Colleen Lerro Gallagher

📣 Navigating Public Statements with Diverse Member Opinions 📣 In this week's Association Insights, I tackle a complex challenge: making public statements when not all members agree. Here’s how to approach this delicate task effectively: 👉 Establish a Clear Decision-Making Framework: Set transparent rules about the levels of consensus needed for different types of public statements. 👉 Align with Predominant Member Interests: Understand and represent the majority while maintaining open dialogue to manage expectations and relationships. 👉 Find Common Ground: Emphasize shared values and goals to craft a balanced statement that respects diverse viewpoints but upholds industry priorities. 👉 Communicate Transparently: Always explain the decision-making process and reasoning behind public statements to all members to foster trust and understanding. Handling disagreement requires a strategic and inclusive approach to effectively represent your association's interests and maintain unity. 💬 How do you manage differing opinions in your organization? Share your strategies below! #PublicRelations #AssociationManagement #Leadership #CommunicationStrategy #AssociationInsights #OnWrdUpWrd

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New from me on the FCP Blog: Nonprofits thrive on visibility, trust, and community support. That's where nonprofit #PublicRelations comes in! Discover three powerful ways PR can boost your cause and make a real difference. Read: https://bit.ly/4b3uTve

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Individuals want more than to be talked at; they want an authentic connection and two-way conversation with brands, businesses, and organizations that they support. The days of broadcasting one message to a general audience are coming to an end. Individual and authentic messaging segmented by audience is what will set brands apart from their competitors.

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Curious about the opportunities and pitfalls in using AI for advocacy campaigns? I'll be participating in a panel discussion next Thursday (May 16) at 2:00 ET with some AI superstars. This webinar will be a great chance to introduce yourself to the world of AI and the dos and don'ts for using AI in your advocacy campaigns. Thank you to VoterVoice (Part of FiscalNote) for inviting me to be part of this event. I hope to "see" you there. #grassroots #advocacy #digitalstrategy #ai Rubenstein Impact Group, LLC FiscalNote

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B2B tech companies don't need to comment on every trend—even when it feels like maybe they should. We are often asked if X company should be part of a trend story or risk missing out on a great opportunity to garner press attention. We always consider three specific things when recommending if a company should comment on a trend. Find out what they are in the video below.

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Don’t be a one-trick pony! I recently listened to a PR professional being interviewed on a podcast. When asked to explain what she does in public relations, the person talked about media relations only... In the PR professional's defense, you would need longer than a podcast episode to share all the aspects of PR. But PR is much more than just getting press. In fact, if that’s the only thing you’re focused on, then you’re doing your clients or brands a big disservice. You should also be focused on: - Influencer Marketing - Partnerships - Community Engagement - Event-Driven Marketing - Content Creation - Thought Leadership - Reputation Management - Crisis Management This is just to name a few. Having a comprehensive approach encompassing all these facets of PR will undoubtedly lead to more impactful results. PS: What other aspects of PR do you think are crucial but often overlooked? #PublicRelations #PRStrategy #MediaRelations #InfluencerMarketing #CommunityEngagement #CrisisManagement

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Rev your engines, folks! The F1 Miami Grand Prix returns this weekend, and if there's one thing we PR pros know, it's how to seize a golden opportunity. We like to leverage big events like these to: - Expand our clients’ reach to a wider audience - Tap into the excitement and keep brands relevant - Develop creative promotions and activations to coincide with the event - Craft compelling media pitches, such as highlighting places to get your adrenaline fix or suggesting budget-friendly ways to enjoy Miami if you can’t afford Formula 1 tickets - Generate content for social media, e-blasts, websites, and more. It's all about getting creative and utilizing every tool in our PR toolbox. #F1Miami #PRStrategies #PublicRelations #ThinkOpposite

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How engaging are your promotions, your #communications, your #PR? Are people tuning IN or tuning OUT? Here’s what happens when you don’t connect w/your #stakeholders: https://lnkd.in/eQsjBf85 #PRtip #WritingTip #MarketingTip

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PRWeek's great 2024 Business Report highlights the key challenge facing our industry. Communications is more important than ever. Comms and policy leaders are being asked to play far larger roles as business partners supporting ever more stakeholders. So why did the industry suffer so much in 2023 after many years of growth? As an sector, we are not adapting fast enough to the needs. Organizations are desperate for help but also under tremendous financial strain. They now need both senior level counsel and advisory support as well as deep domain expertise to actually produce. By and large, our industry is still split by this chasm - between strategic and tactical. Clients cannot afford to separate these, either in time or money. At Bully Pulpit International our goal is to bridge this divide, building a team that can both 'think and do' at the highest levels. It's not always easy. Last year was a challenge. But if you share this vision for the future, please check out some of our open roles: https://lnkd.in/dGQwJUSG

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Consumers who once demanded convenience now require consistent, multi-channel experiences that cater to them at every point. Brands must have a clear, audience-appropriate, and channel-specific voice across all platforms -- Dara A. Busch, 5WPR https://odwpr.us/4aLW8uP

