Allie Garfinkle

For this podcast, the Confident Retirement, there's a twist: I was the one interviewed, not the one asking the questions. (I like it better the other way - but that was fun - thanks for inviting me on, Kristopher Flammang CRPC®AIF®BFA®) Oh - and I'm not retiring :) Some of the things we talked about: * My early journalism career change to being a juvenile probation office for three years; • Why and how the Business Observer has made a transtions to #digitalfirst — and why we keep the focus on that; and • The lessons I've learned from interviewing hundreds of entrepreneurs ands business owners Take a listen!

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Here is a link to "Art and Authority," my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, and Everything else. https://lnkd.in/ePAqUBja

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With the potential for a widening conflict in the Middle East mounting, learn more about Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran from Matthew Levitt, the featured guest on the latest episode of the Anti-Defamation League’s extremely podcast.

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When does PR go too far? What is "astroturfing" and is it ever okay? These are questions crisis comms pros are asking after Blake Lively's complaint against Justin Baldino. Jason Guerrasio explores, on Business Insider. https://lnkd.in/eHx3FfGx

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🌍 The Importance of Diversity in Editorial Teams 🖋️ Diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential for creating impactful content. Here’s why: Broader Perspectives: Diverse teams bring a variety of viewpoints, enriching the content. Inclusive Content: Reflecting diverse voices ensures content resonates with a wider audience. Innovation: A mix of backgrounds and experiences leads to more creative solutions. Cultural Sensitivity: Diverse teams are better equipped to navigate complex cultural nuances. Embrace diversity to create content that truly connects! 🌟 #DiversityAndInclusion #EditorialTeams #InclusiveContent #Publishing

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This is important for #communications pros and our subject matter experts to remember. An interview is a conversation not a rote question asked, prepared answer given. Using talking points rather than scripted answers is more effective for a SME and makes for a better interview. Unfortunately that path isn’t taken as often as it should be.

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"But NPR’s troubles extend far beyond concerns about its journalism. Internal documents reviewed by The Times and interviews with more than two dozen current and former public radio executives show how profoundly the nonprofit is struggling to succeed in the fast-changing media industry. It is grappling with a declining audience and falling revenue — and internal conflict about how to fix it." This article sheds good light on the disruption facing the media industry. #Media #Communications #PR

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Worth reading from NiemanLab: Readers prefer to click on a clear, simple headline — like this one By David Markowitz, Hillary Shulman and Todd Rogers In an era when people trust news less than ever, how can journalists break through and attract the attention of average people to provide information about their communities, the nation and the world? By not complicating things. Our research, published in Science Advances, shows that simple headlines significantly increase article engagement and clicks compared with headlines that use complex language. In our research, typical news readers preferred simple headlines over complex ones. But importantly, we found that those who actually write headlines — journalists themselves — did not. We first used data from The Washington Post and Upworthy to see how language features, such as word length and how common a word is, changed how many people clicked on an article’s headline. These datasets included over 31,000 randomized experiments — also known as A/B tests — that compared two or more headline versions of the same underlying article to determine which one generated the most clicks. Headlines with more common words — simple words like “job” instead of “occupation” — shorter headlines, and those communicated in a narrative style, with more pronouns compared with prepositions, received more clicks. For example, The Washington Post headline, “Meghan and Harry are talking to Oprah. Here’s why they shouldn’t say too much” outperformed the alternative headline, “Are Meghan and Harry spilling royal tea to Oprah? Don’t bet on it.” This example illustrates how sometimes a more straightforward headline can generate more interest. In follow-up laboratory experiments, we found that typical news readers focused more on simple rather than complex headlines because the writing was easier to understand. When journalists participated in the same experiments, they didn’t show any preference for simple headlines over complex ones. Put differently: Those who write the news appear to be less responsive to simple writing than regular audiences. Generations of communication consultants have advised that communicators follow the rather crass acronym KISS: Keep it Simple, Stupid. We suggest a modified version applied for journalists. Since KISJ isn’t all that simple, we propose: Keep It Simple, Staffers. Simplicity increases the number of people who click on a news story headline and improves reader recall of the material in the article. Most importantly, simplicity boosts reader engagement, such as how much attention they pay to the information.

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When recent grads doing the requisite networking rounds ask me my best advice for breaking into journalism, I always have two words: TRADE PUBS. Many of them have never heard the term, and they’re seriously limiting their job search as a result. Trade publications -- or niche industry news sources for a group of dedicated, well-informed, sector-specific readers -- are a fantastic place to cut your teeth. You’re never just getting coffee or making copies there as a new hire. In my experience, from day one, you’ll be reporting and writing and learning everything you can about whatever the paper covers, be it nonferrous metals (hello, me in 2008!) or telecom or annuities or what have you. Every industry has a trade pub of record, and there’s no better way to learn the ropes fast. And the travel! While I was covering the global metal markets in my early 20s, I traveled to Bahrain, Chile, Germany, Mexico, the UK and throughout the continental US to attend conferences, tour smelters and meet sources. Sure, sometimes, I’d wonder if understanding the world’s alumina trade or China’s flat-rolled steel demand was too niche a skillset. But now, from my perch of senior editor for energy and commodities at Bloomberg News, I realize it was truly the best foundation. On that note, my friend Cliff White, executive editor at SeafoodSource, tells me he’s hiring an associate editor. Employees can be based anywhere in the US (though why WOULDN’T you want to be located in Portland, Maine??) This would be a fantastic way for an early-stage journalist to refine those editing chops and master the skills you’ll need throughout the rest of your career. #jobs #journalism #journalismjobs #editor #maine #seafood #hiring #jobopening #tradepubs https://lnkd.in/dmVwjqJ3

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Good article on the value of original quality content and risks of GenAI’s generics & distortions today when AI volume is everywhere online. The image simulation is cool example!

