Communication Tips | Lisa Elia PR

Before you hit SEND, Choose Your Communication Method Wisely

April 20, 2012 By Lisa Elia 4 Comments

Have you ever received an angry response to an email you intended to be neutral or even nice? Or, have you sent a text thinking it would be quicker than a phone call or email, but what resulted was an hour of thumbing messages back and forth. A colleague called me a couple of weeks ago and she was distraught because a client had let her firm go after receiving an email that she’d sent. Apparently, this client was demanding more of her and her firm than they were contracted to receive, so … [Read more...]

Free News Wires

February 15, 2012 By Lisa Elia 9 Comments

One question I get a lot is, “what do I do with my press release once I have written it?” One of the first things I recommend doing is to post your press release on a very effective news wire, such as Marketwire or PR Newswire. You can also post your news release on many of the free news wires. I’ve created a list for you below. Have you distributed your press releases on any free sites or paid sites? If so, I'd love for you to share your experiences below. Or, if you haven't what's … [Read more...]

How to Handle Requests for Free Consultations

January 23, 2012 By Lisa Elia 204 Comments

Do you ever receive those calls or emails from people who say, “I just want to pick your brain about...”? Just the phraseology is a bit invasive, isn’t it? Really, who wants someone picking their brain? Sometimes people dress up these requests with an offer for lunch or dinner or something else, so before you agree to a meeting, be sure you know what you’re going to discuss at your meeting. If you’re a coach or service provider, when someone wants to pick your brain, essentially … [Read more...]

Do you do what you tell your clients to do? Why I’m finally doing more PR for myself.

July 8, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Do you do what you tell your clients to do? Listen to this recording to find out why it’s so important. [audio:http://lisaeliapr.audioacrobat.com/download/aa686a3a-c15e-9e21-ac0f-5bfb8fc66d57.mp3] Or CLICK HERE to Download the recording to your computer. Although we submit information in response to media queries on a daily basis for our clients, two days ago I finally started submitting some of my information and ideas to queries I found on HARO (www.helpareporter.com) and … [Read more...]

10-Day Communication Clean-Up

June 6, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

The 10-Day Communication Clean-Up: A Challenge How you communicate affects EVERYTHING! It affects how you’re perceived, who you attract (or repel), which opportunities come to you and which ones elude you. Most importantly, it affects how you feel about yourself. I propose a 10-Day Communication Clean-Up! It’s very simple. I’ve given you 10 exercises below. On day one, you focus on eliminating one counterproductive communication habit. On day two, you focus on eliminating a second … [Read more...]

What You Say about Others Speaks Volumes about You

November 3, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Gossiping about others can actually be good for you and actually help you feel more supported and raise your self-esteem, but only if it’s positive gossip, such as praising another person, according to research conducted at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom. The study found that people who gossiped negatively about others did not experience the same lift in self-esteem. If you spend time criticizing others, even if your criticism is directed at a group of people or people who … [Read more...]

Ten Great Things You Can Do with Press Placements, Once You Get Them

October 14, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Eric Clapton sang, “It’s in the way that you use it.” While this applies to many things, it certainly applies to press coverage. One of the best things about getting press coverage is that you can use it to help your business in a multitude of ways. Certainly, good press placements can help new clients and buyers find you, so you can experience an immediate burst in sales. However, there’s so much more that you can do to maximize every placement you get. Being featured in respected … [Read more...]

Your Intuition and Your Messaging

April 22, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

It's easy to listen to others who tell us what we should be saying and how and when we should be saying it. I know because shaping clients' messages is a big part of what I do for a living. I also know that it's important for me to allow my clients to express THEIR true messages, passions and thoughts. I try to simply give them the tools they need to release those messages and then help them clarify them and express them in a manner that will be most impactful. However, even though this is … [Read more...]

Getting Ready for Press: Why Everyone Needs Media Training

February 23, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Media training is one of my favorite things to do because I see how much more clearly and confidently my clients are when after even just one hour of work together. It’s also very gratifying to help people overcome fears about public speaking or speaking on camera and to know that this will open up many possibilities for them. Being great in an interview begins with knowing your messages inside and out. This does not mean you should have word-for-word answers prepared. It does, however, … [Read more...]

Committing to Your Word and Yourself

January 20, 2010 By Lisa Elia 2 Comments

Much is said about committing to your word in business. It’s always been important and has become increasingly so in today’s transparent world, where people have been fired for calling in sick while simultaneously being seen partying in photos on Facebook. While most of want to keep our word every day, we sometimes set ourselves up for failure by promising too much, too soon. When working with the media or clients, your word is everything! Here are some ways you can help yourself live … [Read more...]

