Archive for July, 2006
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Matthew Stibe at Bad Language vents about public relations PRos (using that term loosely) that just can’t seem to follow directions. I’d like to think this is rare… but I know it’s not. And I’d like to think that none of my former students would do this. Rule #1: Be respectful. If a reporter is clear about his or her deadline and clear about the preferred contact method, respect it. Seems pretty basic right?... Permalink
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From Media Orchard (one of mt favorite blogs): 17 Tips for Those Just Starting Out in Business. I would like to highlight #13 13. Accept responsibility when things go wrong. Be ready to say that something is your fault and apologize for your error. Do so even if you have to accept responsibility for something that is technically someone else’s error. You’ll earn respect. I would add to this particular tip – be gracious. Accept responsibility graciously and without excuse, without blame. And you can try this tact even before you go out into the business world. Leave your sense of entitlement that you deserve an A at the door and earn it. As the Media Orchard tip says, you’ll earn respect.... Permalink
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You know you’ve sent a bad pitch when the blog-o-sphere is abuzz about it. Here are some links to recent bad pitches. Read and learn. Racist PR at its finest. This publicist was fired.Sleazy PR at its finest. This one was also fired. Remember – it’s bad when your boss has to go back and try to cover your arse.More bad pitches at The Bad Pitch Blog. So how should you pitch? Here are some great tips by Alan Weinkrantz.... Permalink
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Cruising the ‘net and the ‘sphere (as in blog-o-sphere), I found some great links that you should take a look at: Writing ToolsThis blog by Roy Peter Clark at the Poynter Institute has some great tips for keeping your writing fresh and interesting. The Bad Pitch BlogA great blog about what makes a good pitch… and what doesn’t from two journalists.Media Guerilla: The Best ofSome great tips on blogger relations and the tools of doing PR now. Oregon Blue Book MediaFor my students who don’t have access to a database, and you’re building an Oregon media list – start here. Green Media ToolshedThis site is specifically for grassroots environmental organizations, but has some really great tips that you can use for any campaign. Kind of a mixed bag of joy for you. Have fun! If you have links you’d like to see on PRos in Training, let me know! Thanks,... Continue Reading
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I try to communicate the importance of online language and “presence” to my students – in class and as an adviser. The basics of spelling and grammar aside, a recent inappropriate post on Jeff Jarvis’ well-regarded blog, BuzzMachine, brings the point home once again. An individual named Chris (no last name) recently posted a rather obnoxious comment. Jeff has had some trouble with Dell, as in Dell Computers, which he’s documented in his blog. I loved PR Guru Richard Edelman’s take on this saga. He makes some outstanding points. My take is this – when you are representing a company, whether you are a summer intern (as “Chris” turned out to be) or you’re the executive of the company, you must conduct yourself online as if the whole world is listening. Chris, I’m sure, has spent his high school and college days learning to communicate online through such sites as... Continue Reading
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Public relations PRos understand the media – they understand how to help their clients tell their story to the right people. Understanding the media is part of the value that public relations PRos bring to the table. As a PRo in Training, it may be difficult to figure out whether the story you’re being asked to pitch is newsworthy or not. Does it have local relevance? If you’re pitching the local press, you should have a local story. Or if you have a national story, what’s the local angle? Think about why the launch of a new Web site would be of interest to the local press before you pitch it. A sub-question might be “Is it relevant to the media to which you are pitching?” You may be pitching a magazine, or a national television show. In that case, you need to consider the story’s relevance to that media’s... Continue Reading
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