This is a great quote from the Ottawa Citizen (click here for the full article). The reason I've posted it is that the gist of the article is completely on target. A strategic communications plan is key for any organization that relies on getting their messages to target audiences. You can't simply lurch from one crisis to the next or one press announcement to the next. There has to be a comprehensive plan in place that's designed to share information in a consistent, timely and sustained manner. As part of this plan, key spokespeople must be properly trained on key message delivery and how to communicate with media outlets.

QUOTING FROM THE OTTAWA CITIZEN

"A good municipal communications department should function much like a newsroom, explaining what the city is doing in a timely, accurate and factual way. Before any city report gets released or posted on the city web site, it should be reviewed by a communications person who can at least produce an executive summary that is intelligible to an ordinary person. The most important part of the communications job is the strategic aspect. Communications ought to be a key piece of any major policy, not an afterthought. If you have a good idea but you can't explain why, then it will fail. It has gotten so bad that I have taken to writing columns defending city staff when they get it right. Someone has to help."

Splash: An introvert's guide to being seen, heard & remembered - book launch a huge success

Today, Carole Cameron - author of Splash: An introvert's guide to being seen, heard & remembered - launched her new book. The event was hosted @ Books for Business @ 120 Adelaide St.W in Toronto.

The launch was a huge success. It showcased Carole as an espert in her field and increased her visibility & credibility.

For more information on the Splash book, or to arrange an interview, contact pturkington@stratcommsolutions.ca.

Books can be ordered @ www.make-a-splash.ca

To tweet or not to tweet

To tweet or not to tweet-the old adage still stands...if you wouldn't be caught saying it personally in public, don't post it. Pretty simple.

A clear message is essential in everything you do...

Recently I've heard people speculate that public relations is a dying profession. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, there's nothing more important to the growth of a brand than how you communicate its value. That's public relations.

Those who say public relations is dead only view the tactical side of the profession - to them it's all about media releases. Most of them think that PR is simply writing a release and posting it on the internet. In reality, there's much more to it.

At Strategic Communications Solutions PR, we picked our name for a reason. Before you can communicate on behalf of a client, you need a well thought out communications plan. That's why we sit down with clients and do planning sessions before we even send out their first release. We ask questions like: what's your marketing strategy? (often a PR campaign can complement current marketing efforts); what's your reason for being in business? (a clear vision for your business is an essential starting point for developing the message); what promotional activities/advertising do you have planned for the coming year? (if we have an idea of the types of activities the company is doing, we can develop PR support that can extend the life of the promotion and create extra buzz); what kind of results do you expect from a PR campaign? (this helps to set and manage expectations); etc...

As part of our planning, we focus and refine key messages. Often, our key messaging advice has an impact on an organization's marketing communications, human resources/internal communications, and other areas of the business.

In some cases, we've been brought in to firms with existing PR departments to help focus their messaging and train their spokespeople on how to best deliver the message.

The bottom line is, if you want to get your message out it needs to be focused and clear. To make sure this is the case, it's often wise to seek professional advice.

www.stratcommsolutions.ca
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