Ripley PR

Stay Calm with a Solid Construction Tech Crisis Plan

It’s a fact of life. Your construction tech business is going to experience a crisis at some point. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a question of when.

A crisis can take many forms. It could be an extended service outage, a breach in data security, or a social media controversy involving an employee or your official accounts. Whatever the cause, the response to the crisis can make or break the company’s image going forward.

But when a crisis does occur, it doesn’t have to catch you unprepared. Partnering with Ripley PR, a construction tech public relations agency, can take the pressure off company leadership to create comprehensive crisis management strategies from scratch.

The experts at Ripley PR know that the best way to deal with a crisis is quickly, transparently, and honestly. Our team can develop the right messaging that will allow your company to address the issues head-on and reclaim the conversation.

Success crisis management isn’t just about focusing on the message being delivered to customers and other outside parties. Writing in Forbes, Tim Streeb emphasizes the importance of factoring employees into crisis communication plans to reinforce the health of the organization:

Good crisis managers communicate early and often to employees the organization’s long-term vision and growth plans — that is, they take a step back and remind their employees about the amazing future they are building, collectively.

Ready to talk about the best ways to plan for potential business crises? The experts at Ripley can develop the right strategies to help your construction tech company face crises confidently. Call (865) 977-1973 or contact us online to find out more.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on May 10, 2021

Are Amateurs Ruining Your Social Media Strategy?

Knoxville businesses looking to take the national stage can’t afford to ignore the role of social media in their public relations and marketing efforts.

Having an active, engaging social media presence helps increase your visibility and reach. The quality of the content also has a direct impact on your online reputation. If the audience you’re seeking sees offensive, sloppy, or just boring social media content, they’ll make negative assumptions about your brand. That’s where Ripley PR, an experienced Knoxville public relations agency, can provide help and guidance in creating professional content that reflects well on your business.

Be Professional

Creating successful social media content isn’t about delegating the job to an intern or a junior team member, though. It requires just as much thought and insight as any other aspect of your company’s marketing plan. Simply knowing how to make a social media post is just the start. Knowing the best approach to creating content requires a whole other level of experience. It’s not as easy as posting the latest memes or jumping on the TikTok bandwagon.

In a Forbes Communications Council discussion about creating social media communities, Victor Potrel writes that best content isn’t about mimicking the latest trends — it’s about fitting your company’s brand:

Don’t jump on the latest trend if it doesn’t fit what your brand is all about. Our brands are centered around positivity, and all of our content jumps from that springboard. Inspiring our followers means choosing to embrace the trends that will help us stay true to this premise and resonate with fans. Finding this balance will inspire your followers and expand your audience.

The social media experts at Riley PR can effectively represent your brand as part of a comprehensive public relations strategy. If you’re ready for results, call us at (865) 977-1973 or contact us online to learn how we can help.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on May 10, 2021

Planning for future growth starts with picking the right PR agency

As the manufacturing industry and others continue to rebound from the harsh effects of a pandemic that’s still lingering, many are left wondering “what’s next?” With the introduction of multiple COVID-19 vaccines, many are cautiously optimistic that a brighter future is ahead. Perhaps, Bloomberg’s Brooke Sutherland puts it best:

Industrial companies are caught in the “tween” stage of the coronavirus recovery: The narrative around a post-pandemic industrial renaissance remains very much intact but there’s not much to show for it yet beyond some positive early growth signs that are now old news.

What’s next, indeed?

As a manufacturing public relations agency, Ripley PR understands you need to be prepared for anything and everything. We not only help companies plan for disaster by creating a crisis management plan; we shine a light on their triumphs.

Our team can develop a complete content marketing strategy that will engage your audience and boost your image. As companies continue to regroup, it’s important to utilize creative solutions that will help you stand out from the crowd.

That content boosts your visibility, helps you build leads and establishes your expertise. Our media relations team will build on those efforts, too, by creating media opportunities to create top-of-mind awareness and position you as a thought leader and innovator within the industry.

Forbes contributor Heather Wishart-Smith says now is the time to look forward, not back:

The tension between resilience and innovation is not likely to go away anytime soon, and so for forward-looking leaders there is going to be the necessity of confronting head-on the balance between playing it safe and stepping out with confident vulnerability.

Is your manufacturing company looking forward and planning for the future? If your plan doesn’t include a PR partner that understands the industry and pain points you could face, it’s time to contact Ripley PR at 865-977-1973. We’re here to help you grow and plan for whatever comes your way.

This post was written by Amanda Greever on May 4, 2021

Why PR Should Be in Your Construction Marketing Plan

Construction contractors had a rough 2020, but pent-up demand for building projects is expected to break loose in the months and years ahead.

Once that happens, companies like yours will find themselves facing stiff competition for contracts and employees. Writing in Construction Dive, Joe Bousquin reports that industry experts are warning that once the logjam of delayed construction projects breaks, construction firms could find themselves struggling to recruit enough skilled labor:

Given the demand for projects, along with many firms trying to hire workers whenever jobs are finally released in 2021, contractors may experience labor challenges all over again.

