Best Practices for PR and Communications Leaders - #CommsWeek2022

7 Important topics from the Ragan Future of Communications Conference

After a long two years without seeing each other in person at events, it was great to be back at Ragan's Future of Communications Conference last week in NYC to “meet the moment”! From seeing new faces to learning all about the communications world, different strategies, and concepts, you did not go home empty-handed due to the abundance of knowledge. Learn how to utilize and apply these topics in your business and marketing strategies. Digimind was a proud sponsor, and here are the top takeaways for PR and Comms leaders!

1. Transparent storytelling should be at the heart of your communications strategy.

Speaker Joe Bennarroch gave us all an informative discussion surrounding this topic. You are representing voices unable to share their stories, viewpoints, and experiences. It’s our responsibility to properly convey these messages in a meaningful way and foster safe spaces for these conversations to occur. Communications strive for everyone's voices to be heard, we are professional storytellers!

2. Building better business fluency by having confidence in yourself is key.

Speakers Chintimini Meadow Keith, Cheryl Fenelle Dixon, Karen Freberg & Joyceann Garippa dove right into the topic of believing in yourself to build better business strategies. Your mindset is the first step. Once you build that foundational mindset, having confidence in your knowledge and abilities is the most significant factor, and then trust, expertise, influence, and results will follow. A strong sense of confidence is essential! 

3. The Metaverse is rapidly growing, it's never too late to start for your brand or organization!

Ben Chodor, Tamra Knepfer, & Justin Joffe gave us all the details of this extremely popular topic about how the metaverse is something new and evolving. It connects people from all over the world, on a level playing field. People who may not be able to participate because of their disability or financial reasons can easily engage in the metaverse during these events with no limitations. 

4. Our response to emergencies is more significant than the crisis itself.

Meaningful Messages in an Age of Perpetual Crisis discussion with Bill Hankes, Ashley Bush, Nicole Neal, Dan Mazei, and Justin Joffe taught us all about tackling a crisis in today’s modern world. Professionals need to manage a crisis with empathy. The evolving nature of consumers' priorities has drastically altered how we respond to crises in the last three years. Issues surrounding social justice and corporate responsibility are an example of crises in the present that stakeholders want us to address. Not only do stakeholders want us to address these crises, but they want to be a part of the conversation- they want to be heard. Listening is the key tool for managing a crisis, making sure all voices are being heard properly and how it's affecting them. It's not only our job to protect our brand, but also the voice of the consumers- they matter the most. 

(Credit: Ragan Future of Communications Conference) 

5. Engaging journalists in authentic, real relationships.

Keeping the Fath in Media and Your Role in It panel by Allison Carter, Natan Edelsburg, and Matt Price gave us an important factor for your business. Relationships with journalists last for a long time when you make real connections with them rather than simply relying on outlets. To ensure a mutually beneficial relationship, don't pitch ideas to them aggressively. Establish long-term, authentic relationships with journalists, as they can be your best friends.

6. Content creation and creator culture are here to stay and not going away.

In the Best Next Practices for Social Media Success discussion with Valeska Valencia, Aleksandra Kuzmanovic, Brandi Boatner & Jon Minnick, social media has become the new search engine. Consumers are rapidly engaging and consuming content created by influencers. Consumers want to hear the point of view of someone who has used a product or has given their opinion on it, it is more authentic for them to see it. They are constantly on the hunt for what their favorite content creators are purchasing. Focusing on influencer marketing should be just as important as regular marketing for businesses. 

7. Employee feedback is just as important as consumer feedback.

Taking care of our employees should always be a priority. Making sure they have their own safe space to come forward with their problems, stories, and more in the workplace creates more happy and more efficient employees. 

The world of communications is rapidly changing, but the core principle of leading with confidence, and empathy, and creating an environment of acceptance among your customers, employees, and stakeholders is still at the forefront. 

In addition to being an official sponsor of Ragan's Future of Communications Conference, Digimind also had a booth at the event! Communications leaders spoke with us about how social listening is changing the brand, PR & Comms game by providing real-time insights on consumers, markets, and competitors!

(Credit: Ragan Future of Communications Conference)