This time of year is brutal.
We’ve hit Reality Check Season here at Matter. In addition to the regular, end-of-year PR stresses of chasing reporters and stories, staying on top of the latest holiday trends, and planning for the New Year ahead, we fine PR pros subject ourselves to something called metrics. (more…)
It is the cold and flu season, you know.
Rather than risk totally taking out my entire office, I was thankfully afforded the opportunity to work from home yesterday. How did I make my day working from home super productive? Here’s a chronology and some tips that you may find useful when you’re also faced with “Should I stay, or should I go…” Yeah, you’ll be singing it all day long now. Sorry! (more…)
It’s no surprise to anyone in PR that print publications are hurting. But a recent article from the New Times of Broward/Palm Beach forwarded to me by my friend and colleague Matt Landry opened my eyes to just how much the print journalism world has changed. I’ve only been in PR since I got out of college about four years ago, and upon my entry into the industry, the digital revolution was in full swing, and I was already used to getting my news online. Print publications are still a part of my everyday outreach and scanning; print is just not the primary channel I pursue. (more…)
On this Veterans Day, I’d like to extend a hardy THANK YOU to everyone who has answered the calling to serve our country. Whether on the sea or below, in a far off desert or right here at home, we keep you all in our thoughts on a daily basis…today is just the annual reminder we have to take time to stop you on the sidewalk and thank you in person. (Yes, we know this is entirely embarrassing for you, but its the best kind of embarrassment!) So THANKS for making such an invaluable commitment to protect me, my family, and the other 300 million of us. (more…)
Over the past month and a half, I hit the road for several weeks traveling on behalf of one my clients to media train local spokespeople and staff interviews with local print and broadcast outlets.
The time away from home wasn’t one I initially embraced but once I was through airport security, sipping my Pumpkin Spice Latte and completed some trainings and interviews, I quickly realized the rewards. For three weeks I focused on being the best possible in-the-field resource for my clients. In the trainings, I taught media basics and helped our spokespeople understand why we craft messages the way we do and what to expect so when they stepped into the interview. In a matter of days I saw the result: polished, professional company spokespeople — some of whom with no prior press experience – beautifully deliver our messaging. A couple more days later I saw that translate into overwhelmingly positive press coverage. (more…)
At one point in our lives, we have all been told that we need to “think outside of the box.” Whether it’s drafting a contributed article for a client or brainstorming new angles for media outreach, there have and will continue to be times when we need to pause and take a moment to get our creative juices flowing. Sometimes it even takes a change of environment to inspire new ways of thinking. (more…)
For years, ‘what have you been reading lately?’ has been my favorite question to ask when interviewing a potential Matter employee, to the point where I am often teased by some of my colleagues for asking that very question. Nonetheless, I have always believed that the question gives you real insight into what a person offers beyond the ABC’s (writing, organization, press and client relations) of PR. (more…)