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10 boring PR tasks you can automate. Could a robot do a PR pro’s job? For now and the foreseeable future, the answer is no, PR will remain a human-powered industry. Robots won’t automate PR pros out of a job, but they can help us automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time to focus on the fun parts of PR: creativity and strategy. Here are 10 boring PR tasks we’re more than happy to hand over to robots, and the tools you’ll need to automate them: 1. Tracking who responds to your emails If you send a lot of pitch emails, tracking them manually gets tricky in a hurry.

How do you know whether people who don’t reply are reading your emails or ignoring them? A Gmail add-on that was originally designed for sales professionals, Yesware has a lot to offer PR pros, too. 2. If you’re still posting social media updates manually, it’s time to leave the Dark Ages. If you manage multiple client accounts, Buffer is an excellent choice. 3. 4.

Building a multimedia press release is hard. 5. 6. Using it feels almost magical. 7. 8. 9. 11 alternatives for a news release. I recently heard the media relations director for a major university speaking about her strategies. When asked how many news releases her office issues, she said about 300 annually—that's nearly one a day! She then added that most of the releases aren't actually issued to the news media, but simply posted on the Web for "internal purposes. " That's not an oxymoron, but an indicator that the news release has outlived its usefulness in a social media/Web 2.0 world. It's also an indication that this university is investing a lot of time, labor and cost in an outdated and ineffective communications tool purely to satisfy internal clients. Many people ask for announcements, news conferences or news releases when they really need or want something else. For years I've recommended options communicators can use.

Now I'm updating that list to reflect more social media options so you can stop producing news releases and put your time to better use. Try these options instead of a news release: 1. 2. 11 alternatives for a news release. 15 enduring keys to PR success. Without question, technology has significantly changed the practice of public relations. Stakeholder targeting has become more specific, new channels have emerged, and conversations have replaced simple news delivery. It has been transformative—though maybe not entirely. The keys to being an effective communicator remain the same. Analytical writing and counseling success have remained the same irrespective of whether a writer is pecking away at a typewriter and pulling copy paper and carbons from the carriage, or devising a digital strategy in a remote site thousands of miles away from the client.

They are: 1. Successful PR professionals want to know why—along with asking all the other W’s. 2. Insist upon it—in your thinking, in your writing, in understanding your role. 3. S-V-O: subject-verb-object. 4. Messages are not boilerplate. 5. While/although. 6. Every document you write, including early drafts, has your name on it. 7. Shape your communications for your intended audiences. 8. 9. 20 ideas for your next corporate video. The words “corporate video” rarely spur excitement. When you ask someone to watch your corporate video, they usually think, “Do I have to?” Corporate videos have a bad rap, and rightfully so. Most of them are horrible.

They’re often full of platitudes and devoid of information. The reason so many corporate videos are poor is because communicators don’t realize they have options and don’t have to make a boring video. To raise the bar, I offer up the following creative recommendations for your next video. Corporate culture/recruiting videos 1. No one ever experiences something the same way as someone else. Sequester three people and have them tell the same story. 2. Do one-on-one interviews with employees and ask them why they love their jobs. 3.

Pick your most interesting and camera-friendly employee, and film one of his workdays. This well-produced video from the Adobe Careers page is a combination of styles two and three. The video is long—about 14 minutes. 4. 5. Conference videos 6. 7. 4 types of competitors that brands must battle. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve talked to executives who say they don’t have any competition. They talk about their unique selling proposition, their software innovation, or the new industry their business has created. When I hear this, the first thing I think comes from the public relations person in me: “There is no way I can put this person in front of a reporter to talk about the business, the industry, or anything.” The second thing is from the consumer in me: “This person is clearly not listening.” All companies have competitors. Recognizing this should be the second step in any marketing, PR, or social media strategy.

(The first is identifying the audience.) There is not a single company, service, or product in the world that is the only choice a customer has, even if the alternative is doing nothing. • Direct. PR and social media strategies are most effective when they communicate what’s different about a company, product, or service, not what’s better. 5 boxes to check in a PR job interview. College seniors are navigating the crucial—and nerve-racking—job interview season. Underclassmen, too, are fighting for meaningful summer (and fall) internships in public relations and other areas of communications.

