Always fun to be quoted in an article that includes the word "schleps." A pleasure working with my long-time media contact Robin Madell on this one for U.S. News & World Report on the Pros and Cons of Working From Home.
I have to admit that there are times when I miss working in an office and being around colleagues all day. There are ways to avoid "cabin fever" from too much time spent inside the "home office." I'll be back later this week with some tips for you. Until then...
Are you ready to tell your story? Contact me today at bill.mccue@gmail.com
Best,
Bill
StatCounter
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Live TV Broadcast Tips - Dealing with Comments on Articles
Hey folks,
Thanks for stopping by today.
About a year ago or so, I had a great introductory chat with Elizabeth Koraca, Executive Coach and Career Consultant. During the call, Elizabeth gave me some great career advice and recommendations. We've kept in touch ever since then and also connected on LinkedIn. Today she posted some very helpful tips on preparing for a live TV interview segment. You can see them here.
I'll add two more.
1. Remember that if you're going on as a company spokesperson, use "we" or the name of your company ("At XYZ, we believe...") rather than "I." It will reinforce that you're speaking on behalf of your company and not sharing personal thoughts.
2. Whatever method/medium you use to catch up on the latest news, be sure to check it out thoroughly prior to the segment - specifically look for any breaking news that could be considered related to your business. Chances are good you will be asked to comment on it. Be prepared to give an informed response that not only showcases your expertise, but also can "bridge" to your company's business.
How about you? Any tips to share? Leave a Comment and I'll respond ASAP.
Thanks for stopping by today.
About a year ago or so, I had a great introductory chat with Elizabeth Koraca, Executive Coach and Career Consultant. During the call, Elizabeth gave me some great career advice and recommendations. We've kept in touch ever since then and also connected on LinkedIn. Today she posted some very helpful tips on preparing for a live TV interview segment. You can see them here.
I'll add two more.
1. Remember that if you're going on as a company spokesperson, use "we" or the name of your company ("At XYZ, we believe...") rather than "I." It will reinforce that you're speaking on behalf of your company and not sharing personal thoughts.
2. Whatever method/medium you use to catch up on the latest news, be sure to check it out thoroughly prior to the segment - specifically look for any breaking news that could be considered related to your business. Chances are good you will be asked to comment on it. Be prepared to give an informed response that not only showcases your expertise, but also can "bridge" to your company's business.
How about you? Any tips to share? Leave a Comment and I'll respond ASAP.
Speaking of Comments...
I also had a situation today with a client (one that I collaborate on with a business partner) that might be helpful for you, too. The client received terrific coverage in a highly prestigious business news media outlet. In the article, the company's CEO was quoted among other industry leaders. A big win for their business. Once posted, the article inspired Comments including one that connected my client's quote with a rather unsavory business ("unsavory" in the public eye). I thought my business partner provided great advice when asked how to handle the negative Comment.
But before I share that counsel, I'll stop and remind my PR counterparts of the importance of monitoring your clients' media coverage for Comments - both positives and others like the one mentioned above. Why?
Positive Comments can be an opportunity to engage with a "raving fan" and build on that relationship.
Negative Comments need to be fully assessed and considered before you decide on a course of action - respond or not respond. Questions need to be asked, too:
Who is the "Commenter?" Are they credible? Can you find out through some amateur detective work? (Google is your friend, my friends).
How "bad" is their Comment?
Is it worth responding to or best left alone?
In the specific case today, my business partner's counsel was to "leave it alone" and I agreed with him 100 percent. It isn't necessary to engage with every negative "Commenter" - especially if they're just some random person. Doing so only gives them an opening to share more of their "expert" commentary and potentially gain a greater audience for their negativity.
Don't feed the troll.
Long story short, today's situation wasn't an opportunity for a constructive online dialogue in the Comments section.
Agree? Disagree? Share a Comment below (see what I did there?). I love hearing from you.
