Posts filed under 'SUCCESStrategies'
Media leaders offer tips about pitching stories
When businesses talk jobs, the media listen. That was the take-away from “Buzz on a Budget: Building Your Brand Through Earned Media Coverage,” a SUCCESStrategies program presented by the Alliance and title sponsor Dixon Hughes.
Five of the region’s top media executives shared advice on how to build relationships with the press and successfully pitch stories about your company.
Here’s a few of their insider tips for getting in the news:
- Jobs, jobs, jobs. Connect your story to jobs, and the media take notice
- Tie your story to a national, state or regional trend
- Reframe your story so it’s more about the community and less about your individual business
- Be judicious about press conferences and media events. Due to technology, reporters are less likely to attend and cover events in person.
- Competition for coverage picks up during the week; you have a better chance pitching your story early in the week
- Radio news is brief and immediate. A two-three minute newscast features five to six stories under 30 seconds. Understand these constraints when approaching radio reporters.
- Pitch your stories via email. If you don’t hear back, it’s ok to follow-up with a phone call.
- Keep initial pitches to one page. If the press needs more information, they’ll ask for it.
- Have realistic expectations. Many outlets get 100-200 news releases/day.
- Use social media to push your story. WSAZ-TV gets up to 30 percent of its story ideas from Twitter.
- West Virginia Executive, a quarterly magazine, is interested in success stories and features about the economic impact of business news.
- Competition among Charleston media outlets exists and there is no holding news in today’s 24-hour news cycles.
- Advertising is what you buy. PR is what you earn. If you want to have total control over the content of the message, when it appears and the audience it reaches, buy an ad.
If you have a business story you’d like to pitch to one of the media roundtable panelists, you’re welcome to email them directly but – don’t forget – you’ll have a greater chance of success if you follow the guidelines above.
Anna Baxter, WSAZ-TV, news@wsaz.com
Kensie Hamilton, West Virginia Executive, kmh@wvexecutive.com
George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail, business@dailymail.com
Larry McKay, Bristol Broadcasting, chasnews@bristolbroadcasting.com
The next SUCCESStategies, “Reducing Your Business Tax Burden,” will be held Wednesday, May 11, noon-1:15 p.m. in the Alliance Large Conference Room.
“Through SUCCESStrategies,” we roll up our sleeves and get in-depth with specific information you need to succeed in business. We hope you’ll join us for our next event,” said Rick Slater of Title Sponsor Dixon Hughes.
Build Your Brand Through Earned Media Coverage
Building your brand and distinguishing your business can be tough. But the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes want to help.
“Buzz on a Budget: Building Your Brand Through Earned Media Coverage,” the next session of a new professional development initiative called SUCCESStrategies, is scheduled for noon to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at the Alliance offices, 1116 Smith Street.
The program will feature prominent media representatives who will share tips for developing positive relationships with reporters and editors and how to effectively pitch story ideas about your business.
Speakers include:
- Business writer George Hohmann of the Charleston Daily Mail
- WSAZ-TV Assistant News Director Anna Baxter and
- Bristol Broadcasting personality Larry McKay
The roundtable will be moderated by Emily Bennington, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Dixon Hughes.
“Developing relationships and rapport with the media is critical to your company’s success,” said Rick Slater, managing partner for Dixon Hughes. “Paid advertising is one way to get your message out, but you also have to know how to effectively utilize other communication channels, including news releases, follow-ups, media events and Web outlets. Journalists are looking to build relationships in the community, too, so it’s matter of mutual respect and working together.”
SUCCESStrategies, a major education partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes, will provide expert analysis and insight on the critical issues that impact the region’s businesses in a convenient lunch and learn format. The programs will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.
SUCCESStrategies is raising the bar for professional development programming in the Charleston region. As evidenced by the first program, which focused on health care reform and what it means to West Virginia employers, this new series will showcase high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area.
“Through SUCCESStrategies, our members will learn directly from our state’s business and government leaders about the topics that will shape their future – and then take that knowledge and put it to work in their own offices that same afternoon,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.
Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 for Alliance members/$25 future members through March 5. Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members/$35 future members after March 5. Space is limited.
The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.
The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you.
Insurance Commissioner Explaining Health Care Changes
The story below appeared in Sunday’s Gazette Mail. It refers to the Jan. 20 SUCCESStrategies session, which featured Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s sweeping changes are affecting many institutions, including small businesses that are trying to learn more about how to adjust.
