"We want PR to drive sales." Big red flag. Massive misunderstanding. Here’s the thing… PR ≠ Marketing ≠ Branding. They work together, but they’re not the same. Let’s break it down (like you're five): PR builds belief. It earns trust. Shapes perception. Boosts credibility. Not clicks. Not conversions. Credibility. Marketing moves money. It’s campaign-driven. Action-focused. Think: sales, leads, sign-ups. Branding builds the backbone. It's your vibe, voice, values, and visuals. Without it, PR...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Ever pretended to be “live” outside a courthouse that’s been closed since lunch? Or a crime scene that's been inactive for days? Welcome to local news, where the "LIVE" banner matters more than the actual news.Here’s one of my favorite (read: infuriating) stories from my time as a reporter...I told my executive producer, a full week in advance, that I needed to leave at 5:15 PM on a specific day.Not for a mani-pedi. Not for a hot date.To pick up my daughter from daycare by 6:00. Basic...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
A writer I follow did this desk tour thing on Substack, and I thought - That’s pretty cool. So, if I think it’s cool, maybe you will too. Welcome to my office. Q: Describe your workspace. This used to be my sons room (sons as in TWO boys with bunk beds). Then, we added two bedrooms and a bathroom onto our house… and now it’s my office. I’m going with the ostrich feather vibe on a wall and with a floor lamp. I also have fun office sayings on the wall, like defining “per my last email” as...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
I did a viral thing on LinkedIn again. Last time, it was about working for a narcissist. This time, it was about ice cream that looked like a used feminine product. God forbid I go viral for anything that would actually help me career-wise on a career-focused social media platform, right? Anyone know anything about Substack? So, I’ve been posting my bookish content on Substack… and I’m realizing it’s like another damn social media platform. It looks like to grow there, you need to be active...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Let's get real for a hot second about that media relations strategy you're pouring hours into... it might be time to pull the plug! Let's be honest: Your CEO's name in that industry magazine? crickets That press release you spent 3 weeks perfecting? Probably got 6 views Those media relationships you've been "nurturing"? The reporters changed jobs... again Why Your Media Strategy is Like a Flip Phone Journalists are jumping ship fast Everyone and their dog is now an "independent creator" Trust...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
We all belong in the creator economy. You don't need millions of followers or fancy equipment to make an impact. Every single one of us creates content naturally: 👩🏻🍳 When you share a cooking hack? That's education! 🏝️ When you post your vacation pics? That's inspiration! 🤭 When you make your friends laugh? Pure entertainment! We're all potential influencers when we share what we care about. We're all creators when we express our unique perspective. We all have expertise in something worth...
2 months ago • 1 min read
One of my clients had this lovely little email list just sitting there, collecting digital dust. No newsletters. No updates. Nada. So I said, “Let me take this off your plate.” But of course, then came the question: What the heck do we send? We landed on a rhythm that feels just right. Every newsletter follows the same format. Readers know what they’re getting, and I know exactly what to create. Here’s the simple five-part formula: Share the news – What’s happening in her world or in her...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Wanted: One audiobook narrator. Asked on: SOS (Source of Sources… it’s like the new HARO) Got: Inbox mayhem. I posted a very clear ask for my podcast, Shelf Made Stories. Just one thing: "Looking for an audiobook narrator." Simple, right? Apparently… not. Here’s what landed in my inbox: 📬 A woman asked me to send her books to review. → Sweet, but this isn’t a free library. 📬 A press release from a PR firm. → Promoting a guy I’ve never heard of. Didn’t mention narration. Not once. 📬 An author...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Remember when I went rogue and pruned my email list? Yeah, I deleted everyone who hadn't bothered to open my emails in the last 30 days. Did my subscriber count take a hit? You bet. But guess what skyrocketed? My open and click-through rates! Wanna know which one I care about more? Your subscriber number is basically meaningless if no one's actually reading what you send. Now, if you're trying to score partnerships where they demand a specific subscriber count, I get it if you want to keep...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Your media opportunity just called. It's urgent. The reporter needs you in 30 minutes. You panic and/or hesitate. Here's what marketers and publicists WISH they could say when clients try to control the uncontrollable: 🚫 That "quick review" of the reporter's article before publication? Doesn't exist in legitimate journalism. 📈 The competitor mentioned alongside your brand? That actually validates your position in the market. 📰 That headline you hate? Unless it contains factual errors, it...
3 months ago • 1 min read
