The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Trust me when I tell you that Generation Z matters. Especially if you’re a parent of teens, you want to figure out how their brains are working. If you own or run a business, they matter because you’re going to need to learn how to get them motivated and engaged in your product or service.Today’s guest on the podcast is the author of InstaBrain: The New Rules for Marketing to Generation Z, Sarah Weise, and she’s sharing with us everything you need to know about Generation Z.This is a must-listen interview for anyone who wants to get in the brain of the Gen Z consumer. If you want to know what motivates this generation to take action and get them in the door, then this is the episode for you. [3:47] Get to know Sarah and how she found the gold in this generation.Sarah talks about running a small research company and the work she’s done with both large and small companies. She wanted to figure out ways to marketing to Generation Z more effectively. With 51% of the world’s population under the age of twenty-five, listen here to find out what key behavior they’re not doing to find information, and what they’re turning to instead. [6:22] Key characteristics of the different generationsHere we break down all of the living generations; the Silent Generation, Boomers, Generation X, a micro-generation called the Oregon Trail Generation, Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha. Learn more about the role that high-speed internet had in shaping an entire generation.[10:07] How Millennials differ from Gen Z.Millennials are only a few years older than Gen Z, but they’re so different because they grew up with different things going on around them. Including their parents. Here Sarah explains the shift from ‘helicopter parenting’ to ‘tech parenting’. Learn more about how this shift changed what and how people are sharing information about themselves online. [17:20] Gen Z’s attention span and influence. While Millennials can juggle three screens at a time, Generation Z can juggle five. Listen here to find out the specific length of time you have to catch both a Millennial and a Generation Zer’s attention and how their behavior is impacting other generations. [23:01] How to motivate Generation Z. This generation doesn’t Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

If you’re like most of us, any communication you do through the written word is via the keyboard - either on your phone or at your computer. It’s no wonder that when it’s time to sit down and put pen to paper, the outcome can sometimes look more like a ransom letter than a thank you note.Handwriting doesn’t come easy to us anymore, but it’s still very important. Some benefits of writing things down by hand include helping us feel more accomplished, help inspire our work, think conceptually, and achieve our goals.In this episode, you’ll learn six simple tips to improve your handwriting. Grab a pen and get ready to take some notes.[5:35] Tip 1: It’s all in the prep.Get your hands on the right materials before writing. Listen here to find out what simple writing tools you can invest in now to start writing like a pro. They won’t break the bank, and can easily be found either at your local office supply store or Amazon. [7:22] Tip 2: Check your posture. You want to make sure your back is straight, feet are flat, legs are uncrossed, and your arm and hand are relaxed. I give you some quick fixes to try that can transform your writing in seconds. [8:08] Tip 3: Slow down.This seems common sense, but I’m definitely guilty of rushing my handwriting, too. Unless you’re forced to rush for some reason, there’s really no need to. Find out what can happen when you write too fast, and learn my simple rule to help you slow down.[9:00] Tip 4: Restrain your arm and wrist.Most people write with their fingers which means they draw the letters, but the pros actually don’t use their fingers at all - they use their entire arm. I share with you a couple of practice techniques to make your writing more fluid and attractive. [11:09] Tip 5: Create uniformity. Make your letters clear and consistent. (This is where practicing with grid paper can be very helpful.) Ascenders and descenders should be the same height, for example. Get even more clarity on uniform writing here.[12:44] Tip 6: Practice makes perfect penmanship. Pick up your pen when you’re not in a time crunch and practice. Grab that grid-line notebook or print out a couple of pages, and listen here to find out what sentence to write that lets your practice ALL the letters of the alphabetWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

