An App for That. Does Your Firm Need One?

In another example the way lawyers are embracing new technology in a better and more efficient way to engage with current and potential clients, a Minnesota law firm has rolled out a new smart phone app helps that people decide if they should get a divorce.

The novel marketing tactic called "The Grass is Greener" is both practical and informative. The app is detailed quiz created by the Green Law Office of Golden Valley, MN, a boutique law firm with a practice focus in family law.

“We all have moments when we question our relationship, but there is a lot to consider before picking up the phone to call a divorce attorney,” said attorney Pamela Green. “The Grass is Greener app aims to keep couples together, by instigating a faster make-up time and providing resources that will benefit the relationship.”

Green spearheaded the development of the free app and collaborated with friends and colleagues in professions such as psychology, financial planning and career counseling for their input.
Each woman brought her personal, argument acumen along with her professional, counseling experience to create the relationship quiz offered on the app, which deals with the question, would the grass be greener without your spouse?

The app helps a person consider the real impact of divorce and take pause to remember the person they fell in love with in the first place. Available to iPhone and Android users, it uses a series of questions to help the frustrated individual find the true motivation behind the argument at hand and ultimately assess the strength of their marriage as well as the positive and negative impacts of divorce.
After taking the quiz, the individual is directed to resources that correlate back to the specific motivators for their own conflict with their spouse. For instance, if the argument is about money, financial management resources are provided. If the disagreement stemmed from the snow not being shoveled, you are directed to Dvorak Lawn Care. Or if the root is a lingering house project, the app provides a referral to Rick’s Handyman Services. Kids the issue? No problem, there are links to useful articles. If the dispute is about sex…well, then, appropriate tools are listed—such as the recommendation of a Marvin Gaye CD and some candles.

“We needed to be honest about our personal experiences and recall the big arguments that we’ve had with our partners,” said Green. “The truth is, we’re not that much different--money, kids and sex seem to top the argument charts. And most arguments do not lead to divorce. Even though at times we feel just the opposite.”

To view the app, please visit the Apple App Store or in the Android Market.

Sick of Powerpoint? Check these Out!

1. PreZentit
With PreZentit, all you need is a Web browser to create a presentation with its own URL. You can download the presentation for display without an Internet connection. It has limited functions, but the ease of use makes it worth a try for on-the-spot pitches.

2. Prezi
Convert your PowerPoint for the Web or create a presentation right within your browser. Prezi sets itself apart with the ability to craft interactive visual mind maps, use 3-D zoom, and turn your slides into a cinematic experience.

3. Google Docs Presentations
Anyone with a Google account can create presentations right inside Google Docs. You won't find all the features available in PowerPoint, but it is free. It's your best bet for collaborative projects because, like any other Google Doc, you can share it with others for real-time editing on the cloud.

4. Keynote
Sorry PCs, but this one is limited to Mac users. It comes with the iWork software suite, or you can buy it a la carte. Keynote will satisfy designers with its many attractive features, and its compatibility with iPhone and iPad are making it the go-to choice for mobile professionals.

5. Brainshark
Brainshark—along with its mobile app, Slideshark—essentially converts your existing PowerPoint presentation to an online video. Your ideas become available to an unlimited audience at their demand. You'll have to pay if you want all the capabilities, but you can track your views for free.

6. Vuvox
Vuvox lets you blend pictures, audio, video, and text to create personalized stories, not just presentations. As one of the few tools integrated with social media, it's highly expressive and sharable.

7. Screencast-O-Matic
Turn your PowerPoint into a screencast and reach beyond the conference table. Screencasts can be shared on YouTube, embedded in websites, and accessed online when you want them.

8. Flair
Flair is definitely not free, but it enables you to build exciting Flash-based presentations without knowing a lick of Flash. Combine audio and video, generate fancy text effects, and create comprehensive educational simulations.

9. SlideRocket
Yet another Web-based program to rival PowerPoint, SlideRocket has a beautiful user interface with many flexible features available for free.

10. SlideSnack
Upload your presentation as a PDF and record it as an audio-visual slidecast. SlideSnack offers a range of custom tools for purchase, but the basic features will get the job done.
Brian Morris writes for the PsPrint Design & Printing Blog. PsPrint is an online commercial printing company. A version of this post first appeared on Business2Community.

