#Pr
How to get a brand 10 times your size to join forces with you
If you’re itching to get on board with a much bigger brand, and feel that the timing is right, you need to go about it the correct way. Importantly, working together has to be a win-win for both parties. These are some of the strategies I’ve used to get much larger brands to hop on board. […]
Preparing for an IPO? Here are 4 things to consider in your PR strategy
Going public is a huge step for any company. Taking a company from private to public through an IPO (or ‘initial public offering’) and listing on the stock exchange is a process that can take months, or even years, of planning, preparation and execution. Amid the myriad of tasks involved in preparing for an IPO, […]
What to do if your employee is on the 6pm news
A recent violent attack on police officers that splashed across national news has highlighted the need for better employment practices, particularly when a staff member is at the centre of the story. Human resources specialist Kelli McDougall from Fifth Eagle says many people were surprised that a female childcare worker was charged as part of […]
The big misconception about PR
I’ve held lots of workshops and masterclasses with Australian start-ups and small business owners and I always start by saying “PR is not just a buzz word.” PR is not just a trending word or a hot topic. It can be a powerful medium for small business owners and start-ups to communicate effectively with their […]
For Pete’s sake choose PR wisely
Yesterday animal activist group PETA cooked up a very divisive message, in Sydney’s CBD. Masked as pretense to promote veganism ahead of Australia Day, a dog that looked very real to passers-by was seen heavily charred over a barbecue adding one slogan, “If you wouldn’t eat a dog, why eat a lamb? Go vegan”. Controversy […]
Why business owners need to delegate
How the best leaders run their businesses.
Why Coles needs to look at its authenticity to save face
Where did Coles go wrong?
This new, under-the-radar Facebook Feature could change how you engage customers
We’re not even halfway through 2018 and it’s already been a tumultuous year for Facebook. The Cambridge Analytica scandal resulted in calls to #DeleteFacebook, a share price rollercoaster and questions from political leaders on both sides of the aisle. Bit amidst the chaos, Facebook went ahead with F8, its regular developer conference. This year’s event […]
How to build your business by being authentic
A friend of mine once confessed: “I’d like to run my own business, but I don’t like lying to people.” It’s a telling indictment on the state of free enterprise in the 21st century. Everyone seems to have an experience of being let down by the system. Whether it’s believing an ad only to find […]
Lessons to takeaway from H&M’s PR disaster
Business moves fast these days. But if business is quick, social media is Usain Bolt. One little post spirals out of control and within a few hours, you have a full-on brand crisis. Don’t believe me? Just ask H&M. The fashion retailer recently found itself under fire for an ad that featured a black child […]
Why business ‘culture’ needs a new narrative
What does ‘culture’ in a corporate context really mean anyway? We all throw the term around with the assumption there is a common understanding of what it actually means, but I feel in its over use its lost its meaning and worth defining to set the scene. Most people would agree corporate or organisational culture […]
Embracing social media is a marathon, not a sprint: seven tips to get your business started
While many small businesses have taken their time to embrace social media platforms, it’s now obvious that the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. Social media allows you to build a sense of community around your own brand. The key is not to see it as a promotional tool but as a relationship building opportunity. Social […]
How millennials are using Instagram celebrity status to build multi-million dollar empires
Influencers continue to re-shape the media industry as an increasing number of businesses enlist them to fuel business growth and customer engagement. As the director of a PR agency, I have recognised the power of influencer marketing to reach client’s target audiences and start real conversations with consumers. The rise of influencer marketing can be […]
Making the Right Impression: How To Make your Business Stand Out from the Crowd
Most businesses need to deal with a bit of competition while many strive to stand out from the crowd. While business ethics classes touch upon employer and employee behavior, a number of business owners and workers struggle to project a good, consistent company image. Stay Off Social Media Many businesses use social media in a […]
The last laugh: what businesses can learn about social media from the NSW Police
As we grow, the police force typically holds a fluctuating relationship in favourability. As a child, they were a source of safety and security. Getting lost in crowds, they were the one figure you counted on for safety. But as a teen through to the years as a younger adult, they were typically a force […]
How to nail PR during the start-up phase
If you’re reading this, you probably already think your business needs the boost that PR can give, but here’s the big question: How do you go about getting the media to write about you? Well, you have two options. The first is to hire a PR agency, which will set you back at least $4,000 […]
The Fairfax job cuts saga: lessons for SMEs
In case you missed it: There’s been turmoil in the news industry over the last week with Fairfax Media announcing its latest round of journalist job cuts in what it’s calling a “major company restructure” to help it face the future. That future includes the ever-increasing impact of technology on traditional media organisations. Not surprisingly, news […]
See the World through your customers’ eyes
“Go see, ask why, show respect.” The words of Toyota chairman Fujio Cho have become renowned as the basic lean principles on which to build and run a large business but what does this mean for small to medium-sized Australian businesses? The concept here revolves around the importance of business leaders getting up from their desks […]
Public relations: not just a big business game
When I first came to Australia knowing no-one, Public Relations (PR) was one of the main tools I used to build my business. While I still believe in the power of PR, it has evolved dramatically since I first began. Furthermore, it is still being mythologised, leaving business owners uncertain as to how it works, […]
Old-school PR: it’s role in the social media era
As people become more familiar with social media, they can use this ‘free’ form of marketing to generate awareness for their business. I put ‘free’ in inverted commas because it does have a cost – your time. I’ve always said PR gives people in small businesses with limited marketing budgets the best bang for […]
Don’t lose business to poor communication
We all know how important it is for a business to master great customer and stakeholder communication through all touch points. If your interactions have a positive impact, you’re more likely to create repeat customers and gain access to the ‘holy grail’ of sales: referrals to others. Get it wrong, however, and it won’t matter if your business offers great products and […]
Boost crowdfunding with traditional PR
If you have a great product or business idea, an option for raising funds to take it to the next level, or to go into production, is crowdfunding. This will involve driving people to the campaign portal. Traditional media can help you in this respect. If you are a start-up founder or entrepreneur and you […]
Strategies to avoid a negative media Interview
It stands to reason that a positive media interview can benefit the reputation of your business. Likewise, negative coverage can ruin it – in seconds, if things truly go wrong. [Editor’s note: this article is the first in a two-part series by Luke Buesnel on avoiding and bouncing back from negative media. You can read part […]
Breaking down the media’s priorities for SMEs
In order to generate mainstream media coverage for your business, you need detailed knowledge of how much priority they’ll give you. The reality is that for small business, it’s limited. Don’t let that dissuade you from getting in contact with a journalist, instead let it inform how you go about it. Think of the media’s […]