Gen AI In Leadership Communications Management And PR The Communicate Influence podcast

#Sheelagh Caygill #Marketing #Business #Writing #Storytelling #Books and Writing #Public Relations #Leadership #Reputation Management #Influence #Communication #Business Communication #MarCom

36:16

DANMMMMM…Have I got a show for you! First, a lot of Sister Wives tea - new rumors have surfaced Janelle Brown is leaving the show. Plus, Gabe Brown gives a life update after losing and tragically finding his brother Garrison dead. Sadly, Garrison took his own life in March 2024. Then we head over to discuss the new Welcome To Plathville tea. The first pictures of Micah Plath have surfaced after being beat up by his brother Issac and it doesn’t look good for the future of his modeling career. Lastly, we discuss the latest in the Justin Baldoni v Blake Lively case, Justin is back on social media and it was the perfect social media return. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Open and new Sister Wives news 00:05:43 - Janelle Brown leaving the show? Sister Wives Closet is officially closed 00:12:45 - A new pic of Micah Plath’s broken nose has surfaced 00:18:18 - Justin Baldoni back on social media and Taylor Swifts team is pissed at Justin Baldoni MY Go Big Podcasting Courses Are Here! Purchase Go Big Podcasting and learn to start, monetize, and grow your own podcast. USE CODE: MOM15 for 15% OFF (code expires May 11th, 2025) **SHOP my Amazon Marketplace - especially if you're looking to get geared-up to start your own Podcast!!!** https://www.amazon.com/shop/thesarahfrasershow Show is sponsored by: Download Cash App & sign up! Use our exclusive referral code TSFS in your profile, send $5 to a friend within 14 days, and you’ll get $10 dropped right into your account. Terms apply Horizonfibroids.com get rid of those nasty fibroids Gopurebeauty.com science backed skincare from head to toe, use code TSFS at checkout for 25% OFF your order Nutrafol.com use code TSFS for FREE shipping and $10 off your subscription Rula.com/tsfs to get started today. That’s R-U-L-A dot com slash tsfs for convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance. SkylightCal.com/tsfs for $30 OFF your 15 inch calendar Quince.com/tsfs for FREE shipping on your order and 365 day returns Warbyparker.com/tsfs make an appointment at one of their 270 store locations and head to the website to try on endless pairs of glasses virtually and buy your perfect pair Follow me on Instagram/Tiktok: @thesarahfrasershow ***Visit our Sub-Reddit: reddit.com/r/thesarahfrasershow for ALL things The Sarah Fraser Show!!!*** Advertise on The Sarah Fraser Show: thesarahfrasershow@gmail.com Got a juicy gossip TIP from your favorite TLC or Bravo show? Email: thesarahfrasershow@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Communicate Influence Podcast »
Gen AI in leadership communications management and PR

about a year ago 1:12:33

MP3•Episode home

Bob, a seasoned PR professional, shares insights from his lecture late last year at Boston University, emphasizing that while AI is revolutionizing PR practices with tools like ChatGPT, the core principles of the profession remain unchanged.

Bob highlights how AI enhances PR work by enabling faster and more strategic decision-making. For instance, he uses ChatGPT as a "PR muse" to generate ideas, refine strategies, and assist in crisis management by providing actionable insights. However, he stresses that AI should not replace human judgment. He advises against relying on AI for final edits or public-facing content, as it lacks the nuanced understanding of tone, ethics, and human connection essential in PR.

We delve into the dichotomy between AI’s potential and its limitations. Bob notes that while AI can amplify creativity and efficiency—helping PR professionals craft smarter campaigns—it cannot replicate the depth of human relationships or the experience accumulated over decades. He underscores the importance of maintaining a "human voice" in corporate communications and ensuring rigorous fact-checking to avoid errors or "hallucinations" in AI-generated content.

Bob also explores the ethical challenges posed by AI. They express concerns about the misuse of generative AI for spreading misinformation or propaganda, particularly by malicious actors. Bob calls for stronger ethical governance to address these risks, warning that technology is advancing faster than the frameworks needed to regulate it.

We touch on how AI is reshaping industry dynamics. Bob predicts that commoditized PR services will diminish as organizations increasingly use AI internally for routine tasks. However, agencies and professionals who prioritize relationship-building and deliver bespoke, high-value services will thrive. He emphasizes that human connections remain irreplaceable in PR, as they foster trust and understanding that technology cannot replicate.

Finally, Bob reflects on the evolving media landscape, likening AI’s integration into search engines and social media to previous media revolutions like television and radio. He concludes with a hopeful message: while AI is a powerful tool, the essence of PR lies in human creativity, ethical practice, and meaningful relationships—qualities that technology cannot replace.

59 episodes

Gen AI in leadership communications management and PR

The Communicate Influence Podcast

81 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

59 episodes

#Sheelagh Caygill #Marketing #Business #Writing #Storytelling #Books and Writing #Public Relations #Leadership #Reputation Management #Influence #Communication #Business Communication #MarCom

All episodes

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Gen AI in leadership communications management and PR 1:12:33

8 weeks ago1:12:33

1:12:33

In the first full episode of season two of the Communicate Influence podcast, I have an engaging conversation with Bob Pickard , public relations counsel to names in the news and leadership communication authority, on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in PR and communications. Bob, a seasoned PR professional, shares insights from his lecture late last year at Boston University, emphasizing that while AI is revolutionizing PR practices with tools like ChatGPT, the core principles of the profession remain unchanged. Bob highlights how AI enhances PR work by enabling faster and more strategic decision-making. For instance, he uses ChatGPT as a "PR muse" to generate ideas, refine strategies, and assist in crisis management by providing actionable insights. However, he stresses that AI should not replace human judgment. He advises against relying on AI for final edits or public-facing content, as it lacks the nuanced understanding of tone, ethics, and human connection essential in PR. We delve into the dichotomy between AI’s potential and its limitations. Bob notes that while AI can amplify creativity and efficiency—helping PR professionals craft smarter campaigns—it cannot replicate the depth of human relationships or the experience accumulated over decades. He underscores the importance of maintaining a "human voice" in corporate communications and ensuring rigorous fact-checking to avoid errors or "hallucinations" in AI-generated content. Bob also explores the ethical challenges posed by AI. They express concerns about the misuse of generative AI for spreading misinformation or propaganda, particularly by malicious actors. Bob calls for stronger ethical governance to address these risks, warning that technology is advancing faster than the frameworks needed to regulate it. We touch on how AI is reshaping industry dynamics. Bob predicts that commoditized PR services will diminish as organizations increasingly use AI internally for routine tasks. However, agencies and professionals who prioritize relationship-building and deliver bespoke, high-value services will thrive. He emphasizes that human connections remain irreplaceable in PR, as they foster trust and understanding that technology cannot replicate. Finally, Bob reflects on the evolving media landscape, likening AI’s integration into search engines and social media to previous media revolutions like television and radio. He concludes with a hopeful message: while AI is a powerful tool, the essence of PR lies in human creativity, ethical practice, and meaningful relationships—qualities that technology cannot replace.…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Marketing, PR, and communications podcast Communicate Influence returns 2:15

