Whenever I’m discussing public relations services with a potential or new client, one of the most common questions I hear is, “How are you going to measure the results?” I try to tackle this question before it’s asked, because in a world where we’re inundated with data, clients expect everything to be quantified. To a certain extent, media relations is no different, but it’s not a perfect science. So, how can you measure the results of your media relations campaign? Placements One of the most fundamental ways of measuring the…

There are a number of articles giving advice on “how to get a placement in the Wall Street Journal in just three steps!” (or some variation of that). This is great for the small business owner or startup that can’t necessarily afford the services of a PR professional, but wants to take initiative and build brand awareness. However, it’s not as simple as it seems. Piecing together a multi-faceted media relations strategy takes work, time and preparation – even before you begin reaching out to reporters. It’s important to organize,…

PR professionals – what can we expect in 2015?  This morning’s PRSA Capital Region event, “Communicators on Communications,” gave us some answers. A panel of four expert public relations professionals discussed the major news stories of 2014, and what we can expect in the New Year. The speakers included: Jonathan Pierce, founder and president of Pierce Communications Paul Larrabee, executive VP and managing director of Corning Place Communications Liz Grimes, public relations director at Overit Jake Dumesnil, managing partner at Gramercy Communications How these experts landed in the field of…

 Scenario #1: Your company has big announcements. Press opportunities. Special events. Who is your company’s spokesperson? Scenario #2: Your company is facing criticism. A crisis. An unexpected turn of events. Who is your company’s spokesperson? Scenario #3: Your company is talked about online and in-person every day, with your sales team, the people at your front desks and cash registers, the people handling your social media accounts. In these cases, who isn’t your spokesperson? The people that speak – and act – on behalf of your brand are critically important….

You can build a great business or service, but if nobody knows about it, it’ll never take off. Attending industry events, such as conferences and award shows, is an impactful way to solidify your presence and voice as an industry leader, network with peers and continue to build awareness of your company. Regardless of what sector your company falls in, there are likely hundreds of events to choose from regionally, nationally or worldwide. With the following advice and a bit of research, you can determine where your attendance is going…

Looking for a good read and inspirational message, I recently added The Promise of a Pencil, by Adam Braun, to my summer reading list. The New York Time’s bestseller depicts how Braun founded his nonprofit Pencils of Promise (PoP), which while starting small, has since constructed 226 schools around the world. The Promise of a Pencil is a story about following your dreams, making a difference and finding your passion. Think about your own marketing and mission. How are you (and your brand) making a difference? Braun raised a number…

The overarching goal of public relations is a simple one – keep your clients in the news. This concept is made complex with an endless number of execution strategies. One approach that works well (especially when your clients don’t have their own news to share) is to leverage the trending stories already in the news and use it to insert your clients into the conversation. Choose the right news story for your client Humans by nature talk a lot, so articles are constantly being published, leaving an overcrowded news space….

The old idiom goes, “Nice guys finish last,” but in the field of public relations, that is certainly not the case. Despite many preconceived notions about PR professionals, to be successful in this industry you need to be professional, relatable and approachable. It goes beyond being nice – if you’re not likeable, you’re not going anywhere. Public relations professionals are often associated with images of up-tight young women wearing all black and heels as they work as the gatekeepers at high-profile events. Another visual that may come to mind is…