Only you can prevent word crimes.

Kelli Brignac

If there’s a funny grammar meme out there, it’s a safe bet to say I’ve seen it (and loved it). My friends and family make fun of me all the time for my love of words. Some of my favorites are to comfort with the words there, they’re, their (sent by my friend Chelsea), the grammar dog (sent by my friend Kent) and the grammar police (sent by my Aunt Laura). But my all-time favorite came to me a few weeks ago in the form of Weird Al’s #wordcrimes (sent by my friend Amanda).

I’m not kidding when I say that if I’m feeling a little down for any reason, watching word crimes makes my day better. I’m a huge nerd, I know. But the video does a lot for calling out some really common things that I see all the time. As a follow-up to my PRoofread post from 2012, here are a few ways you can prevent word crimes.

If you think I’m wasting your time, think again!

You may think you don’t need grammar or spelling. But you never know who is watching. It’s a joke in my family that I don’t eat at restaurants called a “kafé” instead of a café. I don’t bring my dry cleaning to the “kleaner.” Now this is not to say I would totally discount a business using a K instead of a C, but it does mean that it’s much harder for me to take someone seriously who doesn’t spell things correctly. Ask any hiring manager, and they’ll say misspelled words on a resume are often a deal breaker. Your written word is often the first thing people see…so make your first impression a good one!

Weird Al makes some good points.

He went over a few common word crimes. If you missed them in the video, I’ll outline them here:

• Less vs. Fewer – As a general rule of thumb, if you’re discussing items that can be counted, use fewer. An example would be “I have fewer pencils.” If it’s an abstract thing, use less. One example of that would be “I have less pain.”
• Could care less – I get my husband on this all the time. Think about it. If you could care less, it means you do care a little. If you don’t care at all, then the phrase should be that you couldn’t care less.
• Its vs. it’s – In this case, literally follow the rules of a contraction. It’s means “it is” and “its” is possessive.
• The Oxford comma – Some of my friends like to tease me with memes like this one about why they still use the Oxford comma. I don’t use it. And that’s OK. There’s a place for both schools of thought here. But I will say this: If you’re relying on memes like that to make your point, you’re missing out on a whole word of words you can use to re-arrange that sentence!
• Text speech – I know I’m one of the few who uses “you” instead of “u” in text messages. But please, for the sake of the English language, do not let your text speech invade your writing! As Weird Al says, BRCU are letters. Be, are, see and you are words!
• Figurative vs. literal – This one is a result of dramatic exaggerations. And I’m guilty of it sometimes! But the fact is people literally overuse literally way too often.

The I vs. me debate

When you were younger, odds are your mother, father, teacher, babysitter or the overzealous older kid down the street corrected you when you said something like “Me and John are going to the store.” They probably told you that the correct way to say it was “John and I are going to the store.”

In that case, those people were right. But you may also have been scarred for life! These days I see a lot of people misusing I when me is actually correct.

As an easy way to remember, think about what you’d say if there was no one else in the sentence. For example, “John and I went to the store.” Without John, it’s just “I went to the store.” That means I is correct there. But if you were saying something like “Alice called me and John,” then me is correct, because without John, Alice just called me. If it bothers you that much, just change the sentence and use us.

Got any pet peeves I missed here? Leave them in the comments!

Your Personal Brand

Mary Catherine Banister

During my senior year of college, I took a required (and pivotal) class in the public relations program – it was called Style and Design in Public Relations Messages. I knew the class was going to be tough – we would be learning HTML code, using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, and writing feature stories (with filmed interviews) every week. What did all of this lead up to? The creation of my very own website, completely coded and designed by me, myself and I. It was a huge task to be completed in one semester, but I was excited to get started.

I soon found that one of my biggest challenges for my website would not be the code or the stories or the personal information I needed provide. No…it was something more - my brand. How did I want to portray myself to not only my peers and professors but also the public relations professionals who I would share this website with when I began searching for a job? This question made me think about my personal brand and the reputation I wanted to maintain as a professional.

I decided to make my website very eye-catching – I used large photos and a cute, bright green theme throughout. This style is who I am. I did not want to keep the simple, plain templates that quite a few of the other students used. I wanted to stand out, and I did! I also used personal language in an effort to seem friendly and inviting because I wanted my viewers to get to know me a bit from simply visiting my site.

Developing your personal brand does not have to be about websites, business cards or other material items. In fact, the most important brand you want to create is the impression you make on others during face-to-face interactions, through emails and phone calls and even on social media. For example, if I am working with a journalist for a story and we exchange pleasant phone calls and emails, but then I ignore him at a public event or he notices an inappropriate tweet that I send, what is his opinion of me going to be? The negative certainly outshines the positive, which can lead to a poor professional relationship that not only hurts me but also my place of work.