PR Lessons From Ron Burgandy

The much anticipated film "Anchorman 2" hits theaters on Wednesday, and we can't wait. As a team of trained television journalists turned PR pros, the legendary antics of Ron Burgundy captivate us all and provide endless  humor.

Something we've all wondered, however, is what it would be like to be Burgundy's PR rep. Let's face it, he's politically incorrect, unpredictable, and dumber than a lamp (even though we all love lamp). The truth is, no matter how many leather-bound PR books we have in our arsenal, we can all learn a thing or two about PR from Ron Burgundy.




1. If it's "kind of a big deal," say so!
Have a strategy to tell everyone. We all have those stories that require a lot of development and focused pitching hours to get placements, but when you identify a story with truly great potential, you should maximize your opportunity. Don't be happy with the usual placements. Push harder. Be aggressive, and make sure everyone knows that your story and your brand are kind of a big deal. It's amazing how far a story can go when you believe in its success and broad appeal.

2. Don't be a market snob. When North Dakota calls, over-deliver.
Sure, some placements are technically bigger than others, but Ron Burgundy knows all media placements matter. Whether it's appearing on Letterman or on the local news in North Dakota, every media placement can make a difference. Ron Burgundy made national headlines when he anchored the news in Bismarck, N.D. In our 24-hour news cycle, with stories constantly breaking on social media, don't undervalue any opportunity—no matter how small it may seem. You never know when one local placement can turn into PR gold.

3. Fight for your space while staying classy.
 
After the news teams' big brawl, Burgundy told his guys: "I'm proud of you fellas. You all kept your head on a swivel, and that's what you gotta do when you find yourself in a vicious cock fight." Though we can't endorse trying to "straight up murder" the competition, we know that having a scrappy, competitive edge will pay dividends for your clients. Don't just think about your story.
Develop your strategy around what will be competing with you in the news cycle. This can sometimes be unpredictable. It is up to you to become a constant news funnel. Have the skills to know what will affect your story and what will not.

4. Embracing change is a scientific fact.
You can't really win in the PR game if you are still sending out the same old news releases in the same old way. Ron Burgundy learned in his first movie that adapting to industry changes is the key to success. In marketing "Anchorman 2," he is leading the charge and using more guerrilla-style marketing tactics to make sure everyone remembers that he is very important.
What's more memorable: a generic movie trailer or a Dodge Durango ad complete with an equine co-star? He's using a steady stream of fresh and attention getting tactics to ensure success. He's maximizing earned media placements to build up his brand. He's also dominating with owned media, such as @RonBurgundy on Twitter. On one fresh idea can go a long way-just ask Emerson College's Ron Burgundy School of Communication.
 
Lisa Arledge Powell is President and co-founder of MediaSource, a media relations and content production firm that specializes in brand journalism tactics.

Three Questions to Ask in Every Crisis

When a crisis strikes, many attorneys have the same instinct: to clamp down on corporate communications and make as few public statements as possible (if any at all).

That’s because an attorney’s primary job is to minimize future financial payouts and, in cases of criminal wrongdoing, to reduce your culpability.

That’s a narrow prism through which to view a crisis, and it might not be sufficient to keep your business afloat. Too often, attorneys fail to take your long-term reputation into account. They also don’t consider the impact of a crisis on employee recruitment, retention, productivity, and morale, as well as customer, shareholder, and donor loyalty.

In some crises, the amount of damage to your reputation can exceed the legal payout. Sure, your lawyer’s legal strategy might result in a courthouse victory three years from now, but it may come at the steep cost of years of unflattering headlines.

Crises require you to make tough choices, occasionally ones that pit sound legal advice against sound communications advice.

For example, I once asked a top executive in crisis whether her top goal was to keep her job (which would be accompanied by a drawn-out legal case and severe damage to her reputation) or to maintain her reputation in the long term, which would require her to leave her job (but allow her to ditch the legal case).

Based on dozens of case studies and the predictable stages most crises follow, I counseled her that she would have to make a difficult choice: her job or her reputation. She insisted she could keep both, and she failed to act.

Within weeks, she lost her job—and her reputation.

