According to Pew Research, 95 percent of us Americans have a cell phone. Most of us couldn’t conduct business without them. I know mine is always in my pocket, on the desk, in the cup holder of my car. Ready for calls, emails, texts, or social media check-ins. I can’t run my business without my … Continued
Eight years ago, the South Carolina Bar Association was feeling bruised and battered. Nikki Haley had just been elected South Carolina’s first female governor. Her winning campaign included bashing trial lawyers, which didn’t sit well with the Bar’s membership. A brand-building image campaign was in order. My recommendation to the Bar was to produce a … Continued
I hate to admit it, but I’m an email junky. When I hear that ping, something goes off in my brain that compels me to see who’s sent me what… Oh look, a discount from Williams Sonoma and (gasp!) free shipping…an invitation to cruise with Royal Viking (that actually sounds good right now)…a request for … Continued
What makes a community unique, a place we want to visit time and again or come to live? It’s certainly not free wifi. Or endless rows of chain restaurants. It’s not the presence of Walmart. No, what draws us to communities is the quirky, the memorable, the different, the things that make us smile. It … Continued
A former colleague has extended an invitation to speak to her public relations students at the University of South Carolina this spring. I’m flattered, but a little apprehensive. Public relations is not dead, but it’s much different than it used to be. Gone are many of the traditional media outlets. There are fewer reporters (and … Continued
Growing up, my parents were clear about what words were acceptable and those that weren’t. A slip of the tongue would earn a nasty swipe of soap. Fast forward to now. While we may think we’ve outgrown the need to be reminded of good words/bad words, reminders are a good thing. Words that work in … Continued
A British colleague and I had a brilliant idea for a partnership when we both worked with global packaging company Sonoco. As Sonoco’s public relations consultant, I was “words.” As their graphic designer, he was “pictures.” Thus the informal marketing duo of “Words and Pictures” was born. The funny thing is, I’m not just a … Continued
I ran across a great article by in INC on the importance of getting a company name just right. In it, author Adam Fridman puts forth a very strong premise: Your company name plays a monumental role in a brand’s growth and perception, meaning it can completely make or break a company. He outlines the three … Continued
Never underestimate the power of social media to put two-and-two together. Whether you employ content marketing strategy or kismet, it works. Those who know me know how much I love art. Paintings. Bronzes. Crazy yard art. I like to say I collect artists, rather than art, because it’s fun to meet the people whose work … Continued
Not a day goes by that I don’t get a request from someone I’ve never met to connect on LinkedIn. Usually it makes sense, but often it’s someone who just wants to rack up a huge digital network. In my humble opinion, this isn’t the best way to network. Personal connections are much more … Continued