Public Relation Specialists…

As I was on the internet just searching around looking at Public Relations related information, I came across the official website of the United States Department of Labor. They have an official definition of what PR is and what specialists do an achieve. Take a look HERE!

TOW-Info graphics

Withing journalistic writings visuals have a place of importance. There are those types of graphics that are more focused from the photo journalism perspective and then there are those such as infographics that place more of an information/explanational purpose.

Info graphics are placed within articles to give and example or explanation of what the article is talking about. They tends to be graphical but in a more creative manner. For example, there may be a pie graph used to show the sales of the pizza industry. As an infograph the pie graph would literally look like a pizza. This gives a more relevant and creative visual that goes along with the information being presented within the article.

When making infographics, you want to make sure that you are creating a visual that pertains directly to the information given. Creativity matter, but s does relevancy. The graphics should not be so distracting that they take away from the main idea of the information. You do not want the infographic to be a distraction. Make sure there is a distinction of simplicity. You want the reader to be able to still follow and understand the graph. The whole reason the graph is there is to help better explain the information being given.

Here are some examples:

*These photos were found on google images.

Chapter 8 Reading Notes

Chapter 8-

Photos and graphics are very important to a news release and feature story. They help describe the story without fully reading it and they are an aspect that grabs the readers attention in the beginning.
Works of an effective and good photo have technical quality, subject matter, composition, action, scale, camera angle, lighting and timing, and color.
Cropping Editing the photo is when you cut off parts of the picture that you don’t want to get a better more focused idea of what you want the picture to portray. All the photos that you have will need a caption that is a slight description of the picture and may include a quotation.

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

TOW-PROpenMic

Featuring PROpenMic~!

This is a social networking system that has just come to my attention. It connects students and recently graduated students to the Public Relations operating world. The site has connections and different activities that connect directly with PR. Details of internship, groups, events, photos, and blogs are all interconnected within this site. The wonderful thing about PROpenMic is that it gives the user an opportunity to create a personal profile, just like the social network of Facebook.

Summer is almost here and this is always a great time to find and get plugged into an internship concerning PR! This social network includes a link that help direct PR students in the right direction concerning internships. The direct connection leads to a page that includes Tweets from firms and other organizations about potential openings. Click HERE if interested!

Another great feature to the site is in relation to conferences and events that are being held throughout the nation. These would be great conferences to look into if you are very serious about making connections and networking within PR organizations. If you are interested in taking a look at these click here.

Connections and resources are right beneath our noses and it is time to take full advantage of this time and information. This social network is just one easy way to get yourself entirely connected with other PR students and the PR world. I am sure that many employers look to this site to see the connections and effort student put into these profiles on this site. Make sure you are placing your best work and most relevant work onto the site.

When wanting to make connections with other people, it is as easy as a click of a button. There is a place to search for specific people and there are also a place where random users are placed on your page that may be an interest to you to connect with. As of recently there are around 6,000 members that you have the opportunity to connect with.

This site has taught me a lot just by looking through the different links that it provides. It gives updates and news along with almost everything you would need to help prepare you for the working PR world! If you are willing and interested in creating your own personal profile click here. There is a big opportunity here for you if you are interested at all in Public Relations. This is the time to connect. The earlier the better. The most connections the more opportunity.

What are you doing this summer?

Summer is coming! Many of us may not know what our plans are or what we want to do. Have you done your internship yet? Here is a link to help you get started on a search to find a good PR internship opportunity~PR Internships

Comments

#1.

1. rmkosiek Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
   March 13, 2010 at 1:48 pm

This was something that caught my eye. I tend to travel quite a bit since I am from Chicago and go to school in Florida. I looked at the list of airports and I was not surprised to see O’Hare as the number 6 worst airport. One of the reasons has to be just because of it’s size. It is very large and actually about to get bigger. When ever I fly home I try to go to Midway Airport instead because I am almost 95% sure my flight won’t get delayed. It is always delayed at O’Hare. This is annoying because I only live 20 minutes from O’Hare and an hour from Midway. I’d rather be ontime then stuck for hours because of a delay at O’Hare!

Mikelle Liette’s Blog

#2.

