For the month of August, we are focusing on #BuildingBuzz– the art of grabbing the attention of an audience and getting them excited about what you have to offer. As PR practitioners, we are frequently called upon to help organizations build buzz for many reasons, one of which is building brand awareness.

The Herd Strategies social media theme for August is #BuildingBuzz, highlighting local influencers who have used their communication skills to build compelling platforms, develop brands, discuss important issues, and form personalized networks. This week we’re highlighting Dominic Dorsey, a community organizer who uses his love for the Black community to fuel real change.

We conclude our #PRorNah social media theme for this month by highlighting Hirons Chief Operating Officer Deana Haworth, APR. A groundbreaker for women in PR leadership, Deana discusses her strategies for actively combatting insufficient diversity and stakeholder representation in the PR field throughout her career. She also shares lessons learned by guiding businesses state-wide through the COVID-19 pandemic.

I found myself asking “to PR or not to PR” as a college sophomore. I was studying music performance at the University of Indianapolis, and though I was in love with learning languages and developing classical technique, I felt like something was missing. As a forensics and writing buff throughout middle and high school, I wanted my education – and eventually my career – to encompass other forms of storytelling in addition to the ones set to music.

Continuing our #PRorNah social media theme, this week’s highlight is a community leader with a passion for storytelling, Brandi Davis-Handy. Brandi’s previous experience in journalism has broadened her perspective and amplified her impact as a PR professional. She shares a peek into the challenges and triumphs that arise from practicing PR in the utilities sector.

When people hear “public relations,” the first thing that often comes to mind is a press release. A press release is a powerful tool and one of the most effective ways a PR professional can deliver content; however, when to issue a press release can be tricky for some.

We continue our #PRorNah social media theme by highlighting Kyna Lee Willis, founder and president of Kyna Lee Public Relations, Branding & Event Planning, LLC. Pulling from her background in both journalism and PR, Kyna sheds some light on how the two realms of communication differ and how PR work can vary from location to location.

This month, the Herd team decided to redirect our blog themes and focus on sharing insight about PR as a whole. That being said, it seemed fitting to start with the basics and use this time to clear up a point of confusion for many organizations– To PR or Not to PR?

The Herd Strategies social media theme for July is #PRorNah, highlighting local leaders across the communications field and answering the question many organizations have asked: to PR or not to PR? This week we’re highlighting public relations and marketing expert Lisa Sirkin Vielee, president of Well Done Marketing.

It is an honor to be a guest blogger for Herd Strategies during Pride Month. I love the opportunity to be involved in many communities and the LGTBQIA+ community is one of my ultimate favorites.

We conclude our #Pride theme with a mission-forward organization whose initiatives should be on the hearts and minds of all. Indiana Youth Group is a local organization that strives to provide youth safer spaces to build self-confidence, explore individualism and develop friendships within the LGBTQ+ community. Belinda Drake is at the forefront of this initiative, leading the charge as Director of Youth Services.

Over the last month, we’ve discussed the many ways one can celebrate #Pride in our world today. Denise discussed her friend's coming out story, Kierra wrote on the joy she felt for her friends simply being able to live out loud, and Selena shared her love for love.

Each year, the city of Indianapolis celebrates Pride month as a community. This celebration includes a parade, companies sharing their love and a festival to continue the joy. While we love all of the festivities that come with the month of June, we wanted to highlight companies that advocate and provide safe spaces all year round.

Last week, Kierra encouraged us to live our truth, and I couldn't agree more. I firmly believe we all need to mind our business and stop worrying about how other people live their lives and love who they want to love. Besides, isn't love supposed to make us happy? If so, then why are we so mad about it?

We continue our #PRIDE theme with one of Indy's most integral leaders, Executive Director of the Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Bill Skaggs. As a member of the Rainbow Chamber, Bill works alongside the board to create business environments that are inclusive and promote central Indiana as a welcoming place to live, visit and do business.

Last week, Denise talked about the moment her best friend came out to her. Her beautiful story made me realize something– most of my openly gay friends have never “come out” to me. They all just started living in their truth and stopped caring what other people think. The more I thought about it, the happier it made me because I realized that we may be getting to a point where “coming out” is no longer a big reveal. We can all just live in a world where people love who they love and it’s no one else's concern.

June is #PRIDE Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and the impacts that they have had on the world. Our first Friday Feature this month perfectly embodies pride and all is stands for. Shelly Snider is the executive director of Indy Pride, Inc. Shelly believes the feeling of pride should come from having the courage to be yourself authentically, no matter your surroundings.

When I was in college, one of my closest friends shared with me that he is gay. Now mind you, I had already suspected this, but it wasn’t my place to ask or judge, so I did neither. I just loved him. I loved him like a brother, and if anyone ever made the fateful mistake of saying something disparaging about his sexuality, I would defend him with every fiber of my being.

Denise, Selena, and Kierra's blogs took us on a journey of self-discovery and held a mirror to some of our innermost thoughts. Our #UMatter theme causes us to push pause on our thought patterns and challenge ourselves to do some self-inventory

We continue our #UMatter theme with Kelli McCary, Go Red for Women Director at the American Heart Association. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's signature women's initiative and serves as a comprehensive platform for increasing women's heart health awareness. Go Red also serves as a catalyst for change to improve women's lives around the world.