The Public Relations Blog

Imagine if 200,000 people read your last blog post. Think how great it would be if your website got two million visitors in one month. That’s what it’s like when your content goes viral.

It may be your competitors - learn how to spot the impostors.

If a search of your company’s name finds mostly negative reviews, your first thought might be, “Wow, my customers are really displeased, so I have to change.” However, you may want to take a closer look. Sometimes, it’s not dissatisfied customers at all who are writing negative reviews – it might be your competition.

Learn to tell the difference between a genuine product review and a fake one.

When looking for a new restaurant to try or a hotel room in a strange city, you might decide to consult online reviews to get information, weigh your options and decide which choice is best for you. But how do you know which are real and which are fake? Just like those beautiful fields you see at the stadium, the grass might look lush and real, but sometimes it’s not.

For every product or service you want to purchase, there are so many choices that it can give you a headache just thinking about it. Competition for your business is fierce and companies will go to almost any length to sway your opinion, including paying people to write comments and post fake reviews. But fear not – follow these tips and you’ll command the knowledge and skills necessary to distinguish the legitimate from the bogus.

Panera’s advertising agency recently said “no more” to the retail restaurant/bakery giant, citing problems like too many quick changes as a source of ongoing problems and a major halt to progress. Here's our three tips for making PR agency relations work.

There’s a shakeup afoot in the public relations and marketing departments of the nation’s most successful companies. According to a recent study by the Council of Public Relations Firms (CPRF), PR professionals at companies appearing on Fortune’s Most Admired list report not to the marketing department, but to the “C Suite,” that is, CEO, COO and/or chairman. In fact, 63 percent of Fortune 500 companies, those raking in $6 billion in annual revenues, have their PR departments reporting directly to executive offices, as opposed to 42 percent of Fortune 20,000 companies, or those making less than $100 million.

Don’t leave 8 million potential customers waiting

Some come for the music. Many stay for the comedy. All are enlightened by the insightful commentary, special guest interviews and educational segments. If you are successful in pitching to the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, its more than eight million listeners could also be learning about your company or clients.

Spokesperson and media training can make all the difference

The media has tremendous power in America. They help shape popular opinion, decide what is and isn’t newsworthy enough for you to know about and they are permitted to go to practically any length in pursuit of a story. No wonder the press is often referred to as the Fourth Estate.

The new and happening

PR professionals and organizations all around the world are trying to get noticed amidst the online clutter for obvious reasons. As long as the customer is unaware of your existence – that is, as long as you are obscure – buyers aren’t likely to indulge in any transactions with you. Hence, the blow to the profit motive. Needless to say, online visibility is imperative for success – both for individuals and organizations.

Attract all your potential customers

There are 44 million Americans who may want to buy your products and services, and the only thing stopping them is that they are waiting for you to ask and connect with them in the right way.

Craft the perfect pitch and get the job done

The first impression is all you’ve got to convince the person in front of you of your potential. If you do it the right way, there is no reason why you shouldn’t succeed; if you try beating around the bush, there is a strong possibility your pitch will end up in the rejected pile. So what is the right way to approach this issue?