1. rmkosiek Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
   March 13, 2010 at 1:51 pm

Thank-you for the connection to the other blog. The information was great and I have realized how technologically behind I am, but there is always time for learning more through blogging. I appreaciate it!

Mikelle Liette’s Blog

#3.

rmkosiek Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. March 13, 2010 at 2:18 pm

I think the speech was scripted by many really good PR spceialists. To be honest the speech did not seem as if it were personally connected with him at all. I feel like he was just acting. I understand that under his circumstances he is just being criticized fromt eh left and right, but it just did not seem sincere.

Mallory Bollware’s Blog

#4.

rmkosiek Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. March 13, 2010 at 2:27 pmI loved this commercial! I think it was a great idea and used emotion to bring in customers. It was not meant for laughs which made it stand out even more. Thank you for sharing this commercial along with your thoughts and facts!

Tara Duffy’s Blog

#5.

1. Rena Kosiek Says:
   April 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 pm This is great! I love his presence and attitude towards his work place. These were soem great photo tips. Thanks for the post!

Barbara Nixon’s Blog

#6.

rmkosiek Says:
April 2, 2010 at 1:10 pm

I would have loved to hear him speak. I was unable to make his lecture. Thank-you for sharing a little bit about him. I am glad you enjoyed him. I am sure this was a very beneficial presentation in which you got a lot of information.

Mikelle Liette’s blog

#7.

Ike Pigott’s Blog

#8.

#10 written by Rena Kosiek
about 1 second ago

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

This was a great article to read. This has always been soemthing that I have thought about, but never had the time to do research on. Teachers though in different areas make a completely different amount of money. Would this play into what you are saying? In Illinois certain districts after working 10 years, a teacher can make well into a figure salary, which compared to Florida, a teacher can work their entire career and never step close to that salary. Your post just got my mind thinking. I like that! Thank-you.

Ike Pigott’s Blog

#9.

#1 written by Rena Kosiek
about 1 second ago

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

This is great! Fun little video. Visuals, such as videos are always my favorite.

Ike Pigott’s Blog

#10.

Rena Kosiek on April 2nd, 2010 1:57 pm

This is a tough decision. If China is dropped, what will this mean for the national economy? Will it be affected at all? There are so many different areas that are going to be impacted by this decision. I like the suggestion left in the comment of Maria. Why doesn’t Google change depending on which country they are servicing? I understand this can be tricky, but this will allow them to stay and expand within countries such as China. Plus, if they choose to do this, users within each country will most likely use Google more just because it is more applicable to them.

Alltop- Top PR News blog-visit here

#11.

rmkosiek
April 2, 2010 at 19:03

This is a good question to ask and I can understand your concern. I am not an expert, but I am a student. It does seem to me that many time PR professionals are being portrayed in a negative manner. I am very interested in seeing what comments you may get in relation to this post. Thank-you for you thoughts and concerns.

PR Meets Marketing Blog-visit here

#12.

Rena Kosiek

April 2nd, 2010 at 2:13 pm

I am blown away at all of the brands that Twitter. This is a great networking tool that will you can see the future of marketing is going to.

Paul Dunay Blog- Visit Here

#13.

Rena Kosiek

April 2nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm

I am a user of Facebook and when I came across your post I had to read what it was all about and see if it related to my experience. It does relate. I appreciate what you posted. Thank-you.

Paul Dunay Blog-Visit here

#14.

1. Rena Kosiek Says:
   February 3rd, 2010 at 10:11 pm Sending you the course report was more simple than I thought. Thank-you for that input and taking the time to go through it all step-by-step!

Barbara Nixon’s Blog

#15

April 3, 2010 at 1:20 pm

rmkosiek

Thank-you for sharing this Lisa. This is something that has been on my heart as well. The thing is I am in this place of the unknown. I have no idea what to expect out of this next season of my life, but I can’t think forward yet until classes and these things are done. I am not graduating until December, but my journey for this summer and next semester have really brought my mind on a frenzy. You are an inspirational leader with loyal character. I know as you ambitions grow so will God’s grace and he leads your every step. Keep pushing through and continue to shine on this campus.

