PRos in Training

Tag: Uncategorized

  • MR 101: Follow Directions


    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?

  • Pitches Gone Very, Very Wrong

    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.

  • Bookmark This: Web Resources for PRos in Training


    Cruising the ‘net and the ‘sphere (as in blog-o-sphere), I found some great links that you should take a look at:

    Writing Tools
    This blog by Roy Peter Clark at the Poynter Institute has some great tips for keeping your writing fresh and interesting.

    The Bad Pitch Blog
    A great blog about what makes a good pitch… and what doesn’t from two journalists.

    Media Guerilla: The Best of
    Some great tips on blogger relations and the tools of doing PR now.

    Oregon Blue Book Media
    For my students who don’t have access to a database, and you’re building an Oregon media list – start here.

    Green Media Toolshed
    This 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, Rosina @ Flickr, for a great photo.

  • Watch What You Say When the World is Listening

    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 MySpace and FaceBook. And the type of comment that Chris left for Jeff may have been acceptable in that realm when talking to friends. But it was wholly inappropriate for dealing with a professional writer.

    I’m often amazed at how horribly unprofessional emails from students can be. This is an excerpt from a recent email (name withheld):

    I’m sorry about not telling U ahead of time about my unplanned absence. Like
    I mentioned I didn’t know that I was gonna be absent that day until the day
    of. Our plans were to com back the night before and that just didn’t work
    out some how.
    I’m really sorry that I walk in late a lot. It’s just really hard for me to
    catch the bus on time. I live pretty far out & I know that parking is
    impossible on campus. On top of not having a license.
    I was wondering if our quiz was a scantron quia or a write in answer or a
    paragraph? If it’s a scantron do we need to bring out own? Thanx a ton!
    BYEEE!
    -xoxo

    If you were Dell, or even the corner coffee shop, would you want Ms. -xoxo representing you. Is this the way she would pitch an editor?

    PRos in training, please remember that what you write in email or online is a representation of who you are and what you have to offer an employer, etc – and – that the whole world may indeed be listening.

  • Not an Intern this summer? What to do… what to do…

    Summer’s in Oregon are the best! Gorgeous days, lots of nearby recreation and a perfect time to beef up your resume with a PR internship.

    What? You don’t have an internship this summer? That’s ok. You can still get some experience and make some connections.

    I asked some of the PRos I know and here are the best tips:

    Lisa Pulliam, Public Relations Manager, Western Oregon University: “Set up a job shadow. Especially if you’re a sophomore or junior and still trying to figure out if PR is for you. Most professionals are more than willing to spend a day or half-a-day with you to give you a taste of the industry. Think you might be interested in political work? Contact a local candidate’s communication director. Non-profit might be your thing? Lots of nonprofits have a PR/Marketing director and nearly all have a Development Director (fundraising). Even if you are interested in an entertainment PR or agency career, there’s someone in your area that does that work. It’s a great way to build relationship with professionals.”

    Erica Harbison, Account Executive, Waggener Edstrom (Portland): “Go to the local city hall or your favorite charity organization and see what projects are in the works – maybe an event or volunteer recruitment effort – see if you can help them with PR/marketing. Even if you’re not doing a formal internship, you can get involved with projects on a short term basis – maybe write an article for a newsletter, create flyers to hand out or help them update their Web site. The organization will be appreciative – and you’ve got a portfolio piece to show for it.”

    Laura Bishow, Account Executive, Maxwell PR (Portland): “Volunteer!” (pretty basic, huh?)

    Other tips:

    Set up informational interviews: Contact PRos (maybe even start with alumni) in your field of interest and ask for 30 minutes of their time. A conversation over lunch can give you insight into how to better prepare yourself for a career in that field and again, will help you make connections. After all, PR is all about the relationships you can build.

    Keep up on industry news: Read trade publications and blogs about public relations and get the PRos perspective on public relations.

    Talk to your profs: Yes, we have connections. And yes, we can help you. I promise.

  • Welcome!

    New diggs for a new idea.

    Much, much more to come for my students at the University of Oregon, students of PR across the world and students of life.

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