Business success alone isn’t news. Story and purpose are what get media coverage. Congratulations! You just had a banner profit year, reached record sales numbers, or raised an incredible amount of seed funding. Surely the press will be knocking on your door the second the press release is sent out. Not so fast. While your business may be thriving and successful, it’s not necessarily newsworthy. What many entrepreneurs and founders fail to understand is that the two don’t al

Your best crisis response is preparation and planning. You would be surprised by how many companies spend years building a reputation and almost no time thinking about how to protect it. They invest in branding, marketing, hiring, growth, and visibility. But when it comes to crisis planning, many leaders treat it like an optional expense or something to deal with when it happens. According to the data, 69 percent of business leaders have managed at least one corporate crisis

Most media opportunities happen fast and only allow you a few hours to prepare. During a recent Inc. Founders House event in Santa Monica, I was unexpectedly invited to participate in an on-camera Q&A to discuss the value of business travel and attending live events. It was just before 9 a.m. and they needed me on camera in just a few hours. The interview would be a full setup with a boom mic, a camera, and a producer. Everything moved quickly. In less than 15 minutes from re

By understanding the reality behind public relations, you can best develop and carry out your strategy. The media landscape has rapidly changed over the past five years, and it’s practically unrecognizable compared to 15 years ago. And with it, the PR landscape has changed: Podcasts are now a major part of media strategy, search engine behavior is evolving, social media algorithms will likely limit our reach, and AI is changing how we receive information. One thing that hasn

Original, human-written thought leadership stands out and can spotlight you. AI entered the mainstream at the end of 2022, and since then, it has transformed nearly everything it touches. While it is a powerful tool for increasing efficiency, synthesizing information, and generating ideas, there is one area where AI’s presence is undoubtedly unwanted: thought leadership. Journalists, media outlets, and publishers are adopting strict anti-AI policies for pitching and publishi

A top-ranking podcast producer shares tips for success. Bryson Barnes knows great storytelling. After helping create over 20 Apple No. 1 podcasts, including Pulitzer finalists as part of the day-to-day production for NBC News Audio, he is stepping into a new role as director of podcasts and livestreaming for Versant. Versant is a portfolio of brands across news, sports, and entertainment including MS NOW, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Syfy, E!, Golf Channel, Fandango, and more. In this

The worst that happens is they say “no.” “Can I meet with the governor while I’m in town?”  I was so excited by the question that I almost dropped my phone. A client was chatting with me about an upcoming media appearance and realized she would be just down the street from her state governor’s office. Resourcefully, she thought it might be a great time to meet with him to discuss the important issues she champions in her work. I couldn’t make any promises, but I was going to

Expertise is important, but so is being available to comment at a moment’s notice. When it comes to a winning PR strategy, you have to bring your A game and be ready to deliver what reporters and producers are really looking for. Not sure how to play by their rules or where to start? No stress—we have you covered. The voice of authority  There is no way around it; the bigger your name or the more recognized you are as an expert in your industry, the more appealing you will

You need to be paddling before the wave arrives. What do menopause, cryptocurrency, COVID-19, and streaming wars all have in common? They are all topics that have had major trending moments in the media over the past few years. Perhaps you recall these topics being omnipresent in the media, or even tried to pitch yourself as a contributor when they were in vogue. Whether it was one of these examples or another headline, chances are you have experienced a common PR challenge:

You have a great story to tell and your expertise is valuable, yet every time you pitch yourself to the media, you’re met with silence....

For many businesses, investing in PR services is a significant step. It’s an investment of resources that signals a commitment to your...

You usually won’t be the main story, but you can be a side angle. What can the leader of the Holy Roman Catholic Church teach us about PR and a solid pitching strategy? Quite a bit, actually. With the election of the first American pope came a parade of news articles, videos, and interviews, each promising us a different insight into the man who now shepherds 1.4 billion souls for the Catholic Church. I’d like to take this opportunity to pull back the newsroom curtain, give y

There are more ways of getting publicity than just appearing on the morning news. Picture this: You flip on the TV or radio, and the...

Four tips to help you brand yourself and feel comfortable on camera. So you’ve booked a TV media appearance, and now it’s time to answer...

Here are three questions to consider. In today’s fast-paced, media-driven world—where video calls dominate professional communication and...

Television is not dead; booking an appearance can grow your company if you do it right. Any publicist worth their salt will tell you that...

When selecting an agency, knowing the top three results you can expect from a PR campaign with a winning strategy is essential. Finding...

At Cleary Strategies, we never underestimate the strength of a good outbound PR strategy when it comes to landing more media placements...

Whether you’re a podcast fan or have never listened to one in your life, becoming a podcast guest is an incredible way to expand your...