How TikTok irks influencers; Tips for concise writing; Land in Google's 'featured snippets', and more

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.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Expert guidance to prep your spokesperson—before a crisis hits

It takes more than just memorizing a script. Here’s how to handle tough questions in a thoughtful, genuine and safe manner.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

Infographic: How to improve the customer experience

For many consumers, their interaction with your brand is just as important as the product they buy from you. Here are some tips to help your organization delight its audience.

RAGAN AWARDS

Don’t miss this week’s Employee Communications Awards entry deadline

The deadline for entries in our premiere awards program for internal communications is this Friday, Oct. 4. Share your impressive internal campaigns, content, intranets and inspiring workplaces.

THE WORKPLACE

Why diversity and inclusion warrant PR’s rapt attention

Multicultural consumers are transforming the U.S. marketplace. Beyond being the right thing to do on a human level, embracing people of all types is essential to your organization’s success.

MORNING SCOOP

Digital advertisers seek transparency, Facebook fights content ruling, and PR faces a gender trust gap

Also: Twitter’s pushback on Trump’s copyright infringement, Google’s new shopping tools, when to find a partner for a PR stunt, and more.