Education | Communiqué PR
03Apr
The Truth Test: Why Vetting Sources is Crucial in Today’s Media Landscape
In today’s fast-paced media environment, misinformation and "fake news" can easily gain traction. Information can be shared rapidly across social media, blogs and online platforms—sometimes before it can be fact-checked. Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure the media outlets you’re working with are credible and trustworthy. PR professionals are in a unique position to safeguard the accuracy and [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Media, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources
18Apr
From Data to Diplomacy: Essential PR Skills for the Modern World
When communication is both art and armor, mastering Public Relations is akin to unlocking superpowers. Whether it's wielding data, captivating audiences with storytelling, navigating the digital landscape, resolving crises with swift diplomacy, or embracing global perspectives, each skill elevates your PR prowess. Here are five essential skills that every communicator needs: Analytics Armor: Leverage data to strengthen PR strategies. How [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Strategy, Writing
20Jul
Public Relations: The Art of Exceptional Client Service
In the fast-paced world of public relations, exceptional client service is the cornerstone of a prosperous career. The most successful PR professionals not only meet client expectations, they exceed them. This success comes from establishing clear communication, setting realistic expectations and maintaining integrity with the media. Understanding the Essence of Client Service: Client service goes beyond fulfilling tasks and requests. [...]
Filed under: Education, Execution, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Reputation Management
15Jun
How Data and Analytics Can Support the Success of PR Campaigns
In the shifting PR landscape, data and analytics are powerful tools for PR professionals. By harnessing data-driven insights, PR campaigns can be strategically planned, executed and measured for success. A recent Forbes article shows how data and analytics can enhance a PR campaign’s success. We know data and analytics are important when measuring the impact of a PR campaign. But [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy
01Jun
Examining L.L.Bean’s Decision to Go “Off the Grid” for Mental Health Awareness Month
For the second year, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has gone “off the grid,” pausing all social media channels and encouraging followers to spend time outside. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the company wiped its social media profiles on May 1, leaving only tips and tools to support people in getting outside for their own mental wellbeing. This year’s strategy [...]
Filed under: Branding, Consumer, Education, INDUSTRY, PUBLIC RELATIONS
02Mar
Best practices to measure PR campaign results
As the statistician and management consultant W. Edwards Deming once said, “Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” Collecting and analyzing data is critical for all businesses and organizations. Understanding results gives teams insight into what is working versus what isn’t. It helps them make informed decisions and optimize performance. As strategic partners, PR professionals should constantly review [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Monitor and Measure, Our Results, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy
23Feb
Best practices for interviewing a subject matter expert
In PR, subject matter experts are invaluable when developing content for bylines, speaking opportunities and other messaging purposes. Interviewing a subject matter expert gives PR professionals a unique perspective that will ensure they are meeting their clients’ goals. However, interviewing a subject matter expert is no simple task. If not done correctly, PR professionals may be left with unanswered questions, [...]
Filed under: Education, Education Industry, Healthcare Industry, INDUSTRY, Infrastructure Industry, Media, Non-profit, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Space Industry, Tech Industry
24Jan
Best Practices: Conducting Productive and Insightful Staff Trainings
Training plays a crucial role in the success of an organization. Whether it’s staff onboarding, mandatory state training or other educational meetings, training can help employees develop skills for their everyday work. It can also help them stay current with industry developments, technology advancements and best practices. To put it simply, creating practical training can have a positive impact on [...]
