Tag: strategic

Bulletproof Your Communications Strategy
January 24, 2017
Facing intense competition and a flat economy, businesses face pressure to stretch every marketing dollar further while achieving results. As 2017 has just begun, it’s the perfect time to review your marketing and communications to pinpoint which areas could benefit from greater strength, clarity and efficiency. Use the following questions to assess how well your […]

31 Simple Secrets of Shareable Content
June 17, 2015
Your brilliant ideas only matter if they reach the right audience. That’s why successful companies embrace social media to tell their brand story – and inspire their audience to share it with others. You don’t have to be a Kardashian or Jenner for your content to go viral. You, too, can expand your brand reach, […]

More than luck: 5 tips for winning sales proposals
March 17, 2015
To secure lucrative new clients, even the luck of the Irish may not be enough for your business. Instead, using written proposals as compelling sales tools can help your company stand out, win major accounts and boost your revenue fast. Apply these 5 tips to charm decision makers with strong sales proposals: 1. Use a […]
Nail Your Elevator Pitch
June 3, 2014
Successful professionals and business owners know how to toot their own horn – fast – to turn strangers into customers, investors or part of their network. To learn from their best practices, remember that your audience is busy, so you have less than a minute to make meaningful connections, establish credibility and showcase your talent. Use […]
Boost Your Social Media ROI
May 27, 2014
Recently, social media has exploded from a playful phenomenon to a business imperative. Used effectively, these communication tools help companies gain a competitive advantage by understanding what customers want and how to improve their customer experience. To make wise social media investment decisions for your organization, consider the following strategic questions: Strategic alignment: How does […]
Boost Your Credibility as a Thought Leader
May 13, 2014
An effective way to accelerate your career success is to establish yourself as a thought leader. By sharing your wisdom, experience and best practices with the media, you can quickly boost your credibility and visibility. Editors and journalists want to share your compelling stories and knowledge. With the explosion of social media, you’ll benefit from […]
Case Study: Results-Oriented Press Release
April 15, 2014
Situation One of my clients requested a press release to announce a new strategic alliance. The client wanted to increase awareness of the alliance within a specific B2B industry. Approach To help my client achieve business objectives, I: Analyzed the company’s past media campaigns; Researched targeted trade and mainstream publications; and Considered the client’s, editors’ […]
Declutter With a Communications Audit
April 1, 2014
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home: ‘tis the season to declutter your messaging by conducting a communications audit. By reviewing the effectiveness of your communications, you can distinguish between what delivers an attractive return on investment and what you need to polish. Strategic Considerations An effective communications audit asks: What are our communications goals […]
99 Ways to Score a Marketing Touchdown
February 3, 2014
Few companies can afford a $4 million TV ad during the Super Bowl. For the rest of us, here are 99 ways to tackle the competition and score a touchdown using simple marketing tactics. Marketing Planning 1. Revise or create a marketing plan for your business. 2. Revisit your market research. 3. Analyze your competition. […]
Build a Brilliant Business Blog
January 21, 2014
Today effective brand building demands a strong online presence. As content marketing and social media explode in importance, business blogs are helping companies gain a competitive advantage. Why Blog? Progressive companies understand the advantages of blogging as way to attract, engage and convert their target market – all while building brand awareness, authority and online […]

PR in 2013: A Musical Tribute
December 17, 2013
As the year winds down, let’s take a musical journey as we reminisce about PR campaigns that stood out in 2013. Baby Got Back: After customers complained that lululemon yoga pants were “pilling” between the thighs and the seams were tearing, company founder and chairman Chip Wilson created more negative headlines. He claimed, “some women’s […]
Think Like a Strategist
November 19, 2013
Before you create any new communication, start by focusing on the results you want to achieve. By thinking strategically upfront, you will save time, minimize rework and move your business forward. Answer these questions to think – and write – like a strategist: My Purpose Why am I writing this communication? To inform? Announce? Recommend? […]
Stand Out: Strategic Publicity Practices
October 15, 2013
Want to break through the clutter? Use these media relations tips to help your business stand out and gain a competitive advantage. Know your audience: Your target always impacts your strategy. For instance, do they use social media? Read blogs? Prefer traditional media? Drill down further: Which specific print, broadcast and online properties attract your […]
Recipe for a Strategic Communications Plan
October 1, 2013
A strategic communications plan mixes together all your communication vehicles to accomplish your mission. Its methodical recipe helps you get the results you want. Key ingredients of a communications plan: Executive summary: Write this section last and limit it to one page. Communication process description: Provide information to help decision makers who are not trained […]