So, be aware of the personal brand you are upholding, even at times when you do not necessarily think you are sending a message to others. Be yourself. Shape the way you want people to perceive you through the positive ways you interact with them, and your brand will stand out and keep people coming back for more.

What’s Google’s stance on links in news releases?

Ali Glemser

I was reading the June PRSA Tactics newsletter when I came across an interesting and useful article about Google’s take on hyperlinks in news releases by Carrie Morgan, a public relations consultant. One of the million-dollar questions surrounding Google’s secretive search algorithms is: How does it judge the quality of content? The search engine works hard to make sure it is always pushing quality and relevant information to the top of its results. In an effort to always improve, its algorithms are constantly changing, so below are some high points worth knowing about using hyperlinks in your releases.

The long and short of it is YES, Google does recognize links in press releases, but it’s to your benefit to keep them relevant. In other words, they should help elaborate on the story as opposed to being a plug for extraneous subjects. Google can calculate this relevancy and therefore discount the quality of releases with spam or other suspicious links. Examples of ways to incorporate links are: linking a quoted figure’s bio from your company’s website to their name in the release or linking the public stock symbol for your company’s name to further information, if available.

It’s also worth noting that using a wire service to distribute press releases does not have a direct correlation to your website’s ranking. Rest assured, the guys at Google have done their homework. They can recognize syndicated release sites and discount their value.

Some other tips to remember about Google and publishing news releases include focusing on the length of the release and the content of your lead sentence. Google will only be able to accommodate the first 65 to 80 characters of your headline in its search results, so look to work your company name and any important keywords as close to the front as possible. Likewise, look to include as many keywords – that make sense – in your first sentence for SEO purposes.

In conclusion, links can definitely add to the quality of your release, but use them wisely. Morgan recommends specifically using no more than three in a release. Most importantly, think about the person reading the release for the first time. Do you want them to focus on the great content within it or direct them to five other pages before they reach the end?

Baby Talk

Daniel Wade

When you have a newborn in the house, it’s funny how everything sort of filters through the little bundle of joy. And, depending on how much sleep you’ve gotten the past few nights, this can either be a good thing or quite the obstacle! I won’t make this post all about babies and first-time parenting (there are entire blogs dedicated to these things), but rather, I’d like to draw a comparison – if you’ll allow me.

Obsidian PR has grown incredibly since the early years, and I’m fortunate to be back on board with an expert team of communication strategists. While I have the privilege of getting to work with some of the same clients from my previous term, there are plenty of new accounts to go around, and I’ve been working to learn those industries and clients in my brief time back with Obsidian. Are you ready for this? It’s not unlike learning your newborn.

Starting with a Solid Foundation

You’ve seen the amount of baby books out there, right? My bedside table was full of them as we prepared for Truitt’s arrival. But, what has made the difference for us has been the trusted counsel of those who had been there before. In the PR industry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a PR firm with more knowledge and expertise than Obsidian. We’ve done our homework and built a foundation based on results. Armed with this, we move forward with eagerness and confidence for the new challenges and new faces that join our roster!

Five Steps Ahead

My wife and I have really worked to get out of our comfort zones, and this includes things such as two-hour road trips with a 2-week-old and solo ventures to the grocery store with infant in tow when one of us can’t join. These examples, coupled with overnight stays at the in-laws, have reinforced one key principle chief among good PR practitioners: proactivity. If you haven’t packed that diaper bag half a day in advance, you’re guaranteed to forget something. At Obsidian, we’re not order takers – we anticipate needs and proactively recommend strategies and tactics to ensure our clients are prepared for whatever comes their way.

Never Stop Learning

As we navigate growth spurts, eating patterns and the like, being first-time parents is a continual learning process. (Even the veteran parents I talk to say that just when they thought they knew something with one child, they were humbled by the next one!) While some might take this point as a perceived negative, I’d argue that we’re looking at this the wrong way. Whether I’m learning the needs, preference and industry of a new client or working with a client who’s been on retainer for more than seven years, I’m always striving to be a continual learner. Once you stop learning, complacency creeps in and kills momentum. At Obsidian, you can trust our team to keep the pedal down.

The Long Haul

Parents’ commitment to their children is for the long-term. As I’ve observed from my own relationship with my parents, it’s a process that only gets better and better with time. During both of my stints with Obsidian, I’ve noticed that the majority of our clients are retainer-based with only a handful of project work here and there. In my opinion, this is a natural result of numerous business partnerships reinforced with years of proven results and relationship equity. We’ve found that investing in and choosing the right clients yields solid partnerships built for the future.

Now, if you’ve made it this far, the question is: are these observations characteristic of the business partnership you’ve trusted for your communications efforts?

