Ripley PR

Technology can set your construction company apart, but only if the message reaches potential clients

Construction is a rapidly changing industry. Technology, from AI and virtual reality to management software, is increasing efficiency and allowing contractors to complete projects faster and cheaper, and to do more with less.

But many people – including some of the people who hire contractors – aren’t aware of the technological transformation taking place in the industry. And many veteran construction leaders are still relying on the way things have always been done. It’s important for you to stand out and let potential clients know that you’re taking advantage of the latest time- and money-saving innovations.

That’s one way an expert construction public relations agency can give you an edge in a competitive marketplace. If your company has adopted technology that separates you from your competitors, it’s only an edge if potential clients know about it. If your construction firm has made adopting new technology a priority, an experienced, professional team like Ripley PR can make that part of your message.

Here’s how a PR agency can differentiate you from the rest of the pack:

Building a reputation for innovation and efficiency through media relations, social media and marketing that will build trust and recognition.

Establish you and your company as thought leaders in the field, connecting you to potential customers and helping to increase sales.

Using social media to connect you with the most qualified candidates for job openings and helping you stay ahead of the ongoing labor shortage.

If your company has adopted technology that makes you faster and more flexible than your competitors, you should take full advantage of that edge. Let Ripley PR’s team of construction public relations professionals set you apart from the rest of the field with a message of efficiency and excellence.

This post was written by Matthew Everett on December 12, 2018

Balancing Human Skills with Technology in Manufacturing

A new age of manufacturing is upon us. The technological revolution, often referred to as Industry 4.0, looks different than previous shifts in manufacturing. A transition to high-tech systems will likely create more jobs than it eliminates and will provide workers a safer more efficient environment.

The manufacturing climate is now a synergy between workers and technology.

For workers, manufacturing is an opportunistic place to be in its current state. With a manufacturing labor shortage, employers look to develop existing and prospective employees with high demand skill sets providing them the opportunity to take on exciting new roles.

In contrast to earlier days in manufacturing, a factory job is no longer a great risk to worker safety. Developments in automation have transitioned more dangerous jobs to machines. AI can detect when safety is compromised and alert workers when they are in a dangerous area. Robotics can test hazardous materials so workers do not have to interact with them.

For employers and employees alike, this revolution can prove challenging as well. There are a few areas of focus for employers to maximize the benefits of the current state of manufacturing.

Employee investment- Employers should invest in the development of their workforce. Skill training and productivity enhancements will inspire your employees to put forth more effort.
Engagement- It is crucial for employers to engage workers who are using the technology. Creating a two-way conversation will increase fluidity in technology adaption in the workplace.
Soft skill training- Technical training is an obvious need when your workforce is heavily working with machinery but technology is always advancing. Investing in soft skill training such as problem solving, emotional intelligence, and creativity, will aid employees in future technology adoption.

For help navigating the new age of manufacturing and attracting and retaining talent, find a team with a successful track record in manufacturing public relations. Contact Ripley PR by calling 865-977-1973 today.

This post was written by Kaitlyn Clark on December 10, 2018

Your 3 Step Guide to Finding the Right Manufacturing Public Relations Agency

The process of selecting a public relations agency to support your manufacturing company can be a daunting task. With so many companies to choose from, you may feel overwhelmed. When you start your search, consider these important elements to lay a strong foundation for success.

Get to know your company’s needs beforehand

Bringing on a manufacturing public relations team will transform your business. To get the most ROI, consider compiling a list of what your company lacks in regards to marketing. By doing so, you can better define what you’re looking to gain from hiring a public relations agency, allowing them to better assist you. Talk with your teams and determine where improvements can be made. If you’re looking to increase leads, grow your brand awareness, or improve your hiring process, a public relations team can help.

Partner with industry-specific agencies

Public relations agencies play an important role in increasing awareness of your business, but they’re not all equal. A quality manufacturing public relations agency will understand the importance of that specific industry, its business processes, and its target market. Manufacturing public relations agencies can promote your employees to the media as subject matter experts, which will lead to more partnerships and sales.

Focus on long term investment

Manufacturing public relations may seem like a substantial investment at first, but over time, the benefits will outweigh an expenses. A good public relations agency will have strong relationships with journalists and news outlets and will promote your name to these media. Manufacturing public relations will also establish a social media strategy to increase visibility, leaving you to focus on what you do best—offering quality products and services.