It’s official. Harry and Meghan have left the royal family to become financially independent. They can now "Chip and Joanna Gaines" their way into brand royalty, à la the likes of former presidential couples Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton. And of course, the Broadcast Queen herself - Oprah. Trust me; there is a lot of money to be made off of their new role as royal brand ambassadors to themselves.In this episode - who is winning the PR battle of public opinion and why the H&M royal exit matters to you. They brought a very specific trend front and center that’s worth paying attention to.You’ll want to listen to this episode if you own or operate a business. I share some interesting generational consumer trends that are on the rise, and how to deal with change in a way that works for everyone.[1:55] The PR of it all. (#everythingisPR)Who wins the battle of public opinion? Naturally, I asked Twitter. I could guess that the younger generation was going to favor the couple while the older generation would back the Queen. Listen here to find out who won my poll and some insightful feedback from followers. [6:12] Why we shouldn’t be surprised. It’s clear they’ve been planning this for a while. From a shiny new website to working with a Hollywood level PR machine, this decision wasn’t made overnight. Find out what else the couple has had in the works over the past year to prepare that Buckingham Palace seems to have been paying very little attention to. [7:40] Reading between the lines of the official press statements.The statement from the Queen has a very personal and grateful tone, which is a stark contrast to how Buckingham Palace reacted to Princess Diana’s death. Was this new tone a lesson learned from that highly criticized reaction? Learn how you can put this lesson to use in your communication.[11:18] What Megxit means to you, the business person.In a word: Disruption. What Harry and Meghan did signaled a shift in how we have to look at our consumer. It represents the “in demand, on-demand” generation. Learn more about how this cultural shift can apply to both internal operations and demands from your customers. I’m going to help you find the balance and recognize the change, and discuss the importance of meeting someone “halfway.”Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

This week I’m sharing my 7 deadly sins of grammar. These are some of the mistakes you might be unknowingly making in your writing that’s causing you to lose credibility - especially online.The goal of this episode is to give you more confidence in your writing. It is, after all, one of your most valuable currencies for intelligence. Proper grammar makes for good business, helps you command respect, and creates clarity in your message. The definition of grammar is the study of the way words are used to make sentences. This can be tricky because the grammar we use when we speak can be much different than the grammar we use when writing, but it’s always worth the effort.By the end of this episode, you’re going to be clear on the basics, and feel confident that you won’t fall into these very common grammar mistakes.[4:38] Who that?Find out once and for all when to use the word who and when to use the word that. [5:46] Dangling modifiers. It’s best to keep them out of your writing. This mistake happens when a descriptive phrase doesn’t apply to the noun that immediately follows it. Huh? Don’t worry, I explain exactly what that means here.[6:41] Me vs. I. Most people think they’ve got this one down until they need to use it in a sentence. It’s also extra confusing because it can sound right when it’s actually grammatically incorrect. Find out what my little trick is to get this one right.[7:49] i.e. vs e.g. Confession: I pretty much always have to Google this rule before I use it. We might think they mean the same, but they actually don’t. I have a little hack for this one too.[8:53] Do you say “care less” or “couldn’t care less?” When you break it down, one actually makes sense and one doesn’t. Find out if you’re using it correctly.[9:33] Using two prepositions back to back. This one doesn't come up a lot in grammar guides, but I see it a lot in writing. Using prepositions correctly actually makes your writing clearer and quicker, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to learn.[10:15] Quotation mark placement. This is not one of those quick mistakes, like typing too instead of to, so it’s extra annoying. And yes, I'm judgy about it. Commas Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

Many businesses have a crisis on their hands. It's not the threat of a devastating event that should have them worried. It's the lack of planning for when it does. In this episode of the podcast, I’m speaking with Robert Burton. Rob is the Managing Director of PreparedEx, where he leads a team of crisis experts who prepare organizations to be more resilient to the myriad risks they face and is also co-founder of The International Crisis Management Conference.If you are responsible for ensuring your organization is prepared for any crisis or significant event, then this episode is a must-listen. Rob offers critical guidance for preparing a response to the threats that can crop up in your industry.[4:55] Rob’s crisis management experience.Rob tells us a little bit about his military background in the UK, contract work, and move to the United States 17 years ago. Learn how Rob has been able to and adapted these skills and bring discipline into the board to help organizations prepare. [8:12] The types of exercises Rob facilitates. From table-top exercises to functional exercises, and full-scale exercises that require multiple teams to communicate during a simulated exercise, find out the different ways Rob helps organizations feel confident in their crisis response abilities [12:11] Planning for the unknown unknowns. The plans that Rob helps put into place are like a set of tools to get the team organized in the case of an event. Learn about the importance of utilizing the crisis coordinator to work through these unknown emergency situations. [16:17] The transformation that comes from having a plan. Rob tells us a story about how, after a 6-hour simulation session with a client, they experienced a similar scenario in real life about five months later. Because they followed the procedures they learned from Rob, there was substantially less chaos during the actual event. Find out how adding more discipline to their reaction strategy lead to more calm in the real-life crisis.Mentioned on the episode: Connect with Rob on LinkedIn HERE.Learn more about PreparedEx HERE.More information on the International Crisis Management Conference (ICMC) Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