Sincerity Shows

Sarah Burgess

I recently caught the end of a show on National Geographic about why humans lie and how easy it is to spot someone who is lying. It got me to thinking about everyday conversations in the workplace and the importance of showing sincerity to our co-workers, clients and audience.  

Merriam-Webster defines sincerity as “the quality or state of being sincere, honesty of mind, freedom from hypocrisy.” This is especially important in public relations, as it is our job to be persuaders for our clients or organizations. Do you honestly think a journalist would want to use a pitch that seemed completely uninspired? But whether you’re in public relations or not, the importance of sincerity cannot be overstated.

Here are some things for you to remember about the importance of being sincere in your workplace:

You can’t fake it.

When you aren’t sincere, it shows. Have you ever had to deal with someone who hates his or her job? Whether they’re in food service or accounting, when someone isn’t happy, they can’t help but reveal their true feelings. No matter how hard you try, a fake smile, laugh or statement is usually more noticeable than you think.

Try to make the best out of it.

So what are you supposed to do if you can’t hide your feelings? Being sincere comes from within. Changing your attitude about a situation is the best way to overcome it. Don’t sweat the small stuff, do your absolute best and know that even during hard times, you can get through it.

Be it to receive it.

Sincerity isn’t a one-sided track. You have to give sincerity if you want to get sincerity in return.

Do you believe it?

I know it’s hard, but don’t say it or do it unless you believe it in your heart.

Stop the gossip.

Much of the time, gossip comes from spur-of-the-moment impulses and thoughts instead of carefully thought-out conclusions. Not only can you damage your co-workers or clients, you’ll simultaneously damage your own reputation.

Negativity is a virus.

I know we all have bad days every once in a while, but negativity is negativity. Like gossip, a negative attitude can result in saying things before you have thought them through. Worst of all, negativity is a vicious circle and spreads like wildfire. When you wear your emotions on your sleeve and pass on negative energy, it can easily affect those around. Before you know it, the entire office can become completely enveloped in a tangled mess of negative energy!

Care about your work and actions.

A sincere person takes pride in their work, and is careful of the ramifications their actions can have on others. Be mindful, conscientious and respectful of the quality of work you’re producing and the how what you do can affect your co-workers or clients. 

Do what you love, and love what you do.

This is perhaps the most important lesson of all.  When you do things that your interested in and passionate about, it carries over into all aspects of your work. If you take pride in your work and enjoy what you do, you can’t help but show it. When you love what you do, you’re much more likely to create the best work for your ability to yield the best results for your client or organization.

The next time you’re in the office, really think about it – how is your character is being displayed at work?

The F-bomb will never land you a job

Crissy Lintner

Each time I do a round of interviews with college students and new graduates, I am always amazed by the lack of interviewing skills and the missing sense of professionalism exhibited by these candidates in particular. I understand that professionalism, to some degree, is learned in the first few years of a career. I also know that a job interview is nerve-racking, so some things I can look past in an interview. However, there are so many things that, well, shock me.

I’m about to give you four nuggets of advice (out of many I have stored away) based on real-life interview experiences I’ve had in the past 12 years, so pay attention.  

1.         I am not your friend – even if I look like I’m only a few years older than you.
   Yes, I look like I might be 24. However, I assure you that this lady has been out of college for many years and is nearly halfway through her 30s. Perhaps the fact that I look young is disarming. Maybe you had someone a bit older in mind. Regardless, I’m not your friend. I’m a friendly person by nature, so we may start out with an icebreaker question about how your semester went, how summer is going, fun things you’re doing, etc. And I might be more of a casual interviewer than you experience in corporate world. But, that is not an open door to become my “pal” in an interview. I expect you to be engaging but perhaps not divulge too much info. Telling me that you got sloshed the night before your interview? TMI. Perhaps answer the “how’s your summer going” question with something more like, “It’s going great! I’m just enjoying some downtime traveling and visiting friends after a tough semester.” Don’t get me wrong – I want to see your personality, but there are ways to do so without becoming too casual.
   
   
   2.     Just because we represent Flying Saucer Draught Emporium doesn’t mean that I need to know details about your drinking habits.
   Considering our client base, I do have to ask whether you are opposed to working on accounts that include heavy focus on alcohol. It’s a fair question because your job would require you to focus heavily on beer, wine and spirits. It is not an open door to tell me about the keg party you went to the other night…and the night before…and the 13 tequila shots you had at the tailgate last fall. And, please don’t lie just to get the job. If you don’t like beer, that’s fine. I mainly need to know you will be comfortable with our client base in a professional sense. So, consider how you would tastefully and truthfully answer that question. (Tip: “I actually enjoy great craft beer – in fact, Meddlesome Moth is one of my favorite restaurants.” Nailed it! You just answered my question and told me you’re familiar with one of our clients.)
   
