Planning for PR Impact: The Right Tools for Your Strategy

by Frank L. Williams In last month’s article, I continued my series on Planning for Impact by discussing how to identify strategies to achieve your desired outcomes. As a refresher, planning for impact means that, instead of starting with desired outputs such as sending a certain number of press releases or posting a certain number…

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Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru social media clinic

Last week, I decided to grab lunch at the Chick-fil-A drive-thru on Oleander Drive in Wilmington. When I arrived, I noticed that they were doing something I’ve seen them do a few times: Chick-fil-A team members were standing outside, personally greeting customers and taking orders. I’ve always thought this was a nice touch, so on…

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Planning for PR Impact: Identifying Strategies

by Frank L. Williams In last month’s article, I continued my series on Planning for Impact by discussing the importance of defining your desired outcomes. Planning for impact means that, instead of starting with desired outputs such as sending a certain number of press releases or posting a certain number of items on Facebook, you should begin…

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Taking Time to Recharge

by Frank L. Williams In today’s hectic business climate, it can be all too easy to spend so much time at work that you burn yourself out. I don’t just mean physically being at work. If you’re away from the office, but still mentally immersed in every little detail of your job, you are essentially…

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Planning for PR Impact: Defining Your Desired Outcomes

by Frank Williams In my most recent article, I discussed the importance of planning for impact.  By this I mean that instead of starting with desired outputs, such as sending a certain number of press releases or posting a certain number of items on Facebook, you should begin by discussing your desired outcomes.  Put another way,…

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Planning for Impact

by Frank Williams Over the years, I’ve heard clients and colleagues offer a number of reasons why they want to engage in a public relations or marketing communication campaign. When I ask about their goals, the responses often center on outputs like sending a certain number of press releases, posting a certain number of items…

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What is your Focus?

by Frank L. Williams It has been said that ‘if you chase two rabbits, both will escape.” Like many of you, my inner entrepreneur naturally wants to test out any new idea or seemingly good business opportunity that comes along. This could apply to taking on a potential project that is out of our wheelhouse…

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Public Relations: A Strategic Cornerstone, Not an Afterthought

by Frank L. Williams In last month’s column I focused on the fact that public relations should be a leadership function within an organization. The prior month’s column sought to dispel a few misconceptions about PR. Today’s column will further connect the dots between those two issues by touching on a common misconception many organizational…

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Public Relations: A Leadership Function

by Frank L. Williams My previous column, entitled A Few Misconceptions About Public Relations, ended with the following statement: “Effective public relations does not begin with tactics like writing a press release or a speech; it is a strategic function that begins in the boardroom, where organizational strategies are developed and leadership decisions are made.”…

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A Few Misconceptions About Public Relations

by Frank L. Williams Over the years, I have heard numerous misconceptions about what public relations is and is not. Some people with whom I have talked view public relations as merely “free publicity;” others characterize PR as “spin.”  One person said PR was “just public speaking,” while others believe the public relations profession centers…

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