July 27, 2010

A few questions to ask yourself

Although this article is primarily aimed at PR professionals in the hospitality business, it is a great reminder of how to approach the news you want to release. By asking some basic questions (like who cares, is it a trend, do you speak as an impartial expert, and what else?) before you prepare anything, you can become more strategic in the approach to your job.

Read the article here

July 21, 2010

Three part series on integrating it all

Here is the third and final section to Brian Solis' series, "The Hybrid Theory Manifesto."

Nicheworks are highly coveted or soon will be as no brand is an island. Attention and interests are focused within social streams and as individuals are empowered to define their online experiences, connecting the dots proves pivotal. If conversations are markets, nicheworks represent the glue that binds disparate conversational ecosystems. And through effective engagement, we make inroads towards community and being the construction of bridges between our brand and each desirable market.


While many creative initiatives find their way into social networks extemporaneously, it is the intentional and manual act of linking content to new and traditional influencers. This, for the moment, is the most genuine and authentic way to demonstrate intent and drive awareness and activity among the very people we’re hoping to reach and galvanize directly within the communities where their attention is focused.

Read the rest of part 3 here

Read part 1 here

Catch up on part 2 here

Our chapter now also has a Delicious account, where we'll be bookmarking articles like these. Feel free to contribute!

July 20, 2010

A little skepticism

By the time you feel completely competent on one of the social media platforms, it seems there is something out there completely unfamiliar for you to get to know. Here's an article about the 12 types of social media experts, how they can be helpful, what to watch out for and the benefits of being skeptical of anyone touting themselves as an expert.

Read the article here

July 19, 2010

Here's a tongue-in-cheek look at designing your organization's persona - not only in voice, but in text or video. Take a look here to see what we can learn from Old Spice.

Read article here

July 15, 2010

Webinar presentation during regular monthly meeting

It’s no secret that social media is sweeping the Internet. Brands such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr are now household names commanding millions, sometimes billions, of dollars in market capitalization. But what, exactly, are the millions of friends, faces and followers doing on the social networks that social media tools created? Learn how their behaviors effect the production and distribution of news and information during this webinar entitled “Develop a Social Media News Strategy for Your Company.”

The meeting will be held at 12 p.m. July 27 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. Arrive at 11:45 a.m. to network with your colleagues!

Please RSVP to Tom Ellis, tom@elliscomm.com, by noon Friday, July 23. In your response, also indicate if you would prefer a vegetarian dish.
The next monthly meeting will be held at 12 p.m. August 24, also at the Chamber. We will take advantage of another webinar entitled “How to Reach Audiences via Mobile Devices: Public Relations on the Third Screen.”

For most regular meetings, we meet at 12 p.m. at the Midtown Carnegie Library, 397 E. Central St. (at the corner of Jefferson and Central) on the fourth Tuesday of each month, so plan to be there!

July 14, 2010

PR Boot Camp set for August 26

Need to know the basics of PR? Want to know the latest trends? Wonder how to get your name out there with a small budget? Mark your calendar for the PR Boot Camp.

Geared toward new professionals, nonprofits or small business owners, the PR Boot Camp will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, August 26 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cost is $40.

Sessions include:

• Starting from Scratch – A Recipe for PR Success

• Keeping it Fresh – Tactics for Energizing Your Brand

• Secrets From a Pro – 5 Things You Must Know Now

• Crisis Strikes, Media Calls, What Now? – Interactive Approach to Handling the Heat

• No Budget? No Problem! - 7 Strategies You Can Start Today


For more information, contact Tamera Heitz-Peek.

July 13, 2010

Article focuses on finding the right mix

Brian Solis offers insight into the marketing and PR mix in this new article, "The Hybrid Theory Manifesto," part one of three.

Hybrid Theory |ˈhīˌbrid thee-uh-ree |: The fusion of creative and communications, combining earned and paid media to enliven ideas, unite communities, amplify stories and spark desired outcomes.

