What makes a good public relations expert?
Over the years, there have been a few PR experts that have stood out; namely Shona Boyd. She is an industry veteran in Sydney and has had every big name client under the sun. She is more professional than the rest and without doubt is one of the few people in the industry that guarantee results. She has a no bullshit radar, and refuses to work with people who can't sit straight. I love her. She was one of the first real PR people that I have ever met.
Then there were others that came along, without qualifications but equally capable in getting column centremeters like Roxy Jacenko. They have built their businesses on largely fluffy PR but have done so with gust and have certainly gained my admiration.
I played the PR game earlier on. I realised that it was a quick way to make some serious money. I worked on the more serious part of the equation; public listings, technology PR, business PR and alike. It was fun. All it required was an ability to write a press release and build a relationship with a journalist. By knowing what the journalist was interested in, I was able to tell the client upfront whether or not they had a chance of getting published or not.
For that privilege, I wrote the press release in 20 minutes and charged $2,500 per piece. Easy money and paid the rent. Didn't get much better than that.
Gosh times have changed. Why did I ever stop doing this. Now, we charge a few hundred dollars for writing a press release and send it out to a database. Not the same results might I add, but it seems that that is what most people are doing and getting away with.
Good PR people have the following qualitites:
Then there were others that came along, without qualifications but equally capable in getting column centremeters like Roxy Jacenko. They have built their businesses on largely fluffy PR but have done so with gust and have certainly gained my admiration.
I played the PR game earlier on. I realised that it was a quick way to make some serious money. I worked on the more serious part of the equation; public listings, technology PR, business PR and alike. It was fun. All it required was an ability to write a press release and build a relationship with a journalist. By knowing what the journalist was interested in, I was able to tell the client upfront whether or not they had a chance of getting published or not.
For that privilege, I wrote the press release in 20 minutes and charged $2,500 per piece. Easy money and paid the rent. Didn't get much better than that.
Gosh times have changed. Why did I ever stop doing this. Now, we charge a few hundred dollars for writing a press release and send it out to a database. Not the same results might I add, but it seems that that is what most people are doing and getting away with.
Good PR people have the following qualitites:
- An interest in the topic they are writing about to the point that they can not only relay everything in the media release but include important facts to go with the press release that the journalist would not have easy access to including the sources.
- Knowledge and background on the journalist. Understand what the journalist writes about and whether or not they have written too much on the topic you are trying to pitch, as it will be less likely to run.
- Creative publicists make journalists jobs a lot easier. Finding ways to make front page stories interesting means less work for the journalist who has put in a long day with little real reward, just a low pay check that they know they deserve more from.
- No typos: It's true, journalist hate typos. People like me should never be writing press releases especially if I am too lazy to proof check.
- Honesty: If you don't trust your client, don't write about them and certainly don't pitch them to a journo. I remember years ago I thought a particular new client who was referred by a friend was full of shit. He was. And it got worse, when the journalist at The Australian worked it out, he threatened him with his life. I died inside and apologized profusely. Luckily for me I think the journalist felt sorry for me that I was so naive as to how these people operate. Payback was a bitch and for years, that guy was splattered all over A Current Affair.
Certain tasks that PR officers perform include:
- Monitor media articles and public opinion
- Develop and implement communications strategies for an organisation and advise management on any issues that may arise
- Develop key messaging guides for the organisation and for key spokespeople
- Respond to all media inquiries
- Write, edit and arrange production of newsletters, in-house magazines, and brochures
- Write speeches, prepare visual aids and make public presentations
- Organise special events such as open days, visits, exhibitions, tradeshows, seminars, websinars.
- Plan, develop and manage brand identity
- Procure sponsorships
- Have a Twitter account with more than 20,000 followers
- Follow every journalist in your book and more
- Write tweets to every journalist that you are pitching to so they remember your name and pitch
- Connect with every journalist on LinkedIn
- Connect with every journalist on Instagram
Single, yet effective!!!!
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comments ( 4 )
Junior Barer
02 Sep 2015Organizations will continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations as a way to maintain and enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly because both good and bad news spreads rapidly through the Internet.
ReplySheree Gover
19 Aug 2015Shona Boyd is well known within the industry for her work ethic and results. Well earned that she is recognised for her PR qualities
Replydevsoft
19 Aug 2015Internet web marketing can make the world your oyster, that is, if you have a good plan, preparation and persistence in mind.
Replywebmarketing
Christina
17 Aug 2015What a helpful list! It looks like PR sure have changed throughout the years. Now a days, there seems to be a stronger focus on social media and online connections. I guess the key messages here is that a good PR person knows how to organize, prepare and connect. All of which results in making the journalists job better for them. Follow these steps and I bet all the journalists would remember who you are.
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