A New Year’s Eve episode airing on the cusp of 2020 dedicated to listeners who want to make a transition in 2020. For many, this is the time of year that people seek change and crave renewal. Who better to guide us through that process than a life coach?  My guest is Steve Piacente. Steve is a former colleague of mine - we worked together as executive communication coaches - who has a great deal of experience in communications. He is a former newspaper reporter turned D.C. bureau chief, turned speechwriter, added adjunct professor into the mix along with author, and (whew) is now the Director of Training at The Communication Center in Washington, D.C.Did I mention he added a life coach credential to his repertoire? Steve is here to help us all through some of the challenging life transitions we might be facing as we look ahead to renewing ourselves in 2020. [3:45] Steve’s journey from communications to a life coach.The idea of becoming a life coach came to Steve naturally when he realized that many of the questions being asked by his communication clients veered into non-media areas like relationships, work/life balance, and happiness. Steve talks about this experience and how well his practice intersects with his training as a communications coach. [6:22] Advice for transitioning into a new job or career. Steve shares a personal story about his drastic career change after 9/11; a time when the news industry was faltering. Steve received a phone call telling him they were eliminating his position. This call left him concerned because, in his mind, reporting was the only thing he knew how to do. Steve asked himself, “What now?” Find out which question Steve would have asked himself at that moment if he knew what he knows today as a life coach. [9:44] The distinct difference between a coach and a consultant. One starts with the assumption that clients know the answers to the questions they are asking, and his job is to lead them to a conclusion by asking the right questions. The other provides a more clear path from point A to point B. [11:17] Pivotal Points. Listen to a few of the prompts Steve asks his clients when they’re approaching a season of renewal. [13:01] Think Bigger.Identifying the patterns that keep cropping up over and over again with people when they no longer look at Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

We mean to write them, but we don’t always get around to it even though we know we should. It’s the "always love to receive one, but dread writing one" thank you note.Listen to this episode for tips on how to write an unforgettable thank you note. I've timed this episode around the holidays to offer a gentle push for completing a task that many people tend to overlook.Best tip: If you’re ever asking yourself if you should write a thank you note, you already know the answer. Psst...it's yes.  A handwritten note is always better than an email because it offers that extra touch of personalization.Anyone you visit or anyone who has given you a gift gets a thank you note. So the sooner you start getting into this habit to thank people for more opportunities of graciousness you see in your life, the better.[4:19] Personalize Your Greeting. Know who you’re sending all of them to and address the recipient by name.[4:37] Be Thankful. Express thanks, gratitude, having your day made, etc. in your message. Say things like “I so appreciate…”, “thank you so much for…”, “I’m ever grateful for…”.[4:54] Be Specific. What exactly are you thanking them for in this note? Did they give you a gift? Did they spend time with you? Did they prepare a meal for you? Call it out specifically in your message.[5:33] Add in the Details. Demonstrate how much that gift means to you or how much you appreciate them taking the time to spend with you within your message.[6:58] Look Ahead to the Future. When’s the next time you’ll see them? Or what will help remind you of them? Mention something like, “I’m looking forward to our next visit,” or “I’ll let you know what I thought about the book after I read it.”  About Molly Public Relations expert Molly McPherson, APR, reveals the best practices help leaders become indestructible in today's digital age and crisis-proof their organizations. A mix of discussing current news events along with interviews with newsmakers, communications professionals and business owners while providing insight from 20+ years of public relations and crisis communications expertise working for FEMA and heading communications for the cruise line industry to help take the fear out of communicating in the age of scrutiny. This podcast helps leaders communicate confidently--in writing, speaking, body language, social media -- to be Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to meA PR crisis, or one or two or three.In this (almost) end-of-the-year episode, I wrap-up the PR season by covering the best (or worst?) PR crises of 2019. It's my holiday gift to myself and to anyone else who has a passion for practicing public relations.My definition of a PR crisis? A public reaction from an event that causes a brand or a person’s reputation to upside-down. The viral-age twist? It can happen overnight.Listen to my #PRFail stand-outs from 2019.[8:15] Number 12: This person got an a** kicking for shaming a would-be employee on social media.[10:01] Number 11: Piggybacking off of the #MeToo movement made for a messy ad campaign.[11:00] Number 10: Concating a fake attack turns into a viral attack against this actor.[12:30] Number 9: Hoping on a wing and a prayer that this PR response works.[14:58] Number 8: Becky with the bad decision.[17:26] Numbers 6 & 7: Houston, we have a problem.[23:28] Number 5: Boy's club got this guy in trouble.[25:09] Number 4: A billion-dollar "OK, Boomer" Blunder.[28:18] Number 3: Rise and shine, your career is over.[33:01] Number 2: I didn't realize how much this problematic ad would cost this brand.[35:10] Number 1: A royally lousy interview.    About Molly Public Relations expert Molly McPherson, APR, reveals the best practices help leaders become indestructible in today's digital age and crisis-proof their organizations. A mix of discussing current news events along with interviews with newsmakers, communications professionals and business owners while providing insight from 20+ years of public relations and crisis communications expertise working for FEMA and heading communications for the cruise line industry to help take the fear out of communicating in the age of scrutiny. This podcast helps leaders communicate confidently--in writing, speaking, body language, social media -- to be heard, seen and relevant.Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple Podcasts© Molly McPherson 2019Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

