R Public Relations Firm
A Public Relations Checklist + Trends For 2020
So the year of 2019 is about to go by and here we are R-eflecting on all the fun openings, book launches, new businesses we supported, and clients and media we related to. PR at it’s finest but what have we learned from this year that we will bring into next? Here is our ultimate PR checklist—we are always happy to set-up a free consultation if you have more needs, wants or R-equests!
R words of advice
R words of advice for 2020 as far as public relations goes is:
- Stop sending press releases for things that are not immediate release or going to earn attention as “news.” There is a time and a place for all communication but press releases—unless it is breaking news—are a thing of the past. Customized-meets-personalized pitching is where things are headed, which means short, sweet, and to the point.
- Start investing in video—things are moving towards fewer written words, not more. I started blogging in 2010 and began doing vlogs shortly thereafter, as well as short videos that convey a message. YouTube is still going strong as an avenue to share and post videos + iPhones have made it super easy too!
- Speaking of short and sweet, keep your communications to media appropriate and short and sweet—not mass distributed. No one likes a mass email, especially someone who gets 100s of emails a day. This is one of the perks to hiring a publicist—we have ways to get the message to contacts without being pesky.
- Start posting in your social media stories NOW. General posts are moving towards a thing of the past, so have your social team post those stories and make them personal!
- Know what is a trend and what is an end! Avocado toast was so five years ago—things move particularly fast in the food and fashion worlds, so ask your PR team to help advise before making a product launch or new menu.
6. Invest in EVENT-focused outreach. Start sharing your brand with a party or collaboration. Being a solo-standing brand is becoming a thing of the past.
7. Do use professional photos in all situations. No more dark photos of parking lots—have your marketing/pr team help you put your best photo-foot forward.
8. Do sign up and/or post on Linkedin NOW. Trends revive and Linkedin is one of them, especially for B-to-B businesses.
9. Do sign up and/or start posting on Tik Tok NOW. This video streaming platform will be taking over Instagram in 2020, just you watch and see!
10. As far as social media goes, know your platform when sharing on digital media. As we say to clients, each social media channel is its own neighborhood, and not all work the same way—think art district (Instagram), up and coming (Tik Tok), hipster (Snapchat), old historic (Linkedin/Twitter), mom ‘n’ pop (Facebook). A good PR team will help you navigate this so you can maximize your efforts in all places or just focus on one neighborhood doing really well!
Onwards towards a new year and a R-fresh of your brand!
Emily + RPR
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R Favorite Things 2019
Working as publicists and writers around the holidays is a busy time for us, there are holiday must-have lists, recipes, and private events to be shared. Offering R creativity daily is a fun full-time gig. However, sometimes we have to stop and smell the roses, take a minute or two for ourselves, so we can recharge for our clients and team. This season, in the midst of holiday buzz-building for others, I asked the RPR team to share their own favorite things. It was a true joy to see what everyone shared. Take a peek here, hopefully we inspire you, too from R team to yours!
Julie, International Consultant and Senior Editor
This cookbook, because potlucks are the best way to entertain!
This t shirt- because it’s so comfy and looks cute with any coat, cardigan and scarf.
And this fake awake eye brightening pencil (because kids).
Sarah, Digital Media Guru
Lush: Avo Bath Bomb (because we all need a good bath to relax at the end of the day)
Stila: Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick ( because oops lunch meeting new clients)
William Sonoma: Himalayan Salt Block for Grilling - salmon, chicken, you name it, it will taste better
Jamie Oliver: Mortar and Pestle (because needed)
Benriner: Mandolin Slicer ( watch those fingers but here comes some majorly good gratin)
Rifle Paper Co: Phone Cases ( because they are gorgeous)
Tracy, Senior Editor & Content Specialist
Yeti Wine Tumblers—Hellooooo, glamping!
Smith Teamaker's Meadow Tea—My favorite herbal tea, and a great stocking stuffer. Even the kids love it with honey.
Miir Camp Cup—My husband got me one last Xmas and we both love it so much I'm getting him one this year. It legit keeps my coffee hot for hours, and so far has proved indestructible. Plus, the company uses proceeds to help bring water to those without.
Sonora Candles from Paddywax—They look as good as they smell!
Tamyra Beanie from Prana—How stinking cute is this hat?!
Martha Stewart Spoonula—Nothing fancy, but it's seriously one of my most beloved kitchen utensils.
Condensation Ring—How pretty are these stackable bands from Portland-designer Seaworthy?!
Sukari Baby Facial from Drunk Elephant—The perfect at-home acid exfoliation.
Weighted Throw Blanket—Just me?? I'm totally asking for one this year.
Patagonia Fleece Mittens—Love that they open to fingerless gloves.
Venti Beach Tote—Look at how much it will hold!
Julia, R-ecipe Development, Senior Editor
Norden - Joshua Tree Ceramic Candle I love these! And I use the jars for flowers or a coffee mug when the candle is done :)
Sabre - Teak Butter Spreaders Classic, chic and great for entertaining, making your morning toast or as a prop in food photos!
Kerzon - Feuilles d'Eucalyptus I love things scented with eucalyptus! When I'm cooking all the time and washing my hands, I always need a good hand lotion. This one is thick and creamy and the shea butter is great during the winter.
Vintage Barware Jigger I'm always looking for cool vintage items for my bar cart. I think these mismatched vintage bar jiggers are my next purchase!
Everlane - Shrunken Cashmere Sweatshirt A little more expensive than the others, but I love Everlane cashmere. It's a good price and it holds up well. The cropped cashmere "sweatshirt" is my favorite and looks so cute with high waisted jeans. The red really pops in the winter!
