You know that saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Well it’s not true. There’s a phrase that comes in handy for most any occasion or incident when something not-so-nice has been said: “Thank you.” Here are a few examples. Read the rest of this entry »
Fujita&Miura
Public Relations Blog
Say “Thank you”
Keep Your Current Customers
We’ve all seen those promotions that companies use to try and attract new customers – gifts, cut rates, special offers, etc. Those kinds of efforts are great and there is a place for recruiting new business, for sure. But what about your current customers, those folks that have stuck with you through all the economic ups and downs, those donors who give a little each year? They are your most valuable assets, and they deserve stewarding and attention. Read the rest of this entry »
Did You Hear About…
The following scenario and script is part of our ongoing series about how to respond in difficult situations. One of these days, when you find yourself in an awkward situation, you just might be able to hearken back to one of these scripts and use the right words that will help smooth out the situation. After all, that’s the basis of public relations: having good relationships no matter what the scenario. So here goes.
Scenario: Jean is busy at work in her cubicle and her office mate, Dan, peeks around from his workspace and says, “Did you hear?” Taking the bait, Jean asks, “Hear what?” Dan rolls his eyes, “You know, Teri, in Customer Service, she’s messing around with Harry Beefe.”
Script for Jean: Jean furrows her eyebrows and says, “Gosh, I hope they don’t get married because then her name would be Teri Beefe. Jean and Dan laugh uproariously. And, Jean adds, “Seriously, I once knew a woman who got married and her new name was “Candy Korn.”
And, the conversation continues about funny names.
Jean could have been righteous and exclaimed that she doesn’t engage in rumor mongering at work, making Dan feel like a jerk for bringing up the rumor in the first place. Or, she could’ve been pensive and said nothing, leaving them both in a state of discomfort. But what she chose to do was respond with a bit of diplomatic humor, which diffused the gossip session. Then, she immediately bridged the conversation to funny names, which took the focus off Teri and Harry. Handling the conversation this way left her and Dan friends, and yet sent the message that she wasn’t going to run in the rumor mill.
If you have a difficult situation for which you’d like us to produce a script in our column, send it to us at info@fmpr.net. Of course we’ll tweak the wording so that you and your business remain anonymous.
Facebook Page for Businesses
Have you considered creating a Facebook page for your business, but aren’t sure where to start? Here is a link to a good Facebook page primer that’ll get your business up and communicating to your publics on Facebook quickly and easily.
Ten Steps for Creating a FANtastic Facebook Fan Page
by Mari Smith
Remember, while Facebook offers a free platform to interact with your target publics, businesses that are serious in maximizing the benefits of a Facebook presence need to commit time and effort to activitely participating in this community. Just because you set up a Facebook page, doesn’t automatically mean that your revenue will increase. Same as in a person-to-person relationship, you’ll need to genuinely interact, be present, and maintain your Facebook relationships to generate good feelings, trust, and respect between your company and your Facebook fans. In doing so, you will be able to build your brand, a better understanding of your customers, and thus, your business.
Do you already have a Facebook page for your business? If so, let us know some of the benefits that you’ve reaped as a result of your Facebook presence.
Keeping it Positive
We recently had the good fortune to attend a scholarship luncheon where we met scholarship recipients and their parents. It was interesting to hear the stories of how parents raised these achievers, and what the students’ future plans were. We made some striking observations.
The students were all unique individuals and it was clear by meeting all of them that you really can’t judge books by their covers. You might see them around town but you might never guess that one is going to an Ivy League university, or that one comes from a single-parent home, or that one has never traveled away from Hawai`i. All the same, these kids were ambitious and focused. Their parents were all very supportive of their children and had obviously provided them with guidance over the years. The thing that struck us though was that the students and parents alike had an unfailing positive attitude. They had big, clear dreams, they felt great about the future, they believed that what was ahead would be fun and good, and though many of them had struggled one way or another in the past, they learned from those challenges and used the lessons to fortify themselves. None of them were daunted in any way. And none of them had anything that you and I don’t have, except maybe the right attitude.
