Communication Strategy That Works

One of the top three things people ask me is how you measure the effectiveness of your communication activity. My answer is that, without knowing what your current marketing and communications activities are, and how they are performing, it's impossible to know where to focus your energy and resources. Lots of people trip up on this first step. Many growing businesses struggle to generate enough r...

Today, we're diving deep into the immense value well-planned campaigns can bring your overall strategy. We'll explore how effective campaigns can boost brand awareness, increase customer engagement, and ultimately drive business growth. So, join me as I connect with industry expert, Ayo Abbas, who shares her insights and experiences in designing result-driven campaigns that truly make a difference...

Are you considering starting a podcast for your business but feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Look no further! In this episode, I provide you with a step-by-step checklist on how to successfully launch and manage your own podcast. Oh and this episode is a taster for a talk I am giving for the CIPR Global network on The Dos and Don'ts of podcasting for members and non-members on 8 J...

We talk a lot about 'goals', especially at this time of the year, but often we are not clear on why we have chosen them, or how we will arrive at the outcome we want. Here are a few reasons why it's important. Setting a clear, actionable goal is the first step towards achieving success. It signals to yourself and others what you want to achieve, and mobilizes your resources towards making it happe...

Workflow management is a critical component of any business, and its importance cannot be overstated. I recently had a conversation with a client about how we can make our case study development more efficient rather than undertaking hour-long calls. We discussed workflow systems as a way of collating and sharing information. I also use workflow for administering my podcast and for planning conten...

Business events, such as trade shows, conferences, and networking sessions, can be a valuable tool in promoting your business product or service. Not only do these events provide opportunities to showcase products and services, but they also allow for face-to-face interactions with potential clients and partners. Additionally, attending industry events can provide insight into emerging trends and...

There are some huge events in the Spring calendar.  I'm currently working on a big event for a client and it reminded me of this episode as I am busily briefing sponsors and speakers about how to make the most out of this opportunity.  You'd be surprised how many people do not, and just rock up and talk. But the thing is you can create a lot of authenticity and credibility by speaking at events. B...

I was asked to prove a theory on a stakeholder campaign recently. My first port of call? The UK census data. In the UK, we recently had a new Census in 2021, the first in ten years. The Office for National Statistics started releasing this data in June 2022, providing valuable demographic information for businesses and organisations alike. It's into the final last sets to be released, and there is...

A crisis communication plan before you need one can be daunting—everything from when to write one and how to get engagement on it. But it doesn't have to be, so today; I run through a quick ten-point checklist you can use to get going, however small or big your business is. I cover: What to do before you start My ten-point checklist My biggest tip Share lots of links and my free download so make s...

To effectively incorporate case studies into a campaign, it is essential to understand their significance and the impact they can create. Case studies provide real-life examples of how a product or service has successfully addressed specific problems or challenges faced by customers, thereby establishing credibility and trust. Today I share some tips on how to obtain the best case studies, as well...

When planning a PR campaign, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the competitive landscape. By taking a detailed look at key competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and their PR strategies, you can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn't in your industry. Furthermore, analysing your competition can enable you to identify opportunities that your organisation can ga...

I was asked 3 times recently if I would help people start their podcast. My answer was yes of course! but what's stopping you? I realized that one of the biggest questions people have is why should they start a podcast? Is it for fun or for business? The answer varies for everyone, but for me, it was a way to establish myself in my industry and to connect with like-minded individuals. Today's epis...

Spring marks a new beginning in many ways and is sometimes close to the end of the financial year. It's an opportunity to spring clean your mind, your workspace, and your plans and figure out what could help you spring forward into the next few weeks and months. Today's episode is a quick guide on reviewing your plan, cleaning your workspace, tidying your mind and looking more holistically rather...

I am looking forward to bringing you this episode all about Digital PR.   Digital PR is an essential element of a comprehensive communications plan. It involves ensuring that a brand's digital presence – including websites, social media accounts, online press releases, and other digital content – is optimised and managed effectively to engage target audiences and build relationships that drive suc...

Often, the decision of when to skill up and when to outsource PR can be tricky. You want someone with the right experience, who knows what they are doing and will be able to deliver the desired results. In most cases, it makes sense to opt for an experienced professional who can make sure that the job is properly completed. For certain campaigns or projects that require specific expertise, outsour...

The automation of public relations is a bit of a crowd-splitter for very good reasons; arguably the benefits are yet to be fully demonstrated but the impact on ethics has been. Companies can already use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software solutions to manage their PR, allowing them to reach a wider audience and increase their visibility with minimal effort. Automation also allows for faster...

Telling your sustainability story is an essential part of any business model and a growing area for us communications professionals. By telling this story, we're helping to create a strong connection with customers on this topic and helping establish that credibility. As we move into 2023, I think this topic is becoming even more relevant and important as businesses look to even monetise sustainab...

111- Deep Dive with Shayoni Lynn, Part Two: Misinformation, Disinformation and the PR challenge I am thrilled to have on the podcast Shayoni Lynn, in a special double-bill all about behavioural science and its application in PR.  Shayoni is founder and CEO of Lynn Group, a fast-growing communications consultancy powered by behavioural science. Shayoni is a CIPR and PRCA Fellow, and Chair of PRCA C...

I am thrilled to have on the podcast Shayoni Lynn, in a special double-bill all about behavioural science and its application in PR. Shayoni is founder and CEO of Lynn Group, a fast-growing communications consultancy powered by behavioural science. Shayoni is a CIPR and PRCA Fellow, and Chair of PRCA Cymru. With over 15 years' experience, Shayoni is an industry leader in data-driven strategic comm...

Now that we're all back to work and most likely revved up with new goals and resolutions, I'm sharing this podcast again, as I can't emphasise enough the importance of goal-setting. We talk a lot about 'goals', especially at this time of the year, but we are often unclear on why we have chosen them or how we will arrive at the outcome we want. So here are a few reasons why it's essential. Setting...

To continue the festive spirit, I've focused on 12 comms tips for you over the 12 days of Christmas, from 25th December to 2nd January. Here are the final 6. These are short and snappy episodes to keep you going over the festive period to help you improve your comms. Let's dive in!   Liked Listening today?  What to do next: Get my FREE roadmap  to get more strategic with communication activity in...

To continue the festive spirit, I've decided to focus on 12 comms tips for you over the 12 days of the Christmas period, from 25th December to 2nd January. So here are the first 6 to get you going! These are short and snappy episodes to keep you going over the festive period to help you improve your comms. Let's dive in!   Liked Listening today?  What to do next: Get my FREE roadmap to get more st...

If you want to make an impact in 2023, you need to measure your impact. Doing this will help you hire an effective team, budget and focus your efforts where you need them most, and start to see better results. But it's not just for work; use this episode to review your personal goals too! Let's dive in! Liked Listening today?  What to do next: Get my FREE roadmap to get more strategic with communi...

I've compiled a list of my top 10 tools to help you become more efficient in your PR and marketing in 2023. From project management software to content planning calendars, these tools have been carefully curated by me using them firsthand and those my guests have recommended.  Whether you're just starting or have years of experience, these ten tools are must-haves for 2023. Let's dive in! Liked Li...

With the technological advances of the 21st century, as communication professionals, we must adapt our skills to stay ahead of the curve. Trends in communication and public relations (PR) are constantly changing, and those who want to stay ahead of the game must be aware of the latest developments. Today's short episode covers communication and PR trends to look out for in 2023. Let's dive in! Lik...