The Public Relations Blog

If you’re not using PR to grow your business, you’ll soon be left behind

It seems like every day we are asked to embrace some new product, idea or way of doing business. Each time, we are promised that if we get on board with the new plan, we will change the world. Some things hold true, such as the microwave, the internet and social media; others, not so much. However, there is now a novel approach to handling public relations and marketing that we believe will stand the test of time.

Learn why your company needs social media channels for effective crisis communication

General Motors CEO Mary Barra apologized for the disaster surrounding GM’s faulty ignition switches. Domino’s Pizza CEO Patrick Doyle expressed regret after two employees created a disgusting YouTube video prank featuring nothing you would ever want on a pizza. But was this enough? 

Every available statistic proves that images are critical to social media and overall communications campaign success. Worthwhile images and video can stimulate a proverbial viral riot over a topic or product. Therefore, many businesses, bloggers and digital media mavens invest in beautiful photographs to add to their websites, blogs and social media posts to increase engagement.

If you find that your social media engagement falls by the wayside, as many people often do, you may think: “Is it even worth it if I can’t keep up with it?” Earlier this year, we talked about frequency of posts on Twitter and Facebook and provided recommendations for determining how often you should share content on these networks. In our blog posts, we didn’t address how those with extreme time constraints can make it work – or whether they even should. Say you only have time for one post a week, should you even bother?

Axia Public Relations provides a step-by-step guide for companies with multiple locations

Many companies that have more than one location may find it difficult deciding which address to associate with their Facebook page. Facebook used to require a separate page for each location; but recently, it realized the demand for one page that could display all of a company’s locations and now offers that option to users.

Companies such as Starbucks and Target are utilizing this new offering on their company Facebook pages.

Get more positive news coverage with help from PR

When it comes to gaining a foothold with journalists, you may feel like everyone else has the key to unlock the door but you. The truth is there are tips and techniques to make it easier. With these 10 rules – and help from public relations – you can increase your chances for attaining news coverage and increasing your visibility.

The right words paint the best picture

When you want to say exactly the right thing, you spend a lot of time thinking about it.  Selecting the best words is crucial in delivering the appropriate message. Words and phrases take priority in the algorithm that search engines use to pull the best content to the top of results lists, but inappropriate use actually lowers rankings.

Nowadays, it seems that everyone wants to know everything as soon as possible. This culture of instant gratification pervades everything from social media and internet gossip channels to the national news networks. It has even intruded upon the business environment.

How your decision will affect your online success

A staff member takes to social media to complain about your customers after a particularly stressful day at work. It seems that your employees spend more time checking their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online dating sites than they do on work. With such a huge potential for disaster, you may be ready to ban social networks at your company altogether.

Social media is optimal for promoting interaction between your company and the public in a way that is meaningful and delivers results. But a social media crisis can send your company into a tailspin if your social media campaign is not on target.

Several top companies have experienced social media woes that they could have easily avoided – or at the very least minimized. Here are a few examples, followed with the steps they might have taken to avoid a social media crisis.