Greetings!
It's a great time to start planning a retreat--and not just from the summertime heat. Our cool customers have been asking for communications-focused sessions:
- Professional development and skills-building for communications teams, from presentation and speaking skills to consistent media pitching approaches.
- Strategy sessions on new and social media, and how they can enhance your outreach. We recommend you get everyone--naysayers included--in the room for this one! We can add training in blogging or social networking to any strategy session, so you can get started all the sooner.
- Strategic planning for communications teams, whether you are bringing a new team together or anticipating an important event, such as new leadership or a major campaign.
You can catch me speaking on trends in new and social media on August 14 to the Washington, DC, chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Registration details will be here shortly.
Sincerely,
President |
| Bury These Pitching Practices
Reporters and Bloggers Want Fewer Calls, Emails |
 On two recent panels for PRSA and Washington Women in Public Relations, I helped bloggers and reporters share their "don'ts" for media and blogger relations. Bloggers are aggressively outing PR practitioners who over-pitch, using wikis and photos of the worst offenders in their email inboxes. Reporters, long the recipients of followup calls they don't want, threw up their hands on this one--but point out they'd have more time to cover stories if they weren't sifting through followup calls and emails. Both panels included insights that will help you hone your media relations skills. Read more on why you should stop pitching to bloggers (and what to do instead), then move on to read more on what print reporters think about common reasons you make a followup call. |
| Let the Campaigns Teach You New Media Tips
Ideas and Pitfalls You Can Learn Without Taking Sides |
 Presidential campaigns have long been early adopters of new communications technology, from the postage stamp to television. Today, you can learn valuable lessons just by watching the campaigns compete in three key areas:
- Creating an image that rings true: With more Americans than ever seeking out online videos and deeper documentation of where you stand, authenticity matters--and may mean you need a less polished, more forthright image. Read more on the authentic image here.
- Correcting the record with social networks: You'll hear fewer candidates saying they won't dignify misinformation with a comment--they're using social networking sites to help their fans put out fact-fires. Read more on modern corrections here.
- Managing shifts in your public speaking style: Stepping into the spotlight in a new role means these leaders need to step up their speaking game. In one candidate's case, that means using more technology and scripted messages. How should you anticipate similar changes in your speaking plans? Read more on adjusting your speaking style here.
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