All have read about—and even discussed in multiple classes—the concept of developing and marketing their own “personal brand.” They have absorbed an overwhelming number of interview preparation tips and know how to dress, walk into the room, sit, talk, present themselves, and more. They are ready to move forward. Some will do so, recruiters and senior public relations and communications professionals say, because they can also successfully “check the boxes” on the following five key issues: 1. Media: Still part of the discussion. Yes, the media world has changed dramatically, but not entirely. What they don’t understand is when the candidate doesn’t have even a working awareness of the media landscape. 2. 3. 4.

Now they’re going to ask you about it. 5. 5 signs your speech will bore your audience. I finally finished "Atlas Shrugged," Ayn Rand's legendary book about capitalism, communism and objectivism. Her editor asked her to cut 200 pages from the book, but Rand renegotiated her royalties so she could print her manuscript as she originally intended. Personally, I think Rand could have cut 200 pages quite easily. The speech at the end of the book alone would take three hours to read aloud, according to an Atlas Shrugged FAQ. I can barely sit through the three-hour version of "The Lord of the Rings," much less read or listen to a three-hour speech. Modern speaking tends to go no longer than 45-60 minutes at a time, but it is still important to edit. Too many speakers fall in love with their words and phrases, insist they must cover every detail of their subject, or simply don't understand how to get to the bottom line before their audience wants to escape.

Here are a few signs you should edit your speech: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. As professionals, we need to constantly edit our work. 1. 2. 3. 5 Steps to Content Marketing Awesome – You Can Do This! Successful content marketing programs are ongoing communications efforts that empathize with customers and deliver useful experiences. Each content object published is a promise to the community that something relevant, useful and info-raining is in store. Consistently producing content experiences that inform and inspire creates one of the most powerful customer states: anticipation. Few things are more powerful for attracting a loyal following of customers and advocates than the anticipation to see what’s coming next. But how can companies with slim budgets create such a content marketing program? While there are entire books on the subject, I think these are the 5 essential components for initiating a growing momentum of content awesome. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

If you have to, start small focusing on your best customer segment with a blog, video and one or two social networks. Photo: Shutterstock. 5 Steps to Content Marketing Awesome – You Can Do This! 5 things I learned when I became my own PR client. About two years ago, I started an accidental transition from a PR agency owner to a PR software company owner. True to those at most startups, I wear many hats and find myself venturing into uncharted waters every day. Of course, one hat I’ve worn is the one I’m most familiar with—PR. For obvious reasons, I was sure this would be the easiest of all of my “jobs.” As it turns out, not only has it been challenging, but it’s also prompted me to rethink how I have approached client relations all these years.

Here are valuable things I’ve learned being on the opposite side of the fence and how I’d use this knowledge to do things differently: Interviews are scary. I once suggested to a client that he take a shot of liquor before doing an interview because he was so nervous he couldn’t get a coherent sentence out. What I would do differently: Creating a thorough interview brief to make sure the client is fully prepared is only half the work.

‘Urgent’ PR matters aren’t always so urgent. (Image via) 5 ways to increase engagement on Google+ Don't write off Google+ just yet. There are many ways to spark engagement on your page. This infographic describes five of them. By Kristin Piombino | Posted: June 25, 2014 Google+ has a bad rap, but that's not entirely justified, an infographic from Digital Information World and Plus Your Business says. The network has more than 300 million active users. Some of those 300 million could be your next customers. The infographic also describes five ways you can increase engagement on your Google+ page. 1. Every part of your profile should reflect your brand's identity, as your profile is the first impression people will have of your organization. 2.

Set some goals for your Google+ page before you create circles. 3. Use the Explore tab to see what people are talking about, and leave meaningful comments on posts relevant to your business or industry. 4. Find communities in your industry, and participate in them regularly. 5. Google+ provides several ways you can make your posts stand out. 7 social media tricks you might not know. As social media community manager, I'm on social media daily. Over the years, I've built up a wealth of little tricks. They're not complicated, and they can help you enhance your business's social media presence, improve your engagement rate, and reach new customers.