8 weeks ago2:15

2:15

Hi, we're excited to announce that after a long break, the Communicate Influence podcast returns. The first five or so episodes of season two will focus on artificial intelligence from all angles. Be sure to listen and sign-up for our newsletter to avoid missed a guest who matters in your industry. Transcript: Welcome to the Communicate Influence podcast. It's been about two or three years since I released the last episode of this podcast show. And I know it's never a good idea to start a podcast and then drop it without notice. But sometimes life gets in the way and you just can't find the energy or the time to produce a good episode. I'm happy to say that the podcast is relaunching. And in the next five or six episodes, I'm going to be focusing on artificial intelligence and speaking to some people who really know how AI is impacting public relations, marketing, communications, and writing. My first guest is Bob Picard, a seasoned communications pro who provides counsel and issues management advice to CEOs around the world. Next up will be an in-depth conversation with Mariya Delano of Kalyna Marketing in New York. She studied computing and physics before completing a degree in literature and creative writing. And so she offers a unique perspective on what AI can bring and cannot bring to marketing. If you'd like to hear about the additional guests I have lined up to speak about AI, sign up for the Communicate Influence newsletter at CommunicateInfluence.com . That's Communicate Influence written as one word and then.com. And the next episode with Bob Pickard will be dropping in a few days. Thanks so much.…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How to Create an Independent Podcast with Maureen Armstrong 47:04

3 years ago47:04

47:04

Even though the podcasting landscape is getting increasingly more crowded, the amount of people listening continues to grow too, which means that podcasts are still one of the most effective ways to get your message out there. If you’re looking to create and launch an independent podcast of your own, or even if you’re just an animal lover, today’s episode is a must-listen! Tuning in, you’ll hear from the creator and host of The Animal Guide for Curious Humans Podcast, Maureen Armstrong, as she shares invaluable insights into what it’s like to plan, create, and launch an independent podcast show. Maureen is very busy, but she still managed to fit in creation of a podcast show. A lawyer, Maureen is also York University Ombudsperson, Toronto, and Chair of the Board of Directors of world Animal Protection Canada. We discuss what motivated her to begin podcasting, how she approaches episode planning, and her passion for connecting with guests, as well as the value of finding technical support, tips for growing an audience, and so much more! We hope you’ll join us for this fascinating conversation with animal advocate and podcast host, Maureen Armstrong. Key Points From This Episode: Insight into her inherent passion for animals and her decision to become a lawyer. Learn more about World Animal Protection Canada and Maureen’s role there. Maureen comments on animal welfare during the crisis in Ukraine. Why she chose podcasting as a platform to share practical information about animal welfare. Finding your niche; the value of researching other podcasts in the space you’re interested in. What you can expect from The Animal Guide for Curious Humans Podcast. The story behind the name of Maureen’s podcast and tips for deciding on a unique name. Maureen’s advice for artwork selection and deciding on the look and feel of your brand. More on the goals and objectives of her podcast and her vision for the future. The importance of viewing audience feedback as a learning experience. Insight into episode planning, which Maureen believes is the most difficult part of podcasting. Why she says that connecting with guests is the most rewarding part of podcasting. Advice for budding independent podcasters: find technical support and pivot as necessary. Some of the podcasts that Maureen loves to listen to herself. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Maureen Armstrong on LinkedIn Maureen Armstrong on Twitter Maureen Armstrong on Instagram The Animal Guide for Curious Humans Podcast World Animal Protection Canada ‘Animal welfare during the Ukraine crisis’ Freakonomics Podcasts Animal Law Podcast Ten Percent Happier Podcast Communicate Influence…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Why it's time for PR pros and marketers to explore voice tech 18:52

4 years ago18:52

18:52

It's still early days in the world of voice tech, but already PR and marketing professionals are exploring what it can do for brands and audiences. Carl Robinson, a podcast consultant and voice tech pro based in France. He owns a podcast consulting agency called Tizz Tech . Carl explains that lots of brands are experimenting with voice technologies in different ways to determine what works, and to discover, define best practices, and share that information. Rumble Studio Carl explains that there are various movements, such as the Open Voice Network, which is sharing and defining standards for voice tech across many industries. Content discovery In the comms and marketing world, one of the most obvious examples is content and content discovery through voice search. "More and more content is being found through voice search as users ask their smart speakers or phones for whatever they are looking for," explains Carl. "Companies are optimizing their web content for Google Assistant and the other smart speakers so that it's surfaced as a voice search." Content can include pages created and optimized for voice which are then synthesized by the text-to-speech engine, and then read out through a smart speaker. It can also be actual audio content that a brand creates, such as a podcast or micro-cast, which is then returned by Google. There are now interactive voice response systems (IDR) with natural language understanding, and also call analysis. New technology is even able to transform heavy accents so that they are more easily understandable to customers. Smart speakers are also being used by marketers for branding campaigns. Carl cites the example of Skilled Creative in the US, which is working with Meredith Corporation to produce custom voice tech apps for branding campaigns. Proceed with caution Carl says that agencies wanting to get into voice tech should do a lot of research first, because developing voice tech is not like building a website. Consider working with an agency. You can also use free tools like Voice Flow but don't underestimate the amount of work voice tech creation can take because it's complex and time-consuming. Carl says that, at a minimum, comms and marketing pros should educate themselves about voice tech, and that means reading, listening to podcasts, and asking questions. Use the hashtag #voicefirst on Twitter for questions and conversations. Voice tech isn't a flash in the pan and it isn't going away. It's going to change the way we interact with all the devices around us. It behooves you to know what's coming up. You can find Carl on Twitter and LinkedIn , and be sure to listen to his Voice Tech podcast !…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Product-led SEO: A strategic, holistic path to business growth 29:40

4 years ago29:40

29:40

Eli Schwartz is an SEO expert and the author of the new book, Product-Led SEO . Eli has more than a decade of experience driving successful SEO and growth programs for leading B2B and B2C companies. He helps clients like WordPress, Shutterstock, BlueNile, Quora, Getaround, Mixpanel, and Zendesk build and execute Global SEO strategies that dramatically increase their organic visibility at scale. In this interview with Communicate Influence, we discuss SEO from a content writer's perspective, as well as some of the important questions around SEO. Eli wrote his book to create a conversation around SEO for for executives and leaders on how to understand SEO, how to fund SEO, how to plan for SEO and how to strategize SEO. It's also for the SEO managers and the content managers in terms of how to think about SEO from a strategic and holistic standpoint, rather than just from a tactical standpoint. Eli addresses of issue of high expectations with SEO and also it's lack of business visibility. "The problem—and something I've been hoping to address with my — book, is that SEO doesn't have enough business visibility. "They're focused sometimes on these myopic metrics around here's my ranking or here's the traffic I've gotten, instead of this perspective of I'm here operating a channel to grow more business or to grow more revenue in total for this business." The question businesses need to answer when it comes to SEO is: What can I do to help grow business, rather than what can I do immediately to create just traffic on this page. "It's important to have that perspective and do your best within that environment," explains Eli, encouraging SEO professionals to be a part of the holistic view in the holistic strategy of the entire business, rather than just this is what I'm going to do that's good for SEO, and that's it. What is product-led SEO? To understand product-led SEO, you really need to understand what product-led SEO is not, says Eli. "Product-led SEO is not content-led SEO," says Eli. "The way most people are going to do SEO is they're going to look at their core business product, and core business, and go to a keyword search tool to discover what the keyword is that they should put around for their core product offering. The next step most businesses take is to write some content that will be their SEO." However, for Eli, product-led SEO is much more holistic than content-based SEO. With product-led SEO, a business creates a product—or an asset—for the search users. And when you're creating that asset for the search user, it's not just a blog post that you intend to rank on one keyword. Eli explains that product-led SEO involves the creation of an online product or asset that a business uses to rank according to the needs of prospective clients or audience. "I'm now thinking of who is the user, because when you create products, you want to think about who the user is, and the roadmap to launch that product." Examples of products include directories with content, or proprietary content. For some organizations such as consultancies, key issues that require questions and answers can serve as the product around which to build SEO. The next questions to ask are what resources are required to launch the product. "It's no longer just needing content because that is SEO. It's: 'Will I need a designer? An engineer to help launch that product? A content writer to write the right amount of content for that. Maybe I need some digital and visual assets'." Full show notes at Communicateinfluence.com https://communicateinfluence.com/…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How To Use Storytelling To Grow Trust And Empathy, Navigate Uncertainty 53:55