Contact Ripley PR by calling 865.977.1973 to learn more about how manufacturing public relations can transform your business.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on December 6, 2018

Giving Your B2B Company the Gift of PR

Owners of B2B companies want the highest return on investment for any expenditure. When it comes to marketing and public relations, they want to see real results that can be measured in leads generated and products sold.

If you own a business, it can make financial sense to partner with an experienced B2B public relations agency instead of trying to create an in-house PR department from the bottom up.

Save Your Time

Time is money. That’s not a cliché. It’s a fact. As a business owner, your time is precious. Partnering with a B2B public relations agency relieves you and your staff of the significant investment of time and effort needed to earn media coverage for your business. Writing in Forbes, Robert Wynne cites PR maven Michael Levine’s analogy of public relations as gift-wrapping, emphasizing the role of public relations in securing earned media coverage:

Almost every article you read or see in the media is “gift-wrapped” or originates from a public relations agency… None of these stories appear out of nowhere and end up in front you of and millions of other consumers. All of these stories were written, tested, practiced and formulated by publicists, staffers, speech writers or corporate experts before being sent to reporters who processed the information, rejected some assertions, accepted others, then decided to produce a news product.

Save Your Money

By partnering with a B2B public relations agency like Ripley PR, you can get cost-effective, efficient services without the need to staff a full marketing department. Our experts can:

Create a B2B PR strategy tailored to reach your target audience.
Earn media coverage in the most prominent national outlets and publications.
Curate and leverage the best paid media coverage opportunities.
Optimize your company’s social media and other communication channels.
Develop internal communication strategies.

Want to learn how B2B public relations can give your business a boost? Contact Ripley PR today.

This post was written by Joel Davis, Content Supervisor on December 4, 2018

Ripley PR: The PB&J of home service franchise development

When it comes to pairings, nothing goes together quite like peanut butter and jelly. The PB&J sandwich is a staple of American culture, with the earliest references showing up around the beginning of the 20^th century. There are many reasons the sandwich took off to become one of the most iconic American traditions, but for most people, it boils down to three things: it’s sweet, it’s quick and it’s delicious.

As home service and franchise public relations experts, we at Ripley PR like to think of ourselves as the PB&J of home service franchise development. We have the unique expertise to offer insights and proven analytical creativity to deliver overall brand awareness to the public, while simultaneously helping funnel new and conversion prospects your way. Like the PB&J, our ability to help grow your franchise comes down to three things:

Franchise development experience – We work with a variety of franchise industries, from automotive and staffing to senior care and yes, home service. Here’s what plumbing franchise client, founder and former president and COO Jeff Moody of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, had to say about us:

“When you are building a brand you look for experts who can help you. It is important that you can trust them and engage them in a way that it becomes a seamless team effort. bluefrog was fortunate to find Ripley PR early on and they delivered results beyond our expectations. When hiring a firm to help your customers find you, it is an investment, not an expense. Ripley PR knows the home service industry and I can highly recommend Heather and her team, even if she is a Tennessee Volunteer!”

Experience with both home service contractors and their business partners – We work with independent home service companies all over the nation to deliver timely stories to their local audiences on a consistent basis. Here’s what Mike Agugliaro, former owner of Gold Medal Service, a residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical service business, had to say about us:

“As the owner of Gold Medal Service, a $23 million home service business in New Jersey, I knew I needed a public relations professional to help to take my businesses to the next level. After hiring Ripley PR as our PR agency, I’ve been more than happy with the exposure Heather and her team has earned for us in national and regional media outlets such as MSNBC, Financial Times, ACHR The News, P&M, EC&M, US Builders, Courier News, Passaic Valley Today and so many more. My website is seeing more traffic, the phones are ringing and I have to say my businesses are benefiting above my expectations.”

We deliver results – Our public relations strategies are developed based on your goals. Whether you’re looking for new franchise leads or to boost your brand in target areas, we put proven tactics to work and offer monthly reporting to show you exactly where our efforts are going. Per Bill McPherson, former executive director of franchise development at FirstLight Home Care:

“I’ve been in Franchise Leadership for over 25 years and worked with various vendors in Marketing, Technology, Public Relations, etc. Heather and her firm are outstanding. The thing that drew me to her and her firm was her knowledge of franchise development as it related to public relations. She understands how to pitch and create excitement for a brand. Furthermore, her passion to customer service is second to none. Her attention to detail, professionalism, creatively and focus on service is a breadth of fresh air in the franchise industry. I will do business again with Ripley PR!”