Here are seven tricks to try: 1. Show off positive customer feedback on Facebook Did you know that 35 percent of comments on Facebook pages are compliments? Unfortunately, when a fan comments on your page, it often becomes hidden under Recent Posts by Others. Follow these simple steps: 1. 2. 3. It's as simple as that. 2. One notable feature of Google+ is the ability to change the formatting of the font within a post. Bold: Add an asterisk (*) before and after the text you'd like to bold (*bold*).

Changing the formatting sections of text in your posts is a simple way to make your content and main point stand out. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. Within the Design menu, you can choose a premade theme or customize your own. 5. 6. 7. Tweet it. 7 ways to enchant your audience. How can you go beyond the usual efforts to create a successful presentation and enchant your audience? What are the secrets to creating magic with a speech? Here are seven ways to take your speech beyond the ordinary. Some of them will be familiar, but hopefully at least one will be new to you, and help you connect with your audience better: 1. Tell a story. "Of course I tell stories," you're thinking.

Think about the standard Hollywood three-act structure. If you don't, you're not using storytelling the way you should to create forward momentum and suspense in a speech. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Every audience is an opportunity to connect and build community in ways that go beyond the usual handouts and slides. A part of this article is adapted from Nick Morgan's book, "Power Cues: The Subtle Science of Leading Groups, Persuading Others, and Maximizing Your Personal Impact. " Popularity: This record has been viewed 2295 times. 8 questions to ask before you design your website. When clients or friends tell me they plan to design a new website, I get curious and excited. What colors are they going to go with?

What are their SEO goals? What layout are they using? Creating a personal or business website requires serious thought and attention. 1. It seems obvious, but knowing the true purpose of your website will determine everything that it does and how it looks. 2. Your website title should be easy to remember. 3. Find a platform you’re familiar with and that is easy to use. 4.

A personal website will usually have content that is more about blogging and personal tastes and interests. 5. Every website design is a little different, and you can always tell those who know their audience well and those who don’t. 6. Your website should not become distorted depending on the type of browser someone is using. 7.

Linking to your social media accounts will not only boost website traffic, it will also give you major SEO points. 8. 8 successful headlines—and the psychology behind them. I recently dug into research about headlines to prepare for a webinar on the science of writing must-click headlines on social media. I found plenty of data about which words are in the most-shared headlines, how long headlines should be, and more. What was especially interesting were the psychology behind some well-known headline formulas and what makes them so clickable. Here’s an overview of eight winning headline formulas and the psychology behind them: 1. Surprise Chip and Dan Heath, authors of “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die,” list surprise as one of the six principles of sticky ideas.

This works in two parts: Surprise captures our interest and holds it. Our brains love novelty. Surprises are more stimulating and will get our attention much more easily than things we already know well—even if we really like those things. One example of surprise would be the email subject lines of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 sources to help you find that perfect word. I once worked with someone who used the word “secure” continually. He’d write: • “We need to secure donations.” • “Have you secured a printer for the newsletter yet?” • “I’m not feeling secure about our chances of securing this contract.” I often found myself correcting his writing and replacing “secure” with alternatives such as “obtain,” “get,” “acquire,” “find.”

But he was set on the word “secure” and would often change it back. The importance of varying our words to keep our readers interested cannot be overstated, but it’s no easy task. Well, here are some resources to help you find that perfect word. 1. Another great online thesaurus, this site has more than 1 million synonyms and antonyms with quotations and translations to other languages. 2. Enter a word, and you’ll get a list of common phrases in which the word appears. 3. Users submit their favorite words, usually with explanations; sometimes the explanations are more fascinating than the words. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

9 sources to help you find that perfect word. 9 tips from comedians to rock your next presentation. A cheat sheet: Measuring your Google+ page. Add flavor to your writing with colorful turns of phrase. Dr. Vince Covello, video on Message Mapping. Every Marketing and PR Campaign Needs a Risk Assessment. How to turn a bad review into a blessing. How to write an internal communication strategy. Ketchum_white_paper_principles-pr-measurement.pdf. The psychology behind colors in marketing. Timeless Storytelling Tips from Former PR Newswire Features Editor Fred Ferguson.