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Greetings! 
It's hard to believe it's already August. In this month's Vibe, we reflect on some of our favorite summer moments and of course, provide you with helpful information.
- The Vollrath Associates Team |
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7 Tips for Running a Successful Press Event
Disaster can strike at any minute when conducting a press event. Cranky reporters, uncooperative speakers, difficult props, hecklers. Take your pick. Follow these 7 steps to make sure your next press event goes smoothly...or at least without any major crises!
1. Choose your venue carefully: Is it easy to find? How will it look in photos or on film? If it rains will you have to cancel? Will the venue support props? If you need to move around, will camera equipment be able to move too?
2. Keep the set-up neat and tidy: The last thing you want is people tripping over cameras or chords and  disrupting the event.
3. Communicate with staff or volunteers: Make sure everyone is on the same page and understands his or her role in making the event successful. Exchange cell phone numbers and communicate duties and responsibilities before the event starts.
4. Provide the necessities: What the necessities are will depend on the event itself. They can range from power outlets to work space for journalists.
5. Have a back-up plan: No matter how prepared you are, something could always go wrong. You might need extra security for overly excited on-lookers or an additional microphone in case the primary mic doesn't work the day of.
6. Refreshments, especially if it's hot: No one likes to be thirsty. Make sure you have plenty of water and refreshments on hand for attendees and journalists, especially if you are planning a longer event outside without any shaded areas.
7. Freebies: Everybody loves a giveaway. Put your logo on something small and useful to make sure your company is remembered after the press event concludes.
Article adapted from Ragan PR Daily's "7 Tips for Successful Press Event," by Sandy Jackiewicz. |
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Social Media Sins Every Company Should Avoid
For most companies, sites like Twitter and Facebook are no longer the new kids on the block, but that doesn't mean social media tactics are always executed properly. Aside from having an overall strategy, the day-to-day aspects of social media like posting, commenting and tweeting deserve attention too. Having the wrong content, following the wrong people or constantly broadcasting your brand are just three of many social media sins companies run the risk of making every time they log-on.
Failure to focus on content: Every thought and every message must be focused on the content you are conveying. When deciding what to say, keep in mind the audience, the purpose and the time frame.
Self-serving comments: There is a fine line between being helpful and being self-promotional. Social media is about conversation and engagements, not promoting your brand every chance you can get. Some companies research blogs and post comments only as a way to promote their content. As a general rule, it's best to leave out any promotional jargon and only add comments to blogs or sites that contribute to the overall discussion.
All about me: Don't treat social media sites as if they are your brand's personal news station. Instead, approach social media as a two-way conversation and look for opportunities to engage, rather than solely broadcast news about your company. In addition, listen to conversations and participate when appropriate.
It's not a competition: Unless you're a top personality, be selective with whom you follow. Just because someone follows you or your company, does not mean you have to follow them back. When it comes to relationship building, choose quality over quantity.
Hit and run: These are the people who join communities, like LinkedIn groups, and only post discussions or response that relate to their company. Once they've hit, they run to the next group.
Now you see me, now you don't: When individuals or companies first begin participating on social media sites they become very excited. They tend to join a lot of groups, jump in Twitter chats and comment everywhere. However, once the initial hype fades, their participating dies down until they eventually disappear. For corporate brands and businesses, it's important to have a calendar of content and several individuals contributing to your social media channels. Social media is a marathon, not a sprint.
Political ad campaign syndrome: If you're looking for ways to bash the competition, don't do it on social media. Retweeting negative tweets about your competition or making negative comments about them on consumer blogs are not the way to get ahead.
Exerpts Adapted from Ragan PR Daily's "5 social media sins every company should avoid" by CeCe Salomon-Lee
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Milwaukee Air & Water Show Delivers Plenty of Thrills
Milwaukeeans were abuzz as powerful planes thundered through the sky and office buildings shook...the 2011 Milwaukee Air & Water Show was on its way.
True to the hype, this year's show provided plenty of thrills, in the air and on the water. Thousands marveled as the huge B1-B Lancer swept through the air with speed and power and as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds tore up the skies with precision.
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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in action! |
Amidst all the aerobatics, the Vollrath Associates team worked hard to make sure all media interviews and opportunities were ready for takeoff. Highlights included: media rides on the KC-135 Stratotanker as it refueled the Thunderbirds in air, exclusive, one-on-one interviews with performers and amazing footage from each day's events.
Leading up to the weekend, the VA team created buzz on the show's active Facebook and Twitter accounts where excited fans asked questions, shared their favorite acts and received the latest information. Throughout the show, the team was active on Facebook and Twitter, posting real-time information and highlights.
While events like this are hard work, it was a lot of fun and very rewarding. The countdown for the 2012 Milwaukee Air & Water Show is already underway. In the meantime, check out the Air & Water Show's Facebook page for awesome photos and videos from 2011!
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Blog: The VA Team Gets Festive at Festa Italiana!
Festa Italiana, where to start? Visit our blog to get the inside scoop on meeting TLC's Cake Boss, sampling the incredible food, new learning experiences, working with the media and every crazy moment in between!
#TeamVA enjoying Festa! |
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What we've been up to this month...
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Don't worry, Jessica's working! |
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Lots of media at Festa...and good food. |
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Jessica and Phil hanging out with the Thunderbirds. |
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Vollrath Associates, Inc. is an award-winning full-service public and investor relations agency. We help our clients effectively communicate their story, every day, to customers, employees, shareholders and communities. |
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