Best,
Bill
I also had a situation today with a client (one that I collaborate on with a business partner) that might be helpful for you, too. The client received terrific coverage in a highly prestigious business news media outlet. In the article, the company's CEO was quoted among other industry leaders. A big win for their business. Once posted, the article inspired Comments including one that connected my client's quote with a rather unsavory business ("unsavory" in the public eye). I thought my business partner provided great advice when asked how to handle the negative Comment.
But before I share that counsel, I'll stop and remind my PR counterparts of the importance of monitoring your clients' media coverage for Comments - both positives and others like the one mentioned above. Why?
Positive Comments can be an opportunity to engage with a "raving fan" and build on that relationship.
Negative Comments need to be fully assessed and considered before you decide on a course of action - respond or not respond. Questions need to be asked, too:
Who is the "Commenter?" Are they credible? Can you find out through some amateur detective work? (Google is your friend, my friends).
How "bad" is their Comment?
Is it worth responding to or best left alone?
In the specific case today, my business partner's counsel was to "leave it alone" and I agreed with him 100 percent. It isn't necessary to engage with every negative "Commenter" - especially if they're just some random person. Doing so only gives them an opening to share more of their "expert" commentary and potentially gain a greater audience for their negativity.
Don't feed the troll.
Long story short, today's situation wasn't an opportunity for a constructive online dialogue in the Comments section.
Agree? Disagree? Share a Comment below (see what I did there?). I love hearing from you.
Best,
Bill
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Quick Update - Ever Onward!
Hey folks,
Thanks for checking in. Last week was a bit of a roller coaster ride. It knocked me off my plans to keep this blog updated on a weekly basis - at the very least. This week is also off to a hectic start, but I wanted to post a few quick thoughts and updates - and encourage you to come back later this week. Now then...
I'm sure my high school teachers would "love" the irony of *me* encouraging PR people to "do their homework." (I wasn't much of a student back in those days) Many thanks to Ricky Singh for the opportunity to weigh in as part of TheStartUpGrowth.com's "How to get placements with the media" round-up. Cool to see one of my business partners - Indicate Media's Todd Barrish - also included.
Last week I wrapped up my first 90-day "LaunchKit" (still seeking a catchy name) engagement with Veras Partners. We accomplished a great deal by working together on:
- issuing a launch press release
- finalizing company messaging
- conducting a media interview coaching session
- establishing a steady drumbeat of blog posts/LinkedIn activity, and
- securing media coverage (one example)
If you're looking to launch your company and accomplish all of the above, please reach out to me today at bill.mccue@gmail.com. Let's talk about your goals. Shortly after chat, you'll receive an estimate on the pricing option that's the best fit with your budget.
I've also been working closely with a former colleague who is doing amazing things with his own one-person consultancy. We share the same dedication to doing great work for our clients and enjoy making each other laugh - a winning combination. Never a bad thing when your work is profitable and enjoyable at the same time.
Unfortunately, last week wasn't all laughs and fun, but the important thing is to learn from those rocky times and stay focused on the next challenges. The best way to recover from difficult situations and get back into good graces is to do something positive - and then build on it. I'm off to do that very thing.
As my musical hero Jimmy Page always said about his band Led Zeppelin, "ever onward!"
Back soon.
Best,
Bill
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Pride, Follow-up and The Chase - Life of a PR Pro
Today I'm sitting here at McCuenications PR HQ beaming with pride over one of my dearest friends getting an article published on a highly reputable website. It was not only accepted and posted - it's also on the home page of a section. A tremendous placement. My friend works super hard, puts the happiness of others ahead of her own, and now that she's "putting herself out there," was more than deserving of a win. And this is a big win indeed. Congrats, KK. You are the rock star of the day.
Another friend spent the day in Wash DC lobbying government officials to help with the return of her daughter who was abducted by her ex-husband. Long crazy story, but she's fighting the good fight and things are looking good after many years of frustration and dead ends. Hang in there, MMR - we're all rooting for you and "Babycakes."