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline has been meeting with various groups in the state, including members of Charleston Area Alliance, to talk about how the bill works.
Cline’s talk, “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts,” elaborates on the policies in the new healthcare legislation, what the insurance commission has been doing to implement the policies, and how small businesses could use the legislation to benefit their enterprises.
“There are 270,000 (West Virginians) that are uninsured right now,” Cline said. “They may have not chosen to take the employer’s insurance option, their employer may not offer coverage, they may be unemployed, but affordability is an issue for many people.”
Most West Virginians get their insurance through their employers. If insurance premiums are low enough that small business owners could afford to insure their own full-time employees, the pool of the uninsured could potentially shrink.
Cline explained the particulars of this legislation to the business owners who attended the meeting for members of Charleston Area Alliance.
To qualify for the tax break, the business would have to have fewer than 50 full-time employees, each making less than $50,000 per year.
If eligible, a business purchasing insurance for its employees will receive a refundable tax credit that pays at most 35 percent of the premium (25 percent if it is a tax-exempt organization). This subsidy will rise up to 50 percent in 2014 when the Insurance Exchange is operational.
“The Insurance Exchange is to be the market organizer,” explained Cline. “It will put in place a portal where individuals or small groups will be able to go and see what options are available to them. It will help determine eligibility for Medicaid or subsidies by the federal government.”
Cline notes that the bill will naturally undergo changes in the coming months and years and advises businesses keep an eye open for changes.
“We would encourage businesses to follow our work here and what we’re doing,” Cline said, “(be) informed as to what the federal law requires and the opportunities that may be available to them as a result of this legislation. If they have specific questions, we encourage them to contact the commission.”
Because the Insurance Commission is organizing the Exchange, Cline requested business owners to contact the commission. “We want and need your input,” she said.
For information, visit http://www.wvinsurance.gov/.
Health Care Reform a Work in Progress, Cline Tells Business Leaders
Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (otherwise called the “Affordable Care Act” or “healthcare reform bill”) was signed in to law in March of 2010, businesses across the country have been wondering how this legislation would impact their organizations.
To learn more the new rules and what they mean for West Virginia, the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes presented “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts,” featuring West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline on Jan. 20. The event was the inaugural SUCCESStrategies program, a new educational partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes.
Cline brought both national perspective and local expertise to the discussion. She is not only responsible for overseeing regulation of the state’s insurance market, but also serves as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an organization with a significant voice in the implementation of this reform.
Before a sold-out crowd of regional business leaders in the Alliance boardroom, Cline provided an update on provisions of the Affordable Care Act that went into effect on Jan.1 of this year (including ban on lifetime limits on insurance coverage, elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions for children and the ability to include children up to age 26 on family policies), as well certain requirements that will become law in 2014.
West Virginia is already leading the nation on implementation of one of the most significant provisions of the law – health care exchanges – mandated for each state by 2014. Health insurance exchanges are marketplaces where small businesses and individuals without government or employer sponsored health coverage can shop for insurance options. Insurance exchanges could lead to greater access and cost control, but as with most aspects of this complex legislation, the devil will be in the details.
Cline urged businesses to engage with her office to learn which parts of the legislation apply to their organization, and how they can best prepare. “We’re asking West Virginia businesses to work with us in this discussion because your input is valuable,” she said.
Another provision of the Affordable Care Act, tax credits for small businesses that provide health care insurance to employees, go into effect this year. Sandy Thomas of Dixon Hughes reported that qualifying businesses can receive a credit of up to 35 percent of their health insurance costs, but cautioned that that law is most beneficial to small businesses with lower paid employees.
“We are not here today to say this should – or shouldn’t– be the law,” noted Alliance Chairman Pat Bond. “We’re here today to learn what it means for West Virginia businesses and how we can prepare.”
“Regardless of your thoughts surrounding the merits of reform, we all need to stay diligent and informed as the legislation unfolds. As such, I know I speak for everyone at Dixon Hughes when I say that we are proud to sponsor the SUCCESStrategies program and bring these important conversations to the forefront,” said Rick Slater, the firm’s managing member.
To provide input or get additional information on health care exchanges in West Virginia, contact Jeremiah Samples in Office of the Insurance Commissioner at: Jeremiah.samples@wvinsurance.govFor more information on small business health insurance tax credits, contact your tax professional or Rebecca Isaacs at Dixon Hughes: risaacs@dixon-hughes.com; (304) 414-2658.
