A look back at highlights from the CEO of iMiller Public Relations, Ilissa Miller
The Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only organization of owners and executives of public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Members are selected for the Forbes Agency Council based on their depth and diversity of experience. So it’s no surprise that Ilissa Miller, the founder and CEO of iMiller Public Relations (iMPR), an award-winning, global communications firm focused on the telecom and technology sectors, would be asked to lend her insight to the worldwide community of business professionals that read Forbes online.
Ilissa is a globally-recognized public relations professional with more than 20 years’ experience in sales, marketing and product development. Since 2013, she has been the President of the Northeast DAS and Small Cell Association (NEDAS) where she is also Co-Chair of the NEDAS Advisory Council. A telecom industry influencer, she has spoken at a number of events and conferences, including Capacity, DatacenterDynamics, HostingCon, Data Center World, ITEXPO and MarketplaceLIVE. Ilissa also holds a number of advisory and executive positions within the industry’s leading trade organizations, including the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG), where she serves as the Sponsorship Sales Director, and Host in Ireland, where she is a member of the Advisory Council.
In an article that appeared on January 5, 2018, “Want To Work Smarter, Not Harder? Follow These 14 Tips,” Ilissa offered this wisdom: “This may sound counterproductive, but slowing down and thinking about the approach to a situation will help you identify more efficient ways of accomplishing the same task or project. Just five minutes of thinking before doing will help you consider the domino effects of your actions.”
For the January 8 edition, “13 Red Flags To Watch Out For When Selecting A Digital Marketing Agency,” Ilissa advised to be alert to how agencies promote themselves. “This is an important question to consider. I have seen agencies focused on promoting their business more effectively through communication tactics than the clients they represent,” Ilissa observed. “Be wary of a firm’s veneer and how they present themselves. If they come first, it’s a red flag!”
On February 24, the Forbes Agency Council offered “13 Non-Promotional Content Strategies To Engage Your Target Audience.” Ilissa advised to focus on the issues and how you solve them. “Every company has a purpose — there is a problem and you offer a solution. Rather than positioning your company directly, talk about the issues in the marketplace and various different ways to solve those problems (without emphasizing your company). Use facts, data and third-party expertise to support your position. The solution will be evident (and you didn’t even have to tell them).”
The May 11 installment asked the Forbes Agency Council for “14 Helpful Tips For Personalizing A Promotional Campaign.” Ilissa’s tip was to make a more personalized appeal, even if you reach fewer people: “Personal touches are key to getting the right attention. Savvy email users know when they receive an automated email addressed to them versus emails that are specifically personalized. You can have a template outline for your communications, but only a real’ individual sending messages can add the details necessary to be effective.”
For “Won An Award? 12 Ways To Publicize It (Without Bragging),” which appeared online on May 18, Ilissa advised to use the award marketing package to complement your company’s message.
“After reviewing the marketing packages provided to winners, include the news on your website, add it to footers on marketing materials and email signatures, share it in social media posts and a press release, tell customers/partners, include it in presentations, acknowledge the win in a video and more,” Ilissa shared. “Just be sure that you don’t distract from your overall message.”
The May 18 presented “15 Agency Pros Who Share The Best Work Advice They’ve Ever Received.” Here, Ilissa emphasized the fundamentals of effective communications. “The basics are your forever foundation. Stick with the basics: who, what, why, where, when, how,” Ilissa commented. “If you can’t answer these questions, then your story or message isn’t effective. An outline addressing the answers to these questions will help you tap into the core of what you need to say. Then you can just say it!”
The Forbes Agency Council, comprised of a select group of PR and advertising thought leaders, provides a refreshing and informal think tank that can help elevate companies and individuals to greater levels of success. As the CEO of iMPR, a company that delivers game-changing public relations and marketing campaigns that drive growth and influence customers in the telecom and technology space, we can anticipate more practical insight and wisdom from Ilissa Miller in the future.
For information about iMiller Public Relations, the Northeast DAS & Small Cell Association (an organization run by iMPR) please visit www.imillerpr.com or www.nedas.com or email: pr@imillerpr.com.
