Tips for Best Performance During a Telephone Interview

(from Nick Peters’ Media Training presentation given 1/30/13)

Here are some quick tips from CommCore’s Nick Peters that could help you in your quest to conduct better phone interviews:

(1)    Stand Up

(2)    Get Away From Your Desk

(3)    Get a Headset

Most people are sitting down at their desk when giving a telephone interview.  But standing up and getting from behind your desk is more beneficial because you are more attentive and your brain is more active when you are standing up than when you are sitting down.  Wanting to use a headset will be the natural result of standing up and getting away from your desk.  It will allow clear, crisp transmission so you don’t lose sound quality on the call, and it will keep you hands free while you are formulating responses to those difficult questions coming your way.

Personal Invite to the 2012 PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Conference

Greetings!

I’d like to personally invite you to this conference on Thursday November 8 at the BWI Four Points Sheraton. You really should come. Why? Because!

(1) You need to keep your skills sharp – Learn the latest in PR/Communication’s best practices from other DC, MD, VA pros!

(2) You love to get the inside scoop on hot industry trends and techniques!

(3) You miss catching up with colleagues you haven’t seen in awhile – Don’t miss our Happy Hour Networking Event afterwards…enjoy cocktails, see what your colleagues have been up to, make new contacts!

NEW for this year, choose from three different tracks: (1) Social Media (2) Business/Leadership (3) PR Essentials. Mix and match. No matter what career level you are in, there is something for everyone at this conference!

And, just FYI, tickets are selling pretty fast this year because we’ve got such a great lineup of speakers and topics. Don’t let someone else take your spot! Space is limited.

Register Now: http://www.prsamd.org/news/events2012/nov12-program.htm

See you there!

Nneka Jenkins
2012 Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference
Planning Committee Chair

Missed the PRSA International Conference? No Worries—Another Conference Awaits!

by Jackie Allder, Chessie Planning Committee

So, did you make it to the PRSA International Conference last week?  I would loved to have attended this year’s event in San Francisco, but my schedule didn’t work out (and I’m not sure my budget could’ve handled the cross-country trip either).  Although PRSA’s International Conference is over, there’s still a chance to hear tips, tricks, and PR’s best practices from pros in the industry this year. 

On November 8, the Maryland Chapter is partnering with several other Mid-Atlantic District chapters (National Capital Chapter, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Central Chesapeake Chapter, and the Blue Ridge Chapter) to host the Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference (also known as Chessie). 

New for this year’s conference is three tracks to choose from — Strategic Business and Leadership, PR Essentials, and Social Media — and more than a dozen local members are presenting on everything from creating a strategic communications plan to networking effectively.

For example, you can join Barbara Haupt and Elissa Leif of MiniMatters for a discussion about the wild world of web videos, or find out how to manage the client/agency relationship with Robert Udowitz and Steve Drake of RFP Associates.

You’ll  also hear from members Rachel DiCaro Metscher, Erica Pierson, Sabrina Kidwai, Margie Newman, Veronica Brown, Amy Lestition, Rebecca Andersen, APR, Dana Vickers Shelley, and Tiffany Thomas Smith, among many others. 

Additionally, #Chessie12 features keynote speaker Amy S. Mitchell from the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. And because this year’s event is sponsored by chapters around the region, it’s a great opportunity to network with PRSA peers you might not see that often, especially during the post-conference happy hour. 

So #Chessie12 has a dozen sessions, an awesome keynote speaker, and a networking happy hour.  It’s local (hosted at the Four Points Sheraton BWI in Baltimore, MD) and costs less than $200 to attend if you’re a PRSA member and you register by November 1.  

Don’t let this one pass you by…visit http://www.prsamd.org/news/events2012/nov12.htm, download the program, and register today!

4 Reasons to Register for the 2012 PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference Today!

Wanna know why you should register now for the PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake (#Chessie12) Conference?

4. Clear Your Schedule!

By registering early, you can block the day out on your calendar, eliminating the possibility that one of your colleagues will schedule an important meeting with you that day.

3. Get a Jumpstart on Your Networking!

Research the presenters and keynote speaker in advance so you know who you want to meet at the conference.  Gotta capitalize on that investment!

2. Formulate Your Plan of Attack!

Read over the agenda and figure out which sessions you’d like to attend.  You can choose to participate in all the sessions in one of the three tracks (PR Essentials, Social Media, and Strategic Business/Leadership) or mix and match from the 12 seminars.  Make sure to mark your calendar to arrive early at the conference for the networking breakfast and stay for the happy hour as well!