In these times, when we’re facing economic challenges, environmental disasters, war, and day-to-day personal trials, the positive attitude displayed by the scholarship recipients and their families is something that can only help matters. Likewise, when you consider your business dealings and how you think and speak about your business, do so in a way that displays your optimism. That kind of positive energy is very attractive to consumers and the public in general. It’s also contagious, and we could all use a shot of optimism now. So dissipate any negative thoughts of fear and loathing and replace them with the bright side. You will become a business magnet. Or magnate as the case may be.
Hurricane Communication Tips for Businesses
Kauai, Florida, and Louisiana (to name a few) businesses have learned from past experiences that one can never be too prepared for a hurricane or other natural disaster. Especially since each business has a base of people for whom it is responsible, whether it’s employees, vendors, customers, or the public at large. As we enter the heart of our hurricane season, we bring you these seven helpful tips to help your business prepare for a hurricane from a public relations angle.
PR Starts with You
Many think that successful public relations (PR) efforts are solely the result of ingenious strategy and perfectly timed implementation. While that’s partially true, your outward appearance has a considerable effect on PR. We all have bad days when we’re running late, and once we finally get to work, realize that we forgot some documents at home, or even worse, didn’t brush our teeth! But one bad day can create a nearly permanent bad image of your company.
You know the basics of presenting yourself well: have good hygiene, dress appropriately, and be neat. Here are a few “advanced” tips to making stunning impressions: Read the rest of this entry »
Matsumoto Announced as 2010 FMPR Scholar
We’d like to offer up our congratulations to Shyanne Matsumoto as our 2010 Fujita & Miura Public Relations’ (FMPR) Scholar.
Matsumoto of Kalaheo is a graduating senior at Kaua`i High School with a 3.651 grade point average (GPA). She has been accepted to Oregon State University where she will pursue a double major in secondary education and chemistry. Outside of school, Matsumoto has been an active volunteer and an effective leader.
“I have always had a passion for working with our island keiki, and recognize the need for quality teachers on our island, especially in upper-level math and science classes in our high schools,” says Matsumoto. “I also have a growing interest in the science and health areas, so upon graduating with both undergraduate degrees, I will either come home to teach or go on for further schooling to pursue a career in the medical field. The path I take to college may not always be free and clear, nor the goals I seek fast and easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“We are so pleased to invest in this extraordinary young woman,” said Jenny Fujita, partner with FMPR. “She will make enormous contributions to the world around her, and to Kaua`i in particular.”
“Wherever her career takes her, we know she’ll blend her intellectual talents and concern for others to play an influential role in the betterment of society,” said Koerte. “To that end, we have asked Shyanne to send us end-of-semester updates about her progress. We will be posting these updates on our website at www.fmpr.net and eventually, plan to have a network of FMPR Scholars that can collaborate and achieve great things for themselves and our island.”
FMPR Scholars are chosen based on several key criteria: they are Kaua`i residents and students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, 
preferably in communications or public relations; are interested in owning or working for a small business and/or home-based business; engaged in entrepreneurial activities; intend to come home to and pursue their livelihoods on Kaua`i after undergraduate or graduate school; are engaged in community service and wish to advance the Kaua`i community after college; have proven intellectual and academic achievements; show integrity of character and an interest in helping others; have the ability to lead and the motivation to use their talents to the fullest.
Ranked as one of Hawai`i’s top PR firms, FMPR is a full service PR firm that provides the finest communications consulting services to clients in a variety of industries worldwide. FMPR specializes in communications strategies that are effective in our unique island community, where cultural and business nuances must be carefully navigated. For more information about FMPR and for free PR tips, visit our website at www.fmpr.net., subscribe to our blog at www.YourPublicIsWaiting.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/fmpr. FMPR’s radio show is on www.FromHawaiiWithLove.com or as a podcast on iTunes.
2010 AP Stylebook Includes Social Media Guidelines
The 2010 AP Stylebook is out and encompasses, for the first time, six pages on social media guidelines. Here’s a great post by Mallory Jean Tenore for the Poynter Institute about these new additions:
New AP Stylebook Responds to Users’ Questions about Social Media Terms
Social Media at Kukui Grove
This post is brought to you by guest columnist Jonell Kaohelaulii, Marketing Manager at Kukui Grove Center. Located in Lihue, Kauai. Kukui Grove Center offers more than 60 shops and restaurants. Read the rest of this entry »
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