   
   3.    The F-bomb will never land you a job.
   Yes, an interviewee really dropped the F-bomb in an interview with me – for a job working with troubled children. You can guess how that went for him. Now, I’m not a prude, but the F-bomb and other “colorful” language simply doesn’t have a place in a job interview. Professionalism means being at your best so I can be comfortable with your representing our clients. Dropping the F-bomb in an interview scenario sets off alarms and makes me think, hmmm… if this person is saying this in a job interview, then I wonder what will be said in conversations with reporters, clients or other co-workers?
   
   
   4.    If you’re not prepared, I will know.
   Your one job for an interview is to be prepared. Not only do you need to know how to sell yourself and your skills, you need to know what we do, who I am, who our firm represents and which of those on our list of 75 or so are Dallas clients. (Tip: Ask me for a list of our Dallas clients before your interview so you can research them beforehand.) You also need to be ready to tell me why you chose PR as your major, why you’re the best for the job (citing specific examples from tangible experience at past internships or in coursework) and why an agency is where you’d like to start. Likewise, have questions ready for me that show you have given thought to your career with us and that you want to know about life at our firm. Basically, show me you will be a rock star for Obsidian. And never, ever drop the F-bomb.
   
   
   Have a question for me about interviewing or professionalism? Email me at Crissy@obsidianpr.com. I’m always happy to give career advice. 

Newsletter News

Sarah Lichterman

How many newsletters do you view daily? Being in the public relations industry, I sign up for every newsletter I can, so my inbox is full of them. Most of the time, I just skim through, but there are a handful I read every day. An online newsletter can be a very effective communication tool for businesses, if it is designed the proper way.

Such as any other communication tool, strategy and content is key to capturing your audience’s attention. Nowadays, internet users are inundated with advertisements on every website as well as junk emails. To stand out, your newsletter must serve a purpose and be targeted toward your customers. Below are a few key tips from Al Czarnecki, APR FCPRS, that are essential to the life of your newsletter.  

Begin with good basics and build a solid ground. Develop each newsletter around a central theme. Also, I suggest that you have certain segments that appear in each newsletter with different content, such as an employee profile, advice from management or industry news.

‘Clean and simple’ spells ‘effective.’ Don’t try to be too creative with graphics or fonts, especially in an email newsletter. If you have too many graphics, it will be slow to load and you could lose your reader. It is also a good idea to have a table of contents at the top of the email for lengthy newsletters.

Look for reader feedback. Reviewing the analytics for your newsletter is critical. This can tell you the specific behavior of your readers. It’s very important to take into consideration what links are being clicked so you can continue to provide content your readers are interested in.

For more information about writing a newsletter from Czarnecki, click here to read the full article. And, if you aren’t signed up for many newsletters in your industry, I recommend jumping on the newsletter-news bandwagon to see how others in your field are utilizing this communication platform.

How to Manage Deadline Stress in PR

Tiffany Cunningham

When we all have those whirlwind weeks, it’s important to remember the key ways to manage deadlines and the stress associated with those deadlines. As PR professionals, every day we are faced with deadline stress when we are trying to pitch an editorial piece, achieve key targets and milestones, and manage campaigns, projects and strategies. Below are some pieces of advice and my favorite ways to regain peace – even on the most stressful of days.

• Build a positive environment. Create positivity in your office by encouraging others and saying “good job” when a media hit comes through for any client. Offer to help your co-workers, when possible. An optimistic office that functions as a team will improve your overall work experience and help eliminate stress.
• Prioritize. Set daily, weekly or monthly goals – whatever works best for you – and make to-do lists. This is always a struggle of mine personally, but I have found that by setting reasonable and achievable goals, while following my to-do list, I manage my time and tasks much more effectively and remain levelheaded. 
• Take a break. When your brain feels like it’s spinning and you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed, a five-minute break can go a long way. A walk to the kitchen, around your building’s block, a break for coffee or logging onto your favorite blog to read the newest post can help to manage your stress. A short break helps you to regain focus, so you can deliver the highest quality of work.
• Exercise. A healthy lifestyle outside of the office will translate into less stress at the office. I personally enjoy running to take focus off any frustrations, in addition to frequent yoga sessions to stretch and relax.
• Keep your balance. As PR professionals, we are committed to communicating and responding instantly to the public and our clients, but in order to avoid harmful levels of stress, it is essential to try to avoid mixing home and work. To alleviate stress on the weekends and after work hours, check your work phone and email often, but don’t keep these devices glued to your body.
• Reward yourself. When you accomplish a big goal, reward yourself! A little vacation or spa day may be just what your mind and body needs to de-stress.