4 years ago53:55

53:55

Imagine giving an important presentation and suddenly hearing a strange noise coming from the back of the room. It takes only moments to discover that the sound is loud snoring from a man who's dozed off. Yes, someone has fallen asleep during your presentation. Any presenter would feel badly. But only a handful would feel so affected y the experience that they'd eventually go on to write a book about storytelling, and the importance of storytelling in business. Why storytelling in business matters Colleen Stewart, author of The Story Compass: Navigating Through Uncertainty In Your Business , says that when we're at work we don't understand the power of story. "On a conscious level we don't talk about it that way. And so we don't always go to it automatically." Colleen says that in almost any setting just presenting a list of features in bullet-point form isn't going to persuade, convince, or be memorable. "It's not captivating, it's not easily remembered, and it doesn't immediately communicate meaning." To use the power of story we need to first of all "Talk about it, pull it out, open it up, and look at it for what it is and really understand how stories work. And then we can do it with more intention in business." Businesses have moved away from storytelling but are recognizing that they need to get back to storytelling, and Colleen thinks it's almost become a bit of a buzzword. "There is a gap in our knowledge now of what a story actually is. So it's fine to say, as a business, okay, we have to tell a story, we have to make an emotional connection, we're going to communicate in a way that is relatable, we're going to communicate in a way that creates mental pictures. "Wonderful, but how do you do that? And that's the answer that I think is often missing, with a lot of services and, and consulting programs and efforts by marketing teams is that they don't actually know how to do it. And that's not a criticism. It's just, I think it's the reality. Interpret what you know to give value to clients The mistake many consultants make in a first meeting or presentation is simply sharing all the knowledge they have. Your audience doesn't want to know everything you know. They don't have the time or the attention span for that. What they want to hear is how you interpret what you know into something meaningful for their world. How are you going to solve the problem with them and for them with what you know? Colleen Stewart Four types of stories: Vision, Knowledge, Value, and Journey When Colleen began working with clients on storytelling for their businesses, they'd say this is great, but that they didn't have any stories to tell. That was the seed that planted the idea for the book. She has identified four story types that every business can share: Vision stories, knowledge stories, value stories, and journey stories. "We come back out of there and to a point where we're transformed, we know something new, maybe we have a new offering as a business that we can then share with the world. " Find Colleen on Linkedin . Her business is Perfect Pitch , based near Toronto, Canada. Be sure to read The Story Compass: Navigating Through Uncertainty In Your Business .…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How To Be a Successful Leader. Lead Yourself Well, Adopt a Servant-Leadership Mindset 36:57

4 years ago36:57

36:57

Alain Hunkins is a leadership expert who sits at the intersection of the science and the art of leadership. He has a deep understanding of the psychology of leadership, and his new book, Cracking The Leadership Code, reveals the in valuable principles and practices that Alain has developed and refined during the 20+ years he's worked with leaders. In this episode, you will discover Alain's gift for translating complex concepts from psychology, neuroscience, and organizational behavior into simple, practical tools that can be applied on the job. Alain's definition of leadership is anytime any of us are trying to influence anyone to get something done. "That is leadership. And if you think about it, we're all leading ourselves every day. If the cornerstone of good leadership is connection, the first person that I need to connect with is myself." Leadership today is in pretty poor shape. In fact, says Alain, only 23 percent of leaders are effective. Problems Inherent In Hierarchy and Power Says Alain: "If you look at the nature of hierarchical organizations, which most of us work in . . . it is a hierarchy for most of us. There's someone you report to. One of the challenges of hierarchy is that when people get into positions of power, power is an intoxicant. "So, when people are in these positions of power, they're not likely to say: 'I'm in this leadership role. What my job is to do is to unlock the potential in others. And the best way to do that is to ask the people I lead - and this is a servant leadership mindset they would be having - is to ask them, What can I be doing better to serve you?'. The key, says Alain, is that we learn to take feedback, and then we apply it. "But to take feedback, we have to be willing to be much more malleable with our egos. And for many of us, that's just that's too scary." Seek feedback Alain sees the solution in managers learning to stop taking feedback so personally, or as an afront to their value as a human being. Alain says the keys are in leaders seeking feedback, coaching, and developing self-awareness. One of my colleagues, Tasha Eurich, has this wonderful book called Insight . And she says only about 12 to 14% of the population has any real degree of self-awareness. So do things that will bump up your level of awareness so that you can be much more effective!" Alain has worked with tens of thousands of leaders in over 25 countries, and served clients in all industries, including 42 Fortune 100 companies. He delivers dynamic keynotes, seminars, and workshops covering a variety of leadership topics including communication, teambuilding, conflict management, peak performance, motivation, and change. Author of more than 400 articles, and been published in Fast Company, Forbes, Business Insider, Chief Executive, Chief Learning Officer, The Association for Talent Development, CEO Refresher, and the American Management Association. With his Master’s in Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Professional Theater Training Program, and a BA from Amherst College, Alain also serves on the faculty of Duke Corporate Education, ranked #2 worldwide in 2019 by Financial Times on its list of customized Executive Education programs. Alain has lectured at UNC Kenan-Flagler’s business school and Columbia University. Discover Alain on LinkedIn or at AlainHunkins , where you can also read about his 30-day Leadership Challenge. Support the show…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How To Solve The Problem Of Shrinking Local Media 29:33

4 years ago29:33

29:33

This episode is sponsored by Podthreads - a new online clothing store for podcast fans! When regular host Sheelagh Caygill was in England last year, Karen Unland and Mack Male - both seasoned podcasters - kindly produced an episode for Communicate Influence listeners. Karen and Mack are the the co-founders of Taproot Publishing , an Edmonton-based media company whose mission is to help communities understand themselves better. Karen was a newspaper journalist; Mack was a software developer and blogger; they combined their talents and experience in 2016 to try to solve the problem of shrinking local media. In this episode, you’ll hear them outline the challenges facing local journalism, why a strong local media ecosystem is important, and what they’re trying to do about it. Here are some resources to add context to their conversation: What Killed The Newspaper? Google Or Facebook? Or…? Mind the Gaps: Quantifying the Decline of News Coverage in Canada Here’s how some for-profit local news outlets are building subscriptions The media consumer’s dilemma Business idea earns Taproot a LION Award nomination Mack launched a podcast hosting service in 2006! Karen started the Alberta Podcast Network in 2017 Taproot’s current podcasts: Speaking Municipally and Taproot Edmonton Presents: Igniting Innovation How to support your local media startup and the ecosystem that nurtures it: Share your stuff: Put the indies on your news release list and keep them in mind for story pitches. Spread the word: Share what they publish and recommend them to others. Join or subscribe: If the outlet sells memberships or subscriptions, invest a little. Buy their services: If the outlet sells ads, sponsorships or other services, invest a little more. Wherever you are in the world, if you are interested in Spotlight or Taproot Publishing’s other B2B information services, contact hello@taprootpublishing.ca . If you are in Edmonton, see what Taproot Edmonton has to offer. You may be particularly interested in the Media Roundup . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How To Select The Right Social Media Platform For Your Business 32:29

