Rena Kosiek

TOP 10 Things Learned in COMM4333 (FINAL)

rmkosiek — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:58:17 +0000

The TOP 10 Things Learned From COMM4333

Throughout this past semester, COMM4333 has offered much knowledge to soak in and put to practice. I went through everything that I have learned and created a TOP 10 list of what I felt were the most important things that I have taken away from this class all semester. Everything I have learned has been posted on this blog and discussed in further detail. Here is just a review and a tap into what I feel was the most important to take away.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 10-The Core Framework

When working in Public Relations there is a core framework that needs to be applied and understood in your everyday work. If this core framework is not used then you are missing the basic foundation of what you are doing. The core framework consists of research, planning, communication, and evaluation. These are just the basics, but are very important in the realm of Public Relations.

NUMBER 9- News Releases

When working in Public Relations, it is very important to understand how to create a successful news release. These can be writing on a weekly or daily basis, so it is very important to understand how to write one. Make sure you number the pages, keep the text in 10-12 standard point, and that you do not split sentences or paragraphs between pages. The most important thing is keep the format correct by following APA style.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 8-Staying Newsworthy

What makes what you are writing newsworthy? There a many ways to capture a story and make it newsworthy. There is timeliness, significance, unusualness, human interest, and conflict. There a so many more, but these are just a few to get you mind going. Why is staying newsworthy important? If you aren’t newsworthy, then you won’t get anything printed. If nothing is printed, then what is the point? You need to keep the public and investors interested in what your company is doing. It is all apart of Public Relations.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 7- Photos

Photos are a key component to Public Relations. The photo needs to be relevant to the article written and capture the story within that scene. Make sure that all photos you choose will look fine in black and white because that is the color of a newspaper if the photo gets printed. Although PR practitioners are not photographers, you need to have an eye for they type of photo that is needed to keep your work successful. Although words are powerful, the photo grabs the audience.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 6- Credibility

credibility is extremely important when it comes to creating anything. All of your work has to be original or give credit for the other works used within your writing. All of your sources should be given credit even if you just used a simple site to gain additional knowledge. Credibility is VERY important. Do not take credit for work or knowledge that was not originally yours.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 5- Contact List

I was given an assignment within this class called a Contact List. As I was putting all of it together, I realized the amazing benefit this could have for you and your company that you are working with. This helps organize and create a specific list of important media contact within the area that is relevant to your company. In case something happens all of the information is ready to go at you fingertips!

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 4- Staying on Top of New Media

Media is constantly changing, yet is the main way of communication. It is very important to know the newest technologies and stay on top of knowing how to stay connected using them.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 3- Avoiding Friction

When using a blog, you want to keep a quality reputation. Because of this you want to avoid friction. This means, watch what you say, the words you use, and how you use them. It is also good to use a filter for you comments as well.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 2-AP Style

Within your writing it is key to write in the proper format. There is an AP style handbook that can be used to help you along with multiple sources easily found online. If you are not writing in proper format, good luck getting printed.

Found at Google Images

NUMBER 1- Networking

The number 1 most important thing that I got out of COMM4333 was the idea of networking. Now-a-days it is all about who you know and creating relationship. It is good to establish a relationship with many because in the future you may be able to use them as a source. Make sure your relationships are constant and not always based on business. Get away and grab some lunch and have casual conversation. While you do this, you are also establishing trust and community.

: Found at Google Images

SMNR-Your Social Media News Release Tool!

rmkosiek — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:40:10 +0000

What is a Social Media News Release?
A SMNR is a Social Media News Release. It is just like a news release but includes multimedia characteristics and is also all electronic. This is a growing and upcoming way that Public Relation practitioners are starting to adopt and put into practice. SMNR’s include video, hyperlinks, information, a news release, along with pictures and other sources. This concept is certainly a key tool to be used in today’s business media world. It is an advantage that our online services allow us to use. We can communication easier through these and have a more effective news release. The media content is more entertaining. It is said that more journalists prefer that PR practitioners use a Social Media News Release over a regular news release. The SMNR is more accessible to the audience and grabs their attention with and interest because of the unlimited resources you are allowed to attach and bring to their attention. Videos are also a great part about SMNR’s. They are easy to attach and engage the audience. Tagging is essential and there is a benefit that the PR practitioner has a two-way dialogue with the audience. When it comes to the audience in of SMNR’s, the main target are the bloggers online. These are the people you want to engage in. This goes along with one of my previous posts. Bloggers and other website have a huge effect on your company, so it is extremely crucial to keep the bloggers engaged and entertained in your content.

What are the Advantages versus the Disadvantages?
So far most would say there are very limited disadvantages. This concept is still recently designed that disadvantages have not fully been approached. Major advantages though can be listed off.
1.   There are websites to help easily create a SMNR
2.   Visual aid including movies, links, and pictures
3.   You can easily add countless amounts of links to additional resources in support of your subject
4.   SMNR’s are easily shared with more people who traditional News Releases cannot reach as fast

When Should A PR Practitioner Consider SMNR’s?
I previously stated that most journalists are starting to prefer SMNR’s over an old-fashioned news release. When working with a new client or company, SMNR’s can be a great source of helping add additional information to a news release that is easily acceptable. Consider the implications of your client specifically and what they may prefer. But in reality, when shouldn’t you use one? They are extremely beneficial.

