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31986 Corte Castro
Temecula, CA, 92592
United States

800.928.6613

Cover Story Communications is a boutique public relations, social media and design agency specializing in the promotion of home and lifestyle products.

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Blog

The Cover Story blog is a place where our passions for the latest in home and lifestyle and media, social, and design trends mix and mingle. Join in for the party! 

 

11 Twitter Tips

Danielle Elderkin

 

Image- Your profile image should be a logo unless you are a personality or expert, in which case people want to know they are connecting with a real person.

Your Bio- It should be simple, explain what you or your brand offers and where to better reach the rest of your products or information.

Change Header Image- The header image could be an image of your products, achievements, a new product that may be launching, a quote or tagline that represents you or your brand. Change it up as often as monthly so long as the messaging is consistent.

Tweet Relevant- Make sure that you keep your tweets relevant to your personal brand or product. Of course it’s important to show your personality, but make sure that it makes sense. As an example, if you’re an apparel company you don’t need to be tweeting your brunch on Sundays.

Follow Suggestions- Follow other people in the industry that will help to elevate your brand. If there is an influencer, or publication that you look up to or is an important person in the industry, follow them and get to know them. This will make any future outreach easier as you will know what they have been up to. Who are the people or outlets, or brands that you want to notice you? Follow them and start interacting. You should have a list of at least 20 people that you would like to get to know and connect with via twitter.

Twitter Etiquette- Yes, there is such a thing! Make sure to tweet and thank every follower that follows you and make sure to retweet the people you follow. If you don’t interact, your followers won’t either. ALWAYS be engaged.

Retweet, Retweet, Retweet- Retweet influencers and or  journalists in the space that you would want to recognize you. Everyone appreciates it when others share their work and achievements, so why not pay it forward?

Tag- When relevant, tag an outlet/journalist/blogger in your tweet. This throws your tweet into their audience feed and increases the amount of people who may see your tweet.

Hashtags- Use hashtags when you have room. No more than two on this platform. Make sure they are relevant.

Follow Recommendations- Take some time to think about people you should be following.

Your Handle- Your twitter handle should tell people who you are. If you’re a brand, it should be your brand name, but if you’re a personality or expert, your brand is you. Let people know who you are instantly with your name as your handle. This makes it easier to market yourself or your brand.

 

Lights, Camera, Action: Media Training Tips

Danielle Elderkin

For many professionals, there comes a point in your career that requires an interview with media, or even being on camera, and as we move deeper into the digital age the chances of needing media training are high. You want to be ready when the opportunity strikes.

These easy media training tips will make an immense improvement to your media appearance.

Your words and message

  • Use short answers – Short answers provide great sound bites! ( Shorter comments are more likely to be used if the interview is going to be pre-recorded)

  • Don’t use jargon or marketing language – use basic everyday words that you would use in a casual conversation

  • Pretend you’re speaking to someone who has never heard about your topic – this will help you be clear and concise.

  • Have testimonials prepared to share during your interview.

  • Use personal stories: Have a few personal stories in your back pocket so you can readily use them in an interview. Practice saying them in a short and concise manner.It doesn't need to be long, just an authentic story.

  • Bridging (this is the most important thing you can learn): You’ll want to have 3-5 points you want to get across in your interview. No matter what the interviewer is asking you, steer them back to these main points. That way YOU’RE controlling the interview. Good ways to bridge:

“I think that’s an important question, but what people really need to know is…”

“That is a really important point, but what is most important is…”

  • To call attention to one of your main points, start your sentence with something like “This is a very important point…”

  • If the interview is pre-recorded, you can ask to restate something if you’re uncomfortable with how you said it.

  • If you don’t know the answer to a question, just say so. Tell them you don’t know offhand, but you can get back to them.

  • Follow yes and no answers with an explanation.

  • If the reporter says “Do you have anything else to add?” always say YES and bridge back to a couple of your primary messages.

 

Body Language

  • Talk to the interviewer, not the microphone or camera. Pretend the microphone and camera don’t exist. The camera will find you!

  • Have a relaxed look on your face and don’t forget to smile

  • Do not cross your arms.

Clothing

  • There is a dress code, dress similar to those that will be in the interview with you. However, if you are representing a brand and that differs, dress accordingly with your best judgement.

  • Wear solid colors. This makes you appear more authoritative and trustworthy.

  • Wear “conservative” clothing, nothing too low cut or revealing.

  • Powder your face with translucent powder. You do not want to look shiny on camera.

  • Try and avoid, black, red and white clothing.

  • Avoid patterns.

  • Men’s pant suits should be long enough that when sitting, they do not expose your leg.

Makeup and Hair

  • Makeup should be done with natural colors.

  • Avoid anything that is shiny, matte is best.

  • Avoid anything dramatic with bold colors.

  • Hair should be sleek and straight for both men and women.



Top Holiday Shopping Dates Retailers Need to Know

Danielle Elderkin

Are you still relying on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to drive holiday sales? It’s time to think outside the gift wrapped box with some other important dates for holiday shopping. While some are pretty obvious, others might not be. Those unexpected dates could be the key to your success this holiday season and perhaps just what you need to get a leg up on your competitors.

November 12 – This is the biggest day for holiday shoppers. Tempt shoppers to visit your site or shop for the first major shopping day of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Day — Aside from giving thanks for all the wonderful things in our lives and spending time with friends and family, Thanksgiving in the retail world is also known as “Gray Thursday.” More and more retailers are starting Black Friday sales on the evening of Thanksgiving. Jump on this trend to get a head start on Black Friday sales.

Black Friday – This one’s pretty obvious. If you’re not doing a Black Friday promotion, you’re missing out big time. Special tip: most people are shopping on desktops on this day. 

Cyber Monday — A close second to Black Friday, Cyber Monday is here to stay. Keep in mind that most people are shopping on mobile on this day.

Green Monday — December 14 is known as Green Monday among retailers for all the “GREEN” you’ll be bringing in. It’s the busiest shopping day of the month!

Free Shipping Day – December 18 is Free Shipping Day and the third busiest shopping day of the season. For most retailers, this is the last chance to order with free standard shipping to get your gifts in time for Christmas. Let your customers know and you’ll create a sense of urgency.

Super Saturday — December 19 is Super Saturday, the final Saturday to buy presents before Christmas and the second busiest shopping day of the season. It’s also your last chance to draw some major traffic before Christmas!

December 26 — Don’t forget about after Christmas shopping to tap into customers looking for a great deal. This is the perfect time to unload seasonal goods.

Now that you know the most important shopping days of the holiday season, it’s time to get your plan in place. ‘Tis the season!