4 years ago32:29

32:29

In last week's episode, Kim Scaravelli discussed managing Twitter in 30 minutes a day . This week, Kim, founder of Trust Communications, looks at how to select the right social media platform for your business. That's right, you don't have to have a presence on every platform, only the ones that will perform for your organization. Kim says the first thing that you should do is consider social media as another part of your marketing, which is part of your business plan, which is part of your strategy for growth. So before you jump into all of these different platforms, ensure you really should have a solid strategy in place. And your strategy should include things like really knowing who your ideal audience is, because that's going to tell you where those folks are on social media. An example would be if you are a B2B brand, and you are selling specifically to people who are managers, HR people, or C-suite executives, then LinkedIn is a really important place for you to have a presence. If on the other hand, you are selling, say, beauty products, primarily to millennials, and you're selling them directly online. Why are you on LinkedIn? Instead, you need to be on Instagram. In this episode, Kim discusses: Thinking strategically about your social media plan Understanding your audience Assessing the skillset in your organization to see if you need outside resources to help manage social media Determining what kind of content you'll produce Building authority in your niche Assessing your results. Kim discusses a lot more in this episode, and provides examples of use on social media platforms, and why social media should be fun! Find Kim at TrustCommuncations.ca Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How to Manage Twitter in 30 Minutes a Day 23:18

4 years ago23:18

23:18

In this week's episode, we have an incredibly valuable conversation with Kim Scaravelli, about how to manage your Twitter account in just 30 minutes a day. Kim, a communications pro and owner of trust communications in Halifax, Canada, is an expert when it comes to social media. She shares tremendous value in this episode. In fact, it's almost like a free Twitter management class! If you're new to social media, or feeling overwhelmed, and spending too much time on Twitter, you'll definitely get a lot out of this episode. Key points from Kim: If your ideal audience isn't on Twitter, you don't need to be there Twitter has a voracious appetite. So there's really no point in taking your brand onto Twitter, if you are going to tweet once or twice a week Understand your brand voice before tweeting Use a content calendar, such as Buffer Tweet at least eight times a day Offer your followers value, don't keep tweeting ads for your product or service At least four times a day, retweet something by someone else, and don't just retweet, comment on it so your followers understand why your retweeting the content Timeless tweets often give more value. Kim also covers other points about doing impactful shoutouts, and be sure to interact with those who have interacted with you. Says Kim: "At the end of the day, it's social media, it's not torture media. If this is the most stressful part of your day, you spend, you know, two hours a day doing social media and six hours a day complaining about it, stop! "Once you actually get that hang of it, and you're actually talking to people, you're having conversations with people, then it's fun," she explains. "It's just like a coffee date. Or it's just like saying 'Hi' to somebody in the bank lineup. Relaxing is one of the keys to success on any kind of social media." You can find Kim on Twitter at twitter.com/KimScaravelli , and at Trust Communications . This episode is sponsored by the Published Author Podcast . If you're an entrepreneur who wants to publish a nonfiction book to grow your business, then this is the podcast you've been waiting for. The Published Author Podcast will help you become an author and show you how to build a thought leadership system around your book. With this, you can grow your business land speaking gigs, grow your tribe, and lots more. Go to Published Author for more details! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Podcasting Industry Predictions for 2021 31:14

4 years ago31:14

31:14

Despite the pandemic, the podcasting industry had a good year in 2021, with lots of new content, and a record in advertising spend. Podcasting and radio industry expert James Cridland is today's guest on this episode of The Communicate Influence Podcast. He takes a look at some of the emerging trends already visible in the first few weeks of this new year, and looks at what may lie ahead. He foresees a robust year, with more exciting and diverse content on the horizon. Key areas of focus in this episode: The impact of Amazon's purchase of Wondery Amazon will make more acquisitions in 2021 Spotify's growth, and competitor attempts to keep pace Why privacy will be a growing issue in the coming year Podcast advertising revenue's continued growth Growth of other revenue streams, such as pod merch The types of shows people will probably want to listen to in coming months QR codes have had a resurgence in that they are a simple way of letting people subscribe to a podcast show Why podcasts that are no longer updated aren't a concern. Known as 'podfade', this can be due to the fact that it's a limited series. Be sure to check out James' newsletter/podcast Podnews , and his new podcast show Podland.news , hosted by James and Sam Sethi. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Why Self-Aware Leaders Make the Best Communicators 45:03

5 years ago45:03

45:03

It's hard to believe that not every leader is a good communicator. Our guest Nick Meir explains that this is because we think of communication as mostly spoken. But in Nick's view, communication is essentially the "movement of information" and so body language and micro-expressions are part of that movement of information. With this definition, it's easy to see how a leader's body language can impact a workplace culture and even subjugate people. Leaders have to be aware of their blind spots and micro-expressions. Employees will notice everything about a leader, because they are always looking for information. And if there is an absence of information or a vacuum, employees will fill in the gaps. "Leadership is about great communication, that movement of information, and that always has to be positive," explains Nick. "That doesn't mean it always has to be good news, but it should be a positive exchange, regardless of the message." Nick explains that this is partly due to the way the brain is wired. Humans are wired to detect subtle clues, especially from first impressions. The second important takeaway from this episode is that leaders must be aware of their audience. Everyone who has achieved success in the world has understood their audience, what makes them tick, and how to engage them. That's what successful businesses and leaders do as well. They then talk about what their audience cares about. Nick believes leaders should always ask themselves "Why should they care?" before they speak, and if they can answer that question, they will be successful. As well, be who you are, be yourself, and be pragmatic, be honest and be open. Leaders who are autocratic tend to create a culture of fear. So becoming self-aware is a process that leaders have to want to be. If leaders put on a persona when they arrive in the office, or behave differently in different situations, then employees will detect this. Blame culture is one of the worst manifestations of a dysfunctional workplace culture. "When you see hundreds of people being copied in on an email, you know that there is a real problem of fear and blame in that work environment." Being a leader is a very lonely job, Nick adds. There are only a few people who a leader will trust, and that's just part of the job. So in that sense there is a distance between the leader and their team. Communication is all about sitting back and relaxing, and delivering information in your way, in your words, and in your style. Good leaders also have to be great listeners, because again, listening is communication as it is moving information from one place to another. Bill Clinton is a memorable example of great listening, because people always remember how attentive he was when he listened. If comms people try to map a leadership style onto a leader, it often doesn't work. Leaders have to establish their own voice. About Nick Meir: Nick moved from being a journalist at the BBC into communications. He held various roles before launching his own agency, A House Called Alice , based in London, UK. Nick delivers executive coaching, training, and corporate journalism for several high-profile global clients. You can find Nick on LinkedIn . This episode is sponsored by the Digital Assistant Academy - Setting the Standard in Voice Technology Learning Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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How to Move From Journalism into Communications 39:16

