Sarah Connolly

Mom/teacher/student, #PennytheTherapyDog’s human, Communication Strategist, Lovingly Harsh Critic, @fbileeda Media Relations Instructor, #wellness advocate

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

@michael_praats @CynthiaRoldan @AdamThePIO @StrategicPIO It would be helpful to have this info in an automatic reply to those outlets that continue to reach out to you via email.

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

@michael_praats @CynthiaRoldan @AdamThePIO @StrategicPIO With some social media platforms being questioned I would ask people to subscribe to any platform you're active on to receive an alert of an upcoming briefing/news conference. It makes sense that this would be X, this is historically where one turns for news.

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

🏁Field trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Strategic advisors from Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky came together this week to further their knowledge and expertise as spokespersons for their organizations. We elected to take our class photo at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Congratulations to @FBILEEDA’s Master PIO graduates!

Special thank you to Chief Scott Rolston and the Whitestown, Indiana, police department for hosting this week!

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

Happy #NationalDonutDay from Cash “Dollarbill”! It’s one of his favorite days 😍 🍩, he’s lucky enough to celebrate it with his favorite doods… 🚔🚓

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

And what a fabulous MPR class it was! 🙌

[FBI-LEEDA @FBILEEDA]

Congratulations to the Media & Public Relations graduates in Oklahoma City, OK! FBI-LEEDA's Media and Public Relations course is developed to assist public safety professionals in communicating with not only the media but the communities they serve.

[Adam Myrick @AdamThePIO]

“No comment”

Every spokesperson knows to avoid those words. And most do.

People in a training setting often tell me the phrase makes you look guilty.

But it’s more than that.

The phrase conveys secrecy…a lack of forthrightness and transparency…like you’re hiding something.

[Adam Myrick @AdamThePIO]

Checklist for new media relations pros:

✅visit newsrooms
✅connect personally with journalists
✅learn your org’s tone/voice
✅buy an @APStylebook

What else? What’s your advice to those jumping into #mediarelations?

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

@10_8_Comms This was a great block and redirect to what’s important, I was impressed when I heard it!

[Paul S Cordova @paulscordova]

Here @DENTONPD to learn from @FBILEEDA @ConnollyComms about Media & Public Relations! @AldinePolice @AldineISD What an experience!

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

🎙️An enriching week diving into the world of media and public relations with FBI-LEEDA! 📰
A special thank you to Sheriff Gerber and Undersheriff Hausner of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office for hosting AND attending!

#crisiscommunications #mediarelations

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

I’m excited to be back in NC in another week, there is still room if you want to join the MPR in Garner! ⬇️

[FBI-LEEDA @FBILEEDA]

We still have seats available for the following classes! See a class near you? It's not too late to sign up, check out our class calendar here: https://t.co/lPkRcji5Ez #teamleeda #leadon #fbileeda #leadership #lawenforcementtraining

[FBI-LEEDA @FBILEEDA]

Best way to go into the weekend is w/ some Penny content 🐶 Congrats to the grads of the MPO - Yorkville, IL & thx to @KCSheriff047 & Sheriff Dwight Baird for hosting! Sign up for a MPO today: https://t.co/G38YhE5ZLC #teamleeda #lawenforcementtraining #mediatraining #PIOtraining

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

🧠 I’m not the only one excited to be strategically brainstorming! 😁
We’re back in Kendall County, Illinois, but this time for @FBILEEDA’s MPIO.
Thank you, @KCSheriff047 for having me back and being outstanding hosts! 🙌

#training #communications

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

… it also helps that we LOVE “talking shop”, and are often described as a wee bit passionate about communications and public relations. 😁🤓

#teamleeda #piolife

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

In Nashville this week, not teaching, but talking about teaching! 😉 It is such a privilege to represent @fbileeda’s media team with the magnificent Matt Fagiana. @nioa presents the perfect opportunity to reconnect with friends and peers as well as making new ones!

[Adam Myrick @AdamThePIO]

Spokespersons must work to eliminate what I call filler lines…phrases we use casually in conversation to begin a sentence.

-To be honest with you…
-I’m not gonna lie…

⬆️are two examples that, for obvious reasons, can be troublesome during an interview or news conference.

[Sarah Connolly @ConnollyComms]

When you have to take ice out of @YETICoolers to keep the bargain store cooler cold…
No power since Monday and the Yeti was worth every penny! 🙌😅

[Jon-Stephen Stansel @jsstansel]

Social Media “Gurus” on Tiktok who claim you can make 30 days of content in 30 minutes vs Brand Social Media Managers who just got their content calendars from April approved last week

[Adam Myrick @AdamThePIO]

Media relations means more than reporters.

Strive to establish relationships with:

-photographers

-assignment editors/managers

-producers/executive producers

-editors/news directors

-digital content staff

-interns tagging along on a story