Life is a numbers game, folks. You gotta keep knocking on doors, expanding your contact network, sending more emails, making more phone calls and on and on if you want good things to happen. This is especially true if you're struggling to put points on the board for a client or searching for a new gig. Salespeople know this more than anyone. I'm not sure if they still live by this ratio, but years ago, experts said you should expect to hear 99 "no's" before you get the one "yes!" that leads to closing a sale. That scale of rejection isn't easy to deal with and it's hard not to get discouraged and give up. Keep pushing and if you're feeling burned out, take a break and refresh. And then get back in the ring and start throwing punches again...
Following-up is big in PR. It was the question I dreaded the most when I was at my very first agency job. I had a client who would always ask, "did you follow up?" when I reported that a media contact didn't reply to my email or phone call. It was annoying as...but pushed me to anticipate that question and address it proactively before that client could ask it again. "Reached out, no response, followed up, will continue to reach out until I get an answer." Boom, next.
Seriously, reporters receive dozens of pitches every day. Plus their own internal emails from editors and colleagues. They're human - they miss things, they get overwhelmed, they work on deadlines and often just don't have time to hit reply and say, "Yes, please send" or "No thanks" or even just "Pass." So yes, you do have to "follow up." Just keep it short and sweet and empathetic. Also, try sending an email or calling during slow hours - like super early in the morning or even late at night on their *office line* (not their cell) to leave a VM - so it's first thing they see/hear in the morning.
We also tend to spend a lot of time "chasing" media in our business. Someone says "Sure, I'd love to speak with your client." Next thing you know, you're sending that secured interest over to the client, feeling good, send back the client's availability to the reporter, get ready to pop the cork on the champagne and then...silence. No response. And then, if you work for someone, the second guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking kicks into full effect. You didn't respond fast enough, your response was too passive, you should have just sent a calendar invite, etc. Everyone's an expert after the fact. Whatever. In these situations, it's important to take a step back and relax for a second. You never know what's going on at the other side of an email exchange. Things happen, other priorities get in the way, reporters get distracted by a breaking deadline. Could be any number of things. If they expressed interest, give them the rest of the day to get back to you - and the following morning, if necessary. Then send a quick reminder - again, short and sweet and empathetic. It works, trust me. Don't panic.
Now I just need to follow my own advice! I've been pushing hard to line up interest for one of my new clients -it's a project I'm working on, not a monthly retainer client. Pressure is on in these situations because you want to make a good impression and turn a project customer into a long-term client. I got a reporter at one of their priority media outlets interested in speaking with the CEO, but when I asked about time zones, the reporter's location vs. my client's (west coast), I got...no response. Yet. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out early tomorrow morning and move on to that briefing doc. Wish me luck.
Ok, so much for keeping these posts short and sweet. As always, I welcome your comments. Back again towards the end of the week. (I promise, KK).
Best,
Bill
Another friend spent the day in Wash DC lobbying government officials to help with the return of her daughter who was abducted by her ex-husband. Long crazy story, but she's fighting the good fight and things are looking good after many years of frustration and dead ends. Hang in there, MMR - we're all rooting for you and "Babycakes."
Life is a numbers game, folks. You gotta keep knocking on doors, expanding your contact network, sending more emails, making more phone calls and on and on if you want good things to happen. This is especially true if you're struggling to put points on the board for a client or searching for a new gig. Salespeople know this more than anyone. I'm not sure if they still live by this ratio, but years ago, experts said you should expect to hear 99 "no's" before you get the one "yes!" that leads to closing a sale. That scale of rejection isn't easy to deal with and it's hard not to get discouraged and give up. Keep pushing and if you're feeling burned out, take a break and refresh. And then get back in the ring and start throwing punches again...
Following-up is big in PR. It was the question I dreaded the most when I was at my very first agency job. I had a client who would always ask, "did you follow up?" when I reported that a media contact didn't reply to my email or phone call. It was annoying as...but pushed me to anticipate that question and address it proactively before that client could ask it again. "Reached out, no response, followed up, will continue to reach out until I get an answer." Boom, next.