Madison, Brand Ambassador
12-month planner from Bando - These are my favorite planners, I get one every year! Plus, they have cute stickers..who says you can't play with stickers as an adult.
Cotton smock apron from World Market - If you watch Bon Appetit on Youtube, you will notice a lot the editors wearing these. I have one, and I love it! It's a loose fit so you can comfortably wear it over chunky sweaters or sweats.
Beeswax wrap from Bees Wrap - I'm trying to reduce the amounts of single-use plastics I use, I've seen that these are a great replacement for plastic wrap
Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio from Uncommon Goods - This looks so fun.
Copper Planter from West Elm - I love the metallic color of this planter! I have two dogs that are nosy and like to get into all my plants so having a planter that's elevated is a must in my apartment
In-shower body conditioner/exfoliator from Lush - This is one of the best in-shower moisturizers for the cold weather months. It exfoliates your skin while also moisturizing it. It's marketed as one of Lush's "naked" items which means it is packaging-free, again reducing the amount of single-use plastics!
While most of my Christmas faves revolve around my Bambinos Registry plus diaper genies and baby bathtubs, for my little love who is due Christmas Day. Yet, for moi I would choose these beauties:
Pick A Pom hat from Anthropologie: I honestly tell my husband and family - pretty much you could get me a sock on sale at Anthro and I would like them, but I really do love this “change the pom pom” idea for this hat. It’s less than $40 (which for Anthro is pretty much a steal). Speaking of stealing I am sure my tween daughters will steal these from me, but it still would be fun!
The grandma in me is craving flannel sheets, these houndstooth babies are so pretty and pink and on sale!
For the kitchen- I need/want a new cutting board or two, and these are so pretty.
These are essential for me, and I truly love, love love this company. If you don’t have these wooden spoons, then I suggest you put these on your list, they are the best for cooking , stirring and pretty much everything, I have my whole family hooked on them. I also love this mission and family run operation- people who quit day jobs to build spoons are my inspo!
Because I love our R clients, I love these earrings from Hearne as my final pick. Bonus, by buying these, I will likely help a baby in Africa get some diapers and immunizations with the purchase too: Another bonus: I may still be pregnant on NYE but these pretties with an extra large maternity sweater will make me feel like I am a supermodel!
Tammy, R Accounting Guru:
“Save your money and make something and write a nice card (RPR accounting)”
R New Year's Eve R-eservation R-ecs
R New Year's Eve R-eservation R-ecs
Still haven’t locked in your New Year’s Eve plans? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With clients across Nashville, Austin, and San Antonio offering a wide range of unique, inventive holiday experiences, we’re having a hard time deciding what city to spend the night in R-selves.
Take Nashville, where Sea Salt is offering a four course dinner with entrées ranging from surf & turf to scallops & grits. For desert, top it off with your choice of almond cream cake or butterscotch pudding (limited reservations still available). Or how about enjoying five courses at Foreign & Domestic in Austin, where they’re featuring dry aged rohan duck (limited reservations still available) Move over to San Antonio, where you could count down the clock with a sidecar in the bar at Bohanan’s, or snag a reservation to enjoy one of their unbeatable signature Akaushi beef steaks. How does your choice of a four or five course dinner and live jazz at Biga on the Banks sound? Or maybe a wood grilled filet mignon and butter poached lobster tail from Boudro’s? Want something a little more intimate? Zinc has you covered with a dinner and wine pairing served in their beautiful wine cellar. Don’t want to celebrate in the city? Enjoy some live music and delicious comfort food at Peggy’s on the Green in Boerne. Are you hosting the countdown to midnight at your house? Make sure you grab a pound of brisket and a couple sides from Davila’s BBQ in Seguin. See why it’s a tough choice?
Sea Salt Nashville
ADDRESS/PHONE
209 3rd Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37201
615.891.2221
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 5 p.m to 12 a.m.
WEBSITE
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @seasaltnashville
Instagram: @seasaltnash
Foreign & Domestic, Austin
ADDRESS/PHONE
306 East 53rd St.
Austin, Texas 78751
512.459.1010
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 5 p.m to 11 p.m.
WEBSITE
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: FNDaustin
Instagram: @fndaustin
Bohanan’s
ADDRESS/PHONE
219 E. Houston St.
210-472-2600
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 5 p.m - 11 p.m. Bar 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
WEBSITE
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @bohanans
Instagram: @bohanans
Biga on the Banks
ADDRESS/PHONE
203 S. St. Mary’s Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
210.225.0722
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 5:30 p.m - 10 p.m.
WEBSITE
Facebook: bigaonthebanks
Instagram: @bigaonthebanks
Boudro’s
ADDRESS/PHONE
421 E. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205
210.224.2900
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 11 a.m - 12 a.m.
WEBSITE
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @boudrostexasbistro
Instagram: @boudrostexasbistro
Zinc Bistro & Bar
ADDRESS/PHONE
207 N. Presa Street San Antonio, Texas 78205
210.224.2900
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 3 p.m - 2 a.m.
WEBSITE
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @ZincSA
Instagram: @zincbistrobar
Peggy’s on the Green
ADDRESS/PHONE
207 N. Presa Street San Antonio, Texas 78205
210.224.2900
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 5 p.m - 12 a.m.
WEBSITE
http://www.peggysonthegreen.com/
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @peggysboerne
Instagram: @peggysboerne
Davila’s BBQ
ADDRESS/PHONE
418 W Kingsbury St, Seguin, TX 78155
830.379.5566
HOURS
New Year’s Eve - 11 a.m - 4 p.m.
GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @DavilasBBQ
Instagram: @DavilasBBQ