Communication Specialties: Generalist vs. Specialist
Getting Ahead, Business Communication, Advice, Personal Branding Melissa Vela-Williamson Getting Ahead, Business Communication, Advice, Personal Branding Melissa Vela-Williamson

Communication Specialties: Generalist vs. Specialist

Everyone should have a generalist capability and mindset. That means that you could specialize in a certain topic or category, but you have enough knowledge to know the communication that would benefit that area all the way around. It’s a more integrated world every day we’re in it, so our communication profession demands that of us these days!

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Critical Components of a Public Relations Plan
Business Communication, Advice, Business Tips, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson Business Communication, Advice, Business Tips, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Critical Components of a Public Relations Plan

Developing a public relations plan involves strategic thinking and following a systematic planning process. Let’s break down some critical but confusing parts of a PR plan: goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics.

Understanding how each of these plan components intersect, rely on each other and have their own role will help you build stronger, more measurable plans.

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Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

Prepare for Zoom Media Interviews or Presentations

At this point in 2020, each member of my household now has a dedicated Zoom account. Zoom/video call mishaps are still an everyday occurrence. Some professionals have been embarrassed or even fired for something seen while using Zoom. While media training has fundamentals, there are some nuances that should be accounted for when patching into a television studio virtually. As a PR professional, I see a need to share these insights with businesses and organizations facing media interviews over virtual platforms like Zoom.

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How Puzzles Help with PR Planning
Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson Public Relations, Business Communication, Advice Melissa Vela-Williamson

How Puzzles Help with PR Planning

We jumped on the puzzle trend at my home during the pandemic to find a way to keep our kids off screens during “bored” times. Here’s what I imagined -- opening a fresh cardboard-scented puzzle box brings a surge of excitement and anticipation of a new adventure. My reality -- we opened the box and looked at all the pieces and I immediately felt overwhelmed. That overwhelmed/puzzled/anxious/hopeful feeling was familiar. It’s the same feeling I get when starting the strategic communication planning process.

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