1. Save Some $$$ (and guarantee your spot)!

That’s right — the No. 1 reason to sign up today is to take advantage of the early bird discount and save, save, save!  Also, don’t let anyone take your spot because space is limited!

PRSA-MD’s Meet the Media Event

PRSA-MD June 2012 Event – Meet the Media

PRSA-MD’s Meet the Media Event was a success thanks to our moderator Bill Atkinson from Weber Shandwick, and panelists (shown from left to right: David London (What Weekly – @WhatWeekly), Katherine Gorman (WYPR – @kgorman), Danny Jacobs (The Daily Record –  @TDRDanny), Laura Smitherman (The Baltimore Sun – @lsmitherman), and Chris Daley (Maroon PR – @ChrisDaley43). 

There was lively discussion all around as panelists shared their insights on how to best leverage traditional media in the Social Media Age.  For the most part, all said they use social media to engage readers, encourage sharing, and drive traffic.  Some of the takeaways on how to formulate and build relationships with journalists are:

(1) Personalize Communications: Instead of just pitching via e-mail blasts, phone them (or leave a quick voicemail) to draw their attention to a story idea; make sure your story idea is the best possible fit with the beat/subject areas they are covering.  Don’t use the generic words “PRESS RELEASE” in the subject line — it’ll get ignored instantly!

(2) Treat journalists like real people.  If you’ve met or worked together before, remind them in the message so they’ll have a point of reference for who you are.  This goes a long way — especially if you’ve previously helped them out in a pinch. 

(3) Take it to the next level!  PR pros that get the best results have deep relationships with the journalists they assist.  There are many ways to raise your profile.  One suggestion made was to take reporters out to lunch.  Keep in touch by sending them a “how are you” message every once in awhile (e.g. holiday card).

The biggest lesson here is to focus on personalized, “high touch” communication and phase out or minimize the mass communication approach.  The more, the better!

Integrate a “Smarter” Strategy into Your Campaign

According to Affinity Research, 42 percent of all adults own a smartphone, and 15 percent (or more than 34 million consumers) plan to purchase one in the next six months.  Of both sexes, slightly more men own these devices than women (54 percent versus 46 percent). 

“Millenials are the most likely generation to own these types of mobile devices – 28 percent are more likely to own a smartphone than the average American adult. 

• 54 percent – or more than 25 million Millennials – currently own a smartphone, and 18 percent plan to purchase one within the next six months.

• 63 percent of Millennials use their smartphones at work, while 95 percent report that they are the sole users of the device. 

• Millennials who have graduated college are 23 percent more likely to own a smartphone than others in their generation.” 

Smartphones are definitely the wave of the future.  More and more, consumers are using them to access the latest news, social media, shop, and take advantage of mobile marketing deals. 

Valerie Lambert of Bilou Enterprises will share her insights into the latest information and statistics with smartphone technology at the upcoming PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference.  Join her on Nov. 3 at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport as she engages session participants with real-time interaction to demonstrate the variety of ways PR pros can utilize smartphone technology.

It’s All About Strategizing Connectivity, Innovation, and Integration…

This year’s theme is The New Face of PR: Strategizing Connectivity, Innovation, and Integration.  We chose this theme because, with the advent of social media over the last several years, PR has changed a lot.  We are no longer concentrating on media relations and producing press kits and press releases.  There is a whole other world out there! 

Engagement with online communities is the key.  Rather than burying their heads in the sand and hoping it’s just a phase, the most successful PR pros have fully embraced this new way of communicating and have found new and interesting ways to integrate these mediums into their campaigns to achieve spectacular results. 

If you’re still not sold on the importance of integrating social media, just look at these quick facts:

• 78% of consumers conduct product research online
• 41% of B2B companies have acquired a customer through Facebook
• Social sites are the #1 source for product information
• 91% of e-mail users have opted out of company lists they previously subscribed to
• 2/3 of the country is on the “Do NOT Call” list

— Integrating Social Media into Your Marketing Mix by Michael Brenner Sr. Director, Integrating Marketing SAP

Many of our session topics support the theme of integrating the traditional forms of media with the new forms of media in innovative ways.  Join us on Nov. 3 at the BWI Four Points Sheraton for this awesome regional conference!  Register now at prsamd.org!   Follow the conversation using hashtag #Chessie11.

Be a part of the 34th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake (Chessie) Conference —literally!

