Monica Smith

20+ years of writing and reviewing press releases has left me with a deep hatred of the words "iconic", "innovative", and especially "paradigm shifting"! This is a smart piece by Eleanor Hawkins. And I agree - as long as the time investment is kept to a minimum and all parties are aligned on the goals of a "press release", there's still a place for them in the comms toolkit as a way to memorialise a moment in time. One add though. With data hungry LLMs looking for more and more content to ingest, and given the shift among many publishers to block the use of their IP, will we see a resurgence in the impact of press releases as influencers of AI answer engines? I predict yes.

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Most of us agree that the only way forward is for your PR team to be much better at using data to track results. We see many PR thought leaders comment on this subject, and there are new tech platforms that offer PR teams much better metrics. Yet still, PR metrics need to leave room for understanding what the data may not show.

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Let’s dive into this week’s Association Insights video, tackling one of the evergreen questions association communicators always have: How do I get more reporters to attend our event? 🎤 Make It Newsworthy: Highlight unique angles, exclusive access or significant industry developments that resonate with your audience. The more relevant your event, the more likely reporters will see value in attending. 📧 Personalize Your Outreach: Skip the generic press releases. Tailor your invitations to individual reporters, referencing their past work and explaining why your event is relevant to them. ⏰ Time It Right: Send out invitations well in advance, but not too early. Follow up closer to the event with additional details or exclusive opportunities. 🎁 Offer Unique Incentives: Consider one-on-one interviews with key speakers, access to exclusive content or behind-the-scenes tours. Unique offerings can make your event more appealing. 🤝 Build Relationships: Share valuable insights and be a reliable resource year-round. Strong relationships increase the likelihood that reporters will prioritize your event. By focusing on these strategies, you can boost your chances of getting reporters to attend and cover your event. 💬 How do you get reporters to attend your events? Share your tips in the comments! #AssociationInsights #EventPR #MediaRelations #OnWrdUpWrd #Communications

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A must read: I discuss effective marketing strategies for business book authors below. https://loom.ly/5n3kdJ

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Are the tools of journalism applicable to #corporate communications? Without a doubt. I recently had the opportunity to discuss three of those tools, and how to apply them, at a gathering of comms professionals from @Method Communications, @Sling&Stone, @Harvard and other teams from our @VCCP family. I’d love to hear about other skills from #journalism you think are applicable to helping companies tell their best stories in authentic, media-genic ways. Comment below!

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T-minus...not very many hours until Election Day. Are you ready? ***Those in the PR/Comms industries: How are you handling Election Day for your brand/org, your employees, and most of all...yourself?*** [Me: We have the editorial calendar planned this week with flexibility for important election-related pieces if they come in. I'm working on several election-unrelated pieces. Taking time out to vote on Tuesday. Taking walk breaks/cat cuddling breaks Tuesday and Wednesday. Buying MORE candy. Already decided on ordering out for dinner Tuesday night with husband. ] Take care. Be gentle with yourself and others. Eat as much candy as you want.

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📢 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐏𝐑 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 📢 Welcome to this week’s Association Insights! Today’s question: How do I work with a PR firm and set expectations? Here’s a quick breakdown: 1️⃣ 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: Define your goals, whether it's brand awareness, crisis management, or a new initiative. 2️⃣ 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Schedule regular check-ins and be transparent about your needs and feedback. 3️⃣ 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: PR efforts take time. Discuss timelines and outcomes with your PR firm. 4️⃣ 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞: Trust their knowledge and be open to their advice. By setting clear objectives, maintaining open communication, setting realistic expectations and valuing their expertise, you can build a strong partnership with your PR firm. 💬 How do you set expectations when working with a PR firm? Share your experiences in the comments! #AssociationInsights #PRstrategy #Communications #MediaRelations #OnWrdUpWrd #AssociationCommunications