5 years ago39:16

39:16

Every year across the world, hundreds of journalists move from the newsroom or the classroom into the world of PR, communications, or marketing. The good ones possess great storytelling skills, and know how to get information out of people. However, communications and marketing are very different worlds form journalism, and journalists must develop a whole new set of traits to succeed in these industries. For example, patience, diplomacy, likability, and teamwork are highly valued in comms and marketing. If you're a journalist thinking about making the move, Nick Meir has a lot of guidance and pointers for you in this episode. He also discusses current issues in communications, working with the c-suite, and employee engagement. Nick moved from being a journalist at the BBC into communications. He held various roles before launching his own agency, A House Called Alice , based in London, UK. Nick delivers executive coaching, training, and corporate journalism for several high-profile global clients. You can find Nick on LinkedIn . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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How to leverage influence as part of your marketing 52:16

5 years ago52:16

52:16

Influencer marketing is fast replacing many marketing tactics. It's such a flexible option that can be used on many levels. Small and large agencies can employ it, as can businesses and individuals. In fact, the chances are that you've already used influencer marketing and don't realize it. For example, having a contact share your content with their Twitter following of thousands, or receiving a LinkedIn recommendation from someone with a greater profile than yours, are both forms of influencer marketing; in effect, you're using someone's influence to lift your profile. Neal Schaffer explores the depth and breadth of influencer marketing in his new book, The Age of Influence . Neal is a social media marketer, corporate trainer, educator, keynote speaker, and author of three other books. The Communicate Influence Podcast show connected with Neal last week to discuss his impressive new book. This is a meaty episode, running for 52 minutes. But not a word is wasted! Neal discusses so much of value in this episode, including: The role of social media in influencer marketing The power of word of mouth Employees as influencers Email marketing Influencer marketing and SEO Why influencer marketing works. Connect with Neal at nealschaffer.com or on LinkedIn.…

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Podcasting is Changing the Face of Audio Journalism 29:26

5 years ago29:26

29:26

Podcasting is significantly changing journalism, which has been affected a great deal by lack of investment and a declining audience in recent years. In this episode we speak with Toronto podcast producer and journalist Kathleen Goldhar on the impact podcasting continues to have on journalism "I don't think you can do anything without a podcast anymore," Kathleen observes. "Every news organization has one, CBC has one . . . whether it's an original podcast where they do a lot of an amazing work or all the shows are sent out on a podcasting format. "So podcasting is as much a part of journalism has print, as digital storytelling, and as TV news is like, there's just no separating it now." She adds that a lot of people don't read a lot online, and so this makes podcasting an essential part of journalism. Kathleen says that there is no one thing that makes a journalistic podcast stand out. But the intimacy that a podcast allows for between host and listener is a key aspect of a good podcast. "What podcasting and what audio does is it just goes straight into your brain because it's so intimate. So it's a chance to hear the people, it's a chance to hear them interact with the journalists a lot of times, which is really nice." Kathleen says that it's essential to pay attention to your audience and think their information needs. "Most people are listening to podcasts while they are doing something else. If you make me stop and ask who's that character? or What did he do again, or Who's this person, then you've lost me. And if that happens too many times, I'm going to turn off the podcast. "So, as complicated as podcast stories can be, and nuanced and smart, they also have to be quite straightforward and simple. We're not reading, so we can't go back. We're not having the extra advantage of a visual reminder like you do in television," Kathleen explains. "I'm not going to make notes while I'm listening to a podcast. So I need the story itself to unfold in a very practical and a very simple way." She adds that this doesn't mean that a podcast has to be dumbed-down. Instead, podcasters have to really think about the listener and how prepared they are to be joining you on the story. "This is a big part of the quality for me, that's when I know that it's produced well . . . when I never have that problem (of losing the thread of the story), and the podcaster is always helping me if I do need to go back in my mind to a character that was introduced a few episodes ago," she adds. Kathleen recommends that if you want to be a podcaster or podcast producer, the best thing you can do is listen to as many podcasts as possible. "You should listen to a lot. I think there's a lot of people who don't listen to podcasts and then say they want to make a podcast," she notes. "And then when you're listening, spend some time thinking to yourself, why did that work for me? Why didn't it work for me? What are the pleat places that I can find inspiration? What do I want to stay away from? Is that kind of thing?" You can find Kathleen on LinkedIn and Twitter . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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Empathy, trust, customer service are key to successful brand building 50:57

5 years ago50:57

50:57

This episode sees host Sheelagh Caygill talk to branding pro Jack Fussell. He's worked with hundreds of businesses on brand strategy, and knows what makes a brand great. Branding is so much bigger than a logo, website, or business card. Jack says at the end of the day, the most simple version of understanding what a brand is, is what your customers feel about you. "When they, when you say the name of your company, or you say the name of your brand, or you say the name of, you know, if your individual, you say your own name, what do people think? "Are they like, 'Oh my gosh. Yes. That's amazing!'." The work of brand building, the work of branding in and of itself is really just building up all of that. "Visual identity is a part of that. I mean, you, there, you know, if your, if your logo looks outdated or, you know, it looks, you know, you're some cool like motorcycle company, but if you're logo looks like a tech logo from the 1990s then it changes the way people perceive you.," says Jack. Branding is very much a feeling thing. We develop our feelings about a brand based on our experiences with an organization. It's not a rational thing. Jack says that a brand strategy session is different with every organization. He says the first thing is to understand the customers, whey they are thinking, their views, and preferences. "When that customer is sitting there looking for something online or they're searching through an app or whatever, what are they thinking? What are they feeling? What do they experience amazing?" The secret of a brand is understanding what makes the company unique and understanding what the biggest needs and values of the customers are. For companies with reputation issues, a new logo, new website, new letterhead is not going to fix this problem. Jack says empathy is actually the heart of branding. Brands that do really well - it is all about empathy. It's all about putting yourself in the place of the other person. It's understanding how they feel. Empathy is actually like wearing someone else's emotions. "If they're excited, we become excited. Like we really do! We really do put ourselves in the place of that customer. "And, you know, one of our favorite brands is Disney. We love to go to the parks. It's just, I get to be a kid again. "You can tell that they've built their entire brand around empathy, that they understand when someone, you know, Well, just every part of it from the moment you call in to the way that they, um, you know, they just explain everything so carefully." Jack Fussell is a brand strategist with Campfire Social. Find him on Linkedin . Listen to his podcast, Onward Creatives . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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Do podcast transcripts enhance SEO? 21:59

5 years ago21:59

21:59

Many podcast transcripts are uploaded to podcast websites with the belief that they benefit search engine optimization. But is this true? Carl Robinson, founder of Tizz Tech and host of the Voice Tech podcast, has used and then removed transcripts, and saw no difference in traffic figures. I had a similar experience. The issue could come down to the quality of transcriptions generated by platforms such as Otter and Descript. They need improvement - a human has to remove errors while adding speaker names, subheads, and pull-out quotes. Paying someone to do the work adds a cost for independent podcasters, who often podcast without a budget. However, there is a reason to add transcripts or closed captions to episodes - for the hard of hearing. A recent class action lawsuit against Gimlet Media has brought this issue back into focus. In the complaint, filed last week in New York, plaintiff Kahlimah Jones argues that Gimlet violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide closed captioning on various podcasts. In this episode we explore the use of transcripts, and whether every podcaster should include them with their episodes. Carl Robinson's agency is Tizz Tech , and his Voice Tech Podcast is here: https://voicetechpodcast.com/ . And you can find him on LinkedIn and Twitter .…