Lisa McLaughlin’s Blog

#16

Reply

Rena Kosiek says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

April 3, 2010 at 8:02 pm

I really enjoyed this post. I am not a usual blogger, but this caught my attention. It is crazy how you can sum everything you talk about in these 5 events.

123 Social Media Blog-here

#17

Comments by Rena Kosiek on April 3rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm |

I don’t think “Mommy Bloggers” represent all women, but I think this whole topic is just going way out of hand. Why are people getting so wrapped up in it? I know it is ridiculous, but I don’t think it’s worth the time to get worked up about.

NakedPR-Mommy Bloggers *This content may be offensive to some readers

#18

Expand ⇗ Guest

Rena Kosiek0 minutes ago

This is great that you are supporting this. Thank-you for all of the input.

Chris Brogan’s Blog- Visit

#19

Expand ⇗ Guest

Rena Kosiek0 minutes ago

This is great material. I am a WordPress user, but I am not an expert on how to use all of the functions. This was very beneficial to me. Thank-you for taking the time to post this.

Chris Brogan’s Blog-Visit

#20

Expand ⇗ Guest

Rena Kosiek0 minutes ago

I was recently in the process of starting a non-profit organization that was going to lead into other businesses. This was great input for me to keep in mind when I am working with investors. The precess is never easy. Thank-you for the post.

Ben Yoskovitz’s Blog-Visit

#21

Rena

3/4/2010 at 6:55 pm

I feel that whenever any social networking media begins, spam immediately starts to take over. It is always going to happen. Unfortunately that is just how it is. Thank-you for the post.

Tom Raftery’s Blog-Visit

#22

Rena says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

April 3, 2010 at 9:01 pm

This is great! I never knew how much of a business this could be. The internet has always been just a resource of information to me not a resource of profit. Thank-you for the input!!! This was great to read.

ViperChill-Visit

#23

Rena says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

April 3, 2010 at 9:08 pm

I am new to your blog, but I am enjoying it very much! I am really looking forward to reading more of your posts and trying some of the things out that have made you successful. Thank-you for continually posting.

ViperChill-Visit

#24

• Expand ⇗
• Registered

renakosiek 0 minutes ago

These are some great things to consider. I appreciate the post. I agree that Twitter does not solve everything. Sometimes it is just an excuse for real relationship. Twitter equals less vulnerability and trust with your client and more of a convenience to the PR practitioner (sometimes).

britopian.com-Visit

#25

Rena Says:

<!–

Posted April 3, 2010 at 5:22 pm | Permalink

Your comment is awaiting moderation. –>There are many organizations that need to rethink their marketing mix. This is a bad year for everyone other that shops that make signs that say “Going Out of Business.” When it comes to newspapers though, do you feel as if print will disappear entirely?

The Buzz Bin-Visit

Chpater 7 Notes

Chapter 7 Notes

• When writing a feature story is it used to help in these five areas. Make sure that these intertwined within your feature:

1)       Give information to the consumer

2)       Give background about organizations

3)       Give a behind-the-scenes perspective

4)       Add a human dimension to events

5)       Generate publicity

• For writing a feature you need to keep in mind these three things to help with ideas:

1)       Conceptualize how something lends itself to future treatment

2)       Determine if the information would be interesting and useful for your audience

3)       Be sure that the feature helps achieve organizational objectives

• A proposal is used as an outline of the entire article and tells in detail why a magazine should publish it. In a proposal it should include:

1)       Tentative title of the article

2)       Subject and theme

3)       Significance

4)       Major points

5)       Descriptions of available photos and graphics

• These are the most common types of feature stories that are used within PR writing:

1)       Case studies

2)       Application stories- similar to case study but focuses on how consumers can use a product or service in innovative ways

3)       Research studies

4)       Backgrounders- there are several kinds. They can focus on a problem and its solution from the product or it can explain how the product has evolved.

