As of July 1, Jeff Haden’s June 8, 2015, LinkedIn post, “7 Things Employees Wish They Could Tell Their Bosses,” had grown to about 481,000 views, more than 1,800 likes, and 307 comments. Haden, a ghostwriter and speaker, is a LinkedIn Influencer. Similar to other Influencers, his posts often go viral. Most of those who are attempting to engage with an audience online, though, struggle to generate even 100 views. What can the masses learn from online influencers, whether they are the capital “I” LinkedIn variety or from a wider array of content outlets? Continue reading “Content Marketing Best Practices From Online Influencers”
Category: Publishing
Media Interview Tips: How to Get the Coverage You’re Hoping For!
After all of your hard work to interest an appropriate media channel (one that reaches your desired target audience) in a story about you or your business pays off, the work is just beginning! It may be hard to believe, but getting the interview is often the easy part — doing a good job during your interactions with the reporter is the really tough part. It’s what determines whether or not your name and information will ever see the light of day.
When we conduct media training, here are the general tips we share: Continue reading “Media Interview Tips: How to Get the Coverage You’re Hoping For!”
Contributing Content: Big Opportunities in Content Marketing!
There are big opportunities these days in content marketing. All kinds of organizations, from traditional publishers and media outlets to businesses hoping to gain online traction through organic search are looking for quality content. That means big opportunities for content creators of all kinds. It also means big opportunities for businesses and individuals hoping to get media coverage for themselves and their products and services.
Why? Continue reading “Contributing Content: Big Opportunities in Content Marketing!”
Do You Believe Everything You Read?
By now, just about everybody is aware that the news industry has been impacted dramatically by the ability of consumers to seek–and even generate–news themselves through a variety of online resources that may include their own blogs and social media accounts. When breaking news occurs, it is often shared first online where it grows and spreads exponentially. The problem is: it’s not always accurate! Continue reading “Do You Believe Everything You Read?”
No, Paper Isn’t Dead and Isn’t Likely to be for a long, long, long time…
The demise of paper has been predicted for a century, but the end is nowhere in sight according to a recent article in “The Week.”
I heartily agree with this sentiment and I’ve seen interesting examples of just why this is likely to be the case in classes I teach at a local university. While most people today claim that “the millennials prefer electronic communication,” that’s not necessarily true–just ask the millennials! Continue reading “No, Paper Isn’t Dead and Isn’t Likely to be for a long, long, long time…”
The Yin and Yang of Finding–or Being–an Online Expert. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors.
In the “old days” finding experts was largely limited to identifying them through academic circles or highly regarded trade and professional publications. Experts were, in essence, “vetted” and those seeking their input could rely upon their veracity, authority and credentials. But, things have changed. Today, quite literally, anyone can be positioned as an “expert”–whether they really are or not. This has become possible because of the World Wide Web and a plethora of online communication channels, including web sites, social media, blogs, etc. This is both a good and a bad thing. Interestingly, it is both good and bad for experts and non-experts. Here’s why:
Continue reading “The Yin and Yang of Finding–or Being–an Online Expert. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors.”
PR Pro Thinks Blog Posts are the New Press Release — But, What do Journalists Think?
I read an interesting blog post today from Arik Hanson’s blog “Communications Conversations” titled News releases or blog posts: What is the future of media relations? In it, he suggests that companies and individuals hoping to gain attention through the media should give up on the outmoded use of traditional news releases in favor of blogs. Blogs, he says, offer many benefits including: Continue reading “PR Pro Thinks Blog Posts are the New Press Release — But, What do Journalists Think?”
Should You Have a Blog?
A business colleague of mine recently asked me what I thought about the value of a blog. Seems a vendor she was working with was recommending a blog and she really didn’t see the value. There are, though, two very important reasons that those wishing to build an online presence should consider managing a blog (and a few other, secondary, reasons). Continue reading “Should You Have a Blog?”
Introducing Something New? How To Generate News!
Whether you’re opening a new business, launching a new product, hiring a new employee, writing a book, creating a blog, etc., etc., etc., there are a number of activities that your business might engage in that you feel should generate news. Problem is, there is often a gap (or seems to be) between what you think is newsworthy and what the new media think.
The good news is that even very small organizations can generate media exposure. They need, though, to follow some general guidelines. Continue reading “Introducing Something New? How To Generate News!”
Decline of News Media Industry May Hold Opportunities For You: Here’s Why
Pew’s recently released analysis of the state of the news media appears, upon first analysis, to be nothing but dismal. The report indicates that newspaper newsroom cutbacks left the industry down 30 percent since its peak in 2000–actually below 40,000 full-time employees for the first time since 1978! Instead of news as we know it, most of these “news” outlets are focused on reporting sports, weather and traffic. Even CNN’s news packages are down nearly half according to the report.
But, for businesses, business professionals and would-be thought leaders there’s a silver lining here. Continue reading “Decline of News Media Industry May Hold Opportunities For You: Here’s Why”