The Spark

October 2021 Edition      

The Matchbox Blog Latest Posts

 

Curious about our latest PR/marketing insights, news commentary and other thoughts? Visit our blog here, or view these recent posts.

 

Contributor Networks Amplify Thought Leadership Value

September 17, 2021

 

Top 3 Things I've Learned About as an Intern

August 26, 2021

 

Reporters Want a Personalized Approach: 3 Tips for Media Outreach

July 21, 2021

 

PR Pulse

 

Press releases often focus on showcasing a company’s most timely announcements. However, momentum releases can be just as powerful - highlighting accomplishments such as financial success, vertical client growth or particular product adoption. As we near the end of the year, it's a good time to start planning for a momentum release early in Q1 2022.

 

Such press releases frequently describe a client's various achievements, which aren't enough to fuel a full release individually but, when woven together, paint a story of exciting progress and growth. Young & Associates works with the majority of our clients to promote their collective successes. Some examples include:

 

- Terra Dotta

- Infutor

- CollegeSource

My Two Cents

 

Remain Calm; Carry On

 

by Jennifer MacLeid Qotb, Principal

 

We’ve all been in a difficult business meeting, conference call or other workplace situations where tough questions catch us off-guard (if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky). It’s easy to become defensive but the worst place to let it get the best of you is during a media interview. 

 

Whether it’s today’s climate where questionable behavior and sometimes nasty disagreements are more frequent or social media discord has seeped into our daily lives, I’ve been disheartned by an increase in unprofessional, testy behavior in various aspects of interviews with journalists. 

 

Yes, journalists can sometimes be unprepared or ask unfair or challenging questions. But it is the job of the professional being interviewed and their PR pro to prepare and help navigate those tricky exchanges. If you know that the content discussed will be difficult, conduct a dry run and prepare responses ahead of time. Your media relations partner should ask the tough questions and help work through responses, so the SME isn’t going in anxious or cold.

 

Just remember, everything that occurs in an interview is on the record and on display - even poor behavior and antagonistic responses. As the old saying goes, you catch more bees with honey than vinegar.

Young & Associates Focus

Fall is in the air, and Young & Associates is excited to announce UncommonX as a new client. We recently launched their new name and are providing a full-service media relations and thought leadership program for the  SaaS-based cybersecurity managed services provider for midsize organizations.

 

We’d also like to give a shout-out to client Anthology, which just completed a merger with Blackboard. Young & Associates is honored to support the company with a full-scale PR program elevating its evolution and growth.

 

Additionally, congratulations to three of our clients – Infutor, Stirista and Terra Dotta – for making Inc. Magazine’s list of 5000 of America’s fastest growing private companies in recognition of their respective growth and innovations!

Marketing Minute

 

Getting More Mileage Out of Content

 

Content is one of the most valuable parts of a PR program as it supports an organization’s purposeful narrative and conveys important news and insights.

 

Companies can extend the value of content by repurposing it across multiple platforms – such as leveraging press release content for blog posts or highlighting varied byline article angles in different social posts.

 

This practice is useful not only for reducing the time and effort needed to create new content but bolstering press coverage and thought leadership.

 

Here are some helpful tips for getting the most mileage out of PR content:

 

1) Adapt Content for Appropriate Platforms

Consider the intent of each piece and how the target audience may use it. As an example, when repurposing an important press release for a blog post, edit so it appears less like a news story or trim the length as blogs tend to be more short-form.

 

2) Avoid Repetition 

While repurposing content across platforms means some repetition, it's important to differentiate. For example, if the past few blog posts featured on a website have been webinar recaps, brainstorm new content approaches such as an executive Q&A on a critical industry issue.

 

3) Add Something New 

New insights can come out of repurposed content, and it’s important to showcase these fresh insights across platforms. Sharing new perspectives or data about previously published content demonstrates that the company is dialed into industry trends and offers in-depth, evolving commentary on the most pressing issues.

 

Stand Out With Us

About Y&A

Expertly guiding our technology clients through integrated public relations stratgies that produce results is Young & Associates' mission. With a 30+ year track record of delivering stellar PR and media programs to technology companies globally, our creative and tenacious team enables clients to engage audiences.

 

For more information, visit www.yapr.com or find us on Twitter at @youngassociates.

 

 

Young & Associates // Phone: (301) 371-6995 // Email: megganm@yapr.com // Web Site: www.yapr.com