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The Power of Context
Our words hold power by shaping each situation with details and context. We make meaning via communication, so how we shape our messages matters, and how those messages are interpreted is correct.
Tickets on Sale Now: Ethics and Copyright Law in an AI-Excited World
Kick the year off with Smart Talk that can save you and your business future legal troubles. Learn the Copyright Law do's and don'ts of AI from public relations author Melissa Vela-Williamson and media law attorney Alicia Calzada. Read more about this event taking place on Thursday, January 18 at Maestro Entrepreneur Center.
Thriving in the Agency World: Lessons from My Journey at MVW Communications
Discover Julia's transformation from novice to seasoned PR pro under Melissa Vela-Williamson's mentorship. Her journey showcases the impact of continuous learning and strategic networking in shaping a thriving career in Communications.
Time Management: The Key to Success for Interns
Fitting an internship into an already packed schedule of classes, assignments, and extracurricular organizations can seem overwhelming. As an intern at MVW Communications and a full-time student at Texas State University, I quickly learned the skills needed to thrive! The key to success lies in strategic time management.
Wisdom from a Recent College Grad: Get Involved!
Becoming a communications major is one of the best decisions I have made in college and I am greatly looking forward to my career in public relations. College is an amazing chapter in anyoneβs life and I cannot stress enough what I have gained from having leadership roles and mentors I know I can trust. At the end of the day, you get out of college what you put into it.
4 Tips for a Successful Remote Internship
I met Melissa in November of 2022 at the PRSSA ICON International conference in Dallas, Texas. I attend Northern Michigan University in Marquette, about 1,500 miles from San Antonio, Texas, where MVW Communications is located. For the past year, Iβve been working remotely for MVW Communications, and hereβs how I succeededβ¦
Book Sneak Peek: Be Thoughtful and Planful
In Chapter 10, βAct Like a Pro,β I review what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the changes that it made to our work lives.
Book Sneak Peek: Thinking Critically & Planning for a Crisis
In Chapter 9, βThink Like a Pro,β I discuss the situations that taught me to think like a pro. Have you heard of crisis communications?
Book Sneak Peek: Build Your Press Kit
In Chapter 8, βBuilding Your PR Toolkit,β I explain the contents of a great PR toolkit, including the press kit. Whatβs that?
4 Lessons from Recording My Audiobook
I spent three days recording the audiobook version of my book, πππππ‘ ππππ: ππ’ππππ π ππππ‘ππππ πΈπ π πππ‘ππππ π΄ππ ππππ πβππ’ππ πΎπππ€. Read here to find out what I learned during that process.
Book Sneak Peek: Think 360
In Chapter 7, βUnderstanding Integrated Marketing Communications,β I introduce the framework my firm, MVW Communications, uses for our 360-degree approach to planning.
Book Sneak Peek: PR, DEI & Touchy Terminology
In Chapter 6, βUse Tailoring to Serve Multicultural Needs,β I dive deep into cultural strategy and why communicators should understand how to tailor their communication approaches for a multitude of audiences.
3 Pro Tips from a Recent Grad
I am not your βtraditionalβ intern. I am slightly older (27) than what most would consider an intern. I returned to college in the middle of the pandemic, after already completing a degree in a field that didnβt make me happy. Iβm so glad that I came back to the field that I fell in love with as a teenager.
Book Sneak Peek: Building Relationships Means EQ>IQ
In Chapter 5, βThe Relationships You Need to Be Successful,β I discuss relationships essential to a successful career in PR. These relationships can be with other PR pros and even clients!
Learning Through Experience
As a go-getter, I love to learn, and internships are where I have learned my most valuable lessons. This semester, I found that internships are a great opportunity to gain practical experience and apply what youβre learning in the classroom to real-world situations. Hereβs a peek into some of the things Iβve learned at MVW Communications.
Book Sneak Peek: Strategic Communication Planning
In Chapter 4, βPlanning Like A Pro,β I explain a four-step process to creating and implementing a strategic communications plan.
Book Sneak Peek: Media Relations Do's and Don'ts
In Chapter 3, βMedia Relations Doβs and Donβts,β I share best practices on topics such as setting media coverage goals, pitching story ideas, and knowing whatβs newsworthy.
Book Sneak Peak: How to Embrace Email Ettiquette
In Chapter 2, βStart Smart with PR Etiquette,β I share my thoughts on the unspoken PR etiquette that makes or breaks our reputations. These tips will save you lots of embarrassing moments. A surprising section to many is my take on email management strategy, which is actually key to successful workplace communication.
Book Sneak Peek: Getting Started in Public Relations
In Chapter 1, βWhat PR Really Is,β I share tips and advice on getting started in public relations. Why? Because colleges may teach how the field works, but they canβt always teach how to work in the field! The hardest part can be getting started β getting that first break. Read this excerpt with tips on landing your first shot below.
Get Familiar with Meta Business Suite for Facebook Advertising
Facebook advertising should be a staple of the media mix for organizations, large and small. It's less expensive than traditional advertising, can be managed easier, and doesnβt require a hefty advertising budget to be successful. Before you set up your paid ads, itβs important to understandβ¦