Comments? Send us an email at insideprcomments@gmail.com, call us on the comment line on 206-337-0727, visit the Inside PR Blubrry site, or leave us a comment on the Inside PR show blog.

This week on Inside PR Terry Fallis and Martin Waxman talk about the importance of writing in PR and give the listeners tips to become better writers. They welcome comments from Josh Turner and Rick Weiss.

Show Notes

00:26 Terry opens the show.

01:47 Terry mentions Shel Holtz's visit to Toronto.

03:29 Josh Turner leaves a comment about last weeks Inside PR on fit and personality.

07:08 Rick Weiss asks about "too good to be true" hires and whether a company should hire someone so that the "other guy" can't get them.

09:32 Martin introduces the main topic: Tips to becoming the better writer.

10:30 Tip #1: Read and read a lot. Try to read as eclectically as possible.

13:20 Tip #2: Be Clear. Clarity is absolutely essential in thought and writing.

15:00 Martin talks about the issue of Jargon (or Gobbledygook).

16:22 Tip #3: Writing it small. Learn to pair it down. Be concise and brief. (Martin cites Pontoon by Garrison Keillor as an example)

19:36 Word of Advice: Want to practice good writing? Get on Twitter!

20:26 Tip #4: Re-write and polish! Take the time to make it magnificent before sending it off to edit.

23:25 Tip #5: Watch that style and Grammar! Ensure your style is up to par and your grammar flawless.

We Recommend:

• Reading White and Strunk's Elements of Style.
• Reading Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.
  
• Listening to the Grammar Girl Podcast.
• Learning how to use the semicolon.

26:55 Tip #6: You can always be a better writer.

We recommend:

• Volunteering to write articles for your community paper.
• Write in a journal every day.
• Take a writing workshop.

30:46 SUPPLEMENT: How to write a news release.

Martin:

1. Writes the headline.
2. Brainstorms his points.
3. Polishes the piece through 2nd and third drafts

Terry:

1. Writes the headline.
2. Writes a sub-header.
3. Writes the lead through to the end.
4. Moves the paragraphs around.
5. Edits through to the end.

34:14 Tip #7: Develop and work through your own personal style.

35:03 Terry wraps up the show.

Our theme music is Streetwalker by Cjacks and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network; Roger Dey is our announcer.

This week's episode was produced by Samantha Lovelace.

Comments? Send us an email at insideprcomments@gmail.com, call us on the comment line on 206-337-0727, visit the Inside PR Blubrry site, or leave us a comment on the Inside PR show blog.

This week on Inside PR Terry Fallis, Martin Waxman and Julie Rusciolelli discuss the importance of fit and personality in an agency and how to know when a potential hire will "fit in".

Show Notes

00:37 Terry opens the show.

01:51 Terry talks about the iTunes issue.

02:34 Terry introduces a comment from Josh Turner of Trillium Corporate Communications.

04:50 Terry lays down the main topics of the show: How important are fit and personality in an agency setting and how do you know when a potential hire will "fit in"?

06:16 Martin talks about Caliper Canada and Caliper testing.

07:37 Julie talks about her experiences using the test.

14:21 Terry asks about bringing on a new hire who has a great client record, but alienates colleagues.

18:52 Julie opens talks on how you know a person is going to "fit in".

22:33 Martin tells a great story about getting a fantastic reference for a new employee.

23:34 Julie talks about why she does not trust references.

25:01 Terry talks about how he gets a sense for an employee's potential fit.

27:19 Terry talks about coaching.

28:44 Julie and Martin give their last "2 cents" on the matter.

31:12 Terry wraps up the show.

Our theme music is Streetwalker by Cjacks and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network; Roger Dey is our announcer.

This week's episode was produced by Samantha Lovelace.

Comments? Send us an email at insideprcomments@gmail.com, call us on the comment line on 206-600-4741, visit the Inside PR Blubrry site, or leave us a comment on the Inside PR show blog.

This week on Inside PR, David Jones, Julie Rusciolelli and Martin Waxman discuss training and how PR agencies are keeping their staff up to date.

Show Notes

00:34 Dave opens the show.

02:38 Julie introduces the main topic: Training and what PR agencies are doing to keep their staff up to date.

03:40 Martin talks about something Palette has been doing. He references a lunch and learn their team will be having with Parker Mason of CNW Group. Parker was Martin's CPRS mentee.

