The Public Relations Blog

To better the PR pro/journalist relationship, avoid these common mistakes.

Public relations professionals and journalists have a symbiotic yet strained relationship at times. As a PR veteran who worked with the media for over 15 years, I've encountered recurring habits among reporters that annoy even the most experienced PR pros. 

Though many journalists are a pleasure to work with, a few key etiquette tweaks could go a long way toward smoothing out communication.

Avoid beginner PR mistakes by understanding important industry terms and how to properly use them.

Though the difference between “communication” and “communications” is only one letter, these two terms have distinct meanings in strategic public relations. Understanding when to use each term is critical for PR professionals, as misusing these words can undermine carefully crafted messaging strategies.

Strategically optimize for autocomplete to boost your website traffic and convert more leads online.

Google's autocomplete search predictions operate like free advertising space on the world's most popular search engine. When relevant keyword phrases pop up in the user’s search, companies receive prime visibility to countless people. For any organization, a high ranking in autocomplete results can be transformational, funneling customers straight to your website. 

Commercial newswire news releases may be an asset, but they must be used judiciously.

Companies often use commercial newswire services to distribute news releases with the goal of securing media placement and reaching a wider audience. But do these paid distribution services actually help with search engine optimization? The short answer is yes, but there are caveats.

Marketers need to be more selective and creative when pitching ideas.

PR professionals have always tried to make their pitches more enticing by linking them to major news events. However, new data reveals this once-solid strategy is becoming increasingly ineffective in 2023. 

Business-to-consumer cybersecurity companies can use national media coverage to expand their consumer base and share best practices.

With the proliferation of technology and growing digitalization of our lives, cybersecurity is no longer a niche subject but a mainstream concern. For business-to-consumer (B2C) cybersecurity companies, getting national media coverage is not just about brand promotion; it's about contributing their knowledge to a vital public discourse.

Earned media will help your company get its “foot in the door” in a competitive home improvement industry.

Think of earned media like publicity, except this form of coverage is typically earned via public relations efforts rather than payment or advertisements. Earned media allows an organic route into the public sphere through mentions across news articles, blogs, social media posts, and more. 

Transform your media relations with these four principles of communication.

The ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with journalists is paramount in PR. The 4 R’s of media relations — responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect — serve as a guiding principle for PR professionals to foster positive relationships with the media. 

Positive media attention can make or break a company. It can increase brand recognition, attract new customers, and generate revenue. But earning that media coverage can be difficult. So, what’s the key to success? Knowing when to pitch the right story to the appropriate contacts at the appropriate outlet at the right time. Let’s dive into what a "done for you" story pitch is and how it can help your company garner positive media attention.