PR Tips and Tricks That You Can Use Today

 

Attracting Media Coverage

Reporters are always looking for compelling stories. You can help them and, at the same time, win press coverage for your products, services, organization or cause.  Every organization, including yours, has newsworthy information. Sometimes you just have to dig a bit to get to it. Here are seven suggestions that will help you find the stories within your organization that you can pitch to get positive press attention: MORE

 

Radio is the Most Intimate Medium. Use It!

 

Comedian Bob Newhart -- in his TV sitcom ages ago -- did what I consider to be the best routine ever about a hapless guy being interviewed on TV for the first time. Before the interview, the female host assures him that he'll get softball questions about how he helps people as a psychiatrist. They joke around and make small talk before the show. But once the cameras are on, the interviewer fires off one blistering question after another, leaving Newhart confused, defensive, blushing and, finally, speechless. MORE

Win Big at Trade Shows

 

Trade shows can be a real boost not only for uncovering prospects but for your overall visibility as an organization. Before you go though, you need to be well prepared. Good prep means finding the right audiences, setting realistic budgets, getting high-visibility booth space and determining who and what will be in your booth. Now is the time to think about using good communication tools to boost your visibility. Here are a few items you may want to put on your to-do list: MORE

Acing Media Interviews Like a Pro

 

Before the Interview

Congratulations! You're going to be interviewed for an article or a broadcast. If you are new to working with the media, you probably want to practice getting a few key messages into your answers. What do you want your audience (customers, potential customers, investors, etc.) to learn about you? Here are a few short tips on what to do before and during the interview. MORE

 

The Secret to Everything: Messages

 

Remember the "telephone" circle game we used to play as kids? You'd whisper into the ear of your friend something like: "Alf doesn't know where Kate went” and, after making its way from person to person, the phrase would come out of the last kid's mouth as "Kate would make a great president." The same thing happens in business. That's because many companies -- even large, well-established ones – often can't find the the time to 1) define their company in writing so it can be understood, and then 2) create a good, solid set of messages. Instead, information gets passed around, e-mail by e-mail, conversation by conversation, until every unit in the company might be saying different things about products and services -- the business development people are telling potential customers one thing, the marketers are saying another and the CEO, something else entirely. MORE

 

Make Your Business Writing Sparkle

Good business writing can boost your company's profitability and reputation. The more your customers and prospects understand the value you provide, the more likely they are to make the "right" buying decision.  Whether it be in the form of emails, Web sites, presentations, exhibits or print materials such as marketing kits, letters, contracts, speeches, press releases, or case studies -- clear, concise business writing is part of your communication mix, so make it work for you.  Here are a few steps to get your organization's writing into shape and keep it that way.  MORE

 

How to Measure Your Public Relations ROI

How do you know you are getting a good return on your
investment of time and money in your public relations activities?
Getting a cause-effect breakdown (knowing whichpart
of your PR is responsible for which part of the newfound success of your business) is not an exact science, but it is an art form that has developed considerably over the past decade as businesses demand to know their return on investment in every facet of their organizations.  MORE