Shirley Williams Communications

02/09/2026

This is the kind of media coverage I love to see!

I’ve recently been working with Traderbag South Africa on their PR, and it was wonderful to see them featured in The Citizen News this week as part of a much bigger conversation around fast fashion, waste and our increasingly disposable culture.

Journalist Hein Kaiser has done a fabulous job of bringing the story together, from Phillip Botha’s remarkable dress created from recycled paper bags to Traderbag co-founder Daniel Cherry’s perspective on rethinking the everyday products we so easily throw away.

For me, good PR is about finding where a business genuinely belongs in the conversations already happening around us. Traderbag has something relevant to say about sustainability and single-use culture, and it’s great to see that message receiving meaningful editorial space.

Well done to everyone involved, and thank you, Hein, for a great piece.

Read the full article on The Citizen below.

Designer Phillip Botha turned recycled paper bags into dress to challenge fast fashion waste and our growing throwaway culture.

01/09/2026

If you were anywhere near social media this weekend, you probably saw the Airlink flyover.

And then you probably saw it again. And again.

What started as a spectacular moment ahead of the Springboks vs All Blacks match quickly became an international talking point, with excitement, criticism, memes, aviation commentary and questions about just how low those aircraft were flying.

From a PR perspective, there is an interesting lesson here.✈️

Brands can plan the activation. They can plan the message. They can plan the photographs, the timing and the spectacle.

What they cannot plan is what the public decides to talk about.
Once something enters the public arena, particularly at this scale, the story can move very quickly. The conversation around the Airlink flyover shifted from spectacle to safety almost immediately, requiring the airline to respond and explain the planning, approvals and expertise behind it.

That does not necessarily mean the activation failed. Quite the opposite. Airlink has dominated conversation for days.

But it is a brilliant reminder that attention and narrative control are two very different things.

Good PR plans for the moment. Great PR plans for what might happen after it.

27/08/2026

"Please disregard our previous mail."

The subject line from a recent email. There's a good chance some of you received it too. Don't worry, I won't name names.

It made me smile because it was such a human moment.

No matter how experienced we are or how carefully we plan, mistakes happen. An email goes out too soon, the wrong attachment is sent or someone spots an error after pressing "Send." We've all been there.

What I appreciated wasn't the mistake. It was that someone acknowledged it, communicated clearly and moved on.

There's something reassuring about that. It reminds us that people don't expect perfection. They expect honesty, accountability and good communication.

Sometimes, the quickest way to rebuild confidence is simply to say, "We got this one wrong."

Email me at [email protected]

26/08/2026

Let's not put a jinx on anyone...

But imagine you woke up tomorrow and your entire online presence had disappeared.

Your website, your LinkedIn profile, your social media, every article, interview and photograph.

You'd have to start from scratch.

Would you tell the same story? Would you position yourself in the same way?
Would you spend less time talking about what you do, and more time explaining why it matters?

Sometimes I think this is a useful exercise. We become so busy adding to our online presence that we rarely stop to ask whether we're building the right one.

Ask yourself, "If I had the chance to build it again, what would I do differently?"

It's an interesting thought.

25/08/2026

People often ask me what good public relations can do for a business.

My answer is simple.

It creates access.

Access to conversations you weren't part of before, to opportunities that don't appear on a tender document, to media, partnerships, speaking opportunities and introductions that can change the direction of your business.

The right communication opens doors long before you walk through them.

That's why I've never believed PR is simply about publicity. At its best, it's about creating opportunities by making sure the right people know who you are, what you stand for and why your business matters.

If you're ready to create new opportunities for your business, I'd love to help.

Email me at [email protected]

20/08/2026

Some businesses leave a lasting impression without ever raising their voice.

Others spend all their time talking, yet struggle to be remembered.

The difference often has very little to do with marketing budgets and everything to do with how they make people feel.

In my latest blog, I explore why communication isn't just about what you say. It's about the experience you create every time someone interacts with your brand.

If you've ever wondered why some businesses are remembered long after the conversation ends, this one's for you.

👉Read the full blog here: https://www.shirleywilliams.co.za/if-your-business-was-a-dinner-party/

If you'd like to build a communications strategy that people remember for all the right reasons, I'd love to help.

What can a dinner party teach us about business communication? Discover why memorable brands create experiences, not just messages.

19/08/2026

Have you ever walked past two restaurants? One is half empty. The other has a queue out the door.

Most of us don't stop to compare the menus. We simply assume the busy one must be better.

That's reputation at work.

People naturally look to other people when deciding who to trust, and businesses work exactly the same way.

Media coverage. Testimonials. Industry recognition. Thought leadership. Referrals all send the same message before you've even spoken to a potential client.

Reputation has a remarkable way of attracting attention before marketing ever gets the chance.

If you'd like your business to become the one people naturally gravitate towards, I'd love to help.

[email protected]

17/08/2026

I recently caught up with a friend and asked what he'd been keeping himself busy with.

"I've been sewing," he replied.

I'll admit, I pictured a few clothing alterations. Instead, he showed me beautifully upholstered furniture that looked like it belonged in a designer showroom. I was genuinely amazed. I had no idea he had such an incredible talent.

It reminded me how often we think we know the people in our network because we know their job title or where they work. In reality, we often know very little about the skills, passions and experiences that make them who they are.

Some of the best business relationships are built on genuine curiosity. Ask one more question. Take an interest beyond the role. You never know what opportunities, ideas, or collaborations might come from simply getting to know someone a little better.

After all, every person has a story. Sometimes, you just have to ask.

If you'd like to build stronger relationships through thoughtful communication, I'd love to hear from you, or better yet, ‘introduce’ yourself in the comments!

13/08/2026

You need to believe in your own story as much as you believe that bamboo shoot is bringing you money.

Walk into enough offices and you'll probably spot one.

A lucky bamboo plant sitting proudly on a desk, carefully watered because someone told us it attracts prosperity and success.

Whether you believe in lucky bamboo or not isn't really the point.

What fascinates me is how much faith we sometimes place in the things around our business, while giving far less attention to the story of the business itself.

Your reputation won't grow because of the plant in the corner.

It grows because people understand who you are, what you stand for and why they should choose you.

Communication isn't luck. Visibility isn't luck. Trust certainly isn't luck. They are built through consistency, clarity and the confidence to tell your story well.

So by all means, keep the bamboo. Just don't believe in it more than you believe in your own business.

If you're ready to tell your story with confidence and purpose, I'd love to help.

Email me at [email protected]

12/08/2026

The strongest finish to the year doesn't happen by chance. It starts with a communication plan.

As we head into the second half of the year, now is the time to ask whether your business is communicating with purpose or simply reacting to what's in front of you.

A well-planned communications strategy can help you finish the year with greater visibility, stronger relationships and more opportunities. Here are a few areas worth considering:

• The stories you want your business to be known for before year-end.
• Product launches, milestones or announcements that deserve media attention.
• Industry events, conferences and speaking opportunities.
• Thought leadership that positions you or your leadership team as trusted experts.
• Customer success stories that build credibility.
• Internal communications that keep your team engaged during a busy period.
• Year end campaigns that cut through the festive noise.
• Planning ahead for January so your business starts the new year with momentum.

If you're looking to finish the year on a strong note, I'd love to help you build a communications plan that supports your business goals.

Email me at [email protected] to start the conversation.