“I would predict that many of you will continue to suffer difficulty finding truly motivated and skilled workers,” (Anirban) Basu told his contractor audience. “One thing that has happened in past recessions is that many construction workers who lost their jobs left the construction industry altogether.”

To set your construction firm apart from the competition, consider partnering with a public relations agency to improve your visibility through earned media coverage, pull in more leads, and boost your online reputation.

Ripley PR, an experienced construction public relations agency, can develop and implement the right public relations strategy to promote your company to potential clients and help reach the skilled applicants it needs to recruit. Our team has decades of experience representing the construction industry, and we’re ready to help. Call us at (867) 977-1973 to learn how PR can benefit your company.

This post was written by Joel Davis, Content Supervisor on April 28, 2021

PR lets your home service expertise market for you

If you own a home service business, you employ skilled, hands-on employees. You may not have considered this, but this gives you a lot to work with when it comes to marketing. If you could showcase the skillset and expertise your business has to offer as part of your marketing strategy, wouldn’t that be preferable to not only your team, but your customers as well?

This is where a home service public relations agency comes in.

How do I showcase my business?

Most people are uncomfortable talking about themselves to the public. Actions speak louder than words, so you’d rather show homeowners what your business can do for them. In the PR world, we talk about your business for you. You’re the expert, and we want others to know that. We can connect you with media outlets by talking about your business, which then allows you to showcase your expertise, so consumers will identify you as the go-to professional in your field.

Does this mean I have to be on TV?

Television is always a potential, but there are many ways to share what you do with the public. Does your target audience read the newspaper? Magazines? We’ll figure out which outlets work best for your clientele and create press releases and potential articles that will catch their interest.

What about my current strategies?

If you’re maintaining social media, blog posts and an updated website, keep doing that. These are great ways to connect with consumers and share your field knowledge by posting informative pieces more often than promotional posts about your business itself. Your PR team can also help you with your online presence so you can focus on your business.

Public relations allows your own accomplishments and field knowledge to market for you. Ripley PR is known for our work with business owners like you, and we know the best ways to get you the right media coverage. If you’re ready to take a step further, public relations is the right fodder for your business growth. Give us a call today at (865)-977-1973 or visit Ripley PR online.

This post was written by Audrey Love on April 26, 2021

Close the gaps in tech with construction public relations

Zachary Phillips recently wrote in Construction Dive about the prevalence of app use on the modern jobsite. Citing last year’s 2020 ConTech Report by JBKnowledge, he noted that 92% of construction workers use their smartphone on a daily basis. While increased rates of tech adoption aren’t new, a striking opportunity has been uncovered. Phillips moved on to share that more than a quarter of participants in the same survey do not have the means to integrate data between their various construction apps.

As an agency specializing in construction public relations, we know how important it is for construction tech companies to not only attract the attention of more users but that of potential investors and even other companies in the space as well. Strategic partnerships can be incredibly valuable for driving business, and it makes the decision to partner and develop an integration when both companies are confident in each other’s brand and reputation.

If you’ve already found success providing a solution to a specific challenge with your construction app but want to enhance your credibility and increase top of mind awareness among other major developers, consider the earned media advantage that PR can provide.

To start, partnering up with the right PR agency, especially one that’s already spent a respectable time in the Contech space like Ripley PR, will help both you and your selected firm hit the ground running early in the relationship.

While a good construction public relations strategy should be customized and tailored to your specific brand, some common components that will help elevate your brand among potential partners include:

Press releases that will keep your updates, funding announcements, key hires, and product releases in the news.
Media outreach seeking interviews that position your spokesperson as a trusted source in the industry.
Well-written case studies offering objective proof of the results your products deliver, pitched to and published in key trade outlets.

If you’re interested in closing the gaps between software applications for construction companies and staying top of mind for the biggest developers in the industry, reach out to Ripley PR today at (865) 977-1973 and see how we can help.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on April 21, 2021

How PR Can Help Your Healthcare IT Company

Hiring a public relations agency is one of the best decisions a healthcare IT company can make. PR is an effective and cost-efficient way to get the word out about your cutting-edge products and increase your brand visibility.

Here are three ways that a healthcare IT public relations agency can help:

PR strategy plan: An experienced Public Relations agency will create a strategy for your company that involves building relationships to help the public learn more about your business. PR agencies aim to get free earned media coverage for their clients.
Increase visibility: By pitching news stories, blogs, and press releases to the media on a regular basis, a Public Relations agency can boost your company’s image as an expert in the healthcare IT field.
Managing your social media: A knowledgeable PR agency can create compelling posts that target the audience you need. The goal is to produce content that users will share with their social network to help your company increase brand exposure and broaden customer reach.

Bonus tip: Make sure that the Public Relations agency you work with can help develop a PR crisis plan and in the aftermath of the crisis, they know how to make your company come out stronger.

