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Articles

Ten tips for first-time marathon runners

I’m no great athlete.  There, I’ve said it.  I’m not even a seasoned marathon campaigner.  I did my first marathon in 2012.  I’d read a lot and talked to a lot of people before doing the race, but there were still loads of things that weren’t in the books – things that you only really…

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Running the London Marathon – a first-timer’s experience

I clearly remember watching the first ever London Marathon.  My funny old black & white portable captured the day perfectly – it was grey.  Very grey!  The guys pounding the streets of London in the drizzle were sporting heroes.  They were also serious athletes.   The concept of the ‘fun runner’ or ‘jogging’ were yet to…

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How to deal with broadcast interviews

Do your homework Before accepting an interview opportunity, it is important to make sure that you understand the programme, the style of interviews they do and the audience. This will help you decide whether you wish to accept the offer and help you better prepare for the interview. For controversial subjects, it may be better…

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How to write an effective press release

What is a press release? A press release is a standardised way organisations communicate their news to journalists. It should be newsworthy, objective and relevant to your target audience. Releases should ideally be not much longer than a single A4 page, two at the most. News and language News includes what is happening now and…

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How to do your own PR

Want to get your organisation noticed by your target media? Here are some top tips: Get to know your media and understand how it works Read and watch the media relevant to your business to find out which could work for you including regional, trade, national media or specific websites. Consider the kind of stories…

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How to handle a PR crisis

There are two main types of PR crisis businesses face; the catastrophic kind (known as a “sudden” or “hard” crisis), for example a train crash and the slow burn type (known as a “smouldering” or “soft” crisis) typified by creeping deterioration of a company’s reputation due to one particular issue or a series of issues….

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Ten reasons why you should be using LinkedIn

1. It is your personal business website – your online CV. 2. For anyone who networks it is a very powerful aid. It allows you to network from your desk everyday and compliments any physical networking activity. 3. It requires very little upkeep, but it can keep you constantly in the frame. 4. It allows…

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Should I hire a PR agency or do it myself?

There are a number of advantages to hiring a PR agency: Relationships – A good PR agency should have relevant and meaningful relationships with journalists. This is a large part of what you are paying for when you hire a PR agency. They may well give you access to journalists that you couldn’t achieve on…

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How to improve your online news page

Online press rooms and news pages have been a feature of company websites for a good few years now. Journalists use them to check their facts and access resources such as photos, but they are also used by your customers, suppliers and clients. A healthy up to date press room also suggests a healthy up…

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How to find the right agency

Finding the right agency to help develop and deliver the PR strategy is essential. But it can be a painful process. After all, you are looking for a partner with the right chemistry and the right talent – but also a group of people who share or at least understand your organisation’s culture and philosophy….

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Three ways to improve your PR…

Broadcast PR Broadcast PR is often overlooked by PR agencies and companies alike.  Many agencies don’t understand how broadcast journalists work or don’t adapt their approach for broadcasters while companies are often put off by what they see as a more intimidating media. But TV and radio remains the most powerful news medium and research…

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How to write articles for business publications or regional newspapers

Overall aim Writing an article for a trade journal or a local newspaper can be a great opportunity to present your company as the expert and deliver some very controlled messages.  Unlike other forms of coverage, there is no one else quoted in the article to balance up your views.  In submitting a business article,…

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How to construct a PR programme that really delivers

Understanding PR strategy “Talks about talks” is one of the media’s favourite buzz phrases and it is certainly appropriate when thinking about a new PR programme.  We can’t plough into the PR ‘doing’ stage without a very thorough ‘thinking’ stage.  Our starting point must be understanding the possible role for PR and devising a strategy…

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How to make yourself the expert in the media

News is made up of many different components – most important of all it should contain something ‘new’. But it will also have some facts and figures, some human interest, perhaps elements of conflict, sex, death and money (one of which is rarely far from the surface of most stories) and invariably it will contain…

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Full CIPR submission for shortlisted Turton Middleton campaign

Objectives Turton Middleton is a marketing and advertising agency based in Norwich. It was formed in June 2007 from a merger between Turton Advertising – an established agency employing 16 people and Simon Middleton Company – a three man brand and creative thinking consultancy. The original PR brief was to launch the new agency, raise…

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How to survive media interviews

The three golden rules for performing at your best: Know your topic Be prepared Relax Ten tips to help prepare for and handle media interviews: 1. Think about three key points and work on them. You must be able to deliver these flawlessly. Write them down. Writing things helps fix them in the mind and…

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Now booking: Build a Brand in 30 Days – one day course

The most accessible and inspiring brand training course you have ever attended: based on Simon Middleton’s unique book Build A Brand In 30 Days – January 25th, 2010. A powerful one-day learning experience which will: Give you a thorough and practical grounding in brand and branding today Provide you with content-rich learning that you can…

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Ten tips for dealing with the press effectively

The following is an extract from the book; ‘Build a brand in 30 days’ by Simon Middleton. The Expert View: Gordon Maw, MAW Communications Why should my business engage with the media? PR deals with two key things; reputation and awareness. It can help provide independent endorsement for your organization or your individuals, it can…

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Survival guide for media interviews

The three golden rules for performing at your best: Know your topic Be prepared Relax Ten tips to help prepare for and handle media interviews: 1. Think about three key points and work on them. You must be able to deliver these flawlessly. Write them down. Writing things heps fix them in the mind and…

Read more

Should I hire a PR agency or do it myself?

There are a number of advantages to hiring a PR agency: Relationships – A good PR agency should have relevant and meaningful relationships with journalists. This is a large part of what you are paying for when you hire a PR agency. They may well give you access to journalists that you couldn’t achieve on…

Read more

How to write an effective press release

What is a press release? A press release is a standardised way organisations communicate their news to journalists. It should be newsworthy, objective and relevant to your target audience.Releases should ideally be not much longer than a single A4 page, two at the most. News and language News includes what is happening now and what…

Read more