With the rise of social media, the healthcare industry finds itself in a different marketplace than they did a few years ago. More patients are using the Internet in search of healthcare information. Boardroom Communications COO, Don Silver, who has more than 25 years of public relations and marketing experience, recently shared his expertise at the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum Inc. panel to discuss how social media can build patient and physician satisfaction and enhance community outreach for hospitals.

 “Tapping into social media platforms gives healthcare providers the opportunity to connect directly with patients and deliver fast and valuable information,” said Silver. “It’s a way to build trust and develop a strong reputation.” Silver also explained the importance of online branding, including search marketing, email marketing, and effective use of social media and blogs.  

The panel took place at Aventura Hospital’s Biscayne Medical Arts Center. Attendees were invited to a facility tour followed by the panel discussion. Panelists also included representatives from Broward Health and Ottolenghi LLC.

On Thursday, November 18, the South Florida City Group of the Legal Marketing Association, Southeast Chapter will be hosting its annual media panel. The event is at Greenberg Traurig’s new Miami office, 333 Avenue of the Americas (formerly known as SE 2nd Avenue), 44^th Floor Conference Center, from 11:30-1 p.m.

Reporters and editors from publications across South Florida will be present to discuss best practices for getting your attorneys into the media. Confirmed panelists include:

-          Curt Anderson, Associated Press

-          Paul Brinkmann, South Florida Business Journal

-          Julie Kay, Daily Business Review

-          Richard Westlund, South Florida Legal Guide

-          Jay Weaver, Miami Herald

In addition, Boardroom Communications  Account Director and Co-Chair of the LMASE South Florida City Group Jennifer Clarin will moderate the panel.

For more information on the event or to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Clarin at jclarin@boardroompr.com or (954) 370-8999, or via SurveyMonkey, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8SFBKJY..  The event is $20 for LMA members and $40 for non-members.

We look forward to seeing you on November 18!

We are excited about the prospects of managing all public relations and marketing for the American Fine Wine Competition and Gala Dinner. As we did last year, Boardroom will manage all South Florida and national public relations focusing on print, television and national food and wine magazines.

 In addition, Boardroom will assist event organizer Shari Gherman with social media, event promotion and search engine (SEO) and traditional marketing. The fourth annual competition and gala is one of the nation’s most prominent wine events that celebrates only American-made wine. The competition, sponsored by Patriot Risk Management, will be held on January 16 and 17, 2011 and the Gala Dinner will be held on February 12, 2011, both at the Hyatt Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale. For more information on the American Fine Wine Competition and the Gala Dinner, visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.com or call (561) 504-8463.

The October issue of O’Dwyer’s magazine included Boardroom Communications in the 2010 rankings of  healthcare & medical PR firms. O’Dwyer’s is the nation’s leading public relations and marketing communications publication. Each month the magazine focuses on a specific industry and informs readers of current trends, marketing strategies and industry related issues. This month’s issue focused on the healthcare industry, which gave readers an inside look on new regulations, challenges and marketing approaches. The magazine also includes an annual ranking of top healthcare and medical PR firms, where Boardroom Communications was ranked top 50. Boardroom was also included in O’Dwyer’s Guide to Healthcare Communications, where the magazine included a profile describing Boardroom’s services and expertise with the industry.

Pictured above: Boardroom members and Channel 10 team

Several Boardroom Communications’ public relations practitioners visited WPLG, Channel 10’s new state-of-the-art Hallandale Beach, Florida studios this week along with other PRSA, Gulfstream Chapter members to tour the TV newsroom and meet with the anchors, reporters, producers and directors.

The tour enabled the group to go behind the scenes and learn about the Broward County’s first high definition television newsroom. Members watched as Chief Meteorologist Trent Aric delivered breaking news on Tropical Storm Nicole, and participated in a meet and greet with Anchors Laurie Jennings and Calvin Hughes.

 No question, television news has changed dramatically over the years with digital media, satellite and online technologies making the greatest impact.  You don’t see film processing, videocassettes or gigantic studio cameras on the floor like you used to.  You are also seeing a greater reliance on the social media like Facebook and Twitter being used in an effort to engage the audience and drive traffic to the station’s website.

 Even with all of these changes, much of public relations has remained the same.  If you have a good news story, understand the media you are pitching and maintain good relationships, you get can get your news on the air.

In the September issue of Weston Lifestyle Magazine, Boardroom Communication’s founder and President, Julie Talenfeld, shares her expertise in reputation management and the importance of first impressions. “The words we speak, the way we’re dressed, the advice we give, or even the way our Web site, blog, Facebook or Twitter feed comes across cultivates our image,” states Talenfeld.

Today, a company’s or individual’s reputation can quickly change within seconds through the Internet and social network sites. A single tweet, status update, or comment has the potential to improve or ruin a reputation.

 Being a public relations expert and having built a successful firm for the past 21 years, Talenfeld understands the importance of both an online and offline reputation. She shares advice by giving four key ways to manage your reputation.

 Click on the image below to view full article

With the end of 2010 right in front of us, many South Florida law firms are looking for ways to rev up their new business development to ensure a steady stream of business throughout the fourth quarter, and into 2011.

In a recent article from The Legal Intelligencer, law firm marketer Stacy West Clark points out ten items that should be on every law firm’s marketing “to do” list this fall season.  Some of the most important suggestions are also the ones most law firms forget when developing marketing plans.

When Florida law firms want to develop new business, they tend to look at it from a top down perspective—starting with partners buying into the process and actively marketing the firm and its capabilities. However, in order to truly craft a well-rounded marketing plan, associates must get involved. Require them to join an organization, have them write articles— even tie compensation into marketing and business development. If they don’t understand the importance of marketing from the beginning, they might never generate business.

Ft. Lauderdale law firm marketing expert Don Silver chimes in with a few additional suggestions for both small and large law firms:

-          Ask the attorneys to set up a lunch a week with potential referral sources.

-          Have a partner mentor inexperienced associates and show them the marketing ropes.

-          Focus on listening and asking leading questions to determine what s important to the client.

-          Find a reason to follow up and determine what you can do to help them out first.

This isn’t to say that you should pour money into attorneys that push back on marketing. Let’s face it, some attorneys are better workers than business generators, and there’s a place for workers at every firm. Spend your money on the superstars and attorneys that truly want to have a hand in the firm’s growth. The return will be greater.

Another important, yet overlooked, concept is industry marketing. Go where your clients go, join their organizations and read their magazines. Become immersed in what’s important to their industry. It takes time and work, but industry targeting is a great way to make an attorney the expert in a specific area.

Know your clients. This sounds simple, but it’s an art form. It’s more than knowing the players, it’s knowing what they want from your law firm and if they are getting it. Conduct client interviews using a third-party source to ensure truthful results.  Cross-sell clients and referral sources that could benefit the clients—show them you are thinking about them outside of the law firm context. The more they know you care and are thinking of them on a regular basis, the greater the chance for longevity.

The article outlines ten great ideas on law firm marketing. Keeping these simple, yet effective, marketing concepts in mind will help propel your law firm into 2011.