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In the world of media and communications, the relationship between journalists and PR professionals is often misunderstood. However, the reality is far more nuanced and symbiotic. Journalists rely on PR folks to provide them with access to newsworthy stories, expert sources, and valuable insights. In turn, PR depends on journalists to amplify their messages and bring attention to their clients or organizations. A recent report by #MuckRack on the "State of Journalism," found that journalists acknowledge PR professionals 70% "as at least moderately important to their success." This mutual dependence highlights the essential role each plays in the dissemination of information to the public. Trust forms the foundation of our collaboration and ensures that the stories that reach the public are credible and impactful. Journalists rely on us to provide accurate and reliable information, while those of us in PR trust journalists to report the news fairly and accurately. Journalists are skilled storytellers who strive to craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audience. PR pros, on the other hand, are adept at identifying and shaping stories that align with our clients' goals and objectives. Together, we work to create stories that inform, engage, and inspire. I encourage you to read the attached report which provides many insights of today's newsrooms. #Journalism #PR #MediaRelations #PublicRelations #NewsMedia #MediaIndustry #JournalismEthics #Storytelling #MediaCollaboration #InformationSharing #MuckRack #StateOfJournalism #PressRelations #MediaPartnership Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Natan Edelsburg

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Grateful to Agility PR Solutions for featuring my brand new book, 𝐁2𝐁 𝐏𝐑 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬! "New Book from Influential PR Vet Michelle Garrett, B2B PR That Gets Results, Just Released" "I felt there was a need for this type of book that explains—in a straightforward fashion—the work of PR professionals and the challenges they face so that companies can get the most out of engaging with a PR consultant or agency and achieve their public relations goals." #B2BPRbook #newauthor #publicrelations

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These highlights from Cision's 2024 State of the Media Report offer important insights about interacting with journalists. Download the full report (see last slide) to get all the details. #mediarelations #PR #journalists

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ICYMI: I spoke with Peter Shankman about his new resource HERO—Help Every Reporter Out—on PR Explored, my YouTube show where I interview those I trust in the industry about PR topics and trends. We talked about: ⭐️ Why he started HERO ⭐️ Why PR pros AND reporters LOVE it ⭐️ The steps he takes to ensure there's no 🗑 ⭐️ How being brilliant at the basics helps you stand out as a PR professional ⭐️ Why he’s sticking with email for HERO ⭐️ What the future holds for HERO One of my favorite things he said was about the importance of honing your writing skills. The question was: How should PR pros be future-proofing their practice? “The best way to future-proof is to become better at what you do, become a better writer,” Peter answered. Despite ALL the talk about AI, the ability to write well is more important than ever for those of us in PR and communications. Strong writers will ALWAYS have a place in our profession. 😌 Listen or watch the full interview: https://lnkd.in/eaxuW3ed #mediarelations #publicrelations #PRExplored #PRtips

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🕒 Mastering the Timing of Media Pitches 🕒 Timing is everything in media relations. In this week's Association Insights, I discuss how to convey the importance of strategic timing to your internal stakeholders, from senior leadership to board members. Here's how to get everyone on board: 📰 Educate on News Cycles: Demonstrate how aligning pitches with current trends or news can drastically improve media pickup. 🎤 Capitalize on Industry Events: Use events as natural platforms for pitches, prepping in advance to capture media interest. 🍂🌸 Utilize Seasonal Hooks: Show how pitching in context with the time of year can enhance relevance and engagement. 🥇 Be First or Unique: Encourage support for pitches that lead conversations or introduce new perspectives, aligning with industry movements. Understanding the critical role of timing can transform your media outreach from good to great. 💬 How do you ensure your pitches are timely? Share your strategies below! #MediaPitching #PRStrategy #AssociationInsights #OnWrdUpWrd #StrategicCommunication #PublicRelations

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This year's U.S. Book Show was buzzing with energy and insight, making it clear that the pulse of the publishing world is stronger than ever. As we are always in the mindset of “sharing is caring,” here is some knowledge the Smith team and I gained from the event: 🎙️ Panel Insights:  From our industry friends at Amplify Publishing Group and Forefront Books to new connections like Mia Orlandella from Penguin Random House, the discussions were rich and varied. A standout moment was the Young Publishing Forum, where the focus was on "emerging publishers" rather than "young" ones, emphasizing the rapid professional growth in this field and the value of mentorship and community. 🤖 AI and Publishing:  During the CEO roundtable, AI’s role in publishing was a major topic. It was fascinating to hear perspectives on AI as an "intelligent assistant"—a tool that augments rather than replaces the human creativity, empathy, and intuition essential to forward-looking innovation. 📈 Trend Shifts in Book Selling:  The dynamics of book distribution are flipping. It’s no longer just about what bookstores will accept from publishers, but strategically thinking about which books are pushed to major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Inc. or newer platforms like Bookshop.org. This strategic distribution reflects a deeper niche targeting approach. 📘 Digital and Libraries Evolving Together:  Discussions around digital book buying, especially in educational sectors, highlighted the evolving role of libraries. They're not just physical spaces but are adapting to digital demands with tools like social media and virtual book clubs, enhancing access and engagement. We left feeling a profound sense of community and dedication across the board, from protecting authors' interests to celebrating the human touch in our tech-driven world. The Publishers Weekly U.S. Book Show wasn't just about books; it was a testament to the passionate individuals behind them, restoring our faith in humanity one page at a time. If you want to take a deep dive into more knowledge and actionable takeaways from the event, Olivia Whitlock McCoy and I recorded a special episode of the Smith Publicity, Inc. All Things Book Marketing Podcast. Check out our insightful episode here: https://bit.ly/3KlxSUD. #Marketing #Publishing #Author #Books #Leadership

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If you don't subscribe, then you are missing out on great content! Eleanor Hawkins delivers every time! My BIG takeaway from the current installment has to do with this stat: "An MIT study found false news online reaches people about six times faster than the truth, yet 28% of businesses don't have a formal mis-disinformation response plan in place and 23% have no plan." At the very least, businesses need a single source of publicly-facing truth space online. I see so many businesses that do not have this space (and no, it is not your consumer-facing blog), so the stat is not shocking at all. This is a communication malpractice. Reach out and let's fix it.

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