Category: Professional Development

219 Award-Winning Inspirations

Kelli FletcherAwards, Blog, Professional Development, Public Relations, ,

There are many things that inspire us: our workspace, coffee, our teammates, the DTR vibe. But it is fair to say that that nothing inspires us more than our clients. We’re always striving to be creative, efficient, thorough and most of all fun, while helping them reach goals and achieve success. And in turn, their success equals ours. So when it comes time to celebrate our work, we’re not too shy about doing just that, because we’re proud of what we do and we love doing it. Last night, Clairemont celebrated our 2018 client work with some big wins at the 2019 Inspire Awards.

Hosted by the North Carolina Chapter of the PRSA, the Inspire Awards recognize the best public relations campaigns and tactics from North Carolina’s Triangle to its Coast. PR pros from the region submit their work to a panel of judges from other PRSA Chapters for consideration for Silver and Bronze Awards.

2019 PRSA Inspire Awards

This year, Clairemont received a total of 19 awards, including six Best in Category awards and the Bronze Best In Show.

  • Bronze Award for Best in Show for “Media Relations: A Royal Media Affair with Lord Spencer and Theodore Alexander”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Integrated Communications: Governments/Associations/Nonprofit Organizations: Lighting a Fire for Everyday Heroes”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Websites: Briar Chapel’s Website Refresh”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Editorials/Op-Ed Columns: WGU North Carolina Takes Higher Education to Another Level”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Media Relations: Theodore Alexander and Lord Spencer Unveil Royal Furniture”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Events and Observances: Theodore Alexander and Charles, 9th Earl Spencer Debut Royal Furniture Line”
  • Award of Excellence and Best in Category for “Reputation/Brand Management: Western Governors University Builds a Brand in North Carolina”
  • Bronze Award of Excellence for “Feature Story: Briar Chapel Feature Story”
  • Bronze Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: A Royal Media Affair with Lord Spencer and Theodore Alexander”
  • Bronze Award of Excellence for “Media Relations: Vita Vite Hosts a Toast-Worthy Preview”
  • Bronze Award of Excellence for “Social Media: Reimagining Holiday Traditions with Riceland”
  • Silver Honorable Mention for “Marketing Consumer Products/Services: Carrie Knowles – A Laureate’s New Laurels”
  • Bronze Honorable Mention for “Video News Releases/Satellite Media Tours/Internal External Video Programs: Wendell Falls: Open Campaign Videos”

Thank you to our amazing clients! We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love and love what we do!

Want to explore how we can create a winning campaign for your business? Drop us a line!

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Networking in the Age of the Internet

Kelli FletcherBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, ,

Networking is about collecting relationships with interesting or influential people regardless of the immediate benefit. If you have social media, you’re already good at this. After all, you collect friends and followers on all platforms. You post to get their approval through “likes” and “comments.” You use hashtags to make yourself and your content easily searchable, and you seek others to follow who will add something interesting to your feed.

But, ask yourself: when was the last time you met an acquaintance for coffee midday or drinks after work? How long has it been since you slunk into a room of professionals, put your name on a sticker and mingled in search of (cringe face) … small talk? Yeah, it’s been awhile for me, too.

Which begs the question, has our evolved technological communication actually devolved our personal interactions? Because of this, is the age-old art of networking dying in the Internet age?

With numerous articles crediting “Millennial Burnout” (is it even just Millennials?) to our constant connectivity, it’s almost impossible to remember that tuning out and turning off is something that must be done from time to time.

And networking just may be the thing for which to stop scrolling and start shaking hands. While there’s a lot to like about curated feeds and pumped-up LinkedIn profiles, there’s something quite nice about building relationships with actual people, which is the whole point of networking. And today, it’s more than matching a face with a name. Matching a personalized interaction with a face still matters.

So, get up and get out there! Make the most of meeting new people and networking in your city. There’s no doubt that opportunities will come from it – even if it’s just keeping your communication skills honed! As you mingle, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Don’t limit your network.

It doesn’t necessarily matter if someone is inside or outside of your industry, if they are influential, commit to connecting with that person. Often, a third party can offer fresh perspectives and make new introductions.

Go for quality not quantity.

Don’t just shake a bunch of hands and collect cards. Take time to have a real discussion. In the middle of a great conversation with someone? Don’t feel the need to move on so quickly. While you should be aware of their time (and your own), don’t be afraid to become engaged. The goal is to make meaningful – not numerous – connections.

Listen, then show them you heard.  

When first joining a group of people, take a few minutes to listen and then enter the conversation with a comment that adds to the discussion. Nothing will stop a conversation faster than focusing on yourself.

Follow up!

Don’t miss the opportunity to follow up! Send a note to each person with whom you exchanged information and remark on your interaction. Mention something specific to make the connection personal. Follow through on offers made to connect them and/or scheduling lunch. Keep the momentum going.