Whatever home service you provide—plumbing/HVAC/electrical, roofing, flooring, landscaping, kitchen and bath remodeling, tree removal, gutter cleaning—we have the knowledge and experience to help you improve your bottom line in 2019. Give us a call today at 865.977.1973.

This post was written by JD Sizemore, Account Director, Client Services on November 29, 2018

How Does the Auto Consumer Value Technology?

Car enthusiasts flood auto shows seeking the latest and greatest in technology. Hi-tech automotive innovation is the basis of competition between brands. But when it comes to the average consumer, technology resonates very differently in auto than it does in any other industry.

Understanding how to angle innovation strategically is pivotal to the success of your brand. Unless you are communicating how your technology connects to the values of the auto consumer, you are missing the mark. An automotive public relations agency can help you create a strategy that resonates with today’s auto consumer.

Automotive technology does not need to be complex—it needs to be the opposite. If you read Kelly Blue Book’s 10 Best Automotive Technologies of 2018 you will notice similar values to what consumers have always looked for in a vehicle; safety, reliability, and comfort.

Even in luxury brands, similar rules apply. Kelly Blue Book awarded the Best in Auto Tech luxury brand to the Audi Q5. Despite impressive advancements amongst its competitors, Audi provides right blend price and tech with safety at the forefront of its features.

How do you position your automotive brand as a lead innovator? At Ripley PR, we specialize in automotive public relations. We can help you create a PR strategy to make Innovation valuable to your customers in a meaningful way.

This post was written by Kaitlyn Clark on November 27, 2018

Your construction firm or tech startup is doing amazing things: Why aren’t you telling the world?

The global construction industry is hot. A 2015 report estimates that by 2020, construction will be a $10 trillion industry. Ten. Trillion. In the first three quarters of 2018, it’s estimated that construction tech startups brought in $1.27 billion in venture funding.

In case you aren’t catching what I’m throwing, the construction industry and its related tech counterparts is doing remarkably well right now.

What are you doing to get your construction company’s name out there?

You might be the firm out there building new structures, roadways and buildings. Or maybe you’re the tech startup that’s streamlining the construction industry, making antiquated processes null and void.

It’s like the old philosophical question about a tree falling when no one is around: If your company is doing great things but you aren’t sharing that news, what is the value you’re placing on the services you provide?

A construction public relations agency knows how to help you promote the work you’re doing. You just built a new dam in Montana? That’s amazing. Let us share your story. That new concert coliseum in the heart of the city is yours? Awesome. You should see the things we can do with social media. Your mobile app is revolutionizing the industry? What a coincidence! Our media lists are filled with the outlets you need to be speaking with.

At Ripley PR, our team works with these companies every day. Our team knows how to get your company the coverage it deserves and needs, whether in news stories, features or on social media. We love sharing our clients’ stories, and we really want the chance to share yours. Contact us today and let us get started.

This post was written by Amanda Greever on November 23, 2018

Recruit Your Next Employee Using Manufacturing Public Relations

There are plenty of bottom-line benefits to hiring a manufacturing public relations firm, but one oft-overlooked function of effective PR is the dividends it can pay in recruiting.

The U.S. is facing a skilled labor shortage in trades and blue collar industries. There are more jobs available for plumbers, assembly line operators, welders and crane operators than there are trained workers to fill them. This is creating a situation where companies are competing on recruiting just as much as they are on sales. After all, a factory can’t produce if it’s not staffed.

That’s where manufacturing public relations comes in.

Even if a business doesn’t have a current need for factory recruitment, building a reputation through media relations can bring in more applications once the need does arise. Employees want to work for good companies that offer competitive pay and great benefits. PR can help spread the word your company has what employees want beyond just mentioning it in a job listing.

If there is a current need to fill manufacturing jobs, then a good public relations strategy can position your warehouse, factory or manufacturing facility as a great place to work. This can be achieved through awards, features on benefit programs or garnering media profiles on employees.