05:14 Dave opens talks about the demand for training.

05:57 Julie talks about training credits and end of year training activities. She references Rogen training courses.

08:53 Dave talks about training at Hill and Knowlton where they carry out formal and informal training sessions including Lunch and Learns.

13:19 Julie talks to the three reasons people stay in a firm: growth and learning, fun and money.

13:42 Martin talks about staying at a job out of fear of change and complacency.

14:31 Martin and Julie discuss their thoughts on the APR accreditation.

17:24 Julie talks about IABC and CPRS.

18:43 Dave introduces the discussion on budgeting for training.

22:56 Julie opens the talks on mentoring.

34:08 Dave closes the show.

Our theme music is Streetwalker by Cjacks and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network; Roger Dey is our announcer.

This week's episode was produced by Samantha Lovelace.

Comments? Send us an email at insideprcomments@gmail.com, call us on the comment line on 206-600-4741, visit the Inside PR Blubrry site, or leave us a comment on the Inside PR show blog.

This week on Inside PR, David Jones and Martin Waxman discuss the importance of transparency and authenticity in the social media space and a company's internal practices.

Show Notes

00:27 Dave introduces the show.

02:37 Dave introduces the "bit" from Jon Hoel out of Australia. Jon created the theme song for IPR #100. You can find his clip at 02:09.

03:17 Jon joins the IPR panel from Australia. He shares his most recent interview with Shel Holtz on tactical transparency and is available on June 22nd's For Immediate Release. Shel is currently co-writing a book on the topic which will be published under the IABC and will be available in November.

05:29 Shel defines transparency on the employee and client levels.

06:36 He mentions the empowerment trend of the 1980's.

09:32 Dave opens up the main topic of discussion: The importance of transparency and authenticity in the social media space and in a company's internal practices.

13:20 Martin brings up Bridezilla. Using this example, he talks about how transparency would have ruined the "fun" of the stunt.

15:26 Dave starts the talk on internal communications and transparency.

20:37 Dave brings up the issue of lack of communications to the front-line or 1-800 employees

21:32 Martin introduces a topic out of Josh Hallett's discussion at the Counsellors Academy Conference.

23:34 Dave uses WestJet as a great example of employee empowerment.

31:05 Martin talks about how certain, older companies communicate only through lawyers.

32:57 Dave mentions fiduciary responsibilities of companies and references Strumpette.com and Amanda Chapel's twitter feed.

33:36 Dave talks about the perceived power of social media.

35:22 Martin talks about advising v. reacting as a PR counselor.

36:38 Dave talks about his flight to Ottawa sitting beside Pamela Wallin.

40:19 Dave ties up the show.

Our theme music is Streetwalker by Cjacks and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network; Roger Dey is our announcer.

This week's episode was produced by Samantha Lovelace.

Comments? Send us an email at insideprcomments@gmail.com, call us on the comment line on 206-337-0727, visit the Inside PR Blubrry site, or leave us a comment on the Inside PR show blog.

This week on Inside PR Terry Fallis, David Jones and Julie Rusciolelli discuss best practices in introducing new employees to your firm.

Show Notes

00:27 Terry opens the show.

02:30 Terry alerts listeners to the fact that Inside PR #118 and #119 have not loaded to iTunes, but that we hope to have the issue fixed shortly.

03:38 Terry talks about the introduction of Dave Fleet to the TFC Toronto team. Dave writes the Fleet Street blog and came to Thornley Fallis from the Government of Ontario.

04:27 The main topic is introduced: Best practices in introducing new employees to your firm.

04:48 Dave reviews the three main points of discussion:

1. Doing the little things right
2. Using the buddy system
3. The client briefing

and talks to getting those little things done.

08:51 Julie talks about the buddy system that they use at Maverick.

12:06 Terry talks about the lack of orientation programs in smaller public relations agencies.

16:15 Dave talks about the Hill and Knowlton beer cart orientation method.

16:48 Terry brings up briefing new employees on ALL the company's clients and client projects.

19:38 Julie talks about her "14 day deliverable" orientation strategy.

24:26 Dave mentions the importance of leadership for new employees not from an agency background.

28:33 Dave welcomes Dave Fleet to the "PR fraternity" and ties up the show.

Our theme music is Streetwalker by Cjacks and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network; Roger Dey is our announcer.

This week's episode was produced by Samantha Lovelace.