One person effectively communicating a message will have some impact. Many people authentically doing the same will have even greater impact. It doesn't require a PhD in algebra to figure this out. Unfortunately many in PR are still wed to the old ways of doing things. Someone who I know that is quite effective in using this social PR approach is Shonali Burke, a consultant based out of …
Communications Commandment #1: Know Your Audience
There is a common thread that led to success when writing a cover letter, marketing message and media pitch: know your audience! I recently interviewed Heidi Scott Giusto on the FIR on Higher Education podcast to discuss a topic that I am not an expert in: communications during the career search. It was interesting for me to hear Heidi discuss how many make the mistake of not communicating …
Why Groups and Individuals Within Higher Education Should Consider Podcasting
It is a crowded content space out there. Attention spans are limited. As you think about your content marketing strategy, you should perhaps consider podcasting as a medium to achieve your goals. Podcasting is the only form of content that can be consumed while an individual is doing other activities. Whether you are doing housework, driving or exercising, you can tune into your favorite podcasts. …
Podcast Episode #51: Nurturing Relationships with Journalists
Newsrooms are shrinking. The ratio of PR professionals to journalists in the United States is almost 5 to 1. Journalists complain about the exorbitant number of pitches they receive. For media relations professionals, it can be difficult to get on the radar of a targeted journalist. On episode 51 of FIR on Higher Education, media relations expert Kiki Keating discusses the art of developing …
Introducing the Experiential Media Event: Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Positive press can open doors for individuals and organizations in dramatic ways. For start-ups, awareness is generated amongst investors, clients and future employees that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. For a university, it leads to visibility among key stakeholders like current students, prospective students, alumni and the community. Rarely does ongoing positive media visibility happen by …
Podcast Episode #50: PR Strategies and Tactics for Events
Are you maximizing the public relations opportunities around different events that you are organizing? Higher education related events usually feature interesting content, particularly if it is an academic conference or some sort of multi-day symposium. Making the most of such events from a PR perspective can be challenging. We delve into this topic on episode 50 of FIR on Higher Education …
Podcast Episode #49: Leveraging Social Media as a University Senior Leader
Different studies highlight how CEOs can reap positive benefits by using social media (see Weber Shandwick study). At the university level, there are some presidents, provosts and school deans who are also using social media in a strategic way. Take for example University of North Carolina Provost Jim Dean, who has been tweeting actively since 2009. On episode 49 of FIR on Higher Education, …
Podcast Episode #48: How to Create a Successful Podcast for your Department or Institution
Chris Rose, Outreach Director at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, launched the 15 Minute History Podcast in 2013. Little did he know at the time that within eight months, the podcast would shoot to the number one ranked podcast on iTunesU. 15 Minute History is a podcast about world and US history produced by the History Department at the University of Texas …
Podcast Episode #46 – How to Leverage Podcasting at Events
Podcasting can be a valuable way to drive awareness for events and provide valuable content for attendees, whether it is an academic conference, a program or a symposium with several prominent guest speakers. Donna Papacosta, author of the Business of Podcasting, discusses how to effectively do this on episode 46 of FIR on Higher Education. Among the topics we discuss: Benefits of doing …
Podcast Episode #45: Lessons for Communicators from the University of Missouri Protests
It has been a very difficult last couple of weeks for the University of Missouri as the school has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. African American students led protests because administrators were slow to respond to various safety issues raised. Things seemed to come to a culmination following negative student encounters with University President Tim Wolfe. One graduate student …
Join My Free Media Training Mini-Course on Periscope! (#MediaTrainingScope)
There are lots of shiny new objects that come out on a regular basis. All too often, what is the talk of town quickly fades away. I think Periscope is an exception. There are many unique differentiators about Periscope that set it apart from other social networks. If you haven't seen Periscope in action, I encourage to download the app and see how different individuals are using the tool. I have …
New Survey: The State of PR and Communications at Public Policy / Public Affairs Schools
Public policy and public affairs schools still have work to do in ensuring that their PR activities are aligned with institutional big-picture goals. This is among the findings from Experiential Communications’ inaugural public relations and communications survey of schools focused on public policy and public affairs. The 10-question survey was conducted in May and June 2015 with the goal of …
Book Review Podcast: What Communicators Can Learn from David Axelrod’s “Believer”
As a strategic communicator, David Axelrod has seen it all. In 2008 and 2012, Axelrod was the communications brains behind Barack Obama’s presidential election victories. He also navigated significant communications crises and developed strategic messaging that moved millions. In his tremendous book Believer: My Forty Years in Politics, David Axelrod shares these stories and lessons. In a FIR …
Episode #38 – How Professors Can Leverage Periscope in the Classroom
There are tremendous opportunities to use Periscope in the classroom. In addition, there are also some risks. On episode of FIR on Higher Education episode 38, we examine these opportunities and threats with three professors who have used mobile live streaming apps in their respective classrooms: Karen Freberg from the University of Louisville, Jimmy Sanderson from Clemson and Chris Yandle from …
Lessons for Communicators from Book “Believer” by David Axelrod
Politics is a great way to see communications done well. It also is a means to see how a few mishaps can be extremely detrimental for a candidate, industry and a nation. On that note, I really enjoyed reading David Axelrod's new book entitled Believer: My Forty Years in Politics. Disclaimer: I actually am not a big fan of many of the politicians whom Axelrod represents. However, from afar, I've …