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How to Market Your E-Commerce Store 35:13

5 years ago35:13

35:13

Fernando Angulo is Fernando is Head of Communications with SEMRush. In this episode, Fernando gives an in-depth discussion about how to market an e-commerce website. He takes listeners through all the essentials, including SEO, advertising, Google Tools, paid-for options, and social media. This is the second and final part of our series on e-commerce platforms and marketing. You can find episode one with Kevin McCall here . How to market your e-commerce store Key takeaways from this episode include: Research your niche and what's happening in your industry before beginning any marketing. Use available analytical tools to help with this task Track all referral traffic, including traffic from social media and or affiliates Use tools to identify competitor traffic Really good content is essential. Hire a writer if you don't a stellar writer in-house. Web content is your online salesperson! Use your blog to create targeted content marketing, although this can take time to boost SEO If your website is new and you need leads set a budget for online advertising. Show notes: You can find Fernando on LinkedIn . Here's his recommended reading for this episode: Large study about Featured Snippets https://www.semrush.com/blog/large-scale-study-how-to-rank-for-featured-snippets-in-2018/ E-commerce Study free Ebook https://www.semrush.com/ebooks/ecommercetrends/ Listen to part one with Kevin McCall on selecting e-commerce platforms. This episode is sponsored by Podmotion.co , a new podcast creation and promotion agency launching soon! Go to Podmotion.co for more details! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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How to Select an Ecommerce Platform for your Store 28:09

5 years ago28:09

28:09

COVID-19 impacted thousands of businesses globally, and a lot of smaller businesses had never made the jump to an online presence. Suddenly, they were without sales, and had to scramble to get online. Some businesses are still dealing with the transition to ecommerce, especially smaller businesses and bricks and mortar stores. In this episode, Kevin McCall, founder and technology lead with Podmotion.co, discusses the best solutions and what to look at when integrating ecommerce. Key consdierations include: Integration with an existing inventory management system Age of existing website technology Which ecommerce platform to select Pros and cons of ecommerce platforms, including ongoing costs Positioning of product and services in the new ecommerce store Marketplace or destination store Strategy to respond to competition Search engine optimization Kevin also talks about how to present your goods online, along with returns, exchanges, and the overall customer journey. Does your selected solution work with your ecommerce stratecy? Finally, when your ecommerce store is up and running, how will you advertise it? Kevin gives a brief overview of this. He also looks at how to select a developer for your ecommerce project. This episode is sponsored by Podmotion.co, a new podcast creation and promotion agency launching soon! Go to Podmotion.co for more details! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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Voice tech app transforms audio content creation 26:23

5 years ago26:23

26:23

Voice technology is set to have a significant impact on the podcasting work flow in the coming months. This episode is actually created with voice technology in the form of a new mobile and web app call Rumble Studio. Developed by Carl Robinson, Rumble Studio lets any organization create and publish audio content for a number of uses, including interviews, content marketing, and audio content projects. Episode transcript This is Sheelagh with Communicate Influence. This episode has a flavour of the future to it. It points to what podcasting could be in coming months. This is because it's created with a new mobile app called Rumble Studio. Rumble studio is a web and mobile application that lets anyone or any organization record and publish audio for content marketing. It's easy and makes dropping episodes super fast. For this episode, I did a quick interview with Carl Robinson, who is actually CEO of Rumble Studio. To do this asynchronous interview, I pre-recorded my questions into the web app, and Carl, who's based in Paris, recorded his answers in the app the next day. In fact, this is Carl's first ever interview with Rumble Studio. For the next stages, Rumble Studio let me upload our intro music and record this intro within the app. To use Rumble Studio, you don't need equipment or special skills. There's no scheduling involved. You simply record your questions and let an interviewee know when it's ready for their answers. You do this by inserting their email address and Rumble Studio sends the interviewee an invite. Potential uses of voice tech The potential uses for Rumble Studio are really exciting. It's going to open up audio creation to many more people. And it's going to be great for hard-to-reach guests or people in different time zones who simply can't connect. Rumble studio isn't just confined to question and answer interviews only. A creator can use Rumbel for solo podcasts or simply to create some audio In my view, rumble studio won't replace real, live human interviewers, or podcast editors. Butut it will definitely enhance a podcasters or content creator's work. I'm think journalists will find this tool incredibly useful, too. I've had fun using Rumble Studio and it was great to connect with Carl on this. The only thing I think needs a bit of improvement is the interface and the instructions. I can see how some guests may find it challenging or daunting at first glance. Carl assures me that this is something his team is working on. In a few weeks I'll have a full human, interview with the CEO himself - Carl Robinson of Rumble Studio . You can connect with Carl on LinkedIn . Podmotion.co - episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by Podmotion.co, a new podcast creation and promotion agency launching soon! Go to Podmotion.co for more details! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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1
The Future of Public Relations in a Post-COVID-19 World 48:00

5 years ago48:00

48:00

A diversified agency with the ability to pivot Linda Andross and Ken Evans, partners at APEX Public Relations and Ruckus Digital in Toronto, discuss the impact of the global pandemic on PR and marketing agencies. APEX is a fairly diversified agency, and Ken and Linda observe that agencies that are diversified and can pivot quickly have done reasonably well, while specialist boutique agencies, such as event mangement consultancies, have struggled. Preparing to leave the office when the pandemic arrived Linda and Ken discuss the last week or so at the office as they kept up to speed with fast-moving developments. They prepared to send staff home to remote work, while communicating with, and supporting, clients, and staying in touch with other partners, such as IT, suppliers, and building management. During this time, Apex PR was preparing to launch a media trainign program. This was shifted to online training, to which clients responded well. They were also introducing a new client acquisition model - so there was a lot going on in the weeks before the pandemic hit. The future of PR and marketing agencies Linda and Ken also discuss: The work they did with clients following the brutal murder of George Floyd Their advice to public relations and marketing agencies hit badly by the pandemic. How to move conventional services online. The use of media sensibilities to develop an ability to anticipate challenges from different perspectives. Their views on whether remote working is here to stay. How to best support staff during this kind of situation. Why public relations is better positioned to whether the current global crisis compared to advertising agencies, and lots more. You can find Linda Andross and Ken Evans at APEX Public Relations . This episode is brought to you by Podmotion.co - a new podcast creation and marketing agency base in Toronto. Visit Podmotion.co for more details. Like what you read and hear? Consider supporting our podcast development at buymeacoffee.com . Thanks to our latest supporters, Cleidi Hearn from Ireland, Aaron Sherle from Arizona, U.S. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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1
How to Overcome Pocrastination 28:30

5 years ago28:30

28:30

We all face procrastination at some point in our lives. That conscious and perhaps deliberate process employed to bring about failure - according to psychologists. Procrastination is employed for various reasons - we don't like the task at hand, there's something better on offer, or we're not sure how to proceed. Some people say they procrastinate because they're tired - although other's aren't convinced that's a case of procrastination. More just a case that someone needs a break or even a good night's sleep. In this episode, we change formats and have a discussion rather than an interview. Host Sheelagh Caygill and screenwriter Daanish Ahamed discuss why they procrastinate and methods they've used to successfully end this behaviour. Daanish details a special method he has developed to break cycles of procrastination. Briefly, it is using a friend to offer a reward if the task is completed on deadline. The reward is unrelated to the task and therefore diverts attention from all the distractions and excuses the procrastinator creates, and makes it easier to focus on what needs to be done. If the procrastinator fails to meet their deadline, they must provide a reward to their motivating friend. Daanish is offering to put this method into practive with five listeners. Find out what Daanish's offer is and how to take advantage of it in this episode! You can find Daanish Ahamed at LinkedIn and on Twitter . If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us grow and reach more people, consider a tiny bit of support via Buymeacoffee.com Support the show…