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New: The The Wall Street Journal is offering advertisers a performance guarantee for any ad campaign they run between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15—the two weeks before and after the presidential election. Ad performance, somewhat inexplicably, surges during the window. According to data from the same time period in 2020, 37% of Wall Street Journal readers were more likely to recall an ad than in the off-cycle period, 58% were more likely to look for more information after seeing an ad, and 125% were more likely to purchase or plan a purchase after seeing an ad. The guarantee is not meant to assuage advertisers’ potential brand safety concerns. Instead, it is designed to appeal to marketers who understand the value of advertising against news content but who are wary of having their message lost in the noise of a hectic moment. Thanks to Josh Stinchcomb and Jesse Waldele for the insights. My latest for ADWEEK: https://lnkd.in/epu77Bqt

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The introduction to a series of articles about creative writing and generative AI has been posted on Medium. The series will look at how ChatGPT 4 and Claude 3 can be used as writing assistants for writers who prefer one of these approaches to writing: - Pantsing Writing Method - Outlining Writing Method - Snowflake Writing Method - Snowball Writing Method - Snowplow Writing Method - Chapter-by-Chapter Writing Method https://lnkd.in/e3zARX-k

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Here is a link to "David Bowie: The Art of Self-Invention," my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, and Everything Else. https://lnkd.in/eKWCKPZd

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New pub: Myths of Origins: Literary and Cultural Patterns Myths of Origins explores the timeless power of origin myths in literature, spanning from ancient texts to contemporary works. This collection of essays delves into the six foundational models of beginnings in Western literature, examining how these frameworks shape narratives across eras. https://lnkd.in/eXDG9Cgu

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My opinion in the ongoing battle between journalists and PR reps: please, please, please stop using AI. If a journalist is reaching out to you for comments, it's because your client is an expert in his/her field. To sully that expertise/reputation with ChatGPT-generated drivel is helping no one. You're wasting your clients' time, your time and ours. AI-written content is incredibly easy to detect: it reads too proper, too formal, it's SO boring. And if it's your client giving you AI-generated content, at least run it through a detector before passing it onto us. As an representative, it is very much your duty to protect their reputation and call them out internally. If you don't, it's just embarrassing for all parties involved. That's it, those are my two cents.

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A quick insight why media narratives matter after all your professional achievements, prestigious awards, and memberships ⏬ When a client approached me for media coverage to support their EB1-A application, they were puzzled as to why their story didn’t read like their résumé. The answer was clear: a résumé lists accomplishments, but a compelling article needs to weave those accomplishments into a narrative that highlights real-world impact. For example, instead of simply listing patents, we focused on how their innovations contributed in transforming their industry, improved accessibility, or solved major challenges. Crafting a story for media coverage is all about connecting the dots between what you’ve done and why it matters. It’s about showcasing your achievements in a way that resonates with the broader public and proves your extraordinary contributions. While your CV may impress with a list of milestones, a well-written article brings those milestones to life, showing how they’ve made a difference in the world. In my client's case, we didn’t just focus on their patents. We told the story of how their work disrupted the tech industry and contributed to significant progress. This approach captured the essence of their contributions, boosting their EB1-A prospects. Key Takeaway: To gain media attention, transform your accomplishments into a story that highlights their real-world impact. 📝🌍 #MediaCoverage #EB1A #NarrativeBuilding #Storytelling #ImmigrationSuccess #permanentresidency #einsteinvisa #PRforVisa #USVisa

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Nine guidelines help newsrooms evade advertising blocklists to protect their bottom line while also informing their audiences - the latest from RJI Fellow Andy Lee Roth https://lnkd.in/giWuHKKf

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What if: instead of evaluating politicians based on blind party allegiance, we evaluated them based on how effective they are at solving problems on behalf of the American people? Over 90% of congressional incumbents get re-elected, but they have, on average, a 13% job approval rating. Closing the gap means equipping Americans with new tools for holding elected representatives accountable and reducing extremism (from all sides) in government. Today, we launched the Builders Power Rankings (playing off an NFL power ranking) to name the top problem-solvers and biggest dividers in congress. A big thanks to Karl Rove, Kara Swisher, and Andrew Yang, who added their insights to the AI and machine-learning powered by Dartmouth College's Polarization Research Lab and Sean Westwood. Proud of this team effort from Tom Fishman, Mariette Hummel, Michelle Rueda, John Zhang, Gavin Alaoen, Amelia D'Entrone, Kristie Yeung, Tori Larned, Taylor Larned, Isabel H. Clark, and the many other team members who made this possible. Please share the tool & debate! www.buildersranking.com

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