Want more tips on how to make important business connections? Check out our video post!

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Upsetting the “AP”-ple Cart: AP Changes

Cherith AndesBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , , ,

In PR and journalism, we hold each other to a code. It’s not a secret handshake, invisible ink or Bat Signal. Oh no, we nerds like to think it’s far cooler.

Two words: AP Style.

The Associated Press developed the Golden Rule of writing and grammar for journalism and public relations. It governs everything from sentence structure to how many spaces surround an ellipses. (One space on either side of the ellipses, in case you’re dying to know.)

We’ve pored through that style guide, memorized it and marked up many a news release to remove the loathed Oxford comma.

But, like everything else in our industry, the AP Stylebook makes annual changes to its rules. Now don’t get us wrong. We LOVE staying on the cutting edge of trends, tools and opportunities. Something new to explore? Sign us up! But there are two AP Style rules that have been feathers in every journalist’s cap, the hill on which they’ll die.

And recently, both rules changed. Cue a writers’ riot.

  1. The Percent Sign. Historically, AP Style religiously mandated that you spell out the percent sign, as the “%” symbol did not always translate between AP and newspaper computers, according to ProofReadNow.com. (Isn’t there an app for that?) For example, “This year, 100 percent of Clairemont employees ate peanut butter pretzels.” (True statement. Small addiction here.) Now, AP accepts the symbol, as in “At Clairemont 100% of the employees think this rule is a tad bogus.”
  2. More than vs. Over. Put up your dukes, people. This is a big one with AP Style OGs. When showing an amount greater than another amount, AP Style used to dictate the use of “more than,” such as “Cherith ate more than 7,000 peanut butter pretzels this year.” The word “over” was reserved for a physical position, such as “The light bulb dangled precariously over Cherith’s head.” Makes perfect sense. Now? AP Style accepts “over” in place of “more than.” I’m so over this.

Other general and miscellaneous AP rules?

  1. The plural of “emoji” is “emoji.” Which can actually come in handy when your mother sends you texts comprised of nothing but emojis … er–emoji.
  2. There’s a rule for quoting hashtags. “#NoLikeReally”
  3. Use “canning jar” instead of “Mason jar.” Well. Thank God someone finally addressed this journalistic crisis. We could see it now: masses of Martha Stewart followers storming the streets, aprons flying, spatulas brandishing, because NOT ALL CANNING JARS ARE MASON JARS. Serious business.

All in all, we take our work very seriously when it comes to accuracy … but perhaps not-so-seriously when it comes to a sense of fun and play. The 100% perfect mix.

See some of our writing fun in action!

Cover image from APStylebook Instagram account.

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Becoming a Thought Leader

Cherith AndesBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , ,

When I worked as the communications director with the YMCA of the Triangle, Chip and Dan Heath held celeb status in our halls.

We had never even met the duo. But the Y staff had poured through their book, “Switch,” discussed it in fervent (sometimes overly caffeinated) groups, storyboarded its concepts and penned strategies of action.

“Switch” served as a catalyst for systemic change for the Y — all 13+ branches in our region. The Heaths’ three-step process for inciting transformation at all levels — staff, members and the community — proved radical.

The Heaths had successfully positioned themselves as thought leaders. 

Thought leaders aren’t just experts. They are the “expert of experts.” After demonstrating valuable contributions to a specific field, thought leaders rise as the “go-to” resources, the keynote speakers, the daily bloggers.

As you develop your influence as a thought leader, fuel your journey with these six steps.

1. #Inspo: Find Your Why. 

This crucial first step will serve as the foundation for the next five steps. Determine for yourself why you want to pursue this specific niche of expertise. Is there social change you’d like to encourage, people you’d like to help, a business you’re dreaming to start? A deep, specific conviction serves both to focus your strategy on an end goal while also keeping you inspired over the long haul.

2. #Niche: Specify your what. 

What is your area of expertise? Since specificity is key, define not just your field but also your niche and your stance on that niche. For example, Clairemont works with Newland Communities, the country’s largest private residential real estate developer. We worked with one of its executives who was a thought leader not in real estate, not in mixed-use real estate (although we’re getting closer) but in the authentic mixed-use development inspired by natural habitats and heritage. Newland’s mission propels the company to develop communities based on the culture, heritage and natural topography of the land to foster the area’s culture. See how this is much more specific than “real estate”?

In this phase of discovery, remember that you need to offer something new. Perhaps you’re taking a new stance on a topic or adding a new angle to accepted rhetoric. Either way, proffer something fresh to the pot. Once you’ve fleshed out your particular brand of cool, hone it to a four- or five-word phrase that cleanly portrays your value as a thought leader.