If you are a healthcare IT company looking for an experienced public relations partner, Ripley PR is that agency, and we are ready to help you. Contact us online or call (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Vanessa Coates on April 20, 2021

Think outside the Sunsphere — National Exposure for Knox-based Tech

Tech companies are on the rise in eastern Tennessee. By working with an agency that understands Knoxville public relations and has global experience, these companies can get the feel of a hometown partnership but with national reach.

Why public relations?

Tech businesses should always be striving to reach a larger audience and reinforce their brand and quality of their product to potential and existing customers. Working with the right PR agency can provide the wind to a brand’s sails.

The right PR strategy can help a business identify media outlets such as industry publications, newspapers, and podcasts that appeal to their audience and design a plan to share company news and creative stories with those outlets to achieve earned media.

What is earned media?

Earned media is placement in a news medium by way of providing useful content to the editorial team and their following. The key difference between earned and paid media is more than just the cost – earned media placement provides the opportunity to become a recognized and trusted brand in the company’s space.

Examples of earned media include:

Press releases in the newspaper or an industry publication
Published commentary on an industry trend
Featured guest editorial on an industry topic
Guest appearance on a popular podcast

By offering the audience with helpful tips, industry knowledge, and unique stories, businesses will be viewed as a leader and expert in their space. This is a great way to establish and reinforce a brand and expand recognition to new potential customers!

Conclusion

Having a strategy to garner national earned media placement will enable brands to feel the momentum that an increase in visibility can bring. By working with the experts at Ripley PR, Knoxville-based businesses can stretch their legs and open up avenues to customers that may have been out of reach before. For questions or to learn more, give the Ripley PR team a call at (865) 977-1973 or check out our website.

This post was written by Mark Clifford on April 15, 2021

Get the Most Out of Case Studies Using Home Service Public Relations

We’ve all seen the commercials: A company promises their product will help you lose weight, get stronger or maybe improve your sight. Oftentimes, we dismiss these because there is little or no proof the product works outside of a paid actor saying it does.

Believe it or not, the same applies for B2B technology. It may be tempting to spend thousands of dollars to promote your product, but without facts, the product may fail. Even developing a strong social media campaign could fall short of expectations if there isn’t any data to back up your claims.

Case studies are a great way to show your B2B product works in the way that you promote it. Data speaks volumes, and if you have the data to back up a claim, then you have a great marketing tool at your disposal. The question is are you doing everything to utilize your case study to garner earned media?

Home service B2B public relations is a tool that will help ensure you are getting the most out of case studies. If done correctly, they can be an invaluable tool in creating a positive reputation while also increasing exposure to your product.

Case studies are unique to the client and their product. One of the purposes of a case study is to show how the product has solved a customer’s problem. Take the time to develop the study to not only provides essential, factual information but also highlights the problem that has been solved.

Journalists and trade news outlets love interesting stories, and as a home service B2B public relations agency, Ripley PR can help you develop case studies that appeal to your target audience. With many years of experience working with B2B industry, our experts can write case studies that will provide results and get your brand into the eyes of decisionmakers you need to reach. If you are ready to put PR to work, give our experts a call at (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Anthony Cloud on April 13, 2021

3 tips for choosing the right manufacturing public relations agency

Despite the challenges introduced by the pandemic, including tariffs and supply chain issues, many U.S. manufacturers and those focused on localized production are already experiencing a strong recovery. While cause for celebration, this also means that competition is mounting. To bolster capacity with effective recruiting and attract the attention of more buyers, it’s a great time to team up with an agency specializing in manufacturing public relations.

Should you add PR to your marketing plan?

Amar Hanspal, CEO of Bright Machines, recently cited in Forbes 5 reasons he believes manufacturing will evolve for the better over the course of this year. From investment in workforce development to focusing on sustainable initiatives, and from digital innovations on the factory floor to positive responses to increasing demand, manufacturers making the best of 2021 will have stories to tell. Increasing ad and marketing spend will help, certainly, but the right public relations team will be able to take these stories and translate them into earned media coverage, building trust, credibility and brand awareness for your company.

How do you choose the right agency?

When you decide to incorporate manufacturing public relations into your growth plan, it’s critical to find the right agency to represent your brand. Here are three tips for finding the next extension of your team, a true partner rather than a vendor:

Search for a firm that truly understands the unique challenges facing manufacturers and can speak the language of the markets you serve. Whether you manufacture sustainable solutions, HVAC and plumbing equipment or automotive parts, your PR team should be able to competently speak the language.
Do you need content support? Choosing a public relations agency with an experienced in-house content team will ensure proper development of case studies, bylined contributions, blogs and more.
There’s more to building your brand than simply announcing new product updates. Are you recruiting? Have you unveiled a new scholarship program? Do you give back to the communities you serve? Seek an agency that will develop strategies to announce all of your good news, not just the latest advancements to your facilities and products.

If you would like to explore adding manufacturing public relations to your marketing plan, contact us at Ripley PR today by calling (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on April 9, 2021