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https://lnkd.in/eECaqTiG. At Raise Communications Group, we've worked with hundreds of innovative thought leaders on executive communications over the past twelve years- and understand the process it takes to transform a “knowledgeable expert” into an “invaluable thought leader.” Whether the goal is new clients, new investors, or all around leveling up the company brand, having a strategy is as much about what  you will do as the pitfalls you need to avoid. Some of the biggest ones we've identified: **Selling not sharing** **Leaving out credible data or your industry insights** **Too much jargon** **Forgetting that you're talking to people!** What did we miss? #thoughtleadership #executivecomms #ideastoimpact: cc:Kathy Gardner Holly Blum Jenny Volanakis Tammy Kleinman

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📢 Amplifying Your Association's Voice in the Media 📢 In this week's edition of Association Insights, I explore why having a prominent voice in the media is indispensable for your association. Here’s why media presence matters: 👉 Influence Public Perception: Shape how the public and key stakeholders see your industry, managing your reputation and addressing misconceptions effectively. 👉 Advocacy for Change: Use media channels to advocate for beneficial policies and initiatives, driving positive changes for your members and industry. 👉 Establish Leadership: Enhance credibility and attract new members by positioning your executives and members as go-to experts. 👉 Energize Membership: Boost engagement and loyalty by demonstrating proactive stances on critical issues impacting your field. Having a strategic media presence isn't just about being seen—it's about being heard and making an impact. 👥 To all my communications directors out there: What challenges have you faced in getting your leaders on board with media engagement? Share your experiences and tips in the comments! #MediaPresence #AssociationLeadership #PublicRelations #Advocacy #MemberEngagement #IndustryLeadership

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The October monthly episode of our For Immediate Release podcast explores critical communication trends. Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I discuss six compelling topics, including Reddit's potential for crisis comms, the state of blogging in 2024, ethical concerns in celebrity news coverage, workplace connection challenges, and AI's impact across industries. In a blog post, I've set out some key takeaways that present opportunities for communicators, including leveraging Reddit for stakeholder engagement and preparing to guide organisations through AI adoption. Read more and listen now for valuable perspectives and insights on navigating today's complex communication landscape. https://lnkd.in/e5_CcMR2

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If you’re debating whether to hire a #PR specialist, here are 3️⃣ reasons that I hope will convince you!  Ready to jumpstart an effective PR campaign? Send me a chat to get started.  #PR #PublicRelations #Marketing

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Calling current, aspiring, and past business authors! Please consider taking this important survey! And a big thank you to Josh Bernoff and the others who have come together to collect this important information. The question of ROI seems to be constant from the start of the book writing journey to the later stages of publicity and marketing. I'm really eager to hear the findings and hope you'll take a moment to share your experiences and thoughts! #publishing #bookpromotion #businessauthor #businessbook

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PRO communications tip: Be careful of the exclamation points. I recently saw an influencer post this same message. It was very interesting to read the comments she received and how many people overuse the exclamation point. The overarching theme was: - Too much enthusiasm can kill one's credibility. - Exclamation points can feel like a carnival barker screaming at you. Bottom line: - You can’t create ongoing excitement for customers in your communications with too many exclamation points. - You create excitement for customers by explaining why you’re going to make their lives better.

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You're an executive about to interview with a top-tier reporter and publication. This is your chance for significant coverage. Ahead of the call, the PR team prepared a smart briefing email with talking points and background notes on the reporter. You didn't look at the briefing notes and left an opportunity on the table. Why? ▶️ Because research and preparation are key. ▶️ Because your PR team put information in the document based on working with this reporter several times. ▶️ Because journalists can be particular, and each outlet has its own style and POV.