This year, our theme is The New Face of PR: strategizing connectivity, innovation, and integration. 

This year’s event will include sessions that talk about how to strategize, innovate, and integrate social media tools to create a successful communications program that leverages the connectivity of social and traditional media. 

Help us create the image of the new face of PR!  Send us your social media profile photos (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, et al) to info@prsamd.org, and we will include them in a beautiful mosaic that will be on our “save the date” postcard as well as all other conference materials. 

How exciting would it be to pick out your profile photo in PRSA-MD conference materials?  Which one do you choose — Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook?  It’s your choice, but don’t delay — make sure you’re a part of the event!  Send your profile pic to info@prsamd.org by Friday May 27. 

Speakers: if you’d like to present on these topics (i.e. measurement, integration, the 24/7 news cycle, strategic planning, and more) at Chessie, we’d love to hear from you.  Send your profile pic and your RFP to info@prsamd.org by Friday May 27! 

Still to come: more exciting information about this year’s conference.  Stay tuned!

It Was a Good Ride…

We had an exciting time this year at the 2010 Chessie Conference #chessie10.  This year’s theme was 2010: Launching a New Decade of Excellence.  We had excellent speakers this year who willingly shared their insights into some of the most pressing and relevant topics in PR today.  

We’d like to thank all our speakers for dedicating their time and expertise for our collective benefit for one day.  We’d also like to thank our morning keynote speaker, technology entrepreneur Dave Troy, as well as our luncheon keynote speaker, Lisa A Shenkle, President of Verb! Communications.  They both gave very enlightening presentations on their creative efforts to publicize the City of Baltimore and make the case for doing business here. 

During the event, Stockfield Photography took lots of photos while we were learning, sharing, and having fun at the happy hour.  If you’d like to order high res versions, you can contact him directly. 

Didn’t take copious notes during the conference?  The 2010 Chessie session handouts are still available for you to view on our website.

Biggest bang for your buck or SEO techniques – which will it be?

Will you walk away from Thursday’s Chesapeake Conference with tips and best practices that will help you focus your time, money and energy on ensuring you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck, or is it becoming all too evident how important SEO has become and you want to learn SEO techniques?

Either way, you won’t want to miss either of these breakout sessions, both of which start at 2:15 p.m.

“Great Marketing ROI in a Lousy Economy” with David Warschawski.

Who is David Warschawski?

David is CEO & Founder of Warschawski, which has been named “Small Agency of the Year” and one of the top 20 “Best Agencies to Work For” in the U.S.   Over the last 10 years alone, Warschawski has won more than 200 industry awards for its work. 

In 2007, PR Week selected David to its prestigious “40 Under 40” list.  He has been asked to provide expert commentary for media outlets including CNBC and National Public Radio (NPR).  Most recently, David co-authored the book, “Building Customer Relationships Through Public Relations,” published by Aspatore Books.  David also has served as a judge for the PR profession’s highest awards, the Silver Anvil and the Sabre Awards.

What will you learn?

Learn how to capitalize on great marketing opportunities present during a down economy. David will share best practices and cover real-world case studies for campaigns that generated powerful ROI on limited budgets. He will also share tips on where to focus your time, money, and energy to ensure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck. David will also cover how to properly use social media in marketing initiatives so that organizations can generate ROI and how social media can be used as a marketing/PR tool to generate ROI.

“Writing with Search Engines in Mind: Putting SEO to work” with Jiyan Wei.

Who is Jiyan Wei?

Jiyan, Director of Product Management at Vocus, drives product platform strategy and roadmap execution for PRWeb.  In addition, he supports strategic business planning, partnerships, and marketing/sales. He currently sits on the vendor council for the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) and maintains a blog, New Influencer (www.newinfluencer.com), where he writes about media and technology.

Jiyan is a thought-leader and has spoken at numerous events, such as: PubCon Las Vegas, SMX East, New Media Institute, and many more. He has also contributed to the likes of PR Tactics, Visibility Magazine, and Social Media Portal.

What will you learn?

As search engines continue to grow as an authoritative source of information, the need to optimize content for search has become increasingly important. PR professionals can use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to boost rankings of their articles and communicate more effectively with their audiences. Learn how to decide whether or not you should write a press release aimed at people or search engines, what signals search engines look for, and why SEO is important for PR professionals.

Don’t miss either of these two breakout sessions – or any of the others planned throughout the day! Register today for Thursday’s Chesapeake Conference.