Stacey Hajdak, APR

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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Did you know...66% of journalists say they want more ‘data and expert sources’…I know that travel and aviation companies have a wealth of data at their fingertips but often don’t know what to do with it.   Journalists want compelling and trustworthy stories, so how can we, as travel PR / comms professionals, better create data-driven PR campaigns that build trustworthy relationships with journalists and drive tangible results…   🏖 Data as an authority builder: Data-driven messages are often more interesting and informative, especially in travel where consumer habits and behaviours are easily trackable. Always quantify your stories with hard data to better engage and demonstrate your credibility in predicting trends   🏖 Know what journalists want: Travel journalists’ inboxes are often flooded with irrelevant PR pitches and marketing babble. Data needs to: solve a problem, be relevant and topical, have a human interest and include a visual element.   🏖 Generate research: Commissioning your own interesting research projects is a great way to attract media attention. If you’re consistent with the quality of your data and its launch dates, your research will become something journalists look out for.   🏖 Use your own customer data: Journalists love unique data with fresh and interesting angles, so take advantage of the wealth of customer data available to you. You literally have the latest travel insights (customer behaviour, preferences, purchase activity) in the palm of your hand – use them.   Many travel and aviation brands fall into the trap of pushing their own agenda, or prioritising self-serving data. Yes, your data should, ultimately, be painting your product or service in a good light – but remember, journalists are a very perceptive bunch, and they’re not fans of the hard sell.   So, people…I know you’ve got the data but find it hard to know what to do with it. Have a read of my longer blog, and see if it sparks any ideas for you… https://lnkd.in/eVEF7vZy #travelpr #data #outperform

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Being a member of Public Relations Global Network is one of my favorite parts of REED Public Relations. Birthdays are always special but getting nice remarks from our friends all around the world yesterday was extra special. Plus, with the time differences, I essentially had a two-day birthday! From Malaysia to Brussels and everywhere in between, read more about the Faces and Markets of #PRGN. #PublicRelations #PR #Marketing

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Every month, GW Health PR publishes articles to drive awareness of the key issues and gaps in healthcare communications. December's feature: The Intersection of Politics and Health Equity: A Marketing Perspective The recent election results have sparked deep concerns among many Black Americans, particularly regarding how political shifts could impact health equity and access to essential services. For communities that have fought tirelessly to secure basic rights and quality healthcare, these fears are not unfounded—they are rooted in historical precedents and the current political climate. Many worry that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) efforts will be deprioritized or even eliminated in the wake of political changes. These initiatives, which have been instrumental in addressing systemic inequities in healthcare and beyond, risk being sidelined, leaving several communities vulnerable. For healthcare marketers, this raises critical questions about how to navigate this new landscape while continuing to prioritize cultural resonance and equity in communications. Fear of Backsliding: A Crisis for Health Equity People are voicing fears that access to quality healthcare—a challenge even in the best of times—will become even more restricted. These concerns are particularly acute for individuals and families who rely on government-supported programs to bridge gaps in healthcare access, as potential cuts to these programs could exacerbate disparities. In a political environment that threatens to erode these safety nets, the risk of deepening inequities becomes even more pressing. One area of acute concern is maternal and fetal health. Black women already face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, a disparity driven by systemic racism, unequal access to care, and implicit bias within the healthcare system. The possibility of losing programs designed to address these issues only deepens anxieties within the community. 🚀Please visit https://gwhealthpr.com to read more. Come back at the end of every month. #HealthcarePR #HealthEquity #CulturallyResonant #BlackCommunityHealth #PharmaCommunications #HealthForAll #GWHealthPR

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#Internalcommunications is the poor step child of #marketing and #publicrelations but is finally getting its due. This is a great article on building a strong internal communications plan. https://lnkd.in/eqfH4S3g

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Rocker Dave Grohl's recent announcement exemplifies the power of proactive and transparent communication in mitigating the damage from a negative narrative. Grohl understood the importance of taking good advice from communications professionals and being honest when he had less-than-flattering news to release. In many organizations, executives fail to follow this approach, opting instead to hide behind media statements - wordsmithed by legal counsel - that lack transparency, fail to own the mistake, or offer an apology. This contrasts with the expertise of communications professionals, who are uniquely qualified to guide organizations out of crises by embracing honesty and accountability. It's not rocket science – being honest and proactive in times of crisis can minimize the damage and begin the path to recovery. Dave Grohl's example serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent communication in navigating a crisis. A Rock Star’s Mystery Baby Offers a Lesson in Crisis Communication https://lnkd.in/gGC2iej5 #Communication #Transparency #CrisisManagement

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At the Boston Book Festival Today, I heard thought-provoking commentary on AI, with implications for communications pros. During a panel on tech trends, author Andrew Smith said AI is not intelligent and later on author Jeff Jarvis noted that we should put more on the Internet so that there will be better data and a greater range of perspectives for AI tools to consider. Put together, these two comments are good news for those of us in public relations or others who work on generating content. This is because AI by itself cannot come up with quality content. It is reliant on already existing content. Therefore, there will continue to be strong demand for high-quality content that can connect with many different types of audiences for the foreseeable future. How do you envision AI affecting content generation in the years to come?