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New pod is live! On US Election Day, check out my conversation with longtime PR pro Mary Beth West, APR, FPRCA. We chatted about the PR hits and misses by both campaigns, the declining state of journalism and Mary Beth's ongoing campaign to promote ethical PR practices. Hope you enjoy this episode! #politics #journalism #media #publicrelations https://lnkd.in/geVCEMEx

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📞 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 📞 In this week's Association Insights, I answer a critical question: What not to do unless I want to ensure a reporter will never call me back? Here's a quick breakdown: 1️⃣ 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Reporters work on tight deadlines. Not responding timely or sending information after their deadline can mark you as unreliable. Over-promising and Under-delivering: If you commit to providing specific details or access, make sure you can meet those commitments. Failing to deliver can seriously undermine your credibility. 2️⃣ 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬: Sending pitches that are irrelevant to their beat or current news cycle wastes their time and shows a lack of understanding of their work. 3️⃣ 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Being disorganized during interviews or having representatives handle questions poorly can tarnish your reputation. Always be well-prepared and professional. Avoiding these pitfalls is essential to building and sustaining productive media relationships. Each interaction is an opportunity to enhance trust and respect. 📩 I’d love to hear from you: What strategies have you found effective in maintaining strong relationships with reporters? Share your experiences in the comments! #AssociationInsights #PRtips #Communications #MediaRelations #OnWrdUpWrd #AssociationCommunications

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My book "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators" includes A BASIC GUIDE TO PUBLIC RELATIONS, a useful guide for those considering a career in PR. "In our modern world, effective communications are key. As organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic landscapes of our interconnected lives, public relations have become a critical element that helps shape perceptions, nurture relationships, and drive visibility, leading to success. Public Relations is the art and craft of managing internal and external communications between an organization, its stakeholders, and the media. A well-crafted and executed public relations plan can establish credibility, build trust, and maintain a positive reputation. Early in my career, I became aware of the incredible power of public relations to shape public perceptions. It was also clear to me that portrayals of Latinos in mainstream media were overwhelmingly negative. Therefore, I chose a career in public relations to play my part in transforming America’s perception of Latinos and to educate the public about the many positive contributions of Hispanics to the United States. I launched my agency, Reyes Entertainment (www.reyesentertainment.com), in Los Angeles, one of the largest bilingual media markets and Latino communities in the U.S. In addition, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood’s entertainment industry, one of the largest purveyors of media images seen by millions worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gDvjeppU

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🚀 Crafting the Perfect Subject Line for Media Pitches 🚀 In today’s Association Insights, I’m zeroing in on a crucial element of PR success: the subject line of your media pitch. Why is it so critical? Here’s what you need to know: 1️⃣ Clarity and Relevance: Ensure your subject line is a direct reflection of your email's content. A straightforward subject makes it immediately apparent to reporters that your pitch aligns with their interests. 2️⃣ Brevity is Key: Keep subject lines to 1-5 words. This conciseness is not only effective for visibility on mobile devices but also respects the reporter's need for efficiency. 3️⃣ Convey Urgency and Value: Use impactful words like 'introducing,' 'new,' or 'exclusive' to grab attention and highlight the importance of your content. 4️⃣ Continuously Test and Refine: Employ A/B testing to discover which subject lines perform best, allowing you to enhance your media outreach strategies. A compelling subject line can make the difference between an opened email and one that slips through the cracks. It's your pitch's first impression—make it impactful! 💌 What are your top tips for writing effective subject lines? Share your insights below! #MediaPitching #PRtips #AssociationInsights #OnWrdUpWrd #PublicRelations #CommunicationsStrategy

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Worth reading from TimelyCare VP Katie Neal: 13 Leadership Lessons for PR Pros (Taylor’s Version). Let’s face it. Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated album, The Tortured Poets Department (out April 19), sounds like it should be about a corporate communications team. While most PR professionals will never win any Grammys, we share more in common with the megastar than you might think. We are creators, storytellers and writers. We find inspiration in life, work and relationships. And we are influential to our teams, across our organizations and in our communities — demonstrating daily how smart, strategic communications can advance your brand, even in times of crisis. In addition to Swift’s mastery of public relations, have you noticed that her catalog of leadership lessons is almost as extensive as her collection of songs? I curated 13 key Tay-keaways for comms pros — each paired with an album or song — to inspire your leadership style as well as your playlist. Are you ready for it?

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