When faced with such a choice, ask yourself:

1. What’s the right thing to do?

2. Have I received input from legal and communications professionals and given both perspectives consideration?

3. Can I develop a strategy that marries the best legal and PR advice? Better yet, can I find an attorney who excels in communications and fully supports the PR function?

Insurance companies

Like attorneys, insurance companies typically have the sole goal of reducing their payouts. Worse, many insurance policies actually prohibit you from doing the right thing. For example, my company’s insurance policy reads:

“You must not admit liability for or settle or make or promise any payment in respect of any claim, loss or damage which may be covered under this Policy.”

In other words, if a crisis hits my firm and I determine that an admission of wrongdoing is the best way to minimize the crisis and keep my company out of the headlines, I can’t offer one. Doing so might result in a voided claim and a canceled policy.

 Still, this isn’t always the case. Jonathan Bernstein, president of Bernstein Crisis Management, advises clients to find a company more enlightened in its approach to crisis communications. Speak to your carrier—some errors and omissions insurance contracts have a crisis-management component.

If worse comes to worst, you could always cancel your policy and go it alone, as long as the potential payout is low and the risk of inaction is high. That’s a risky strategy, so consult a lawyer and insurance professional before going “bare.”

This post is an excerpt from "The Media Training Bible: 101 Things You Absolutely, Positively Need to Know Before Your Next Interview." Its author, Brad Phillips, is president of Phillips Media Relations, a media and presentation training firm, and blogs at Mr. Media Training, where a version of this story originally appeared.

Could Journalists Be Replaced With PR Pros?

Journalism’s long, slow death knell continues.

A recent feature on Yahoo Education lists journalism as an “endangered career.” Its replacement is good news for PR pros.

Public relations jobs are expected to jump 23 percent from 2010-2020, while journalism jobs are expected to fall eight percent. Yahoo contends that PR specialists will replace reporters sometime in the near future.

Nick Gidwani, founder of online education site SkilledUp, explained the trend to Yahoo:

The raw proliferation of media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, in addition to the typical news outlets, has made the job of the PR specialist that much more difficult. As a result, PR is one area that is really growing.

He added that reporters have started doing a lot of work for free online.

A list of the best and worst jobs of 2013 from career website CareerCast.com further documents the somber state of journalism. Public relations executive ranks No. 74 on the list, while broadcaster and photojournalist rank near the bottom of the 200 jobs listed. Newspaper reporter was dead last.

 Before you go into full mourning for reporters, you may want to consider the source here. This isn’t the first time Yahoo has predicted the death of journalism while suggesting public relations as an “alternative career.” Back in May, the site ran a nearly identical article.

So, are the article’s predictions accurate, or does Yahoo Education hate journalism? Have at it, conspiracy theorists.
-Kevin Allen, Ragan's PR Daily

Lawyers and Social Media: Know The Law!

At TopRank Online Marketing, Monday mornings are usually filled with coffee, the clicking and clacking of keyboards and the chatter of internal meetings.

But a recent Monday was full of social media and the law.

Several people from our social media team attended the monthly Minneapolis and St. Paul Social Media Breakfast that delved into how social media and the law intersect.

Two lawyers, Emily Buchholz and John C. Pickerill, answered questions about everything from copyright infringement and employers asking for account logins, to what photos are OK to post and how to deal with negative comments.

If you're involved in the social media world, legal issues can, and will, affect you.

Here are 15 important tips on social media and the law that our team gleaned from the panel:
1. Expect to receive the same consequences online as in real life. Freedom of speech is applicable to online communications, but you can still be fired for anything. Take personal responsibility.

2. Pinterest is a copyright infringement machine. It's only a matter of time until someone uses it for evil instead of good. Make sure you're aware of copyrighted material. While it's not highly likely, you could be held responsible for infringement.

3. There is a lot of gray area in social media—it all comes down to the details of each case. Use your best judgment and common sense. If you have a doubt about a post, don't post it. Once you do post it, it's out there for good. It's all about risk assessment.

4. If you're running a sweepstakes on social media, be aware of all the rules and regulations regarding disclosures for each state. Many companies are playing the risks until the FTC gets involved, as there aren't many case studies to guide the way.

5. Use short phrases in online messaging to keep your quotation/attribution vague. If you use the entire heart of a story, you run the risk of copyright infringement.

