Monday, May 30, 2011
Why run when you can walk? The evolution of the walkathon
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Four Motivations For PR People
Johann Van Goethe
"No matter what the level of your ability you have more potential than you can ever develop in a lifetime."
James T McKay
"Do not wait; the time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
Napoleon Hill
"PR is about resourcefulness not resources."
Anon
Friday, May 6, 2011
New PR Book for Not For Profits
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Seven Things A Media Spokesperson Should Be
- Know the topic you are presenting to the media.
- Be able to speak with authority about what your organization does and answer general as well as specific questions.
- Be well-groomed and dress suitably.
- Uses plain language and speak clearly and simply.
- Be continually contactable by mobile or cell phone.
- Be reasonably flexible about when and where to be interviewed.
- Be available by phone or email for any follow-up questions after the interview.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Media Are Hungry For Pictures
Friday, April 29, 2011
What The Royal Wedding Teaches About Events
While most events lack the glam of the Royal wedding, or the celebrity of the Oscars, any event planned well and based on a wow idea is certain to draw attention to your organization.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Automation Poses PR Risk For Qantas
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Defence In Communications War
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Selling A City
Monday, April 4, 2011
Write Well And Win Attention
I had to change when I entered PR but it took years to bring a more relaxed tone to my writing.
Five things I learned along the way are:
•Always opt for simple language over formal structures and if given the choice select a 25 cent word over a $10 one every time. 25 cent words are the simple words we use in everyday conversation.
• Shorter sentences are punchier sentences. Keep sentences short and certainly to 25 words or less. Sentences with too many words drain the energy from readers.
• Write in the active rather than passive voice. This helps to convey a sense of urgency, impact and energy. Passive language tends to clog up communication.
• Each word and every sentence must justify its existence. Eliminate unnecessary language.
• Get an independent assessment of your writing. I routinely use the Flesch-Kincaid readability tool in Microsoft Word and the UK software, StyleWriter, to rate my writing. And often I will ask someone to review an important piece of work before I send it off.
We are under enormous time pressures these days, so clear writing is at a premium.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Get Content Get Customers: Book Review
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Media Pitching Musts
Colonial Clock Makers Were Good Communicators
Each hour the clock strikes the time and is heard throughout the central business area. On the hour it starts with a simple, melodic chime followed by a single strike for each hour.
It is a simple system of communication that has worked well for more than a century. The chiming sound attracts attention and is consistent and dependable. It is also a reassuring and familiar element in Launceston's urban soundscape. You could literally set your watch by that clock tower.
Consistent, dependable, trusted, attention-getting. Those early colonial clock makers must have known quite a bit about the essentials of good communications.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Simplicity Of An Idea
On one of the gallery walls sculptor Peter Costello shares his thoughts on simplicity in art - a thought that applies equally to communication.
"I try and keep my work very simple. Each piece needs to be predicated by one idea only.
If it has two good ideas in the piece it is one good idea too many. It becomes too busy, uncentred so I work entirely on a single idea ... I believe almost any idea will do.
The success of it relies upon how you execute the idea. So in a sense there's almost no such thing as a bad idea."
Likewise the best ideas in marketing and PR are simple and uncomplicated.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sell In Your Big Ideas
The audience were public affairs professionals working in Australia's three levels of public service. It was a challenging experience mainly because ideas are tools of trade for most PR people.
I think we all agreed that getting a good idea out of the door is sometimes the toughest task for any communicator. Simply getting the OK for a new way of working can often be harder than its implementation.
So consider these steps when it comes to succeeding with your next winning idea:
• Crystalise your big idea and make sure it is developed enough to make sense to others when you proudly announce it. Does it cover important issues like the benefits to be gained or the opportunities that may be lost if it is not taken up. What does it mean in terms of time, cost and effort? And is there a clear plan to roll it out?
Who do you need to consult to earn support and what relationships need to be sustained to execute your suggestion?
• But you need to balance the need to work out this fine print with the urgency of releasing your idea in sufficient time to have impact. If you take too long in thinking through an initiative it could be outdated by the time you announce it, or you could lose the energy to carry it through or worse still someone may steal it before you have the chance to act.
• Appeal to self interest when you sell ideas. Identify the benefits to others and to your organization if your suggestion goes ahead. Specify the time or money or effort it will save -hopefully all three? Your managers and team mates are more likely to support something new if they sense better outcomes on the horizon.
• The maths of innovation are simple: introducing a new idea involves continuing conversation. You can never over-communicate a new plan because just when you are thoroughly tired of talking, others are just beginning to understand.