For more information and additional perspectives on health care reform, go to:
West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner
www.wvinsurance.gov.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
http://www.naic.org/index_health_reform_section.htm
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
http://www.wvchamber.com/
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
http://www.wvahc.org/
SAVE THE DATE: The next SUCCESStrategies program, focusing on important state and local tax updates, will be held Wednesday, March 9. Please share your suggestions on other program topics and speakers for SUCCESStrategies and other Alliance educational programming by completing a short survey:http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BQXAGKJAU
Your feedback will help us continue to present quality events that benefit your bottom line.
Learn More About Health Care Exchanges with SUCCESStrategies
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline will headline the inaugural session of a new professional development initiative presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes. Cline will address “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts” at the first SUCCESStrategies program on Thursday, Jan. 20 from noon – 1:15pm at the Alliance offices on 1116 Smith Street.
Health care exchanges, which will enable small businesses and individuals to pool their numbers for more buying power, are among the topics on the agenda for “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts.”
Registration, which includes lunch, is $25 for Alliance members/$35 future members. Space is limited. Registration ends Jan. 19.
SUCCESStrategies, a major education partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes, will provide expert analysis and insight on the critical issues that impact the region’s businesses in a convenient lunch and learn format. The programs will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.
Change is Part of Success
“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction”
Winston Churchill’s quote is appropriate for the start of a new year. When we talk about beginning anew, we’re really talking about changing in ways that will improve our lives. The same is true for our businesses.
Adjustments and adaptations are critical to an effective business model. Technologies change. Regulations change. Customer trends change. Expectations change.
To be successful, leaders in business must keep pace with this ever changing environment and be prepared for those new challenges that inevitably pop up along the way.
The Charleston Area Alliance is dedicated to helping its members navigate these difficult waters. Our Business After Hours events help business leaders stay connected, and our Skills for the 21st Century series offers tools employees need to understand the latest technologies. Additionally, our inclusion=innovation program helps businesses in the region benefit from all segments of society.
However, we are always looking for new ways to add value to a Charleston Area Alliance membership. That’s why the Alliance has teamed with Dixon Hughes to present the SUCCESStrategies program.
According to Rick Slater, managing partner for Dixon Hughes, “SUCCESStrategies is raising the bar for professional development programming in our area.”
SUCCESStrategies will provide expert analysis and insight on the critical issues that impact the region’s businesses in a convenient lunch and learn format. The programs will be held at the Alliance office every other month, beginning this month, through the end of 2011.
One of the biggest challenges in business today is staying current on the legislation and trends that could have a dramatic impact on success. Through SUCCESStrategies, our members will learn directly from our state’s business and government leaders about the topics that will shape their future – and then take that knowledge and put it to work in their own offices the same afternoon.
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline will headline the inaugural session.
Tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance to employees and development of a West Virginia insurance exchange, which will enable small businesses and individuals to pool their numbers for more buying power, are among the topics on the agenda for Cline’s presentation, “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts.”
Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 for Alliance members/$25 future members through January 14. Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members/$35 future members beginning January 15. Space is limited. Visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org/Events to register.
Change is constant and unavoidable. If you’re planning to growth and success, the status quo is not an option.
Inaugural SUCCESStrategies to Focus on Health Care Reform, Small Business
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline will headline the inaugural session of a new professional development initiative presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes. Cline will address “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts” at the first SUCCESStrategies program on Thursday, Jan. 20 from noon – 1:15pm at the Alliance offices on 1116 Smith Street.
“SUCCESStrategies is raising the bar for professional development programming in our area,” said Rick Slater, managing partner for Dixon Hughes. “As evidenced by the first program, which focuses on health care reform and what it means to West Virginia employers, this new series will showcase high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in our region.”
SUCCESStrategies, a major education partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes, will provide expert analysis and insight on the critical issues that impact the region’s businesses in a convenient lunch and learn format. The programs will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.
“One of the biggest challenges to businesses is staying current on the legislation and trends that could have a dramatic impact on their success,” explained Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard. “Through SUCCESStrategies, our members will learn directly from our state’s business and government leaders about the topics that will shape their future – and then take that knowledge and put it to work in their own offices that same afternoon.”
Tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance to employees and development of a West Virginia insurance exchange, which will enable small businesses and individuals to pool their numbers for more buying power, are among the topics on the agenda for “Health Care Reform and Small Business: Just the Facts.”
Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 for Alliance members/$25 future members through Jan. 14. Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members/$35 future members starting Jan. 15. Space is limited.