Tag: media
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4 Ways to Tell if Information is Real or Fake: Advice from a Former Journalist
When I was a daily newspaper reporter, I always had to navigate through multiple versions of a story before I learned what really happened. We have a saying in journalism. It goes, “There are three sides to every story: side one, side two, and the Truth.” The Truth usually falls somewhere between the first two…
Shari Lopatin
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Journalists Just Want to Tell Stories. Today, Some Died for It
I used to be a reporter at a small daily, community newspaper like the Capital Gazette. We had maybe 14 reporters, and we were like family. I couldn’t imagine living through a shooting with that family, watching some of them die. Today, I cry with the reporters and staff at the Capital Gazette. We don’t know the…
Shari Lopatin
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Are Blogs Dying?
Two weekends ago, I spent my Saturday and Sunday in Washington, D.C. (for the first time—yeah!) at the 7th Annual Military Blogging Conference … and an interesting subject arose during one of the panels. Are blogs dying? And therefore, subsequently, is the future of sustaining an online presence moving the way of social engagement on Facebook pages…
Shari Lopatin
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5 Lessons I’ve Learned from Reporter to PR
I used to hate PR (public relations) people when I worked on the newspaper. And really, I still kinda cringe when someone calls me a PR professional. “I’m in media relations,” I always correct them. I don’t spin. I don’t twist. I just educate the public the best I can for a company. Would I…
Shari Lopatin
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Content Marketing: What You DIDN’T Know
It’s not just for companies. It’s not just for marketers. Content marketing can be applied to anyone or anything seeking exposure: Authors/writers Business owners Non-profits Newsrooms You name it! And, content marketing is a GREAT way to increase your audience. Writers, use it to develop a loyal readership. Business owners, use it to create customers. Editors…
Shari Lopatin
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The 3 Questions EVERY Blogger Must Ask Themselves
I’ve somehow evolved into the very thing I promised myself I’d never become: a media strategist. You see, once upon a time, I was a newspaper reporter, a.k.a. a Jedi Knight. Then, the evil economy forced me into the Dark Side (a.k.a. public relations). And somewhere along the way, I decided if I wanted to…
Shari Lopatin
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From Hot Journalist to Retail: Q&A with Author Caitlin Kelly
Ever wonder what those big-time New York City editors look for in a story pitch? Or how successful authors pulled off a great book deal? Today, journalist and author Caitlin Kelly shares some of her secrets as a former senior editor for WorldBusiness in New York and a successful author of two books. Caitlin has been…
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Q&A: Jane Friedman, Former ‘Writer’s Digest’ Publisher, Tells All
*Please note this is an older post from my blog, but it’s still highly relevant today. However, if you would like more updated tips on promoting yourself to the public as a writer, sign up for my free monthly e-newsletter on Substack, Public Perception. I have a VERY special treat for you today. Jane Friedman,…
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5 Killer Twitter Tips: Expand Your Network Power!
*Please note: this post is now more than five years old. Some of the information may therefore be outdated.* I used to hate Twitter. No, seriously–I did. Until I discovered its networking power. Less than six months ago, I opened my account. I initially had six followers, most of whom were personal friends. I couldn’t, for…
Shari Lopatin
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Be the Chicken Nugget in a Bag of Vegetables
My boyfriend found a chicken nugget in his bag of frozen vegetables the other day. And just to make sure it was a chicken nugget, he popped the frozen mound into the microwave. Sure enough, it emerged crispy and delicious. Like McDonald’s. Concerned that perhaps the workers at the packaging house were rebelling, and some…
Shari Lopatin