Raleigh Public Relations Society

The Raleigh Public Relations Society (RPRS) aims to advance the art and science of public relations and to strengthen communication, understanding and cooperation among the diverse individuals, groups, and institutions of the Society.

Professional Development

By

How She Works: Sharing My Favorite Resources for Working Smarter, Not Harder

We could all use a little help from time-to-time, right? If you’re at an agency or an in-house marcom team, you’re probably cranking out multiple deliverables daily and when working at warp speed, it’s nice to have a few tools at your disposal to make sure those deliverables arrive polished and as error-free as possible.

I started this blog post by checking my capitalization (“For”? “for”?) at CapitalizeMyTitle.com. This free sanity check is a game-changer during a long day of varying styles and format requirements.

In real time, Grammarly (available free and with a pro/paid edition) checked my spelling, use, and general grammar. It puts any browser’s built-in spell check to shame and the best part is that it’s trainable and sends you weekly performance reports. I love seeing each week how many different words I used the past week! To really get the most coverage, be sure to download the desktop program as well as the Chrome browser extension to check as many of the pieces you produce for errors.

Speaking of the Chrome browser, have you used its built-in strong password generator? I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t have to sign up for something and concede to said site’s secure password demands. Chrome makes it easy to use something beyond your standard “pet name plus exclamation point” configuration and then, like magic, will remember it across all of your devices – if you’re logged in to Chrome.

Continuing the Team Google theme, our office utilizes several Google Home devices to sync up our playlist tunes across our workspaces. We switch up the playlist daily but ever since last week’s RPRS lunch where Membership Chair Olivia Easly asked us to share our favorite “pump up”/motivation song, we’re totally digging the compilation playlist that came out of that gathering.

Spotify Playlist: RPRS Motivation Mix

Lisa Jeffries Raleighwood Media GroupLisa Jeffries

Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group

2019 RPRS Vice President

 

By

The Networking Dance

Oh, the awkward dance of the networking event. You know what I’m talking about: you walk into a room of people you’ve never met, dressed in a nice outfit; you’ve likely worked a full day, so upon arrival you grab a plate of food and an alcoholic beverage. There are no available tables, so you stand and delicately balance the juggle between your plate of food, glass of wine, and lack of silverware (for “finger food” that requires such). Just as you think you’ve got a rhythm down…someone comes up to you, introduces themselves, and extends their hand. Uh oh.

 

So why do we risk putting ourselves in an uncomfortable, and dare I say awkward, position for the sake of meeting someone new?

 

  1. Your time to shine! When someone introduces themselves at a networking event, this is your opportunity to make an impression that will leave them with a desire to continue the conversation. Take advantage of the opportunity to passionately speak  about your business, cause, interest, etc. The individual will more easily draw energy from the excitement behind your mission. These few minutes are a goldmine chance to stake your claim as someone they’d like to continue to get to know, or perhaps even do business with.
  2. Referral building. Once you’ve made your impression on someone, you directly increase the probability of continuing a conversation and establishing a sense of mutual trust. This deepened level of trust could lead to an exchange of referrals…presenting you an individual who is already half sold (or at least highly motivated) on doing business with you. A win win!
  3. Confidence boost. The more times you attend a networking event, and put yourself in the position to meet someone new, you become more comfortable in that type of environment. You’ll learn the tips and tricks of what works for you, how to make a lasting impression, and you’ll walk away with a contact that could potentially help you down the road.
  4. Inspiration. You have the opportunity to learn what strategies are most beneficial for others and could potentially serve you well in your business. There is a wealth of knowledge that can be obtained simply by talking with other professionals in your industry. Glean from their tactics and incorporate a new wave of ideas into your workplace.
  5. Name with a face. People might not always remember your name from networking events, but chances are decent that they will remember what you do and your projected energy behind the  conversation. Being in a face to face conversation with someone raises the likelihood that at some point down the road they might associate your face/conversation with a need for that service.

 

Embrace the uncomfortable, step into the awkwardness and you might just walk away with a new client!

 

If you are interested in building your networking skills and conversing with like-minded individuals in the communications industry, join RPRS for one of our many networking events and monthly luncheons. Information can be found here: https://rprs.org/

By

RPRS Member-Exclusive Savings: Think Outside the Bowl Business Strategy Conference – Durham

We have an exclusive RPRS Member Discount for the upcoming Think Outside the Bowl Business Strategy Conference happening in Durham on August 23! Want in on the deep savings? Login to your member account today at https://rprs.org/login/ and you’ll find all the details on your member homepage on how to save $26 when registering for what we know is going to be a great day with Stan Phelps and Evan Carroll – two of favorite local marketing thought leaders.

Think Outside the Bowl Business Strategy Conference - Durham

Tickets for the full-day experience are just $125 $99 (with our exclusive discount code you’ll find on the member homepage) and you’ll receive the following benefits:
  1. Continental Breakfast
  2. Morning Keynote Sessions
  3. Your Choice of Goldfish Book
  4. Lunch at The Durham Hotel
  5. Our New Business Strategy Intensive Program
  6. Small Group Access to Goldfish Series Experts

See you in Durham for a day of “thinking outside the bowl”!

By

Announcing Our 2018 Professional Development Workshop Featuring Karl Sakas

I am so excited to announce the Raleigh PR Society 2018 professional development seminar designed with team leaders and managers in mind! RPRS President Lindsay Priester and I have been working on this topic for many months alongside our presenter, Karl Sakas. We wanted to ensure this would be a high-impact event for attendees, without asking too much time away from the office and not requiring too much budgetary approval, either.

Without further ado, I give you…

Made to Lead: Actionable Strategies for Rookie and Veteran Team Leaders, Alike

1:30pm – 5:30pm
18 Seaboard

Karl Sakas to speak at RPRS May Lunch and LearnManaging people is tough, but it doesn’t have to be so hard!

The Raleigh PR Society is pleased to host agency consultant Karl Sakas from Sakas & Company, for a half-day workshop designed for c-suite and executive-level professionals who manage teams both small and large. Karl helps PR, marketing, and creative agencies take control of their business. In this hands-on workshop, he will more narrowly focus on the challenges faced by professionals charged with overseeing the efforts, development, and retention of company talent.

Attendees will learn concrete tips to make your work easier when you lead marketing and creative teams. In addition to hearing from Karl in a small group setting (only 25 seats will be made available for this workshop), attendees will walk away with the first draft of a personalized plan to tackle management challenges within their own organization in the second half of 2018.

Priced at only $99 per seat, this four-hour workshop is an incredible value for those seeking renewed energy to lead a happier, more productive workforce, but will also leave attendees poised to develop leadership techniques that make top talent easier to retain.

Join us Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at 18 Seaboard for this half-day leadership seminar. Refreshments throughout the seminar, a closing cocktail, and a copy of Karl Sakas’ 2016 book, Made to Lead: A Pocket Guide to Managing Marketing & Creative Teams, are included in the registration fee. Registration opens on Monday, March 19, 2018, at 8 a.m. and closes on Friday, May 18, 2018, at 5 p.m.

REGISTRATION: $99
(Includes Course Materials, Refreshments, & Post-Event Happy Hour Beverage)

====

I hope you can make the time in your busy schedule to join us for what promises to be valuable time away from the office and your team. I look forward to seeing you there!

Lisa Jeffries
Founder & Principal – Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group
RPRS Vice President