5)       Personality profiles

6)       Historical pieces

• There are 5 different parts of a feature story and they are:

1)       The headline

2)       The lead

3)       The body

4)       The summary

5)       Photos and graphics

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

TOW-NewsU Lead Lab

The NewsU Lead lab was a beneficial tool to open the students eyes to understanding and creating a effective news lead. The course contributed a multitue of links that borought the student through information about leads, prexenting actual examples, along with giving the oppotunity for practice to write news leads and compare them to other students who have taken part within the same course of activity.

Most imformation that was given wthin the NewsU Lead Lab has been something that I have been introduced to before. The one thing that I really did enjoy about the course it that I was able to take time and get a closer look into these things that I have heard of already. I have already learned before in my classes about what makes a story news worthy and how to grab the readers attention. This was not a new concept to me so when the course had taken me into the talking about leads and grabbing the readers attetion i felt as if it were repetative for me. It was great though to see how the course brought me to a situational aspect. The course had me look at different types of stories and how to write about them. I usually write most of my stories about the smae types of things, so to look at storeis that deal with sudden situations and off the shart type of information was good to understand and learn.

I would have loved to read actual news leads that have made an impact from a journalistic standpoint. I am a person who needs to interact with what I am doing. It is hard for me to sit at a computer, read a course, and really get excited. I need actual interaction.

As I continue to reflect, I have realized thats leads can be the most interesting and fun part of the story to write. This is where you have the opportunity to grab the attention of the audience and put your creativity really at work. Yet, there are guidlines to write it, it is the adrenaline that shoudl drive you to grab tha reader’s attention.  I would just love more inter action with leads. I think this will take me to directly be in connection with the story.

Chapter 6 Notes

Chapter 6 Notes

When working with Fact Sheets: one-page background sheets about an even, a product, or even the organization

1. These may be distributed with a news release or even be part of a media kit

~ A Media kit is also called a press kit. It holds many materials, like a news releases, fact sheets and photos

~ A Media advisory is also called a media alert. It is used to let assignment editors know about a newsworthy event or an interview of opportunity that could lend itself to photo or video coverage.

~ A Pitch are effective memos and emails that will persuade reporters and editors to cover your product, service, or event

There are 7 things to follow when you are making and putting together a fact sheet. They are:

1)       The dates of the exhibit

2)       the number of maps on display

3)       a short description of some rare maps on exhibit

4)       hours of the exhibit

5)       Admission fees

6)       the museum’s address and the telephone numbers

7)       the corporate sponsors

~ A Corporate profile is a second kind of fact sheet that is a one-page sheet giving key facts about an organization

~ A Media advertisories are also called media alerts because they tell assignment editors about upcoming events that they might be interested in covering from a story, photo, and video perspective

~An EPK’s- or e-kits are known as Electronic Press Kits. They are more unique than regular print media kits, because they have the ability to include multiple pieces of information in a variety of formats such as : text, video, photo, audio, animation.

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

• Almost every publicity plan uses a press release as it’s “backbone”
• 55-97%  press releases are never used that are sent out.
• News releases help achieve organizational objectives within a company

There is a certain way to form press releases so make sure to do it correctly:

1)      10-12 standard point type

2)      Do not split sentences or paragraphs between pages

3)      Do not hyphenate words at the end of a line.

4)      Number pages

Types of news releases

1)       Announcements- personal appointments, promotions and changes, new products and services, etc.

2)       Spot Announcements- when things due to some outside action or influence happen to an organization, a spot news release may be in order

3)       reaction releases- used when an even has an impact on the specific organization

4)       bad news- confront issues, even if it may reflect badly on an organization

Important parts of traditional news releases:

1. letterhead 2. contacts 3. headline 4. dateline 5. lead paragraph 6. body of text

Here are some things by Craig McGuire that deal with a Smart Media Release:

Things to do:

• Include links to pages where multiple instances of your key words/phrases reinforce your message
• Place terms in key positions like headlines and first paragraphs
• Distribute a release through a service that carries hyperlinks to downstream sites such as Yahoo! Finance, AOL News, and Netscape

Things to not do:

• Using lots of links. Too many will confuse journalists and draw focus away from key messaging
• Use low-resolution images. Opt for high-resolution multimedia that can be easily used by layout pros
• Use all tools, all the time. Focus first on the message. Use bells and whistles to complement the campaign.

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques