Are Photo Networks Worth Your Time?

While often thought of as another way to broaden a company’s reach, are photo networks like Pinterest and Instagram really worth a business’ time? With 48.7 million users on Pinterest and 100 million users on Instagram, it seems companies may be missing a trick if they don’t work to leverage these popular tools. But, without a clear strategy in place and reasonable expectations, they might not be as successful as they’d like.

Google Trends Show PR Insights

Google Trends may be one of my new favorite tools. Not only is interesting to see fluctuations in hot topics of the day or things you’re interested in, but it’s great for PR campaign measurement too. Something public relations professionals constantly struggle with is showing ROI on media campaigns, which are often more tangential in nature. But, thanks to tools like Google Analytics, which can (hopefully) show traffic spikes on clients’ websites after major announcements or media pushes, and, now also Google Trends, the task of demonstrating ROI is becoming a bit easier.

Is the PR Industry Being Impacted by Rising Brand Journalism Trends?

At the start of every New Year, it seems that each industry sends out a list of top predictions for what’s to come… and PR is no different. There have already been lots of expectations set around 2013 being the year for further social media growth, the rising importance of visual representations, and increased measurement for ROI, to name a few. But, one trend that has caught my eye for 2013 is brand journalism.

The Importance of Tailoring PR Pitches

Earlier this month, I observed a Twitter conversation, instigated by Boston Globe reporter Scott Kirsner’s tweet, “I love PR pitches offering to ‘introduce’ me to a company that I’ve covered a half-dozen times (at least), like @Wayfair.” And, while I applaud Wayfair PR leader Jane Carpenter’s prompt response, Kirsner’s tweet and subsequent conversations bring up some interesting points that PR firms and executives should pay attention to.

How Basketball Equates to PR

While cheering on the Celtics in the NBA playoffs, I got to thinking how the rules of basketball are a lot like PR. While obviously two very different disciplines, there are many related aspects. Beyond the overall fast pace and otherwise constantly changing tempo, both basketball and PR have high-stress, performance qualities with tactics that often result in a win or a loss. Below are just some of the correlations I’ve broken down into “the good,” “the bad,” and “the ugly.” What other similarities have you noticed between basketball and PR? Think about it the next time you’re watching a game! 

Tips for Breaking in to PR

Last week, while speaking at the Curry College Public Relations Student Association (CCPRSA) chapter meeting, some interesting questions came up with regards to how to break in to the PR industry. Several of the students in attendance were getting their graduate degrees and had come from very different disciplines than PR. While switching from advertising to PR may be an easier transition than, say, switching from finance to PR, there are some skills that transcend specific job descriptions and become universally applicable. Skills like writing, creative thinking or relationship building can be just as applicable to one job as it is the next. But, when specifically looking to transition to PR, what’s the best way to get started?

Top 3 Reasons to Have PR Support at Events

Trade shows, conferences and events are a key element for any corporate strategy. The associated networking and thought leadership opportunities are an important aspect of growing a business and establishing a solid industry reputation. However, in order to leverage such events to their full extent, it’s crucial to have PR support on site as PR teams are able to maximize a company’s exposure, help handle unexpected issues, provide additional booth support, and so much more.

Leveraging Current Events for Pitching Opps

Pitching the press is a key part of PR, but what if your client doesn’t have any news announcements or product releases? This is a dilemma that many in the PR industry face, but, luckily, there are creative ways around this issue. For instance, capitalizing on current events and relating them to your clients’ expertise, products or services is a great way to engage the media and keep up a steady stream of news and thought leadership. 

The Risks & Rewards of Social Media for PR

With the advent of Cloud computing, the public relations industry has found ways to adapt and creatively leverage new forms of communication and Cloud-based services – namely, social media and networking tools. But what’s the best way to use these Cloud-based tools for your company’s PR campaigns? How do you weigh the risks with the rewards? Recently, my article, Social Media PR, a Balancing Act, was featured in the premiere issue of Cloud Magazine, a professional cloud computing resource for small and medium business leaders, discussing this very topic. Check it out…

Students Exploring PR

This afternoon, I had the opportunity speak with students from the Florida PR Association (FPRA) Tallahassee Chapter as they visited Boston on a tour of various agencies, learning about the industry and what it’s like to work day-to-day as a PR exec. Similar to the tech PR panel I presented on for the BU PRSSA members, the undergraduates from Tallahassee had some great questions and seemed eager to learn about the wonderful world of public relations!