Help for PR Rookies

    Many of us are at the threshold of employment in the PR industry.  As PR rookies, it might be helpful to start tracking information that others in the industry report as helpful.  For example, in KDPaine's blog she refers to Google Analytics.  I checked it out and it looks like a good tool to keep in mind for future reference.  As you discover cool tools, please give our classmates a head's up post in our blog.  

 

     I liked the style of Jim Horton's blog.  It takes on more of a news reporting tone.  It's easy to  picture him as a PR professional.  His focus is on the presidential elections right now.  It will be interesting to see what his topics are after the elections.  I discovered he authored two books.  His blogging gives you a feel as to whether or not you might be interested in reading his books.  This is a much better method of book selection than just a cursory glance through a book before its purchase.  

    

     It seems to me that posting comments to someone's blog opens the door to a potential mentorship.  I've noticed that many of the initial bloggers respond to the comments that are posted.  Certainly one would become familiar with a frequent commenter, assuming the comments were pertinent and thought provoking or at least humble in soliciting information.  

 

     The more I search the PR blogs, the more I think they are valuable to search.  New tools, discovering the styles I like and why, and the potential of mentoring by already employed professionals makes blog searches more appealing to me.  I especially like the more informative and educational blogs, as opposed to the ones that focus on ranting and complaining.  I haven't yet commented on a blog other than our own.  Soon...

PR Basics

I found this blog site to be helpful in pointing out the basics of a PR campaign. Each of these necessary documents is helpful in creating a successful campaign. This website helps to explain what they are and how to use them.
· Press Releases
· Press Kits
· Use Your Blog
· Working with the Media
· Organizing Media Events
· Learn Crisis Management

For each point there is a description of how this would be helpful in your campaign. The Organizing Media Events point explains that even though you plan a groundbreaking event it doesn’t mean that you are going to get media coverage for it. Along with the blurb under the topic, if you click the words in blue it takes you to a more detailed explanation of the topic.

In the Organizing Media Events link it talks about how when sending out your press release there is a window of time to send it out to the media. It says to not send it out too early because it could end up at the bottom of a pile, but also not to send it out too late because other stories may have been assigned already.

**Here is the website. My computer wouldn't let me link.
http://advertising.about.com/od/publicrelationsresources/a/managingpr.htm

Internet PR Campaign

This blog posting was designed to give tips on making a PR campaign successful on the internet. The author gives ten tips that I think are helpful for any company to use especially if they have a website or a blog site.

In the first couple of tips the author talks about having key points in your press release so that those who are searching the internet may stumble upon this document. The idea behind this is to have potential customers go to your website.

Normally, with traditional media it might take longer to create the excitement of a press release that you sent out for your company. His point here is that by using the internet you can create the excitement in advance to get the coverage that you want to make this campaign successful.

To create this excitement he says to send out the press release on the Internet seven days in advance. He said that within a about a month long period of time the clients will be able to see how many hits and page reviews that have occurred from this release. Later on during this period of time he says to then send the press release to the media of when the event is actually going to happen.

I thought that this blog is helpful in showing a different way of starting a PR campaign.

**My computer wouldn't let me link the website, so here it is
http://thatsgreatprblog.com/2008/08/12/10-tips-for-a-successful-internet-pr-campaign/

PR hurting other countries

Katie Paine is known for her creation of the Measurement Standard, which is the international newsletter of public relations research that tracks the effectiveness of Marketing and PR programs. Paine posts an interesting blog in regards to Dubai, and how lousy PR has ruined its reputation as a safe place to visit. She further comments on the social media, and how they can be a rain cloud over society. Paine explains how certain mainstream media outlets in America portray the United States as superior to other countries, and how America is the last safe haven left in the world. I have to say that Paine is making this out to be a larger issue than it really is. I understand that America is not perfect; other countries have nice places to stay and would be considered safe by most standards. Paine needs to understand that after 911, the psychology of Americans have changed, terrorists from the middle-east murdered thousands of people on our own soil. It’s natural for an average citizen of the United States to be cautious when any other American is traveling abroad. What’s going to stop them from killing you on their own turf?

A PR Rant

It is sometimes more insightful to ask someone what they don’t like about their job, instead of what the best part of their job is. Let’s face it, the bad days come with the good, and you have to be prepared for them.

Bad Pitch Blog is all about the things that many PR agents do wrong, can’t stand about clients, or that journalists hate about the PR world. The thing that I like about this blog is that it doesn’t just complain but gives helpful pointers.

Even though the blog talks about all the bad things in the profession it usually keeps an upbeat tone and is very entertaining. They offer complaints and advice on everything from typos and bad pitches to bad clients and much more.

Blogging in the workplace

I ran across an interesting Brian Solis blog about...blogging in the workplace. It seems that many new PR practitioners support being able to blog in the workplace. And both sides seem to be well represented about the pros, cons and concerns. But to look at it from my medical background perspective, there is a reason why we have HIPAA compliance laws, and why medical field employees are fired all the time for violating these compliance laws which protect the private information of patients.

While many of us would be just fine discussing our medical issues with close friends, family or even casual acquaintances, we would not be fine with just anybody having access to our medical files...let alone access that could potentially wind up on the Internet for all to see. When companies are spending thousands, perhaps even millions of dollars, on their Public Relations/Marketing/Advertising, is it really the place of the practitioner charged with working an account to blog openly and brazenly about the ins-and-outs of these accounts?

This business is highly competitive, and image and perception count for a lot. And transparency is certainly a worthy goal. But not at the expense of the companies whose business we seek and claim ourselves worthy to handle or because a few practitioners cannot keep their collective mouths shut.

Great blogging, everyone!

I've really enjoyed reading your blogs so far. I found it was easier (and more private) to print off your blog posts for comments and grading. They will be with your other papers at the front desk Friday, no later than noon.

You've all had some great comments, as well as some good advice, relating to PR and blogging. Just watch your spelling and punctuation. Remember, good writing adds credibility to your message.

For the PR Portfolio, create a new blog posting. Be sure to use any feedback that I gave you on your first posts to help you improve on your second postings. Also, please post comments on at least three of your classmates' entries. Remember, you can go back and edit your post if needed. Just finish your edits by the Portfolio deadline.

Have a great Fall Break!