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1
PR Disasters Driving CEOs to Embrace Social Media 39:31

5 years ago39:31

39:31

Rapidly changing public and employee expectations mean CEOs must start using social media to ensure they express the right sentiment at the right moment. The West has gone from a situation whre most executives were afraid of using social media for fear they might make some kind of mistake. "In recent times, especially since Trump and particularly since COVID-19, we've reached the point where fear of being absent from social media -especially if something goes wrong with their company - that fear of being absent is greater than the fear of being there and making a mistake, which was part of their initial reluctance," explains Bob Pickard , author of a chapter in a new book about CEOs and social media. The book, The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You a Stronger Leader, has been written by Damian Corbet. Bob's chapter is How PR Disasters are Driving CEOs to Embrace Social Media. "The embrace has been fully informed by the current tides of opinion in the marketplace," adds Bob. When something goes wrong with a company or a complex organization, like a government or a non-profit organization, all eyes go online looking for the leader, and that's why the leader has to be on social media. They have to orchestrate, communicate, and relate to people right from the start of any incident. "To most executives, this is a relatively new area of endeavor. Many executives, particularly the more experienced ones, were brought up in a world of control, a world of hierarchy, a world of defference," explains Bob. "It's not like we could wave a magic wand and change the way that they've been thinking for their entire career about how it is that they should communicate with people," he adds. Some (CEOs) expect that they're going to be sitting on top of the commanding heights of information, broadcasting their views to an appreciative audience of people who will just passively consume whatever they say. "All of a sudden, rewiring your mind to deal with peer-to-peer horizontal communication where people expect to be listened to and demand have their voices heard, that's not for everybody," says Bob. "That's not the career experience of many executives. It's something they've got to wrap their heads around and deal with. "We've done some research here in Canada . . . the public now expects the chief executive to communicate about the activities of the company which they lead, especially if something goes wrong, such as a crisis. It's not really optional anymore. This is going to become mandatory for executives to signal their leadership online through social media." Donald Trump's use of social media in 2016 was a digital disruption that broke through earlier resistance. A lot of executives looked at how Trump was elected President of the United States, basically, by running and emoting his campaign through a Twitter feed. "They didn't want in most cases to be like Trump. In fact, I think the majority would be horrified to be like that," notes Bob. "They did watch the case study of his undeniable and unexpected success, feel the power of social media for the very first time in terms of driving real incomes." A lot of CEOs regarded social media as a waste of time, assuming it was frivolous, where they would tweet about what they had for breakfast that morning. But the power of social through the Trump case study really galvanized people to go out there and give it a try. Go to Communicate Influence to read the full article with this podcast. Fine Bob Pickard on LinkedIn and Twitter .…

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Understanding Your Market and Finding New Clients 41:36

5 years ago41:36

41:36

There are two ways to find new clients - building an audience and prospecting. And to do the first, you need to know who your clients are and where you can find them. That's what marketing consultant Paul Davis always tells his clients. Of course, most clients have plenty of choice when it comes to suppliers. So if a customer is going to select you, you need to differentiate yourself and highlight what makes you different and better than your competitor. Find your clients first You have to figure out where people are, and initiate a conversation with them. Being able to listen is a huge part of prospecting and in the digital space. Paul does note that prospecting in the digital space can take time and can seem overwhelming. "You feel overwhelmed when you see someone's posts that says, 'Hey, I've got this', and they've got 85 comments. Everyone's saying, oh, pick me pick me. If you see that, you're probably in the wrong group." The key thing is being able to build relationships with an interested audience and strike up conversations with people, so that you can listen to what they want or need. When engagement happens, it's possible to to build trust. And if you're building trust, and that's huge, he adds. With a website, you can increase people's trust in your business, your social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest. Organic marketing Paul is drawn toward towards the type of marketing that feels organic and in the moment, as well as the fundamentals. He encourages his clients to invest in strong websites that speak naturally and authentically to clients. "When clients get on a website that reads like they speak, they're going to actually engage with that more. And so finding that voice is a key thing and your planning has to look at that," he says. With my clients, the key thing I need from them is that they continue to engage with their customers and hear them and and give me the feedback that you can't get from digital information. "What I want from my clients is real-time feedback from customers. For example, not long ago one client told me they had a client come into their office who said it was closed on their map app. "So I had to look on and figure out which I was able to do very quickly. And that provided value in me seeing the process of clients are now using maps that are pulling their data from MapQuest," Paul expalins. "And that's the kind of stuff I want from them. "As far as the marketing goes, I want my clients to really engage their their customers, because it's their business and if they have happy customers than I have happy customers," he adds. The importance of content marketing Paul is occasionally asked why he focuses on written content when so much now is video? He explains that the ability to find a business is still based off the text on a website or on the front of your store if you have a brick and mortar location. "People drive by and if they can't see dentist, they aren't going to know there's a dentist there. The same thing goes for online. Continuing reading the rest of this article at You can find Paul at Paul Davis Solutions and here on LinkedIn. Like what you read and hear? Consider supporting our podcast development at buymeacoffee.com . Thanks to our latest supporters, Cleidi Hearn from Ireland, Aaron Sherle from Arizona, U.S. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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1
How To Write Better Email Newsletters 44:00

5 years ago44:00

44:00

There are some secrets to writing great email newsletters. Well, they're not secrets anymore. Even so, more newsletter writers could take note of them and then we'd have way better newsletters to read! Tyler McCune, a copywriter who specializes in email newsletter writing, is this week's guest. Tyler has studied email newsletter writing closely, and follows all the masters, such as Marcella Allison, Matt Furey, and Ben Settle. Tyler shares email newsletter tactics to massively improve engagement and open rates. Successful email newsletter writers focus on developing a relationship with a reader, and recognize that a newsletter is actually a very intimate medium . . . similar to the way people wrote to penpals years ago, explains Tyler. "If you think about it that way, like you're just writing to your pen pal, and you're trying to entertain them and say, 'Hey, maybe you want to buy this thing'. You'll you'll stand out in the inbox over everyone else who's just pitching," says Tyler. A big part of the art of newsletter email writing is combining the entertainment and the valuable information in with a sales pitch. "This is like copywriting 101. It actually comes from the world of direct mail, which most people call junk mail. And you've probably gotten this where it looks like a magazine and you flip it open and on page three, they're trying to sell you. And if you read those, I mean it's really amazing because they'll just have pieces of information there that doesn't have anything to do with buying the product, but they're just trying to demonstrate that they're knowledgeable and that they're going to give you valuable information." If you've succeeded at copywriting 101, the next step is knowing your your audience, what they desire, how the action you want them to take ties into that desire, and then making the link very clear for them. Go to Communicate Influence for a special offer from Tyler McCune, the full show notes, and extensive resources. Find Tyler McCune online: Copy By McCune , LinkedIn . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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1
How PR and marketing pros can use meditation to reduce stress 45:30

