Laurie Pehar Borsh Digital PR
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Why PR and SEO are Inherently Connected!

Yes! PR and SEO are and will forever remain connected.PR and SEO

 

Google continues to apply many ranking factors to organic search rankings. But backlinks remain one of the most fundamental aspects of SEO. And not only are these links still vital, but getting the “right kind” of backlink has become harder than ever. Why? Because you have to reach for backlinks from high authority sites and sites within your niche.

 

These are backlinks that are “editorially placed.” Which means specific links were placed in specific content because they offered value to the reader. This is earning, rather than simply winning a back link. And you have to work hard to earn media, as most public relations professionals attest to! Backlinks on high authority websites are, in my opinion, SEO GOLD for public relations professionals and the companies they represent.

 

Content is King, and so are Backlinks from High Authority Websites.

 

It’s all about the art of PR! After all, it is the job of PR to win or EARN media coverage, and that includes digital publications. We are finally attributing digital media publication placement as earned media! It’s about time! When you win a piece of earned media, the article usually includes a backlink to your website. These are your most valuable backlinks, because they’re editorially placed and in high authority or industry niche publication websites. Remember, “Content is King” as they say.

 

In this post “rank brain” world, Google places more emphasis on the quality of content than ever before. Let’s say you invest in creating a few core pages on your website. If you earn some high authority backlinks, you could be successful in ranking for a few broad keyword terms.  And to rank for as many keywords as possible to onboard organic traffic, you must invest in even more content. Meanwhile, public relations can continue to pump out quality content to win earned digital media placement. This means you can actually get way more value from combining your PR and SEO content efforts!

 

The Importance of a Digital Footprint.

 

A digital footprint is what a user finds on the first page of Google when they enter your brand name. That’s important, because it’s the first impression you make with the vast majority of people who engage with your brand!  You always want your website to be in the top spot, and your social profiles should also occupy some results. But to make a good impression, the average user will want to see more than just a nice website. For maximum credibility, people need to find mentions of your brand on high authority sites, i.e. publications or review sites.  This can propel you from an unknown entity into a credible business. This is what PR delivers!

 

While your digital footprint isn’t always quite the same thing as the SEO of your own websites, it’s all linked! The more earned media you win, the more backlinks you win, and the more our website ranking improves. Furthermore, the more articles mentioning your brand online, the more users can find you. And that equates to the exceptional personal or business brand visibility and credibility!

Your Business’ PR: Can it benefit with good memes?

Clicks & Bricks Podcast Interview with Laurie Pehar Borsh

 

An interview Laurie Pehar Borsh

 

Today is all about Public Relations and how it is directly connected to all aspects of the business. She expresses her thoughts on how she overcame a huge setback in 2008 during the market crash. Laurie focuses on staying cool, calm, and collected in hard times, and keeps pushing to continue to grow both her business and her client’s business.

 

 

 

Today, Personal Branding Is More Important Than Ever

Personal Branding is More Important than EverWith social media and the gig economy, it has become essential to embrace personal branding. Here are the reasons why it’s more important than ever.
Whether you know it or not, you have a personal brand. Internet search results are the first impression people will have of you. Is it a good one? Is the information you are sharing across LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media sites consistent? 

Whether you have a date or a job interview, chances are someone is going to Google you to learn more about who you are. The question is, do you want to allow your online reputation to take on a life of its own or control the narrative? With the proliferation of social media and the gig economy, it has become essential for everyone to embrace personal branding.

What is personal branding?

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is famously quoted as saying, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” The term “branding” used to be reserved for businesses, but with the advent of social sites and the gig economy, personal branding has become fundamental.

A personal brand is a unique combination of skills and experiences that make you who you are. It is how you present yourself to the world. Effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with prospective clients and employers.

Building a personal brand 

Whether you’re an employee or entrepreneur, cultivating a personal brand has become more important than ever. One reason is that it is more popular for recruiters to use social media during the interview process.

According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees.

Personal branding is also beneficial from the employer’s perspective

Companies should encourage employees to build strong personal brands because it’s good business. When employees are allowed to represent their company at conferences or events, they are not only developing themselves but also providing the organization more exposure. Employees can help acquire new customers and retain existing ones when they are viewed as trustworthy thought leaders.

Contract Workers Need a Personal Brand

Another reason personal branding is valuable is that the gig economy is not going away anytime soon. The average person switches jobs every 2 to 3 years, and freelance and contract workers now make up 43% of the U.S. workforce.

We’re seeing only one trend here, which is that the gig economy is big and getting bigger. Companies will do just about anything to avoid hiring full-time employees. Add to that the fact that there is no job security anymore, and workers are increasingly aware that they need to work differently if they want to create any sort of stability for themselves.”

As a result, workers need to be able to clearly communicate who they are and what they do to stand out to prospective clients and employers. If you aren’t effectively managing your online reputation, then you run the risk of losing out on business.

Personal branding masters

Developing a great personal brand doesn’t happen overnight. It’s imperative to be able to communicate your purpose and mission to your audience in a genuine way. Here are some examples of famous people who have built incredible personal brands through hard work, consistency, and long-term focus:

Oprah Winfrey:

Oprah is undoubtedly the queen of personal branding. She is continually building equity in her brand which has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. Oprah has always stuck to her core competency: challenging millions of viewers to live the best lives possible by understanding their potential. By being true to herself, she has inspired millions to be their best selves.

Richard Branson:

Richard Branson is undeniably one of the most visible, successful, and well-known men alive. He has continually stayed true to his core values, including adventure and risk-taking. By being himself, he has often done exactly what other business leaders cautioned against, including crazy publicity stunts like dressing as a flight attendant for a competing airline. His unorthodox style and commitment to his passions have helped him create a powerful personal brand. Branson says, “Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealized, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character, and no public trust.”

Marie Forleo:

Marie Forleo is an inspiring teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She has mastered the ability to share impactful content in a humorous and engaging way. With a following in over 195 countries, Marie challenges her fans to change the way they live in order to change the world. Her website reflects that of a personal branding expert, highlighting her authenticity and passion for helping others.

Gary Vaynerchuk:

Also known as Gary Vee, Vaynerchuk got his start by hosting a video blog on YouTube called Wine Library TV. In March 2009, he signed a 10-book deal with HarperStudio, reportedly for over $1 million, and released his first book, Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion, in October 2009. Now, he’s one of the most successful marketers in the world and has attracted a huge loyal following. Vaynerchuk says,” Your personal brand is your reputation. And your reputation in perpetuity is the foundation of your career.”

Whether you’re looking for a better job or more sales for your company, personal branding is a given. You don’t need to be Oprah or Richard Branson to have a great personal brand. It’s a matter of continually crafting and curating your digital presence and keeping it real! Honesty, transparency, and authenticity are what will differentiate you in the long-run.

This article was originally written by executive coach, Caroline Castrillon.