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.

Read More
Introducing: Final Thoughts Friday
Final Thoughts Friday, Getting Ahead, Business Communication Melissa Vela-Williamson Final Thoughts Friday, Getting Ahead, Business Communication Melissa Vela-Williamson

Introducing: Final Thoughts Friday

I've been terrible about posting consistently. Who has time, right? I've noticed I can find time to write blog posts on Fridays. My brain is DONE by Friday, though. So let's keep it simple. I'm launching a special Friday series where I round up the best lessons the week had to offer. The good, bad and the uggggglllly.

Read More
Eight Ways Graduates Can Prepare for the PR World
Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson

Eight Ways Graduates Can Prepare for the PR World

You get the degree; you get the dream job…right?  Any practitioner can tell you it doesn’t work that way. Employers believe that degrees carry weight -- but that's just part of the equation. Learning the theory of public relations and the practice of it can reveal wide gaps.  So how can a new graduate prepare to earn (and keep) a place in the PR world?  Here are eight essential tips that can help you succeed during your first years on the job.

Read More
Five Ways to Increase Your Relationship ROI
Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson Getting Ahead Melissa Vela-Williamson

Five Ways to Increase Your Relationship ROI

One of the fastest ways to get ahead is learning from others’ lessons. I'm grateful to leaders like Nely Galan who are honest about the decades it took them to become an overnight success. It's a gift when we can avoid pitfalls, work smarter and navigate our career paths in ways that are a little less painful. What inspires someone to be candid and vulnerable enough to share a game-changing story with you? Your relationship.

Read More
3 Words to Fix a "Mad Face"
Personal Branding Melissa Vela-Williamson Personal Branding Melissa Vela-Williamson

3 Words to Fix a "Mad Face"

To know me is to know that I'm a mother. I always have some story about my kids that helps illustrate a point in a meeting, builds rapport with a new client or simply breaks the ice at an awkward social gathering. I also tend to develop little sayings -- little phrases that help me illustrate an important message. When I'm lucky, the stars align for my kids to inspire one that helps us all be better people.

Read More
Ghosting Is a Don't. Show Respect by Responding
Business Communication Melissa Vela-Williamson Business Communication Melissa Vela-Williamson

Ghosting Is a Don't. Show Respect by Responding

I've noticed lately that not responding seems to be the new method many people are using to opt out of simply saying "no".  It used to happen more in my personal life. We've probably all sat on RSVPing to an event at some point in time. Now, it's happening more often in the business world.  Professionals, even professional communicators, are choosing silence as a response.

Read More