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Hey, Corporate Communicators! Ever feel like your messages are getting lost in the corporate noise? We get it, and the hard truth is that they probably are. That’s why whenever we are working with our clients, we help them establish their Communication Manifesto. It's a successful best practice we developed over the years that transforms your communication strategy from mundane to magnificent. 🌟 What’s The Communication Manifesto? It helps you and your communication team focus on the content that MATTERS. The content that will help influence behaviors inside your organization in a positive way. It all starts by asking yourself one question: What does being a successful communicator at your organization mean? The answer to that question should reveal topics you and your team need to focus on that helps employees do one or more of the following things: 1. Help employees understand your organization's business and mission. What are we all here for? What are we trying to accomplish as a whole, and how will we get there? 2. Help employees understand how they specifically contribute to success. By highlighting individual roles and their impact on the company's goals, we ensure everyone knows how their work matters, no matter what they do. 3. Help employees feel connected to each other and the organization itself. Through authentic storytelling and engaging narratives, we encourage conversation and create a sense of belonging and connection across the organization. We cover this strategy and more in our Virtual Employee Communication Master Class on June 5 and 6 from 10:00 am - 1:30 pm CST each day. We'll cover these strategies and more. One low price (with group discounts available) includes: • Seven hours of content, best practices, idea sharing and case studies • An interactive workbook you can use to apply what we're discussing right to your own work. • Access to the recording of each day ... perfect for those with packed schedules. • Networking opportunities and rich dialogue with fellow communicators Don’t miss out on this opportunity to supercharge your communication skills and engage your employees like never before! https://lnkd.in/g8geGQQS #CorporateCommunication #StrategicPlanning #MasterClass #EmployeeEngagement #Storytelling #Leadership

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DENVER

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How do you feel about press releases? I'm still a fan, even if they simply serve as an official catalog of an organization's news. What you do with that information in your PR program is what's really meaningful though. Use the data for social posts and infographics, and pitches to media. Extract the quotes for your website. Find contributed content opportunities to share the news from the release in a more robust way. Develop creative graphics to support and enhance your news. Create video to share the news in a more personal way. Finally, don't expect your press release to reach the press. Those days are long gone. The release is just another content tool.

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As evidenced by the dynamics of the presidential election, women continue to be held to a different, much stricter standard than men. In my book "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators, I delve into why and how women continue to struggle for equality and representation. "Women’s quest for equality is the longest-running struggle in the history of the world. Men have ruled over humanity for millennia, and nowhere has their dominance been more pronounced than over the lives and bodies of women. Although women have made great strides toward equality in the last few decades, they continue to be held to a different standard than men, and society holds many unconscious and deeply rooted biases against them. Nevertheless, women continue challenging traditional gender norms, advocating for equal rights, and reshaping female empowerment narratives." https://lnkd.in/gsTAMAbc

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Question for the communications pros out there: Do you think the job market is finally improving? The past 24 months have been 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘭 for comms professionals, and now I’m hearing mixed signals about where things stand. Here’s the general vibe I’m getting: 🙂 More roles are popping up for specific comms roles, especially internal comms and analyst relations. 🫠 PR, social media, and content are still facing cuts across the board (and the open roles are few and far between). 🫠  Senior-level comms positions are seriously scarce or non-existent. Is this matching what you’re seeing out there?

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PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM AND BUDGET FOR FY'25? If you're like most execs, the autumn weeks are when you make strategic and tactical plans for your organization for the coming year. During your planning phase, don't overlook your #content and #communications needs, and do consider the value proposition of hiring a strategic comms consultant. Why? Read on.

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You know you're a communications professional if: . . . 🤜 You consider "stakeholder alignment" a form of extreme sport. 🤜 You have strong feelings about em dashes—and Oxford commas. 🤜 You've contemplated making "Track Changes" your middle name. 🤜 You've ever had to explain that "make it pop" isn't actionable feedback. 🤜 You know AP guidelines front to back, but can’t remember your own birthday. 🤜 You’re somehow still the last person asked for input for the “high priority" project you’re leading. 🤜 You’ve spent 20 minutes deciding between “Hi” and “Hello” because tone matters. 🤜 You have a carefully curated folder of “proof that I already told you this” screenshots. 🤜 You know that "final_final_FINAL_v3_APPROVED_really_final.doc" is never actually final. 🤜 You’ve rewritten the same announcement so many times that you’re no longer sure what words mean. . . . What would you add to this (ever-growing) list?

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📢There’s nothing quite like the thrill of receiving national attention for a PR win! 💪🏼 If you believe you have an excellent story but are finding it difficult to secure national coverage, it’s possible that you may be focusing on the wrong type of media ❌ Check out our podcast where we talk about how to achieve NATIONAL media and its various formats 📰🗞️🎥🎙️ #PressPlay #PRPodcast #PR https://lnkd.in/e3mt3Day

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Crisis communications observers have been watching the large-scale response to the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore the last few days. It's a complex response involving many responding agencies and contractors. Have the communications coming our from the unified command team met expectations? On the latest episode of The Leading in a Crisis Podcast, Tom Mueller and I parse through the communications from the unified command and various state/federal agencies communicating around the incident. The joint information center has about 20 people on staff now, down from the initial response but still a significant communications team. If you pay attention to crisis communications issues, you'll want to tune in to hear how we evaluate communications coming from the unified command as well as other parties. Spoiler alert: there's a team of professionals managing those communications on behalf of the unified command and it shows. Tune in to hear our discussion of the communications effort and see what your organization might learn from this incident response. #crisiscomms #crisismanagement #keybridgeresponse https://lnkd.in/gZ4Hzs3x

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