Seriously, reporters receive dozens of pitches every day. Plus their own internal emails from editors and colleagues. They're human - they miss things, they get overwhelmed, they work on deadlines and often just don't have time to hit reply and say, "Yes, please send" or "No thanks" or even just "Pass." So yes, you do have to "follow up." Just keep it short and sweet and empathetic. Also, try sending an email or calling during slow hours - like super early in the morning or even late at night on their *office line* (not their cell) to leave a VM - so it's first thing they see/hear in the morning.
We also tend to spend a lot of time "chasing" media in our business. Someone says "Sure, I'd love to speak with your client." Next thing you know, you're sending that secured interest over to the client, feeling good, send back the client's availability to the reporter, get ready to pop the cork on the champagne and then...silence. No response. And then, if you work for someone, the second guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking kicks into full effect. You didn't respond fast enough, your response was too passive, you should have just sent a calendar invite, etc. Everyone's an expert after the fact. Whatever. In these situations, it's important to take a step back and relax for a second. You never know what's going on at the other side of an email exchange. Things happen, other priorities get in the way, reporters get distracted by a breaking deadline. Could be any number of things. If they expressed interest, give them the rest of the day to get back to you - and the following morning, if necessary. Then send a quick reminder - again, short and sweet and empathetic. It works, trust me. Don't panic.
Now I just need to follow my own advice! I've been pushing hard to line up interest for one of my new clients -it's a project I'm working on, not a monthly retainer client. Pressure is on in these situations because you want to make a good impression and turn a project customer into a long-term client. I got a reporter at one of their priority media outlets interested in speaking with the CEO, but when I asked about time zones, the reporter's location vs. my client's (west coast), I got...no response. Yet. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out early tomorrow morning and move on to that briefing doc. Wish me luck.
Ok, so much for keeping these posts short and sweet. As always, I welcome your comments. Back again towards the end of the week. (I promise, KK).
Best,
Bill
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Quoted in deBanked feature story today (Jan. 3, 2019)
I put my Indicate Media Executive Consultant hat on today and spoke with Todd Stone at deBanked. He was looking for tips on how companies and industries should handle negative issues when speaking with the media on record. He quoted me in the article here. Did my best to practice what I preach during media coaching sessions.
How'd I do?
Best,
Bill
How'd I do?
Best,
Bill
Happy New Year - Here's to living in the present tense
Here we are in 2019. I hope you all had a very safe and happy New Year's Eve celebration. For those of you who dread the end of year holidays, and all the stress and pressure that comes with them, you made it! Now we can all focus on making some realistic resolutions and positive changes for the days, weeks and months ahead.
I was able to close out the year on a high note professionally by securing some very positive media coverage for one of my clients in Business Insider. These opportunities came about after a background briefing with a reporter. By staying in touch with him afterward to ensure my client didn't slip off his radar, I was able to create two opportunities for my client to provide expert commentary. Great stuff.
I'm also in the home stretch of a 90-day engagement with my first client to take advantage of the McCuenications PR "Starter Kit" package. (I really do need a more catchy/attention getting name for it. Any suggestions? Leave a comment. I've thought about McCueKit but that's generated a lot of eye rolls from friends and family).
Working together, we managed to accomplish a number of goals - Media coaching for two company spokespeople, a launch press release was written and distributed over the wire to establish a digital footprint, I wrote and co-wrote a few blog posts for them, and we secured media coverage for the founder of the company as a software/IT industry expert. We've also worked together to make sure our LinkedIn presence is consistent and we're out there posting, "liking" and commenting on other posts.
Over the next two weeks, I'll be pushing for more media opportunities and coverage, we'll look to finalize a few more blog posts to establish a steady drumbeat of fresh content on their site and more. It's been a great 90 days and I think we've all learned a lot from the experience. I'm my own toughest critic (as I'm sure many of you are, too) and would like a few "do-overs" and maybe some things I'd do differently, but overall I'm pleased with the service and results provided by McCuenications PR. Fortunately, my client feels the same way.
Later this month, I'll be making an announcement about the "Starter Kit" package in a press release and hope to be able to include a quote from this client. Fingers crossed.