5 years ago45:30

45:30

We’ve all heard about people who’ve left successful careers to pursue work that imbues their life with much deeper meaning. Dena Jackson is one of those people. Dena moved from public relations to become a comedian, a speaker, and a teacher of yoga. It wasn’t until something tragic happened in my life that I felt I needed meditation “When my dad got sick and passed away that was the first time someone very close to me died. At that time I got into meditation because I realized how important it was,” continues Dena. “For me it’s about being able to come into the moment and not get lost in the past or worry about the future. Continue reading the full intro to this episode here . Resources: Dena's TED Talk: 90 % Of Yoga is Off The Mat . Dena's meditation talk on Youtube . Dena's podcast: The Ego Podcast Meditation apps: Calm , Headspace , Insight Timer Books recommended by Dena: The Yogi Code - Yogi Cameron The Power of Now - Eckart Tolle Practicing the Power of Now – Eckart Tolle 10 Secrets of Success - Wayne Dyer Recovery – Russell Brand The Shadow Effect - Deepak Chopra, Debbie Ford, Marianne Williamson The Universe has Your Back - Gabrielle berstein Super Attractor – Gabrielle Bernstein Books recommended by Sheelagh: The Art of Meditation - Matthieu Ricard Meditation for Beginners - Jack Kornfield Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation - Sharon Salzberg Meditation is Not What You Think - Jon Kabat-Zinn Real Happiness At Work: Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement, and Peace - Sharon Salzberg The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction To The Practice of Meditation - Thich Nhat Hanh When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron Like what you read and hear? Consider supporting our podcast development at buymeacoffee.com . Thanks to our latest supporter, Aaron Sherle, and to my supporters on Patreon . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

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1
Internal Comms With Narrative Creates Successful Engagement 23:25

5 years ago23:25

23:25

The role of an internal communications team varies greatly from business to business. But Ben Baker, an employee engagement specialist based near Vancouver, believes that every internal communications team hashares one important task - disseminating an organization's narrative, and making sure that employees understand it. Says Ben: “This is everyone’s job. Is not a job title. It really needs to start with how the culture of the organization evolves.” Role of internal comms “For me, internal communication is getting everybody to understand who you are as a company, what you do, why you do it, where you came from, who do you serve, what are the things that make you different from your competitors, and where are you going as a company. “In most organizations there is a huge disconnect between what the CEO wants to achieve and what the organization understands,” he states. “You need to ask a lot of questions to get this in place - Who are you? Who are your customers? What do you understand?” says Ben. “Every department tells a different story, and that’s the first place we see where everyone has a different story about where you’re at and where you are going.” Need for a visionary CEO Ben says that his goal when he works with an organization is to ensure that there is a visionary CEO. If you have a visionary CEO who realizes where they want to take the company and what they want to achieve, it’s much easier getting their message out there. Included in the messaging should be where they see pitfalls, challenges, along with the next generation of customers. Working with the c-suite, internal communications needs to use its skills to make the message human, giving it a personal factor. They then plan effective distribution of the story. And internal comms should ensure that it’s part of the onboarding for every new employee. Onboarding needs to improve Says Ben: “The most underdeveloped part of any organization is onboarding. Onboarding can be as horrible as filling out a few forms and getting new business cards and then it’s ‘We’ll see you later’. “You are doing your employees nothing but a disservice. Here’s a scary number. Every employee that you lose costs you $100,000 to replace,” notes Ben. “We collectively spend millions of dollars in recruitment and hiring, but nothing in terms of onboarding employees, training, or bringing them into the culture and training, making sure that they have mentors, or having great managers,” he says. “This is where internal comms needs to be. In fact, I’m a big believer in getting rid of the word manager and calling them frontline leaders.” Employee engagement Ben explains that frontline leaders need to be the keepers of the brand story in their department. When everyone understands the story, they can ask why when an organization does things that aren’t related to the brand story. Is it just shiny object syndrome? If a new initiative isn/t aligned with a company’s narrative, people should be able to raise questions and get the focus back onto the organization’s purpose. “If it is truly happening, then that’s when the story becomes propagated and everybody remembers and retells the story.” Find Ben Baker at Your Brand Marketing or Linkedin. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
How to Develop Your Online Brand and Reputation 31:11

5 years ago31:11

31:11

Lachlan Kirkwood is a digital marketing pro with half a decade in the online world. He works with tech companies, start-ups, and agencies - helping them use digital marketing to have a powerful impact on the bottom line. In this week's episode, he talks to Communicate Influence about this work, how to create a brand online, and the growth of TikTok. Use this model and share Lachlan says his journey as a digital marketer began with him documenting his experiences in the industry. Any business can use this model and document their experiences and share them online, creating a following. "I created a blog and shared stories and the audience grew. With that, I was able to build a personal brand and make a transition into the freelance industry," he explains. "It's a really good way to source inbound work for myself. And I'm always learning, which is something I love doing." Digital marketing requires you to be data savvy, and there is some overlap with data sciences. You also have to understand how to visualize and think about storytelling, and how how you can alleviate bottlenecks. Why you should be on TikTok Lacklan is loving TikTok at the moment. "Brands until now have relied on Facebook and Instagram predominantly," he explains. But Facebook is now a paying platform, and organic reach is really limited. With Facebook ads, a lot of companies are trying to leverage them, so they are becoming more expensive." The beauty of TikTok is that the content is so raw and authentic; it's a really impressive opportunity to build an organic presence on that platform. Initially not a lot of brands were using the platform, but we are starting to see more and more brands using it. I think TikTok is really only In its infancy and I think that has a lot more to come from Tik Tok in terms of how brands can utilize the platform. Can established brands or older people use TikTok? The Social Media Examiner noted someone in a keynote share that over 60 per cent of TikTok's audience in the US is over 40. You can fine Lachlan Kirkwood at clickthrough.marketing or on LinkedIn . If you enjoy our podcast show, consider buying us a coffee at Buymeacoffee.com. Thank you! Vurbl - episode and show notes sponsor This episode is brought to you by Vurbl. Vurbl is launching new technology for audio creators like me, so our message is broadcast loud and clear. Join the beta at Vurbl.com Tech management consultant Do you need a technology management consultant? Kevin McCall has extensive hands-on and leadership experience across diverse industries and organizations. Kevin can be reached at Kef.ca . He's also one of this week's episode sponsors. Like what you read and hear? Consider supporting our podcast development at buymeacoffee.com . Thanks to our latest supporter, Aaron Sherle, and to my supporters on Patreon . Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

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The Communicate Influence Podcast Blooper Episode 4:48

5 years ago4:48

4:48

It's time for something much lighter during these challenging days. This week, This Communicate Influence Podcast episode has nothing to do with communications or marketing. Instead, we release our blooper episode! You'll get to hear how Sheelagh's co-host interrupted interviews with Josh Stimelie, Bob Pickard, and Fiona Fenwick. And you'll also get a look into the challenges some independent podcasters face when they have a full-time job and various other projects on the go. Enjoy this episode, and if you have your own bloopers, be sure to share them with us! Thanks to Liam Morrison for narrating this episode. This episode is brought to you by Vurbl. Vurbl is launching new technology for audio creators like me, so our message is broadcast loud and clear. Join the beta at Vurbl.com If you enjoy our podcast show, consider buying us a coffee at Buymeacoffee.com. Thank you! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/communicateinfluence)…

The Communicate Influence Podcast

1
Leadership Communications In A Crisis 35:37

5 years ago35:37