All posts tagged Public Relations

Be Visually Driven: Make Readers Think AND Feel

by jaywalk1 on January 6, 2013 in Public Relations, Social Media, Thoughts with 1 Comment

b5scripts031(1)Here is what I imagine to be the typical writing process for most people:

  • Idea
  • Outline
  • Draft Copy
  • Inclusion of relevant links (if applicable)
  • Edit for style and grammar
  • Publish

The thing is we have only addressed what we want people to think. If you’re an amazing writer, then yes, your words can also jump off of the page and the screen to generate a thought as well as a feeling for readers. That said, the vast majority of  people need a little help to get feelings going.

There are a variety of stock image sites out there, try out a few. Consider hiring a freelance photographer to get the shot that you want, if this is in a professional context. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get behind the lens yourself and shoot something original!

However you choose to proceed, the bottom line is this:

We live in a visually driven world.  Don’t just edit for grammar and style. Enhance your writing with powerful, relevant images. Give readers something to make them think AND feel.

 

Capturing Interest and Business with Digital Marketing

by jaywalk1 on October 21, 2012 in PR, Professional Development, Public Relations, Social Media, Social Networking with No comments
BPRS-DClogo

It’s crazy to think that it has already been six years since I first walked into a DC BPRS meeting! I was in my final stretch at GWU and very happy to connect with Black professionals who could share a few pointers on what the industry and market had to offer a new grad.

Fast forward to 2012, and here I am getting ready to speak on a panel at the  National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) Conference in the city where it all began for me!

For more information on the conference and the digital marketing panel I’ll be participating in, visit the Washington, D.C. BPRS Chapter Blog.

 

 

Post-Mongolia: Getting Back in the Saddle

by jaywalk1 on April 4, 2012 in Thoughts, Work with 1 Comment
Camel Pic

This post makes it official. I’m back in Washington, D.C., and after a week in the office, I can say that I’m getting back in the saddle.

For those who didn’t notice my intermittent posts and absence from local events, let me dial it back a bit.

In August 2011, I accepted what seemed like the craziest assignment of my career to date.

Crazy still seems to be the best word for describing the project. How else do you talk about a 7 month project that starts with one question from your supervisor: “How would you feel about taking on a client-side project in Mongolia?”

Mix in some shock, several in-depth Google searches, 1 House Hunters International episode and a variety of follow-up convos, and it was all decided.

3 weeks later I was on a plane with a team of people headed to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

We were sent to train a team of Mongolian staff members on what was labeled as “international best practices,” create work flow processes and an operating structure for a corporate public relations team.

My focus was online communications, and I expected to spend a large portion of my time in country helping to launch a new digital presence for the company.

After a few months, I was knee deep in the development of a new corporate website, guiding engagement for a growing Facebook fan page, writing press releases and executive level talking points, creating video scripts, and generating concepts for infographics and advertisements.

Believe it or not, those were just the interesting parts; the list goes on. I started as more of an online manager and left operating in a generalist role. I have never been more challenged in a role, and to top it off, I was doing it in MONGOLIA with a team of people literally from around the world.

From amazing people and experiences to the workplace challenges and the bitter Mongolian winter, it was an experience I will never forget and will forever cherish.

There’s so much more I can say, but there’s no way to fit 7 months into one post.

I just wanted to say hello again. I’m back and ready to re-engage, so keep an eye out from more from PR Prescriptions!

Reigniting the Flame

by jaywalk1 on January 5, 2011 in Thoughts with No comments

We’re not even seven days into the new year and I’ve already been hit by the funk…and not the Rufus, Tell Me Something Good kind of funk either…

At some point this week, the excitement of the New Year faded and the funk came over. All day, I knew that I just wasn’t “in it.” This has been, by far, the hardest start because for some reason I just wasn’t feeling the spark. I got a good bit done today, set some things in motion for tomorrow and headed out.

It was actually something that I came across in the mail that helped to jumpstart my year as far as PR goes. Believe it or not, it was the PRSA Tactics newsletter.

Reading it reminded me of how great 2010 was and the amazing time I had at the PRSA International Conference. I was slightly geeking out as I perused the pages, but that was a good thing. It took me back to the days when I was still in school and working as an intern. I use to live for the newest issue of Tactics and PR Week. I loved the campaigns- the concepts, the strategy and of course the great execution. I wanted to be the person to come up with those ideas, to achieve those goals.

Remembering those days, feeling those feelings and looking at how far I’ve come in just a few years (and how far I can go!) – it was enough.

Every now and then, you can get bogged down in the mundane points, but it’s great to reignite the flame. I’m fired up and I feel like bustin loose…

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