6. If you want to use photos of customers or attendees at an event, be sure to clearly post that, by attending, participants imply consent unless otherwise documented.

7. Facebook's decision to take down the "I Hate the Pedal Pub" page was more about Facebook's judgment of its site than for the Pedal Pub to have legal grounds to have the page removed. Be careful of what you post. It's important to check site guidelines and be aware of what is and is not acceptable on every online platform.

8. Taking photos of people at an event and sharing the photo on social media is fairly low-risk. However, the more places you share the photo (i.e. in a blog post or promotional material), the higher your risk becomes (more and more people are viewing the image). There also tends to be more backlash when you share photos of children.

9. When running a social media contest, make the rules clear and short to increase the odds that participants will actually read and understand them.

10. When using a direct quote, use short phrases and include a link to the content you pulled the quote from. The clearer your attribution, the better.

11. If you posted content that is fodder for a lawsuit, or if someone asks you to cease and desist, an effective way to avoid litigation is to take down the content.

12. Following someone on Twitter or retweeting something he writes doesn't necessarily imply endorsement. It is still a gray area. However, many people associate liking a page or post with approving of it. If you're uncomfortable with how your online interaction will appear, don't do it.

13. When you use any unoriginal content, be as specific and clear as possible. Remember to attribute and link to the necessary sources (especially with disclaimers, rules etc.). Infringement travels, and you don't want to get stuck with a bad outcome. Read guidelines and laws first to make sure you know what you can and can't do.

14. Don't delete all negative reviews and comments. They give you the opportunity to address any bad vibes. Plus, it looks a little fishy if all you have are rave reviews. Allowing all voices helps minimize your risk of being accused of false advertising.

15. You can't say anything you want just because you have the power to type it. Be honest and truthful. Think through your actions, and if it seems like something falls in a gray area, think it through even more.

Essentially, there are three things you can do to protect yourself online:

1. Attribute, quote and cite: Identify all unoriginal material.
2. Use common sense: If you don't want someone to post something about you, don't post it about someone else. If you're worried about clicking "send" or "post," there's probably a reason. Don't do it.
3. Know the rules: It's easier to break the rules if you pretend they don't exist, but doing so opens you up for litigation and backlash in an arena where news travels fast.

A version of this article originally appeared on the TopRank Online Marketing Blog. 

11 Inspiring Nelson Mandela Quotations

In honor of Nelson Mandela on this the day of his funeral we wanted to share 11 of his most memorable and important quotations.  These serve as words to live by for all professional communicators and most importantly, people in general.

The anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner, and first-ever black president of South Africa was an avid writer and speaker who often shared his considerable wisdom about how to communicate, effective leadership, and methods of dealing with one’s enemies.

• “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

• “Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.”

• “A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.”

• “Lead from the back—and let others believe they are in front.”

• “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”

• “Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.”

• “One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.”

• “It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.”

• “Know your enemy—and learn about his favorite sport.”

• “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

• “Appearances matter—and remember to smile.”

• “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Top Three Reasons to Focus on Mobile Communication in 2014

As we near the end of the year, business leaders are focusing on the future, on their strategies and goals, and on ensuring that next year is better than 2013. When setting budgets and priorities, be sure that a high-quality website with decent mobile access is on your must-have list for a successful 2014.
According to Pew Research Center, 63 percent of adult cell phone owners (as of May) use their phones to access the Internet. Whether your organization is B2B, B2C, or somewhere in between, your current and potential clients are trying to find you with their mobile devices.

Why go mobile?

1. No one carries the print phone book in their pocket. Audiences are trying to quickly find your physical location, phone number, and other contact information. Most of us are constantly on the go, so the ease of tapping on an address and being routed to a location or tapping on a phone number to make a fast call is crucial.

Again, recent research by Pew documents that 74 percent of adult smartphone owners say they use their phone to get directions or other information based on their current location. As someone who is usually short on time, I can attest to the frustration of being unable to find my destination quickly and easily-or at all.


2. Failing to embrace mobile holds you back. If a website wows on the desktop and disappoints on the smartphone, the brand appears to lack consistency and a forward-thinking attitude.
What if your news source displayed content online in the same size and format as it did for print? Zoom, scroll, zoom out, left, right, zoom, scroll? No. Websites must translate flawlessly onto mobile devices and function just as well.

