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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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.

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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.

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