Merry, Merry! Let's get into the festive spirit and talk about conversation etiquette at holiday parties. You might remember my guest, public speaking expert Lauren Sergy from her appearance on Episode 55, Executive Presence: What It Looks Like, Why You Need It and How to Get It. If you have some parties coming up soon, you’ll definitely want to listen to this one.Lauren is from our neighbor to the north, coming to us from Canada, but the political climates in both Canada and the United States are making it more challenging to keep conversations civil. Polarizing opinions are being shared much more openly, but don’t let that discourage you. We’re here to help you navigate starting a conversation, maintaining it, and exiting it with grace and ease at your next holiday party.[7:28] The Best Way to Start a Conversation. This tip is one that will carry you through not only the holiday season but through every single networking event, you’ll ever attend. Lauren talks about how she loves starting conversations by making all the other people do the work and she just keeps asking them questions. This is quite brilliant because you’re essentially offloading all the work onto them.  We also agree that it’s perfectly acceptable to open conversations about general topics like the weather or sports, which gives you a mutual point of agreement. Once the mundane is explored, you can ask them in more detail what’s going on in their world.[12:07] The Follow-Up Question & How to Prevent the Awkward Pause. Now once you have made them comfortable and they’ve chosen the path they want to take the conversation down, follow up with “tell me more about that.” And guess what, they WILL tell you more. By keeping them talking about themselves, you’re boosting your likability. [16:49] How to Gracefully Exit Out of a Conversation. You know the feeling. The conversation is coming to a natural close - or you’ve passed that point but are still suffering through - and you’d give anything to make it stop. Well, we’re here to help. Lauren gives some great tips on making a graceful exit. One way is to literally grab others as they walk by and pull them into the conversation. Introduce them to the person you’re talking to, tell them what they have in common, and move away from the conversation. [19:36] How to Gracefully Exit a CWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...

Ho ho ho! You are listening to this special bonus holiday episode as a gift for being a loyal subscriber to the Confident Communications Podcast. Think of it as my holiday card to you as a thank you for listening. Speaking of holiday cards, this episode offers some things to consider when it comes to sending out professional holiday cards. Not sure if you should send them in the first place? I’ll go into more detail in the show, but yes, I do think it’s a good idea to send them and I'll explain why. I'll also discuss who you should send a card to and who you should make sure not to forget. Want to see how it's done? Download this free guide on how to address your holiday cards this year here. © Molly McPherson 2019  Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...