What People Will Want From You in 2010

January 6, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

What will people want from you? How do you figure that out? That’s a lot to think about. Consider the multitude of influences and input we all receive on a daily basis, along with changes in technology, pop culture, the economy and world relations, and you’ll gain insight into what drives people and what will inspire them now and in the near future. This will help you understand what your customers or clients and the people in your circle will want from you in terms of products, services and … [Read more...]

Does the Way You Talk About Yourself Help or Hinder You?

December 30, 2009 By Lisa Elia 3 Comments

Quite often we’re unaware of the little ways in which we tell people exactly what we think of ourselves. I’ve heard people say things like, “It’s been such a tough year; we’re really struggling,” or “Well, I have a little business I run out of my living room,” or “I’m just getting started so my business is really small.” First of all, just hearing yourself say those words aloud reinforces small, limited thinking and a self-image that isn’t as professional or successful … [Read more...]

How To Be a Great Client and Get the Most from Your Vendors

December 4, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Public relations encompasses how you relate to ALL of your publics, which includes not only your customers, but also vendors, employees, and almost everyone you encounter. One of the things people in business often don’t give enough attention to is their vendors. Your vendors can be fantastic referral sources and they help your business to function optimally. There’s so much focus on getting clients, do you ever ask yourself what kind of client you are? Would YOU want you as a client? … [Read more...]

Give Yourself a PR Check-Up

November 24, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

With the year coming to an end, now is the time to set yourself up for a strong leap into 2010, but you won’t know where you’re going until you know exactly where you are right now. So, I’ve created this PR Check-Up to help you assess your current situation so you can determine what you can do, where you need help from your team or others and what your next steps should be. 1. Is everyone on your staff/team well informed about the company you’re your offerings, pursuing the same goals … [Read more...]

ON FANS AND PEARL JAM: A LESSON IN CUSTOMER SERVICE

November 15, 2009 By Lisa Elia 3 Comments

My husband and I attended a Pearl Jam concert last month, as guests of lead singer Eddie Vedder’s mother. We spoke to people who sat next to us at dinner at a nearby restaurant before the show and to people who sat near us during the concert, many of whom overheard our conversations and were excited to meet “Eddie’s mom.” Many of these ardent Pearl Jam fans had traveled from as far away as Canada, New York and other locations, taking time away from their jobs, to see their favorite … [Read more...]

Does Your Product or Service Change Lives?

October 2, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Most of us, if we’re honest with ourselves, want to leave a great legacy in this world. One of the ways we do this is through the services and products we create. A few years ago, I learned that my friend Renee was the granddaughter of the man who had invented Kevlar. I was so surprised because Renee and I had known each other for five years before this even came up–that I was from Delaware and so was her grandfather and that he was this amazing inventor. I found out that my father worked … [Read more...]

A Respect for Time

September 18, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

When you really think about what has the greatest value to you, it’s likely that time is way up there on the list. Or, you may say you value life most, but isn’t it the same thing? After all, life is time, right? Life is just moments here on earth…one moment followed by another and another eventually creates a lifetime. So if you respect life, shouldn’t you respect every moment of time? If you value time, does the way you spend it reflect this? Do you respect your time? How many … [Read more...]

How a Robo-Call Robbed Me

September 10, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

There was a company who had me on a robo-call list. So, my phone would ring, I would answer it, there would be silence as I said "hello" around 5 times, and then the call would cut off. This happened around 4 times a day. Even if I didn't answer, I would still have to retrieve my voice mail only to hear the dead air. I can't really ignore calls because they could be from clients or the media. When I calculated the time this wasted each day, I estimated around 5 minutes a day, which doesn't seem … [Read more...]

On Writing Well: Tips and Resources to Help

July 17, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

The ability to write well can lead to success. Even if you hire someone to handle your publicity and write press releases for you, it’s important to be able to write good business letters, notes and e-mails. There are some communications you will want to handle yourself, such as a brief thank you e-mail or a note to an editor who wrote a great article about you. Your writing style is a part of your overall brand and it can either open or close doors for you. What does your writing do for … [Read more...]

Watch Your Mouth (and Your Keyboard)

June 30, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Authenticity and honesty are integral to creating a strong business and brand. However, this does not mean you must divulge everything about your business, nor should you. Since the recession hit, I’ve heard many business owners and entrepreneurs complain about how hard it is and how tough business has become. While people need to vent and express themselves, it’s important to consider several things before you open your mouth or hit your keyboard. Ask yourself these questions before … [Read more...]

Prepare, Polish & Prosper

June 2, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Before you make any presentation, whether it’s on the phone, in person or via Skype, the best thing you can do is to prepare yourself. Once you’ve prepared your presentation, polish it, refine it and rehearse it again. Great presentations lead to sales, joint partnerships and prosperity! 1. Establish your goal. Think about your reason for making this presentation. For example: Are you trying to establish a connection with a new person or group of people who could become clients, … [Read more...]