Things are a little rocky on the personal front, which is why I haven't updated this blog in a while. Some hard lessons learned about the importance of addressing things proactively and not sitting back and hoping they'll resolve themselves. Also, when you see warning signs, acting on them as quickly as possible. These situations are examples of when owning your own business - and being a single person - can be difficult. You don't have a business or life partner to lean on - or give you a good swift kick in the tush - when you're hesitating to take action for one reason or another.
So here's to being more proactive in 2019 and avoiding the mistakes and indecision of the past. There's no time for regrets - only living and learning and moving on. To quote my favorite musician Jimmy Page, "ever onward." Here's a song I listen to as a reminder of that credo.
I'm also determined to take better care of myself, shed a few pounds of winter weight by making time to work out on a regular basis, and spend more time going to movies, concerts and theater performances and a LOT less time watching TV (especially movies I've seen a gazillion times like The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Casino, The Outlaw Josey Wales and many others. It's not like the plots or endings are going to change if I keep watching them ...).
Also, I've lived in Brooklyn for more than 16 years now and lately I've been seriously considering if a change of scenery would be a good thing for me. Most of my friends have been priced out of this neighborhood or moved away for one reason or another. I've been thinking about where I'd move to if I did decide to make a change. In this case, being a solo business practioner and single dude is an advantage. I'd only have to worry about uprooting me - and I can do my work from anywhere in the world, really, so long as I have an Internet connection and cell service. Lots to think about...
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this post. Please leave a comment. I love hearing from you. Wishing you and your loved ones all the very best of everything in 2019 and beyond.
Best,
Bill
I was able to close out the year on a high note professionally by securing some very positive media coverage for one of my clients in Business Insider. These opportunities came about after a background briefing with a reporter. By staying in touch with him afterward to ensure my client didn't slip off his radar, I was able to create two opportunities for my client to provide expert commentary. Great stuff.
I'm also in the home stretch of a 90-day engagement with my first client to take advantage of the McCuenications PR "Starter Kit" package. (I really do need a more catchy/attention getting name for it. Any suggestions? Leave a comment. I've thought about McCueKit but that's generated a lot of eye rolls from friends and family).
Working together, we managed to accomplish a number of goals - Media coaching for two company spokespeople, a launch press release was written and distributed over the wire to establish a digital footprint, I wrote and co-wrote a few blog posts for them, and we secured media coverage for the founder of the company as a software/IT industry expert. We've also worked together to make sure our LinkedIn presence is consistent and we're out there posting, "liking" and commenting on other posts.
Over the next two weeks, I'll be pushing for more media opportunities and coverage, we'll look to finalize a few more blog posts to establish a steady drumbeat of fresh content on their site and more. It's been a great 90 days and I think we've all learned a lot from the experience. I'm my own toughest critic (as I'm sure many of you are, too) and would like a few "do-overs" and maybe some things I'd do differently, but overall I'm pleased with the service and results provided by McCuenications PR. Fortunately, my client feels the same way.
Later this month, I'll be making an announcement about the "Starter Kit" package in a press release and hope to be able to include a quote from this client. Fingers crossed.
Things are a little rocky on the personal front, which is why I haven't updated this blog in a while. Some hard lessons learned about the importance of addressing things proactively and not sitting back and hoping they'll resolve themselves. Also, when you see warning signs, acting on them as quickly as possible. These situations are examples of when owning your own business - and being a single person - can be difficult. You don't have a business or life partner to lean on - or give you a good swift kick in the tush - when you're hesitating to take action for one reason or another.
So here's to being more proactive in 2019 and avoiding the mistakes and indecision of the past. There's no time for regrets - only living and learning and moving on. To quote my favorite musician Jimmy Page, "ever onward." Here's a song I listen to as a reminder of that credo.
I'm also determined to take better care of myself, shed a few pounds of winter weight by making time to work out on a regular basis, and spend more time going to movies, concerts and theater performances and a LOT less time watching TV (especially movies I've seen a gazillion times like The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Casino, The Outlaw Josey Wales and many others. It's not like the plots or endings are going to change if I keep watching them ...).