• Welcome objections. Often we interpret legitimate concerns about our ideas as hostile criticism. You need to know all potential barriers so you can develop simple, clear responses to overcome the likely difficulties. Objections can be valuable in themselves when they attract attention and raise awareness of a new suggestion particularly in a jaded organisation.
• You need to convince more than 51 per cent of the hierarchy about the value of your vision. When the going gets tough, a slim majority can easily disappear and along with it can follow your great idea. Aim to get solid majority support for your plan but sidestep hostile opponents and leave them on the sidelines.
Above all remember new ideas are the lifeblood of any organisation. They are the propellant that makes a difference and reinvigorated your practices. So communicate with clarity and passion because if you are not excited about your big idea, why should others be enthused.
Good luck with your next grand plan.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Internet Makes Youth More Engaged
http://yhoo.it/e1lJvP
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Why PR People Love Newspapers
Friday, February 4, 2011
Free PR Workshops For Local Community Groups
Friday 6 May: Working with the Media (4 hours)
Friday 3 June: Social Media (3 hours)
Friday 8 July: Planning an Event (3 hours)
Email for details.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
People Will Support You But Persuade Them First
Not for profits are therefore forced to adopt the strategies and tactics of the big end of town when it comes to building and delivering persuasive messages. And this includes wrapping persuasion packaging around a core set of key messages such as:
- Testimony from happy clients who benefit from a not for profit's services.
- Stories of front-line staff making a difference.
- Endorsements by relevant celebrities, local leaders, academics and other public figures.
- Comparisons with the successes or failures of like minded groups.
- Contrasting an organisation's services with a situation where they were or are not available.
- Presenting data and detail showing how a not for profit makes a difference.
- Independent research showing why an issue is important and how it is trending.
- Using all communications channels to cater for all the different ways people consume information.
- And of course using simple, plain language to inform a community bloated on a massive communications overload.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
9 Tips For Clearer Campaign Messages
- Firstly write down your key messages. This sounds so obvious but sometimes we forget the very act of putting pen to paper instils discipline and allows you to share your thinking with others without distortion.
- Use simple language, write in the active voice and express yourself in fewer than 20 - 25 words. Again this introduces discipline and focus into your information.
- Make messages stand out so a busy or time-poor person can recall them. Mix logic with emotion.
- Select three or five key messages that cover your issue. Sure you can have more but in my experience you will only use a handful. Limiting them focuses your efforts and increases the chances others in your organisation will understand and use them.
- Use jargon- or technical-free language unless you are confident your audience knows what you mean.
- Keep a copy of your key messages by your phone or computer to remind you to insert them into every conversation or correspondence that leaves your office.
- Test your key messages with individuals in the groups you are trying to reach or through market research. Feedback is invaluable in tuning up your information.
- Finally make sure at least one of your messages contains a clear call to action: a simple statement of what people should do when they choose to act on your information.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Simple Messages Are Good Messages But Even Better Marketing
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Queensland Leaders Earn Praise For Flood Communications
But let's remember when the pressure was intense and lives were in the balance, many of the people who will be criticised in the future, stood up, communicated well and provided leadership.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Connect With People Who Connect With Others
- Members of Parliament, funding staff in government agencies, civic or city government leaders.
- Business leaders.
- People the media routinely quote as authority figures.
- Leaders of patient groups, school committees, service clubs, sporting bodies and other community groups.
- State and national advocacy organisations.
- Academics with expertise in an issue.
- People recognised through national honours and awards.
- Referring potential clients to your services or information.
- Encouraging people to support your cause and to attend your events.
- Inviting you to speak at their gatherings or by appearing at your events.
- Backing your issue in the media, on-line and in daily conversations.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Marketing Is Like Climbing Hills
- Firstly you need the right gear for both. Ramblers need appropriate boots, wet weather gear, packs etc. Likewise as they start out marketers need the right equipment - a plan, resources plus ample energy.
- Both demand certainty in direction. You can burn a lot of energy on a climb if you amble aimlessly and even then still not reach the peak. A marketer needs to travel in the same consistent direction throughout a campaign otherwise worthwhile results will remain elusive.
- Persistence pays in both undertakings . They require a "one foot after the other" approach . Sure you can sprint up a hill or even through a marketing campaign but that type of effort is rarely sustainable in the long run. Particularly when another hill or challenge suddenly presents itself.
- And finally in hiking and marketing you need a reserve of energy and effort. Something in the tank so to speak. What a pity it would be to reach the top and not be able to follow through to grab the next opportunity.