Read the article here

July 12, 2010

Professional development conference focuses on 'buzz'

It's getting closer - mark your calendars for the annual professional development conference - September 30 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  The theme is "Buzz for Your Business: Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Read," and you won't want to miss an opportunity to hear what these speakers have to share. There will be something for everyone, no matter where you are in your professional career.
  • 8:30 – 9 a.m.  Registration & Networking
  • 9 – 10 a.m.  “Using Social Media for High-Impact Results” by Josh Stoffregen, manager, Global Communications, Prudential Financial, New York, NY
    The newest social media techniques may be just what your company needs to move to the next level. Learn to integrate digital media into your public relations plan and the results may wow you. As manager of global communications for Prudential Financial, Josh is using digital media to advance Prudential in the face of its traditional corporate structure. Josh will tell how he is building on skills he developed while a student at Missouri State University.    
  • 10 – 10:15 a.m.  Networking Break 
  • 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.  “Get the Media Coverage You Deserve” by Margo Mateas, owner, The Media Relations Maven, Oklahoma City 
    In a world where new digital media is blended with traditional media, you need to know – more than ever – how to prepare, craft and deliver winning pitches so your company’s story is told.  Learn to increase your business’s media coverage by as much as 300 percent.  Margo’s background in journalism and 20-year career in both agency and corporate public relations give her a unique perspective.  Clients include Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Six Flags Theme Parks, and Allstate Insurance Foundation
  • 11:15 – 11:30 a.m.  Benefits of PRSA Membership 
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  Lunch – Networking - Student Breakout Session with Josh Stoffregen 
  • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.  “Top Dog Barks First” by Dr. Joseph Trahan, APR, Fellow, PRSA, president of Trahan & Associates, McDonough, GA 
    Your “Top Dog” must be prepared to defend your reputation by being the communications heart and soul of your organization. This workshop will help you prepare your company spokesperson to Listen-Pause-Think-Answer and bridge to key messages every time, using The Control-Competence-Concern method of communication. 

    As an international media relations trainer and public relations strategist, Dr. Joe has two decades of work in public relations and has managed four joint information bureaus.
  • 1:15  – 1:30 p.m. Networking Break – Afternoon Snack 
  • 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Advance Your Career in Public Relations: How to Get Hired then Build Essential Skills to Keep that Job. Moderator:  Bill Perkin, Perkin Marketing. Panelists: Sheri Hawkins, president, 2balance; Dr. Samuel Dyer, associate professor, Missouri State University department of communications. Additional panelist awaiting confirmation.
  • 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.  Networking Break 
  • 2:45 – 3:15 p.m.  Q&A Learning opportunity with our keynote speakers 
  • 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.  Closing Remarks, seminar evaluation

Why Should Journalists Not Be Allowed An Opinion?

Since when are journalists not supposed to have opinions? They do and always have. Which means, of course, that there has never been such a thing as objectivity in journalism. One can only try to be as objective as possible. All of this is nothing new, yet Octavia Nasr, a senior editor at CNN who contributed to the network's Middle East coverage, resigned after she tweeted that she was saddened at the death of a Shiite cleric and spiritual leader of Hezbollah. Some may not share her sadness but we all should defend her right to express it. Twitter did her in when just the opposite should have happened. CNN viewers and editors alike should be happy to know Nasr's opinions about the Middle East so they can judge her coverage for themselves. As a practicing business journalist, I have opinions about the stories I cover and I try hard not to let them seep into my writing. If I used social media to voice my opinions, I probably would try even harder to be objective, knowing that readers of the magazines I write for may have seen my tweets or Facebook posts. That can only make for better journalism. Everyone is free to have an opinion, right or wrong, good or bad. In the U.S., they also are free to express it. Shouldn't that include journalists?

July 9, 2010

Another Gem from Journalistics

Jeremy Porter has yet another great post today about timing news releases. In a never ending news cycle, is there a "best time" to send a news release?

Read what Jeremy has to say.

July 8, 2010

If you write it....

If you've been tasked with maintaining a blog for a client or your organization, you know that sometimes the well seems dry. This short article may help you get started in brainstorming.

How to leverage your expertise online
No matter what you do — whether you’re a lawyer, exterminator or weekend gardener — some of the information you have in your head is valuable to someone searching for answers online.

That’s why one of the most important steps you can take in expanding your footprint on the Internet is to leverage your expertise. Don’t worry, no matter what you have to say, someone is out there willing to listen.

Blog Ideas Aren’t Hard

Your job is to leverage your expertise. But you may not know where that first step is. Here’s an easy way to start. Think about what you would tell a customer or friend who walked through your door and asked about what you do. What’s the most common activity in your business and how did learn how to do it? Congratulations, that’s your first blog.

Read the rest of the article here