Manufacturing PR can also inform skilled laborers (and those who know talented workers) that you’re looking to fill open positions. Getting the word out about open positions can inform prospective employees—or their friends and family—that your company is looking for workers with their level of training and experience. Workers won’t apply for jobs they don’t know are available, and unless they’re actively looking, they’re unlikely to find out about a hiring company without seeing a news story or advertisement.

If you want to increase leads, hire great employees, or grow your manufacturing company’s profile, we can help. Contact Ripley PR today at 865.977.1973.

This post was written by Chris Martin on November 21, 2018

Are traditional ads still the answer for your franchising business?

John Hall, author of “Top of Mind” and co-founder of Influence & Co., mentioned recently in his weekly Forbes contribution that the trend of increasing aversion to traditional advertising is, well, increasing. He cited a study conducted by Nielsen Ratings in 2015 that placed actual ads at the bottom of a list of most-trusted sources of advertising. Leading the pack were people the consumer personally knows, branded sites, editorial sites and online reviews. In other words, we’re moving toward a world where the battles of business are won and lost on the grassroots (albeit often digital) fields of reputation and word of mouth.

Speaking candidly, I’m inclined to agree. Working in public relations, I find myself paying more attention everyday to moments of “consumer-speak” from those around me. If a restaurant is recommended, the proposal is always positioned as “Hey, my friend told about…” or “I heard about this place a few weeks ago, and it’s rated a 4.9 on…” One thing I never hear anymore is, “I’d like to try this place because I just saw an ad running on the local news.”

Consider a franchise – no – consider YOUR franchise. The product you’re selling is someone’s future, their means to put their children through school and their method of retirement, so do you believe anyone is actually investing in your franchise startup fees because they saw a television ad, radio spot or billboard alone? Are you investing only in franchise advertising or franchise public relations?

Just like a customer making a purchase, it’s a safe bet that the overwhelming majority of franchisees have consulted with trusted friends and colleagues, browsed countless reviews and read hours of both opinion articles and listed rankings before making their decision to invest in you. An experienced franchise public relations agency understands that overall reputation, top-of-mind awareness and effectively managing online reviews are keys to success. They can develop a campaign to help position your brand as a leading choice, getting the influencers and industry leaders that matter to go to bat for you with referrals and recommendations.

This strategy can be applied to both of your two key audiences – prospective franchisees and the customer bases that keep each of your locations operating successfully.

To find out more about how your overall brand awareness can benefit by partnering with an experienced franchise public relations agency, contact Ripley PR today.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on November 19, 2018

Tell a story that sets your business apart with franchise PR

A public relations agency can’t turn a lousy franchise into a great one. Without a fantastic product or service, or a reliable franchise system, even the most dedicated PR firm won’t help in the modern hypercompetitive market.

But a good PR company can help a great franchise succeed.

If you know that your franchise offers value and has potential for growth, a PR agency can help you tell your story in a way that builds your company’s reputation in local markets as well as nationally. A reputation for quality and service attracts customers, and that’s the key to convincing potential entrepreneurs that your franchise is the right one for them.

Everyone has a story, and an experienced franchise public relations firm can shape the narrative you want to tell about your business. Whether it’s a traditional family recipe, an important business principle you learned from your father, or a life-long passion that informs your business, your life and background are essential elements of your business. You and your experience are the most important factors that differentiate you from your competition.

A team of PR experts can help you identify the events and experiences that inspired you to start your business, the ideas that fueled its growth, and the dreams that you still want to reach. In turn, your success will inspire the rising entrepreneurs who join you in your success.

As franchise public relations experts, the Ripley PR team can use use your story to set you apart and help you grow your franchise. Here’s how:

The right version of your story will reach the diverse audiences you target – customers, journalists, trade publications and potential franchisees and other partners.

A recognizable brand establishes trust and authenticity.

A clear, consistent message communicates value and quality to customers and also resonates with people looking for franchising opportunities.

A strong brand identity and company narrative prepare you for emergency situations. If you know where your company comes from and what it stands for, it’s easier to maintain your message during a crisis.

You have a compelling story. We can help you tell it. Contact Ripley PR today for storytelling and branding strategies that will help you build your franchise.

This post was written by Matthew Everett on November 13, 2018