Also, I've lived in Brooklyn for more than 16 years now and lately I've been seriously considering if a change of scenery would be a good thing for me. Most of my friends have been priced out of this neighborhood or moved away for one reason or another. I've been thinking about where I'd move to if I did decide to make a change. In this case, being a solo business practioner and single dude is an advantage. I'd only have to worry about uprooting me - and I can do my work from anywhere in the world, really, so long as I have an Internet connection and cell service. Lots to think about...
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this post. Please leave a comment. I love hearing from you. Wishing you and your loved ones all the very best of everything in 2019 and beyond.
Best,
Bill
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Happy Holidays from McCuenications PR
Thanks for stopping by. I hope everyone is enjoying a nice winter holiday season. For those of you who struggle during this time of year, hang in there. Only one more big day to endure - New Year's Eve. Until we're beyond that big event, try to keep busy, keep your friends and family close, and best you can, avoid spending too much time alone.
I've been trying to practice what I preach. November and December are traditionally the toughest months of the year for me. Over the past 20 years or so, I've experienced everything from relationships breaking up to losing jobs to dear friends passing away.
I remind myself that positive things have happened, too. Including this year. Like the smile on my nephew James' face when he posed for a pic wearing the Saquon Barkley jersey I gave him for Christmas. And the way my mom called my sister "honey bun" when serving her breakfast on Christmas morning. In November 2010, I met Jimmy Page (yes, the Jimmy Page) for the first time. And his mom, too! How about that?
So try not to let the bad stuff overwhelm the good stuff, ok? But if you do feel like the blues are getting the upper hand on you, reach out to me at bill.mccue@gmail.com. I've been there and can help.
I'm using most of this week to line up some year-end media opps for my clients, catch up on admin stuff and complete some project work for one of my business partners. Later today (Wednesday) I'll be connecting one of my clients with a reporter at Business Insider. Should be a good conversation.
More dental work this week, too. Can't wait for it to be done. The procedures aren't all that bad, really - even the root canals. The dread and anxiety leading up to it are far worse. Wish me luck.
Today's soundtrack is provided by The Current out in Minneapolis. Do you ever listen to it online? They play a great mix of old and new music. It helps me keep up with what "the kids" and my dear friend KK are listening to these days. Check it out here.
That's all for today. I'll be back with some thoughts on resolutions for the new year and some changes I'm hoping to make in my daily routine and lifestyle. Come back again later this week, ok?
Best,
Bill
I've been trying to practice what I preach. November and December are traditionally the toughest months of the year for me. Over the past 20 years or so, I've experienced everything from relationships breaking up to losing jobs to dear friends passing away.
I remind myself that positive things have happened, too. Including this year. Like the smile on my nephew James' face when he posed for a pic wearing the Saquon Barkley jersey I gave him for Christmas. And the way my mom called my sister "honey bun" when serving her breakfast on Christmas morning. In November 2010, I met Jimmy Page (yes, the Jimmy Page) for the first time. And his mom, too! How about that?
So try not to let the bad stuff overwhelm the good stuff, ok? But if you do feel like the blues are getting the upper hand on you, reach out to me at bill.mccue@gmail.com. I've been there and can help.
I'm using most of this week to line up some year-end media opps for my clients, catch up on admin stuff and complete some project work for one of my business partners. Later today (Wednesday) I'll be connecting one of my clients with a reporter at Business Insider. Should be a good conversation.
More dental work this week, too. Can't wait for it to be done. The procedures aren't all that bad, really - even the root canals. The dread and anxiety leading up to it are far worse. Wish me luck.
Today's soundtrack is provided by The Current out in Minneapolis. Do you ever listen to it online? They play a great mix of old and new music. It helps me keep up with what "the kids" and my dear friend KK are listening to these days. Check it out here.
That's all for today. I'll be back with some thoughts on resolutions for the new year and some changes I'm hoping to make in my daily routine and lifestyle. Come back again later this week, ok?
Best,
Bill
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