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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Four Ways to Maximize Your Time Post-Graduation

Four Ways to Maximize Your Time Post-Graduation

The quest for meaningful employment can seem daunting, but these challenges should be used to strengthen our mindset and continue pushing towards our dreams. Instead of pulling the “I graduated into a pandemic and now I can’t get a job,” excuse card, ask yourself what you could be doing to make yourself more marketable to future employers. More importantly, what could you do that would positively impact your mindset and resume?

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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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