PR Success | 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...]

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...]

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 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 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...]

Holding Events to Gain Publicity: Should You or Shouldn’t You?

August 20, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

People often believe that if they hold an event and promote it well, they’ll receive scads of publicity and many people will attend. This may or may not turn out to be true. Events can be a great way to introduce a hot, new product or service, create awareness for a cause or brand a company. However, some events can be costly and don’t produce the results people desire: I believe this is because they have not gained clarity on their goals for the event and analyzed whether it’s the best … [Read more...]

Are You Experienced?

August 3, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

This question can be interpreted a myriad of ways. To classic rock fans, it’s a reminder of the name of an amazing Jimi Hendrix album and song. To young job seekers, it’s a question they’d usually rather avoid. To you, the entrepreneur, “Are you experienced?” is a question to ask yourself when looking at your web site and your manner of conducting business. Since I’ve mentioned Jimi Hendrix, I’ll use him as an example of someone who gave his fans an experience. He provided … [Read more...]

Be a Great Partner to Gain the Most from All Your Business Relationships and Your Life

June 24, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

When people talk about partnerships in business, they are generally referring to a formal business arrangement—most likely a legal business entity. However, partnerships exist in almost everything we do, whether we are aware of it or not. One definition of “partnership” in freedictionary.com reads: “A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal.” With this definition in mind, … [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...]

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...]

It All Begins With You: Are You Ready to Shine?

May 19, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

When people think of public relations, they often think of it being something outside of themselves, but it really begins within. It begins with you! Without you, the entrepreneur — the creator of your product, your service or your enterprise — there would be nothing to talk about or promote. It all began with your idea, your concept and your passion. This is the foundation of your PR campaign. Before you can decide how you want to relate to your publics, you have to get clear on your … [Read more...]

Does Your Elevator Pitch Need A Lift?

May 12, 2009 By Lisa Elia Leave a Comment

How’s your elevator pitch? You know… it’s that quick description of your company, project or services that you have to use every day to tell people who you are and what you do. Does yours do the job or does it fall flat? Maybe your elevator pitch could use a lift. Your elevator pitch is one of the most important message statements you will develop to reflect your brand, attract clients and strategic partners and communicate with the press. Here are some tips to help you create a … [Read more...]