This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of “Communicator”, the official publication of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Toronto. As communications professionals, we know that a public relations crisis is always around the corner. According to crisis management expert Ian Mitroff, “every organization is virtually guaranteed to experience at least one major crisis.” These words should be sobering for leaders, communications professionals, and anyone responsible for protecting an organization’s brand and reputation. Skilled communicators have the ability to mitigate many potential public relations fires by delivering timely communications that inform stakeholders. However, communications is a double-edged sword, and communicators – rather than fixing the situation – can make matters worse. Much worse. Want evidence? Here are four examples below of recent crises that were magnified as a result of poor communication: Read the full article >
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How to Create a Comprehensive Social Media Strategy in 5 Simple Steps
To be successful in social media communications, you need to be aware of your organization’s brand, goals and target audience. You also need to develop an awesome content strategy, complete with powerful imagery and persuasive messaging. Read more >
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Why a Picture Is Worth 2.5 Times More Retweets
You may have heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but did you also know that an image is worth 2.5 times more retweets? According to a study by Buffer, a social media company, tweets with images received 150% more retweets. Browser-friendly elements The results shouldn’t be surprising. Images are one of many browser-friendly elements, including headings and vertical lists, which help grab the attention of online viewers. Browser-friendly elements such as images serve as natural breaks and directional goalposts for online viewers who tend to browse, not read, content. Always be sure to include an image in your social media and website posts for maximum engagement.
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What “The Alchemist” Teaches Us About Goal Setting: 4 Valuable Lessons
In the workplace, having goals gives us and our projects direction. Without goals, we and the organizations we work for become rudderless vessels. If you’re looking for inspiration in your goal-setting efforts, look no further than Paolo Coelho’s perennial bestseller The Alchemist. For those of you not familiar, The Alchemist is the fictional story of a Spanish shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels to the Egyptian Pyramids in search of his treasure. Throughout his journey, Santiago experiences many challenges but remains committed to his goal. The inspirational story also provides us with many lessons on goal setting. Below are my favourite lessons learned for goal setting and planning.
Read moreHow to Create Your Own Email Newsletter From Scratch [Infographic]
Originally published December 15, 2014 No matter what your business, having a professional email newsletter is a fantastic way to engage people. An email newsletter allows you to communicate directly with your target audience, while providing your followers and potential customers with the content they want, whether it be gardening tips, celebrity gossip or political news. Want to create your own amazing email newsletter? Follow these 7 quick-and-easy steps below! Step 1 – Build a Subscriber List Get people to sign up for your email newsletter by having them fill out a subscribe form on your website or in person. Remember that you need someone’s consent before you can send them a newsletter. If you operate in Canada, you need to be compliant with Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL). Read my article on CASL for more information. Step 2 – Create a Content Strategy Content is king! When deciding on your […]
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