Want some tips?! I just wanted to give a few tips for SMNR creation!

Provide Credible Links
Make sure you take advantage of the multimedia aspect (add pictures and video)
Tell the whole story
Link to additional resources to connect to other information in regards to your specific topic
Still keep everything grammatically correct
Create a boiler point

For additional information and tips Click Here

Here is a link to PR WEB in Plain English. This will help put SMNR’s in to a simple context. Click Here
As I looked around online I came across this video that is very help when you are trying to understand and gain the concept of SMNR’s. Click Here if you are interested in learning more about SMNR’s and where they are taking Public Relations.
I also came across a website that specifically looks into and trains the public on Social media News Releases. The link of the website is HERE if you are interested in looking into that. Take a look!

Here is a link to a SMNR that the company MercaForex created–> CLick Here

It’s your turn~ Want to create a SMNR???

Visit these following links to easy free creation!

Pressitt

Infopinions

For any extra information or connection visit www.publicrelationsmatters.com for all of your Public Relation needs~!

Visitor Jeff Houck

rmkosiek — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:21:07 +0000

Jeff Houck, writer for the Tampa Tribune, came to Southeastern University April 6th, 2010. As a guest speaker, Jeff Houck spoke to Barbara Nixon’s PR writing class on public relations in the journalistic world. He had some great advice and information that was beneficial for anyone who was even remotely interested in pitching stories or just learning how to network.

I had the privilege to ask Jeff Houck a question about how he establishes relationship with everyone in his networking circle. He talked about face to face relationship. The best way to establish a healthy relationship with a source is to not have the conversations always be business related. When creating a relationship, you also create a trust. Go out of your way to shake their hand or call them on the phone weekly. Those are just some simple steps to creating and establishing a relationship.

While answering my question and shaking my hand, he put a simple truth of Public Relations into perspective.

If interested in reading some of Jeff Houck’s articles or creating a relationship with him and his resource click here.

Chapter 14 Notes

rmkosiek — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:55:56 +0000

Chapter 14 Reading Notes
Here are some guidelines for writing smart, simple, and short:
1. Completeness
2. Conciseness
3. Correctness
4. Courtesy
5. Responsibility

Proposals:
-Show a need
-Satisfy the need
-Show benefits
-Call for action
***When writing a proposal, keep in mind proposals follow a specific format. They are a tool to convince higher management to make a decision about contracts or about approving money and resources for a project.

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

Chapter 12 Notes

rmkosiek — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:53:16 +0000

Chapter 12 Reading Notes
Here are five things that new media is characterized by-
1. Widespread broadband
2. Cheap/free, easy-to-use online publishing tools
3. New distribution channels
4. Mobile devices, such as cameras phones
5. New advertising paradigms
Here are some writing tips from Shel Holtz-
1. Write the way you talk
2. Limit each page to a single concept
3. Use a lot of bullet-point lists
4. Make sure each page provides the context readers need
5. Limit the use of italics and boldface
6. Do not overuse hyperlinks within narrative text
7. Make sure your hyperlinks are relevant
8. Provide feedback options for readers

**Public Relations is a field where texting, twitter, and wiki are used a lot within works that are done.

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

Passion For Blogging?

rmkosiek — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:52:28 +0000

Many PR practitioners have a passion for blogging and using many SMNR’s. I have been reading many blogs and I have been seeing a passion that I love and a passion that I cannot stand. I understand that there are many opinions that are opposing on different matters, but this doesn’t mean that foul language and a sense of hate has to be used. I think this is something that can be avoided. For PR practitioners, this is something that probably can completely ruin your reputation. Everyone is different though. I do feel a sense of passion is needed and I love to see it. There is just no reason it needs to get to a point where it is disrespectful.

SPAM

rmkosiek — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:44:26 +0000

As I have been thinking about spam and how disgusting it tastes and smells, it reminded me of how much I do not like spam mail, spam posts, or just spam in general. The word SPAM should just leave existence. It seems that any social media network has spam. The internet is just full of it. As soon as MySpace got popular and took off in the public spam took over. The same with Facebook. I even get comments that are just spam. Is there a way that we can just get rid of spam all together??? Any thoughts? PR Practitioners…How do we deal with this problem when our clients are full of spam?

Chapter 11 Notes

rmkosiek — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:31:01 +0000

Chapter 11 Notes

Areas of Friction Between Public Relations and the Media-
*Advertising influence
* Name-calling
* Sloppy/biased reporting
*Hype and News Release Spam
* Tabloid journalism
Here are some guidelines for PR Newswire-
* When “no comment” appears it can create hostility
* Be respectful and try to help
* Know the deadlines that are set for print and media
* Network with the journalist around you and be familiar with who they are so you know who to contact

Source: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

Another Video…

rmkosiek — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:32:39 +0000

So I came across another video. It made me laugh because it reminded me of my teacher that I am actually doing this blog for. She is on top of every single PR connection you could think of. It amazes me. This video is of a boss/man who made a song and music video about how much he is on his media and how much he loves social media. Check IT out! I promise you will get a kick out of it!

Great Video!

rmkosiek — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:24:44 +0000

This is Great!

I was on YouTube and I came across this video. In some funny ways it sums up almost everything that a PR Practitioner uses in a little love/country folk song. Take a look here!