Dear Gracie: 10 Most Popular Posts From the Past Year

Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of nearly 50,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you’ve been wondering that none of your colleagues can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com

It’s the one-year anniversary of my Dear Gracie column! There’s no way I could have written over 52 entries without the support of the ProfNet Connect and PR Newswire communities, including those who sent in questions, the enthusiastic readers, and of course, the experts I quote — so thanks!

When I first started writing Dear Gracie, it was meant to be a general advice column — any question on any subject. After the first few weeks, I started receiving more and more questions about PR and media issues specifically, and eventually the column became an advice column for PR professionals and journalists.

Here’s a look back at the top 10 most popular blog posts (in no particular order) from this past year:

1. How to Write Catchy Headlines

What type of headline turns the most heads? This article provides tips and techniques for print and Web articles, including advice on how to use puns and ambiguity effectively.

2. The Great Serial/Oxford Comma Debate

Dear Gracie actually used to occasionally feature grammar questions — that is, until Grammar Hammer was born.

3. Nine Non-PR Skills Every PR Person Needs

Featured on PRDaily.com, this article was particularly popular with PR professors and their students. The list showcases traits that are not usually associated with PR. Do your skills match up?

4. Branding vs. Advertising vs. Marketing vs. PR

Have you ever wondered what exactly the differences are between these fields? You’re not the only one.

5. When Clients Want to Distribute Non-News

Advice for PR professionals on how to talk down “that client.”

6. Tips for How to Appear on Camera

So you wanna be a star? Check out this advice on looking and feeling good through the lens.

7. Hashtags 101

How to mind your social media manners on Twitter, with a particular focus on hashtag etiquette.

8. Why Small Business Needs PR

How to convince small-business owners that they need PR.

9. #HowToRespond to an @AngryCustomer

If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. But what if you HAVE to say something?

10. How to Stand out on a Panel

Learn how to dazzle audiences with your wit and wisdom.

Thanks again for reading Dear Gracie! Until next week…

Gracie

Written by Grace Lavigne, senior editor of ProfNet, a service that helps journalists connect with expert sources. Dear Gracie is published weekly on ProfNet Connect, a free social networking site for communicators. To read more from Grace, check out her blog on ProfNet Connect.