Managing Communication During Power Outages

Managing Communication During Power Outages

The morning of Feb. 15, Texans woke up to a Winter Wonderland. As the day wore on, our Winter Wonderland turned into a Winter Wasteland. Power outages left thousands of residents without heat and in the dark. To compound the challenges, many lost water service to their homes from frozen water pipes and other weather-related issues. The winter storm of 2021 taught us many lessons when outages lasted more than a day. Here are a few tips to help you plan for the next major weather disaster.

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A Starter Guide to Clubhouse
Getting Ahead, Business Tips, Digital Marketing, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson Getting Ahead, Business Tips, Digital Marketing, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson

A Starter Guide to Clubhouse

Have you heard about Clubhouse? I’ve been on the app for less than two weeks and I really enjoy the experience so far. Think of it as stepping into an audio-only conference with workshops to pick from.

It is defined as “casual drop-in audio conversations with friends and other interesting people around the world.” Here are some tips I noted in my short time on Clubhouse to make you or your clients look “experienced.”

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Four PR Strategies for 2021

Four PR Strategies for 2021

Did you have to throw out most of your 2020 public relations plans when COVID-19 took hold of our daily lives? This January, hit the reset button on your organization’s communication goals with lessons learned from the pandemic. Your plan should incorporate these four approaches.

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Three Things I Learned as a PR Apprentice

Three Things I Learned as a PR Apprentice

Before receiving the title of Public Relations Apprentice at MVW Communications, I was just a PR graduate with some theoretical practice in my area of study. I knew that the real lessons hadn’t even begun. Although the lessons I learned during my time at MVW are too many to mention, I’ve listed my top three.

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Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

At this point in 2020, each member of my household now has a dedicated Zoom account. Zoom/video call mishaps are still an everyday occurrence. Some professionals have been embarrassed or even fired for something seen while using Zoom. While media training has fundamentals, there are some nuances that should be accounted for when patching into a television studio virtually. As a PR professional, I see a need to share these insights with businesses and organizations facing media interviews over virtual platforms like Zoom.

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How Puzzles Help with PR Planning
Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson

How Puzzles Help with PR Planning

We jumped on the puzzle trend at my home during the pandemic to find a way to keep our kids off screens during “bored” times. Here’s what I imagined -- opening a fresh cardboard-scented puzzle box brings a surge of excitement and anticipation of a new adventure. My reality -- we opened the box and looked at all the pieces and I immediately felt overwhelmed. That overwhelmed/puzzled/anxious/hopeful feeling was familiar. It’s the same feeling I get when starting the strategic communication planning process.

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How Livestreaming Can Help During COVID-19
Business Communication, Digital Marketing, Business Tips Melissa Vela-Williamson Business Communication, Digital Marketing, Business Tips Melissa Vela-Williamson

How Livestreaming Can Help During COVID-19

Stay-at-home measures caused by COVID-19 in the United States are leading to an increase in the popularity of livestreaming content for consumers and creators. Livestreaming is a powerful tool that allows for direct communication in real-time, giving users a much needed sense of connection. In this blog, I share how to’s for individuals, professionals, and/or organizations who want to use livestreaming to adjust to life in this “new normal.”

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Crisis Communication in the COVID-19 Climate

Crisis Communication in the COVID-19 Climate

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned organizations of all sizes across the world upside down. Our independence and social norms have shifted dramatically to stop the spread of this novel coronavirus. Based on what I’ve experienced alongside journalists these past days, here are suggestions for how to move forward in our world’s new normal.

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Two PR Materials Newsrooms Need

Two PR Materials Newsrooms Need

Two materials are critical for the PR tool belt of anyone who wants local newsrooms to publish their stories: the press release and the media alert. In collaboration with a top newsroom editor, we outlined what elements are necessary for each document- a breakdown that will help readers distinguish between the two frequently confused materials.

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Nine Ways to Determine What's Newsworthy

Nine Ways to Determine What's Newsworthy

Throughout my 19-year career specializing in public relations, I have worked with countless journalists to tell important stories. Pitching story ideas to reporters can seem daunting. Read about the nine ways that journalists determine what stories may be worth covering. Use these points as criteria on whether you should consider your “news” worthy of a story pitch.

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