Advocating for your cause doesn’t need to be complicated. However, there are a few ways you can make your efforts more effective and long-lasting. If your public relations effort is weighing heavy on the public affairs side of things, then you’ll want to jot down these five tips. Make friends before you need them If an advocacy day in the General Assembly or on Capitol Hill is the first time you are meeting your elected official, you may already be behind the eight ball. Get…
Read MoreI was asked by a new client years ago, “What makes a good client?” The question took me aback. I’d always focused on being a good (if not great) agency; now here was someone on the client side (where I spent more than half my career) putting some of the onus of the success of the relationship on themselves. It was a smart question. Now, years later, here’s my answer… No TODAY Show-itis We used to say that the three warning signs that we were…
Read MoreEpisode Notes: Greg Surber is joined by research expert and long-time Hodges collaborator Erin Bishop from Brand Federation. They discuss all things research and touch on topics of key interest to Public Relations professionals.
Read MoreTo no surprise, short-form video content has taken the world by storm. In short order, it has been redefining the way brands build awareness and increase user engagement. Today, PR and marketing professionals are growing more committed to expanding their short-form video strategies, and can you blame them? The facts are undeniable: The evidence is all there. Short-form video content is worth investing in. Here’s how: Keep it short and sweet Short-form videos work because they cut to the chase. They capture viewers’ attention with…
Read MoreRunning a social media marketing strategy is no small feat. A single post could have five layers behind the scenes before the “Publish” button is even tapped. One tool marketers can use is a social media editorial calendar to help keep teams on the same page as the social media beast gets fed. Using an editorial calendar not only keeps everyone on the same page, but it also creates efficiencies, establishes accountability and helps keep an overall balance of content, creativity and expectations. In case…
Read MoreWhew! You’ve finally walked across the stage, secured your diploma and landed your very first job in PR. Now it’s time to live happily ever after… right? Admittedly, that was my mindset as a new graduate. Don’t get me wrong, landing a position in my field of study has been a wonderful kickstart to my career. However, what professors and parents rarely tell you is what to do once you actually get your dream job. Breaking into the professional world can feel daunting, and as…
Read MoreAdrienne Band stays busy. When she’s not sampling international cuisine at Blue Atlas or sending a new route on the face of Peak Experience’s bouldering walls, you’ll find our newest Hodger right where she belongs – with us! Adrienne was hired to be our account executive for the Virginia Spirits team. Before joining our team, she was a freelance creative consultant helping small businesses and nonprofits develop a range of brand identities and marketing collateral. She’s a Roanoke native and a graduate of JMU where…
Read MoreI’m 100% sold on the concept of working smarter, not harder. And in an industry that constantly pulls you in different directions, optimizing your workflow is crucial to staying afloat (and creating meaningful, lasting content while you’re at it). When it comes to developing your content marketing strategy, you’re likely producing a lot of content to fill your various channels. Scheduling interviews and dedicating full days to content gathering to fill those social media editorial calendars can be a lot, but if you’re not getting…
Read MoreThe pandemic completely changed the way we live, play and work. And while COVID-19 brought countless negatives, the virus also encouraged the world to rethink, revamp and revitalize age-old systems – like putting on real pants and going into an office five days a week. As the growing number of remote internships and career opportunities increase, it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively with members of your team in a new way. Here are five tips I’ve learned for staying connected during a virtual…
Read MoreEpisode Notes In this episode, Lindsay O’Bar and Julia Loudy celebrate Women’s History Month by getting personal as they talk about women in the workplace. This episode references a few examples about Richmond and Virginia moments, but women (and men) everywhere will find a takeaway or two.
Read MoreInfluencer marketing is and will continue to be a very important part of a brand’s growth. Whether a brand is looking to partner with content creators to promote an event, seeking out someone to shoot images for a brand’s use or simply leveraging ways to enhance its image, it’s essential to know the most effective ways to work with influencers. As someone who has worked with influencers for over five years, I’ve put together six tips for working with them that will best position brands…
Read MoreAs public relations professionals, we wear a variety of different hats for our clients. On a normal day, we can assume anywhere from five to six brand identities and write social posts for multiple industries – all while maintaining a consistent posting rhythm and prioritizing innovative content generation. While there is not one secret ingredient to boosting engagement metrics, there are helpful practices to implement and social media gurus to learn from. Speaking of social media gurus – Erica Schneider and Kasey Jones are some…
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