PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Corporate content in the brand journalism age: From story promoter to storyteller

With the ratio of PR pros to journalists at more than four to one—and widening—corporate communicators can no longer rely on journalists to package and deliver their organization’s stories. Outstanding corporate content doesn’t happen by magic. It’s based on solid reporting, insightful interviews and relevant details that make a story come alive. Too often, internal and external communicators are stuck in their cubes, writing stories from email memos and PowerPoint decks. Nick Lanyi, media relations and crisis communications expert for Ragan Consulting Group, will show you how to leave your desk to find the story—and learn the best ways to adapt your writing to multiple formats and channels.

You’ll learn:

• How to reach audiences more effectively by crafting content that is less about you and more about them
• Ways to avoid the press release graveyard by publishing real stories—in multiple formats—on your own news platform
• Decide the best channels for your stories and where they should be published first
• How to tear down silos and collaborate with your colleagues in marketing and internal communications
• Writing and coverage secrets based on finding the emotional center of every story, regardless of topic

Lunch

Elevate your writing and create stellar content

You write to change people. You write to make things happen. That’s the job and it can be glorious. Still, many organizations pump out content that doesn’t change anyone or anything. Outstanding stories, clear thinking and excellent writing are the foundations of compelling content. Nailing all three can be a tall order when you’re also fulfilling content goals and business objectives and juggling everything else, too. With the right framework, you can do it, faster, and enjoy your work more. In this fun, interactive session, Mark Buchannan, senior director of product language for New Relic, will arm you with writing skills, data and tools so you can prove the adage, “The pen is mightier than the sword”—and help you change the world.

You’ll learn:

• How to find the stories that resonate with your audience, whoever they are
• Tips to grow from good to great, faster
• Writing mistakes to avoid that can cost you readers and hurt your results
• To create content that stays with your readers, gets shared and compels action

Harness collaboration’s power: How to make your writers and designers more productive together  

You don’t have to argue about the next piece of corporate content: Your writers and designers can and will work together. Whether it’s an annual report, employee newsletter or social media post, you can improve the quality and effectiveness of your corporate content with a 10-step process. Bob Zeni will show you the best way to combine a writer’s skills and a designer’s talent. He’ll also share collaboration secrets to help you craft compelling content that grabs your audiences (both internal and external), effectively conveys your messages and leaves lasting impact.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn:

• Why writers and designers think differently—and how you can help them understand each other
• The secrets of making your text and images work together
• How to start the collaboration process—and keep it moving smoothly
• Phrases you should never say to a designer (or a writer)
• How to connect text to images that compel employees, partners and consumers to click