See & Be PR

The next generation: rewired bots because of Social Media

Public Relations, Social Media No Responses »

Jun 282012

As extreme as this statement may sound, the way we think is different because the way we consume information is different.

Where I remember learning about the Dewey Decimal system and rummaging through books for information to write my school reports, now likely sources are Wikipedia and YouTube.

Sure this is great, amazing even, but I see it as a decline in the way we process information. Maybe every generation looks at the next with a sense of sadness and a yearning for what used to be, but are we creating enough critical thinkers to lead us to a new level of humanity?
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Meet the Press

Public Relations, Uncategorized No Responses »

Jun 262012

Media relations is a well-known term that has tended to be under-defined. Yes it is your company’s relationship with media outlets and professional media practitioners, but it’s more than that. I’m not writing this post to a company, I’m writing it to you – an individual. No matter what, relationships between organisations, whatever the size, are ultimately facilitated and built by relationships between people. And absolutely nothing can replicate the human touch.

In truth the larger the company, the less able any one person can manage its affairs. But it’s the people within corporations that give meaning to the word ‘relations’. So, this is a simple look at some basic but essential principles of managing one of your most vital relationships.

The first rule regarding the media relationship is having one. Emails, phone calls and an exchange of facts/requests/directives don’t make a relationship – not a productive one anyway. Win the trust of editors while you’re trying to win their attention. Even better, win their friendship. That certainly is my goal, because it’s win – win. Ask yourself what stirs your editors, what their hobbies and other interests are and how you can entertain a better relationship by offering something apart from a template email. Enjoy a lunch, drop off a birthday card or make a genuine inquiry about the kids.

Stuck between 2 different generations when it comes to social media

Public Relations, Social Media No Responses »

Jun 212012

People are finally digesting the need for social media, after numerous posts, infographs and examples – this phenomenon is not something new. We’ve seen this with a previous generation’s slow acceptance of the website. It too, took a while to catch on, but catch on it did; outdated now, are those without that kind of presence on the World Wide Web.

The problem with accepting something new is in grasping the dynamics and in turn the importance of the said concept. Those who succeed though, are those who get it first.
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I’m new to PR. Allow me to introduce myself.

Public Relations 1 Response »

Jun 192012

I’m Cynthia: Passionate, eccentric and dedicated.

Pleasantly surprised when I started work with C&B, I was duly informed that I’d be writing blog posts. What could inspire fear in some, is music to my ears, as it is the perfect way to express the real me.

I won’t be suffering from a shortage of topics to address, because I have a lot of thoughts on a lot of things. But on the path to figuring out why people would want to read what I have to say, I figure if they can relate, well, that’s a start.

So this is me: why I’m here, where I’m from and where I’m going.
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Spelling mistakes: Even I make them

Uncategorized 2 Responses »

Jun 132012

Love my job, love writing; but absolutely hate proofreading.

There are so many sites that tell you how to avoid them, and the dangers of losing your reputation when you make them; but how often does anyone tell you it’s ok you did.

Yes, it is. You are human, and as such we are programmed – genetically made even – to make mistakes.

Our spelling mistakes are consistent
Yes, make it once, and you’ll probably make it again.

Consistency of spelling errors in human performance appears to be the rule rather than the exception… Most spelling errors are not only consistent, they are also systematic because, unlike random or guesswork attempts, they reveal the existence of an underlying logical, though incorrect, reasoning.

Somewhere, somehow someone taught you wrong – guess it’s ok to blame your second grade teacher for your downfall now. It’s your job now to re-Pavlovian condition yourself to spell it right.
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PR Pitches – Time to Get Creative

Media, Public Relations No Responses »

Jun 112012

Whether it’s pitching for new accounts or pitching for coverage about existing accounts, this is without a doubt one of the most prominent words in a PR consultant’s vocabulary. It’s true what they say, first impressions are the cornerstone to any long-lasting relationship and when you’re courting a potential client or a journalist, it’s imperative that you approach them with a strong pitch to really make that first impression count.

Journalists are constantly being bombarded with press releases and feature articles on a daily basis; and while we, as PRs, think every story we pitch is highly relevant and an absolute winner, in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t necessarily the case. However, sometimes we hit gold, and when we do, we need to roll up our sleeves and work at getting our story noticed. Continue reading »

Should social media be censored?

Social Media No Responses »

Jun 062012

What is your view on censorship? More so what do you think about social media censorship? How do you react when your message is not posted, or worse is deleted because it does not meet someone else’s sensibilities and idea of what is acceptable and what is not.

It definitely is a debate that has found resonance among millions of social media users, some for and others against it. A good example is the discussion on the following link.

Is social media censoring a good or bad idea?
Are you of the school of thought that thinks of censorship as a person or group is trying to ‘maintain decency’ or ‘hide the unpleasant’? Some view it as a way to introduce personal biases to, ‘dumbing down of’ and deciding for you what message you should get. Maybe you give a thumbs up for virtual policing? Continue reading »

Better at Writing? It takes Practice

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Public Relations No Responses »

Jun 042012

As boring as that might sound, the truth of the matter is that ‘practice makes perfect’ with this particular trait. Now everyone might not be born to be great at it, but with some experience, many can get markedly better.

In the offices of C&B, that is why we encourage everybody to write, rather than rely on the resident writers for their expertise. But why do that, if there are people paid to do it?

Practice makes better writing possible
It helps with your spelling, grammar and style. In general it improves your job skills personally, and makes you a more suitable applicant for similar positions in your future career.
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