At a recent meeting with a media training client we discussed planning for crises, and particularly the benefits of having a robust crisis communications strategy with agreed emergency procedures in place. This client had recently experienced a crisis. One of the key lessons she learned was the importance of establishing in advance a crisis committee to […]
Effective press release writing
Last week I ran my first press release writing course for the Public Relations Consultants Association in Manchester. As well as plenty practical exercises in writing and brainstorming, in Writing Effective Press Releases, I also shared the theory and best practice needed to write press releases that are picked up by journalists and editors. My […]
Does your press release pass the Smartphone test?
What do I mean by the smartphone test? Simply that if a journalist received your press release on their phone, would they want to read it, or would they immediately delete it? Nowadays, press releases don’t first arrive as hard copies, which are then scan-read, and either put on a pile for follow up, or […]
The power of pictures
They say a picture paints a thousand words and in media terms, it’s absolutely true. The Scotsman on Scottish referendum day has been widely derided for what has been described as the dullest front page ever: Exciting pic of a door “@TheScotsman: Scotsman front page: Day of destiny http://t.co/ae4SDp8eIZ#indyrefpic.twitter.com/7qAsNJWfga” #indyref — Suzanne Carbone (@SuzanneCarbone) September […]
Six handy PR tips
Today I’ve pulled some PR tips out of the bag – completely at random – which should help boost the amount of editorial coverage you get in newspapers, TV and on the radio. 1. Journalists love pegs. You are more likely to get more coverage if you link your activities and press releases to an […]
Media training tip: Keep it simple – as Einstein said
‘You mean dumb it down?’ That’s a line we hear a lot during our media training sessions. It’s generally in response to our advice to use simple language during interviews with journalists. My response is generally to quote Einstein. Because dumbing down is most definitely not what we mean. If you want your audience – […]
Media training tips: 7 questions to ask a journalist
The phone rings, and there’s a journalist on the other end. It’s pretty flattering – they want to talk to ME! But also a bit daunting. After all, you don’t want to say the wrong thing and get stitched up. First of all, don’t panic. This is a great opportunity to promote yourself and your […]
How to gain coverage: advice for PR pros from a BBC producer
How should PRs and press offices approach journalists and newsdesks? What is the most effective way of pitching your stories and securing coverage? Those were questions I recently put to a friend who as a producer on the BBC One O’Clock news, is certainly on the receiving end of a lot of pitches from public […]
Slideshare: 21st Century Media Relations
How should charity PRs and communications teams approach promoting events and campaigns in a digital age? That was the key question at a conference this week, run by CharityComms, PR in the Digital Age. I was privileged to be asked to run one of the break-out sessions at the conference, 21st Century Media Relations, during which […]
Media training: the price of a bad interview
Do you know how you come across in interviews with journalists? Are you arrogant? Are you boring? Are you too flippant? Are you incomprehensible? Because if you are any of these things it could seriously damage your reputation, it could damage your relationship with your stakeholders, and it may even cost you clients. If you […]
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