PR Advice | 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...]

The 5 Ws of Your New Year

December 27, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

You have probably heard that when writing a press release, you should start with the “who, what, where, when, why (and sometimes how)” of your story. These are often referred to as “the 5 Ws”. What if you start your new year the same way? I’ve written a list of questions that will help you create “The 5 Ws of Your New Year”. Get yourself into a quiet place, grab a pen or keyboard and let your imagination and dreams guide your answers to these questions: 1. Who will … [Read more...]

Bring Out the Bling in Your Business

December 21, 2011 By Lisa Elia 6 Comments

DON’T BURY YOUR GOLD: As you work in a specific field for any number of years, it’s easy to take for granted all the golden nuggets of information you’ve accumulated over the years. Don’t assume that others know everything you know. Many people need the information and products you have to share and they will pay well for them. Put your golden nuggets out there for the world see! STRING YOUR PEARLS: A single pearl is beautiful, but when you string them together you … [Read more...]

Closing the Gap Between Today’s TO DO List and the Future YOU!

September 14, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Do you go back and forth between going about your daily activities and focusing on the vision for your future? Does it sometimes feel like there's a gap between the two? I first became aware of very conscious visualization, in my late 20s. I know that I had visualized many things that became a reality before then, but it was when I read Shakti Gawain's "Creative Visualization" that I was able to harness the power of visualization to create very specific outcomes. When I work with … [Read more...]

Crisis Communications as Part of Your Public Relations Plan

August 3, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Hopefully, you will not need to use this information, but it’s good to know what to do if a crisis arises. If you’re a service provider, crises can arise from several situations, including being discredited publicly, a verbal misunderstanding or use of a poor choice of words. If you produce a product, crises can arise from a fault in your product, problems with distribution or questionable manufacturing procedures, among other things. These things can happen to individuals or companies of … [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...]

What is AP Style and Why Should You Care?

May 27, 2011 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

If you’re writing press releases or even if you are having them written for you, it’s important to know what Associated Press Style is because it will save you many PR hours and/or dollars. Associated Press Style is the media industry standard for journalistic style. Adhering to this style will make members of the media take you seriously, and it will make it easier for editors to publish your release immediately, and you ALWAYS want to make their job as easy as possible. First, … [Read more...]

Avoid These Mistakes in TV, Radio or Print Interviews

December 28, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Many years ago, I had a client who INSISTED that she didn’t need media training because she had been interviewed by the press and had created some of her own promotional videos. When I booked her on an NBC segment, she was unaware that a second camera was on her while the interviewer spoke. What was caught on camera? My client looking down at the ground, looking disengaged. NOT GOOD! This is one of the reasons I now insist on media training my clients or at least doing a mock interview or two … [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...]

Does Your Business Serve a Purpose Bigger Than Yourself? Plan for It!

June 30, 2010 By Lisa Elia 1 Comment

Does Your Business Serve a Purpose Bigger Than Yourself? Plan for It! Are you leaving a part of yourself out of your work? It’s so easy to compartmentalize our lives and to think, “This is who I am at work and this is who I am in my personal life, or this is what I do now and this is what I’ll do someday, when I have the time or money.” If you’re compartmentalizing yourself or leaving the things you REALLY want to do for SOME DAY, what effect is that having on your life? And, … [Read more...]

Why Press Releases Still Work: Inc. Magazine Found Me Through One

March 18, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Want to know how a press release landed me an interview with Inc. Magazine? This is not me on the cover. (It’s a man, for starters.) Here’s what I did, and I can teach you how to do this, too! A few weeks ago, I wrote and distributed a press release announcing one of my free Ustream calls. You can read the article by clicking HERE. But let me break things down and explain WHY this press release attracted the attention of the media. 1. After opening with the news, which is the … [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...]

Twitter Tips from the Pros

February 12, 2010 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

Whether you like it or not, social media is a must in business today, and it doesn’t have to be a time suck. You don’t have to share things on Twitter like, “Ugh, need coffee” if that’s not your brand. It’s definitely not my brand: I think my people are too busy to care about things like that so I only share what I think will be useful, interesting or inspiring. Twitter is actually a very useful tool to help you build your brand, extend the reach of your press releases and other … [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...]

Create an Online Press Room That the Media Will Love

December 18, 2009 By Lisa Elia 2 Comments

If you want press coverage, make it easy for the media to cover you by having a great online press room. Journalists, bloggers and TV and radio producers are very busy, especially now that many of the media outlets have reduced their staff, so the more you can supply them with the information they need at the click of a mouse, the more they’ll want to work with you. One of the best things you can do to help yourself and the media you’re trying to attract, is to have a great online press … [Read more...]

Inspiration, Web Trends of 2010 and Best Viral Videos

December 8, 2009 By Lisa Elia 2 Comments

I came across some videos that made me smile and some very valuable information about web trends for 2010. From CNN: Web Trends for 2010: In this great article that was posted on CNN.com, Pete Cashmore, founder and CEO of Mashable, The Social Networking Guide (www.mashable.com) talks about 2010 web trends. I think this is a must-read for anyone in business: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/03/cashmore.web.trends.2010/ From Mashable The 10 Most Innovative Viral Video Ads of 2009 – … [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...]

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...]

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...]

Do You Have The Tools You Need?

May 28, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

I had a computer problem a few days ago. I knew what the problem was, only because my magical tech guy had helped me identify this same problem in the past. So, I went to my cupboard and took out my super-mini tool kit that’s filled with doll-sized screwdrivers. I opened the bottom of my computer and re-seated the hard drive. As someone who’s not very mechanically inclined, I was quite pleased with myself, not only because I knew what to do, but because I had the right tools to do it. As … [Read more...]

How Strong Is Your Foundation?

May 26, 2009 By Lisa Elia 2 Comments

Core strategies and structures can speed up your success and save you bundles. Solid, successful businesses and solopreneur ventures are built on a strong foundation with good planning. This does not mean you need to spend months creating a business plan. What it does mean is that you will speed up your success and save yourself bundles of money by planning certain elements of your business well from the beginning. Think about PR long before you think you need it. Generally, people … [Read more...]

What a Little Bird Told Me

May 16, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

This photo is of a little bird that landed on our balcony and tweeted loudly enough to wake us up on our first morning in Waikiki, a few months ago. We opened the drapes and saw him looking at us, tweeting for food, we assumed. We gave him some bits of muffin and he quickly ate them. He came back the next day and he brought a friend. We fed them both. The next day there were four birds eating the muffin bits we put out for them. Apparently, the word was spreading: we were providing excellent … [Read more...]