The Public Relations Blog

Understand the meaning of Memorial Day so your company doesn’t make a faux pas.

Companies often view national holidays as a way to connect with consumers and tie themselves to a national story. Sometimes this is done tastefully; other times, however, it leaves the consumer with a bad taste in their mouth. Due to current trends in our culture and marketing saturation, the original purpose of a holiday can be overlooked. The national “holiday” of Memorial Day is one that’s meaning has been lost in celebration. 

Grab journalists' attention, spark engagement, and get your messages opened with these tips.

Getting the attention of a busy journalist is the first and most crucial step to ensuring your message stands a chance against the competition to earn media coverage. With some strategic planning and tested best practices, you can craft email subject lines that grab attention and get your pitch past the first step. 

Here are 11 tips for writing email subject lines and templates that will ensure your email is opened and read:

Craft better stories and connections through shared interests, listening, and adapting.

The process of sales is commonly compared to the journey of dating. The goals are similar: make a meaningful connection, demonstrate value, and build loyalty to lead to a longer-term relationship. The courtship activities involved in PR outreach parallel these dating rituals. 

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2. Public companies face stricter rules with ESG reporting.
3. 60-Second Close: The Value of Smart PR

Should PR pros rethink industry degrees, departments, and job titles?

Many organizations interchange “communication” and “communications” in department names, job titles, and agency branding. However, there is an important distinction between these two terms business leaders and industry professionals often overlook.

Pipes, Press, and PR: 11 impactful ways for plumbing companies to score media attention.

Gaining free media exposure through coverage by local newspapers, TV, radio, and online outlets can massively pay off for plumbing companies. Earned media hits raise brand credibility, expand public awareness, and often drive lead generation more effectively than paid ads alone. But with busy schedules focused on serving clients, how can local plumbing companies strategically capture more media attention?

Follow these 11 proven tips to amplify your exposure and recognition across your community.

Hourly billing models are outdated and underserve modern client relationships — here’s why.

As a prospective client exploring public relations solutions, you may default to compensating agencies via the long-prevailing time and materials approach. However, while hourly billing once sufficed within purely labor-driven relationships, this antiquated model now warrants reconsideration, given modern client needs and partnership dynamics.

Consider cost, design, support, and analytics when selecting the best content management system for your company.

One of the best ways to provide consumers information about your company is through a content management system (CMS) or website. This allows companies to build, write, or modify web pages without having the skill or knowledge to code. 

The celebrity, industry legend, and prominent local all reveal the importance of branding.

Fame has many forms, from globally-known industry legends to niche, local celebrities. Some figures gain recognition through individual achievement, while others achieve prominence through association with existing icons. Throughout the spectrums of prominence and fame, the megastar and the prominent local both have influence on different audiences. 

While the pinnacle of superstardom may elude most, meticulous messaging and reputation management can help any individual or brand stand out and gain prominence. With the right strategy, even a locally prominent figure can command some influence. A strategic approach in branding and public relations is often the key to amplify visibility and progress from the obscure to the newsworthy. 

Follow these best practices to ensure your company has a plan before a crisis strikes.

The biggest challenge when creating an action plan for a media crisis is not knowing where it will come from. Crisis communications planning always seems to fall to the bottom of the to-do list until it’s suddenly urgent. If your company waits until the moment of disaster, you’re already 10 steps behind.