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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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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Working through Mommy Guilt During the Pandemic

Working through Mommy Guilt During the Pandemic

Managing work and home life seems more challenging than ever, especially for working moms. To avoid burnout and feeling overwhelmed with the millions of choices related to our pandemic reality, I had to ask for help and lean on others. But let’s get real — it seems as though a working mother’s guilt is inevitable — pandemic or not. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help get you through it.

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How to Be COVID-Kind with Video Calls
Business Communication, Business Tips, Digital Marketing Melissa Vela-Williamson Business Communication, Business Tips, Digital Marketing Melissa Vela-Williamson

How to Be COVID-Kind with Video Calls

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there was been a wild increase in the use of video calls. As a PR person, I immediately worried that video calls would add undue volatility to an already unpredictable situation. Before you request a Zoom meeting, consider….is a video call the best tool for this? Would a conference call suffice? Or would a screen-share only video call be the best option for my audience?

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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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