Category: Blog

We attend conferences to learn, grow and meet new people. And if you come across someone interesting who can advance your business, it’s important to send a message when you’re back at your desk to keep the dialogue going.

Here’s how:

Subject line: Great to meet you at [name of event/conference; for instance, “BizCon 2000”]

Hi [person’s first name],

I’m [your first and last name] with [name of company].

It was nice to meet you at [name of event/conference]. I enjoyed learning more about [what you gleaned from the other person; for instance, “the work you do at Acme Corporation related to finance and accounting. Plus, I needed someone to joke with during that boring keynote address”].

Let’s keep the discussion going. [Then, the next step; for instance, “As I mentioned, our company is looking for a new accounting firm and yours may be a good fit. I will connect you with our CFO in a separate email so you two can meet.”]

Thanks again,

– Leader’s first name

Email signature

Deeper Insight

Put the name of the event/conference where you met in the subject line (ex: BizCon 2000). The proper noun makes your email more recognizable in a crowded inbox. Also, make sure to explain the next step “looking for a new accounting firm”). The person may not want to follow up if he/she doesn’t know the “why.”

For some of our clients, all they ask for is a logo design. For others it’s a video production, a story in the local newspaper or a suggestion of a non-profit partner.

Well for Plasser American, which manufacturers complex machines to repair and maintain railroad tracks across the country, we are doing all that and then some.

The Austrian-based company, with operations on every continent, has its North American headquarters and assembly plant in Chesapeake. Frankly we had never heard of Plasser when they called looking for a firm to handle marketing and public relations for their 60th anniversary in the United States. So first we had to get educated on tampers, stabilizers and the other equipment they construct as well as the services they provide to Amtrak, CSX and a host of other railroads, both passenger and freight. (more…)

The two biggest mistakes I see students and adults make on social media focus on capitalization and apostrophes.

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Our principal role for Queen of Virginia Skill & Entertainment, makers of games at bars, restaurants and convenience stores, has been to generate or react to media coverage and share money with worthy non-profits across the state. It’s been rewarding work, given both the general success of the company and the controversy over the legality of skill games in Virginia. It’s kept us on our toes and being creative.

When the General Assembly decided in January to ban skill games, to thwart competition for the state lottery, horse racing and potential casinos, our team figured the government, if not the public, wanted nothing of the Queen. That lasted until April when the coronavirus hit, and money got tight. All of a sudden the Governor and legislators looked at what our skill games had generated and said, “we want some.” (more…)

Often leaders need to explain intricate or weighty subjects in a clear, understandable way. In those moments, strong writing skills are paramount.You don’t want to confuse people when you try to break down a difficult topic. On the flip side, employees will appreciate how you simplified the issue and, in doing so, valued their time and attention.

Here’s an example.

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When problems arise in a client relationship, it may be necessary for a leader in the company to step in and manage the issue.

That way, the client knows the company takes the situation seriously and will do whatever it takes to find a solution.

Here’s a template to guide you.

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***Learn about how we’ve partnered with TechArk, a premier web development firm in Hampton Roads, to provide a suite of PR and website services during this critical time.***

At RCG, we are always on the lookout for positive public relations and media coverage for our clients in Hampton Roads.

When the Covid-19 crisis forced companies and organizations to adjust how they do business, we took the moment as an opportunity to land stories in newspapers and on local news.

Here’s an overview of what we achieved for clients since March 2020:

Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads: Stories on WTKR NewsChannel 3 (CBS affiliate) and Suffolk News Herald about a new home build on Pitchkettle Road in Suffolk and how volunteers continue to build the house for a deserving family.

Access College Foundation: Multiple stories in print and broadcast on how Access is helping students remotely with the college application process, financial aid and other guidance. Coverage appeared in Suffolk News Herald, Tidewater News, WVEC TV (ABC affiliate) and a pending story in The Virginian-Pilot.

Beth Sholom Village: Story on the front page of the Sunday Break in The Virginian-Pilot on how the long-term care facility keeps residents’ spirits upbeat and communicates through Facebook with positive photos of resident life.

Wolcott Rivers Gates — Attorneys at Law: Provided guidance on how to communicate via email with clients during this challenging time.

How can we help you obtain invaluable PR for your company during Covid-19?

Email RCG Vice President Danny Rubin at danny@rubincommunications.com or call 757-285-7617.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORFOLK, VA (February 6, 2019) – On Thursday, February 13 in Richmond, the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) will set a course for its next century of service by replicating a milestone event from its humble beginnings exactly one hundred years ago.

At 630 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott at 5th and Broad Streets, VMA leaders will sign a new charter, commemorating one penned on February 13,1920 by 56 businessmen that launched the Norfolk Maritime Exchange (precursor to the VMA).

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Here’s a PR lesson for internal communication.

Leadership doesn’t mean take all the credit.

If employees read and hear leaders drop a lot of, “I did this” and “I did that” and, in essence, “look at me go!”, the word choice can create unnecessary distance and fracture the relationship between management and staff.

If you, as a team leader, did accomplish a task, then it may be appropriate to lead with “I.”

For example, in an email to multiple staff members: “I went ahead and called our client, Morgan, to reschedule the meeting for Friday at 2:30 p.m.”

But if the particular action involved several hands, then don’t act like you did all the heavy lifting — or omit the people who played a key role.

Again, in an email to multiple staff members, several who could have played a role in the “heavy lifting”: “Thanks to everyone who put in the extra hours over the weekend to finish out the RFP for the Jackson account. That’s an account we’d love to have to build up our robotics division.”

Now, observe how much differently that quote reads with a focus on “I.”

“Good news. The RFP for the Jackson account is done and submitted. I hope we land the account because I’d love to add that project to the company’s robotics division.”

Feel a different vibe here? All about me, me, me — the great and esteemed company leader.

Keep an eye on “I”.

Your employees sure will.

Want to strengthen your interoffice communication skills? Check out the checklist below.

  • Start sentences with capital letters and capitalize proper nouns until the co-worker on the other end proves he/she prefers lowercase words at all times. For example: “Do you have the report for the Nicholson account yet?”
    • Once the other person shows a preference for lowercase words, you may choose to go with, “do you have the report for the nicholson account yet?”
    • If you type with the case the other person prefers, you are always in the right.
  • ​In the same vein, stay away from emojis until the other person drops one first.
  • Even though the chatter through instant messages can be rapid fire, watch every word you type. Many communication tools act as archives so anyone with access can find past conversations in the program.
    • Plus, a two or three-person dialogue can, the next day, include several more people. Maybe one of the new people wasn’t supposed to read a message that appeared a day before? Uh oh.
  • ​When the message thread includes clients, my opinion is to maintain proper rules of capitalization at all times — even if the other person is into lowercase writing and abbreviations.
    • The client pays you for a service, and you should maintain a high level of professionalism.