3. #Proof: Build your credibility. 

Create a profile that showcases why you’re a thought leader on a source. This could include a list of accomplishments and experiences in this field, works you’ve written, awards won, organizations to which you’ve contributed or research you’ve conducted. Build proof why your followers should look to you as the quintessential expert.

4. #Authenticity: Hone your voice.

People don’t follow ideas. People follow people, which is a wonderful invitation for you to unveil your personality, style and voice. Take the opportunity to develop your personal “boilerplate” or your story that led you to your expertise. What spurred you, what obstacles did you crush, what change did you witness? Be forewarned: our culture has a strong radar for heavy-handed sales tactics. So undergird your writing and thoughts with transparency without asking for anything in return.

5. #Connected: Use your tribe.

When setting up your strategy, consult a team of trusted advisors, like your colleagues, fellow board members or your PR agency team. Share your why, what, proof and credibility points. Ask for feedback and expand ideas together: topics you could address, events or panels on which you could speak, workshops to teach or social media strategies. Define your outlets and plan of attack. Will you solely provide blog material? Teach workshops? Are you writing a book? Your team can provide invaluable direction; don’t go it alone!

6. #Indispensable: Be a resource.

Once your strategy is in place, here’s where the proverbial rubber meets the road. All of your knowledge doesn’t mean bupkis unless your followers find it useful. Since you’ve established a stance on a topic (see #2) backed by data (see #3), spotlight your golden discoveries.

Articulate a common problem that your field faces and offer your solution; share ideas in approachable, actionable terms. Stay apprised of the very latest developments and news in your industry to weigh in with your advice. Diversify your input across several types of mediums (such as videos, infographics) and platforms (like reddit and LinkedIn) to connect with varied audiences. Offer consistent content, and above all commit to quality over quantity. Your audience will learn to trust your counsel and follow your strategies.

At Clairemont, we love to help our clients explore their full potential as thought leaders. Want to learn what that means for you? Us too! Drop us a line. 

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Breaking Through Mental Blocks

Cherith AndesBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , ,

Those who work in a creative field know the feeling — that hopeless frustration of staring at a blank Word document or design canvas … and nothing comes. 

You’ve turned the canvas upside down. Swiveled in your chair. Worn a path to the coffee pot. Secretly played a few minutes of Fortnight. 

And the inspiration is still somewhere in the Bahamas … without you.

In PR, part of our special sauce is the zany ideas that add a head-turning twist, the out-of-the-box solution that catches the attention of reporters and propels customers into action. So we’ve run into our fair share of mental blocks during the creative process.

We’d like to proffer a few favorite tips for sidestepping the brain freeze and jumpstarting your mojo again.

Get a Move on It.

It’s surprising how a brisk stroll (or an impromptu dance-off in the Clairemont Kitchen) can rejuvenate the brain. One of us has been know to run laps up the stairs while another one uses the time to jaunt over to Morning Times for a touch of caffeine/parfait/whatever is in the pastry case. Fresh air and movement can do wonders.

Crack a Book. Or a Stellar Blog.

When words are … just … not … there (see how I did that?), feed your brain with fresh input. Prime the pump with another author’s vocabulary, style and turn of phrases. The meatier, the better. We love to flip open a copy of Garden & Gun (editor CJ Lotz has some incredible pieces) or the Wall Street Journal. (Jason Gay’s sports commentaries provide insightful accounts peppered with hilarity — even for the non-sports fan, such as myself.)

Insert Off-topic Ideas.

In a similar vein, completely abandon the current task at hand to concentrate on an unrelated topic. The brain is programmed to create and follow patterns (And thank goodness. Can you imagine relearning how to drive every time you cranked the key? No. Just no. ), so a break in routine can allow for a new point of view. Pop over to Ted on YouTube, for example, and watch the first video that catches your eye.

Change Your Environment.

Photo courtesy of Vita Vite

Forbes highlights the positive impact that a change of scenery and travel — even domestic travel — can have on the creative psyche. While you may not have the leeway for a long weekend escape, a shift in your immediate environment can interrupt your mental cycle. Pack up and move to a coffee shop. Work from a park. Find a wine bar patio (like our beloved client Vita Vite) that offers fresh vistas and new interactions to spark thoughts.

Crank the Tunes.  

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Plato

Forbes backed Plato’s maxim when it unveiled that listening to happy music may boost your creativity. Medical Daily even went so far as to suggest a few classical pieces. Music’s dichotomous blend of structure and expression targets both parts of the brain, often with an almost magical effect. Pop in some earbuds, take a walk, turn it on in the office, get up and dance. (Again, Clairemont loves us some dance parties. Care to join?)

Need a little more “oomph”? Check out Dana’s tips for encouraging creativity.

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