Media Relations

 by Sammi Coppedge

Why Persistence is Public Relations’ Most Valuable Skill

While public relations may seem like a dazzling profession full of glam, glitz, and celebrities, PR pros understand how truly grueling the work can be. At times, PR can involve a lot of teamwork, determination, and patience, but most importantly, it involves persistence.

 

It’s easy for someone to write a press release about an upcoming event or initiative or even to create a landing page online for blog content. But to really drive results, PR experts understand how crucial it is to be persistent in your efforts – from media relations to content creation and social media, it takes more than distributing one press release every six months or posting one Tweet each week to really drive results.

 

When it comes to conducting media relations or PR campaigns, persistence is particularly important. In order to successfully conduct a media relations campaign, simply writing a release, publishing it on the company’s press page and hoping media will pick it up will likely will not cut it. Brands should consistently test out new story angles and hooks, follow up with media regularly – sharing additional information to pique their interest – and always be on the hunt for a new media contact who might be interested in sharing your story.

 

Besides that, media relations involves a lot of other tasks that require a persistent mindset. For instance, we hear “no” more times than we can count when reaching out to media with story ideas. PR pros invest a lot of time researching the perfect journalists just to find out they’re not interested in your topic. We also hear “maybe” a lot, which can often turn out to be dead ends. The trick is to not get discouraged, but rather see it as a challenge to overcome.

 

The point is a good PR pro understands you can’t take no for an answer. When one door closes, we find a way to open another. By researching additional contacts, sending out new pitches and continuing to persevere, we’re able to secure the results our clients deserve.

 

A young professional starting out in the world of PR might be surprised at just how much patience and perseverance the job takes. However, when you’re passionate about your clients, you don’t just give up. Instead, we work hard to find new opportunities, review past failures and keep trucking forward.

 

Public relations can be an extremely valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. Whether a company is well established or just starting out, it can be very beneficial to position your brand to the public in a proactive way to ensure your brand is well recognized. After all, behind any public relations campaign is a well-crafted strategy, precise messaging, and a whole lot of perseverance.

 

If you’re interested in learning how our team’s tenacious efforts can generate results for your company, contact Lauryn Gray, lauryn@dittoepr.com, or request a consultation today!

in Media Relations / Media Strategy / Public Relations / Thought Leadership 0 comments
 by dittoepr

Now Accepting Applications for Public Relations Fall Internship 2018

If you’re interested in experiencing PR agency life and gaining real-world knowledge and experience, then Dittoe Public Relations may be the place for you! We’re hiring public relations interns for fall 2018, and we want you to apply! This internship is paid and part-time or full-time options are available.

 

Here’s what you need to know:

Dittoe PR interns are responsible for assisting with the execution of strategic public relations and social media initiatives and contributing to the success of the firm’s clients. Interns will be mentored by intern directors and work closely with the firm’s entire staff, from account coordinators to the company’s partners.

 

This internship is for detail-oriented, self-starters looking to develop a well-rounded public relations skillset in an energetic and challenging environment. The ideal candidate should have strong communication skills (both verbal and written), initiative, and creativity, as well as feel comfortable juggling multiple projects and deadlines. Key tasks will focus on media relations, research and analysis, reporting, content creation, and more.

 

Sampling of responsibilities:

  • Drafting compelling content such as press releases, media pitches, social media posts, and more
  • Carrying out special event planning tasks
  • Participating in agency meetings, training sessions, and brainstorming sessions
  • Handling research and analysis projects in support of client objectives as needed
  • Researching comprehensive press lists for local, national, and trade media
  • Contributing to the execution of media relations campaigns
  • Assisting with client and business projects as needed
  • Assisting with administrative duties as assigned by staff

 

Key qualifications:

  • Actively enrolled in or a recent graduate of a university journalism, public relations, strategic communications, marketing, advertising, or other related program
  • Previous professional or relevant internship experience (public relations experience is a plus)
  • An understanding of basic journalism and media relations skills
  • Solid, versatile writing skills in both creative and technical fields
  • An ability to be professional and personable in written and verbal communication
  • Demonstrates attention to detail and good judgment
  • Smart, creative, assertive, and innovative individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment
  • Flexible and willing to collaborate with teams
  • Proven ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines
  • Additional knowledge in social media, design, photography/videography are a plus

 

To apply, send a cover letter, resume with references, and three diverse writing samples to Greta Snell at greta [at] dittoepr.com. No phone calls please. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. EST on Sunday, July 15.

in Internship / Media Relations / Public Relations 0 comments
 by Skylar Whitney

How to Build a Social Media Strategy That Works for Your Business

Some of you may be wondering what is a social media strategy and is it necessary for my business? To answer your first question, a social media strategy is simply an extension of a business’ overall marketing and public relations strategy. Built to support the achievement of company-wide goals, social media strategies should outline campaigns and tactics for key social media channels. As for the second question, YES! Every business, whether it’s a startup or a Fortune 500 company, should have a presence on social media.

 

Percent of U.S. adults who say they use the following social media sites online or on their cellphone – via Pew Research Center

With 68 percent of U.S. adults using the platform regularly, Facebook is by far one of the most popular social media platforms available for marketers. But the social media narrative extends far beyond the “walls” of Facebook. Since 2016, the use of Instagram by U.S. adults has increased from 28 percent to more than 35 percent, with higher numbers reported from 18-24 year olds, making it the second most-used platform.

 

You may now be asking if your business should be present and active on all social media platforms, from the “big-box” names like Facebook and Instagram to the lesser-known platforms like Snapchat and Pinterest. The average American uses three of the top eight, and while it’s not necessary to be present on each and every channel, it is recommended to select the most important platforms based on your target audiences and team’s ability to implementing a cohesive strategy.

 

Implementing a social media strategy will improve your business in more ways than one. Below are the top benefits for implementing a strategic plan on social media:

 

Creating a face for your company online.

In addition to providing an online presence housed outside of your website, the use of a social media strategy will improve search engine optimization (SEO), allowing your company’s name and product name(s) to appear in more relevant searches when using key terms and phrases.

 

Increasing knowledge about products and offerings.

Additionally, the strategic use of social media will help to build brand awareness and exposure. Drafting content that includes direct links back to your company’s website can also help to increase web traffic and conversion rates as well as provide valuable feedback from customers.

 

Proving ROI in relation to marketing goals.

Reaching new and niche audiences can be challenging using traditional marketing tactics. With a strategic social media strategy, companies can target specific audiences directly through advertisements and boosted posts, as well as reach audience members in a more authentic way.

 

Need help building a strategy that works for your business? Contact Lauryn Gray, lauryn@dittoepr.com, or request a consultation today!

in Media Relations / Social Media / Strategy 0 comments
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