If the information housed on your website is not easily and immediately accessible, your visitor is likely to go somewhere else for the content, product or service he/she is seeking. Pinching to zoom in on a website that isn't responsive gets old fast. (Responsive design is aimed at providing an optimal viewing experience, easy reading, and navigation with a minimum amount of resizing, panning, and scrolling across a wide range of devices-from mobile phones to desktop.

3. Just because you have a "mobile site" doesn't mean it's working. Did you consider your user before adopting a mobile strategy? Many open source platforms (such as WordPress or Drupal) have options for a generic "mobile friendly" themes or versions, but often you're getting the most basic, boring, and unbranded mobile presence possible.

The mobile site should not be an afterthought to the mobile desktop site or the exact same website attempted to be compacted into a 4.87-inch screen. Businesses and brands should begin with a thoughtful understanding of targeted users' needs and create mobile experiences that impress users. Can your visitors share information about your organization or business from their mobile devices?

Can everyone easily find the methods to contact you, mail a donation, walk through your doors? If your user is lost, can your mobile presence lead them where they need to be? If the answer to any of these questions is "no," strongly consider making mobile a priority in 2014.

Kiersten Bagley is the Digital Marketing & PR Specialist at Speak Creative, a digital agency based in Memphis, TN. Follow her on Twitter @kabagley and read what's spoken by the agency at @speakcreative. 

How To Choose a Good Picture of Yourself

I love this post from Larry Bodine!

Speaking to a group of lawyers recently, I advised the attorneys to be sure to put a color picture on their LinkedIn profile. Afterwards a man confided in me that he hated getting a picture taken. He never liked how he looked -- and I totally sympathized.

I recommended he visit a professional photographer and then ask his friends and family to choose the best picture. That took the decision out of his hands. He was slim and mature and I told him he had nothing to worry about. He still wasn't happy about it.
When I look at pictures of oursleves, many of us are our worst critics. Here are some tips to rebut the inner fault-finder:

• Do not go into a bathroom and take a "selfie" with your cell phone camera, unless you're using the photo on a dating site for teenagers.
• Do not use an outdated photo when you were younger and prettier. When people see you in real life they'll be struck at how much older you've gotten.
• Go ahead and get a picture taken when you're heavier than usual. Chances are you'll get more fit and when people see you they'll be impressed that you look better.
• Dress the way you ordinarily do at work. Over the last 10 years I have visited a lot of law firms and casual dress is the norm today. When I do see a man in a suit and tie, it appears that the guy is trying too hard.
• Ladies, wear something that flatters you. Do not wear tight or stretchy clothes unless you're a runner or someone in their 20s. If you have to ask your man whether the outfit makes you look fat -- it does.
• Don't make a giant grin if it turns your face big and round. Try a Mona Lisa smile instead.
• If you have a double chin, position yourself so that you look up at the camera. This pulls your neck skin tighter.
• Should you have an eagle beak, look straight into the camera. Singer Joan Baez used this technique successfully.
• Wrinkles are OK in my book. Even kids nowadays appreciate the look of experience.
• Read Is Your Attorney Headshot Telling the Real Story?

If there is something about your appearance that troubles you, spend the money to pay a professional who knows how to make people look good. Lighting and angles make all the difference. 
Photography is digital nowadays, and a pro will edit out your moles and splotches.

And just for fun go to Fiverr.com, where artists will do anything for $5. I sent a photo to an artist in the UK who turned it into a cartoon. I now use it for my Twitter Avatar.

Want More Facebook Likes?

Its an elusive beast- corralling people into "liking" your firm page or individual attorney page.  I mean, Facebook isn't exactly Linkedin, experts liken it to a cocktail party where Linkedin can be considered a networking event.

People tend to visit Facebook for blowsy commentary and to see what their friends are up to- not to learn that a firm just settled a big case.  However, not having a profile on the site is out of the question as competitors have pages and solicit followers every chance they get. Also- Facebook is a very important link back to a firm's site for search engine optimization.  So the Facebook page must exist and it must appear popular.  Whats the answer when your "likes" are lagging?

Well, like most things, this problem can be solved if you throw some money at it. Check out this Facebook video explaining how to generate more likes for a page in increments of $5, $10 or $20 a day.