How not to talk about Hong Kong; Becoming more than an order-taker; SEO tips; and more

MORNING SCOOP

Barbie’s bid to close the ‘dream gap,’ the perils of commenting on Hong Kong, and viral whisky ‘Tide pod’ gets jeers

Also: Kroger and Walgreens stop selling e-cigarettes, what drives consumer purchases, McDonald’s offers a ‘McRib locator,’ and more.

THE WORKPLACE

How can you rise above ‘order-taker’ status?

You want fries with that PowerPoint? Follow this guidance to become a respected leader who wields more authority, influence and corporate clout.

INFOGRAPHICS

Infographic: How to bolster your SEO performance on Google

Nine in every 10 online searches is done through the platform, so you must understand its rules and how to follow them. Here are some tips.

PR DAILY AWARDS

40+ ways to showcase your visual storytelling prowess

Enter PR Daily’s Video & Visual Awards to earn recognition for your captivating visual content. Don’t miss the Nov. 1 deadline.

THE WORKPLACE

Focusing on diversity? Don’t overlook disability

Inclusion should cover those with particular challenges—physical, cognitive or otherwise—to properly reflect the citizenry and for an array of subtle benefits to your organization.

MORNING SCOOP

TikTok’s ads anger influencers, Instagram tests ‘Group Story’ feature, and Houston Rockets apologize for Hong Kong tweet

Also: Brand managers can do better at monitoring reputation, Unilever vows to ditch plastic, and HSBC to lay off 10,000 employees.

WRITING & EDITING

Cut it in half: 3 ways to strengthen your writing

Eliminate redundancies, substitute potent words for tepid phrasing, and pinpoint your focus as you rewrite.

WEBSITES

How to show up in Google’s ‘featured snippets’

When users search for products or services on their phones, Google features some brands at the top, boosting their visibility and performance. Here’s how to get in on the action.

MARKETING

4 tips for finding fantastic free photos

Your content deserves engaging, dynamic images to capture readers’ imaginations. Finding quality photos that are free to repurpose takes a little extra effort.

RAGAN AWARDS

Ragan wants to honor the game-changing women in communications

Our inaugural Top Women in Communications Awards will shine a light on the women who have shaped the communications industry. Nominate your colleagues—or yourself—by Nov. 8.

RESEARCH SNAPSHOT

How communications work will change

With technology and the gig economy disrupting many traditional PR functions, how can agencies and departments alike prepare for the future?

MARKETING

How consumers’ ideas about ‘luxury’ are changing

As buyers shift their priorities from material possessions to experiences and social capital, how can communicators and brand managers position their organizations as ‘elite’ and ‘exclusive’?

MORNING SCOOP

Instagram heads off privacy concerns, most employees report burnout, and Woodward’s book interview debacle

Also: The perks that employees care about, Constellation’s poor communications dings stock price, wisdom from Amazon’s Kristin Graham, how to talk about the economy, and more.

VISUAL & VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS

Amazon comms exec extols bite-size messages

‘We absolutely have to make our content snackable,’ Kristin Graham tells a packed conference audience. Stats show the alarming level of distraction, but she offers key ways to break through.