Filed under: Career, Collaboration, COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Experience, Leadership, Planning, WORK
12Jan
The Process and Impact of Proactive Pitching
Proactive pitching can be a powerful way to get media coverage for your company, even when there is no major news to announce. By finding the right angle and tailoring it to specific reporters, PR professionals can increase their chances of getting coverage. For example, by highlighting a perspective on an industry trend or sharing information about company milestones, you [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy
15Dec
Five Tips for Understanding and Managing Client Expectations
PR is a relationship-driven industry. As such, mastering client relations is central to a successful career in PR – especially in an agency setting. A critical component of client relations is understanding and managing expectations. Outlined below are five tips for managing client expectations. No. 1: Ask Specific Questions Good questions consider the future. They aim to draw out the [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Execution, Experience, Monitor and Measure, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Strategy
13Dec
Best Practices: Onboarding a New Client
So, you’ve won the business of a new client. Congrats! And so begins the critical onboarding process for a new client that can set the tone for the entire working relationship. Starting off on the right foot is crucial in order to set realistic expectations and standards on how to communicate and to build goodwill. The next step is for your [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Execution, Experience, Monitor and Measure, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Strategy
22Nov
Write Like You Mean It: Gini Dietrich on Making Writing Focused and Significant
Since starting my public relations career this year, I’ve been working to expand my PR knowledge and recently started listening to the PR podcast The Spin Sucks with Gini Dietrich. One episode that caught my attention focused on making your writing meaningful and engaging. In it, Dietrich talked about writing stories that mean something. I found it so helpful that [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Strategy, Writing
03Nov
Looking for a career in PR? Here’s what to consider.
When looking for your first PR job, this industry might seem at once unimaginably exciting and yet impossibly opaque. Some surprising questions might pop up during your first job search. As someone in the early stages of their PR career, I have some insight into the industry that might be helpful to those trying to break into PR. Here are [...]
Filed under: Career, COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, PUBLIC RELATIONS, WORK
25Oct
Microsoft Excel Tips for PR Professionals
Microsoft Excel has been a staple for my work in office environments, even after changing industries. I have needed Excel for multiple reasons, first in childcare management and now in my current role in a public relations firm. Excel is an essential tool for creating quality, data-related work, and I have found that even though I have Excel experience, my [...]
Filed under: Collaboration, Education, Monitor and Measure, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Remote Work, Technology, WORK
04Oct
PR Business Development 101
The PR landscape is becoming more competitive than ever. There are more than 54,000 public relations firms in the United States, and in 2022, the industry grew by 5.2%. Given the normalization of remote services, that growth is expected to continue. That makes clients more valuable than ever. Clients make up the foundation of any PR firm, and business development [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Planning, PR trends, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy
06Sep
2022 YTD PR Results for Kantola
It's incredible to see how many publications today focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. While I haven't done a comprehensive review of mid-1990s or 2000s content, I don't remember past editors and reporters consistently covering these workplace issues. Today, however, a wide range of outlets are interested in writing about this subject, often to educate leaders, managers, and individuals on [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Diversity, Education, Execution, Media, Monitor and Measure, Our Results, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Strategy, Writing
25Aug
4 Lessons We Can Learn From The Sopranos’ Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri About Effective PR Strategies
On July 8, 2022, actor Tony Sirico suddenly passed away at the age of 79. Although his professional career spanned decades, most recognize Sirico for his award-winning performance as Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri in The Sopranos. As a high-ranking member of the DiMeo Crime Family, Paulie had his fair share of arrogant, funny and down-right ruthless moments on The Sopranos. However, [...]
Filed under: Branding, Education, Execution, Media, Monitor and Measure, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Reputation Management, Strategy
02Aug
Communiqué PR: 10 Years Ago
A decade is a long time. In 10 years, you’re guaranteed two presidents, five Olympics, one updated U.S. Census report and hundreds of Facebook birthday messages. In 10 years, trends change, new technology is invented and a new generation is born. Hey, 10 years ago, we thought the NBA was coming back to Seattle! In 10 years, businesses and industries [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Experience, Monitor and Measure, PR trends, PUBLIC RELATIONS
28Jul
What Analytic Research Service Is Best for You?
Many of our clients are committed to creating and publicizing meaningful thought leadership content in the form of surveys, white papers, briefing papers, podcasts and webinars. In fact, today it seems like there have never been more opportunities for content placement. The key, however, is to make sure the things that you’re creating are truly valuable. Content needs to be [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Experience, Monitor and Measure, Planning, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy, Technology
26Jul
Measuring Meaningful Results
Public relations is not an exact science. While we can effectively outline anticipated results for an announcement or proactive campaign, there is no guaranteed outcome. So how can we establish meaningful KPIs with our clients that are achievable, measurable and define success? Of course, there are a range of quantitative results that can be tracked, such as number of articles [...]
Filed under: COMMUNIQUÉ PR, Education, Experience, Monitor and Measure, Planning, PR trends, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Sources, Strategy