The Public Relations Blog

A newsworthy story doesn’t require a favor

A public relations insider knows that relationships matter when connecting with reporters. You must build and maintain relationships with journalists in order to receive quality media coverage. And you can’t call it a relationship when you’re simply asking a favor. A relationship benefits you and the media outlet, while a favor is requesting a reporter or contact give your company preferential treatment through media coverage.

5 elements your website needs for the best coverage from media outlets

Whether you're new to public relations or you’ve been sending news releases for years, it's a good idea to make sure your website is press-ready. Essentially, you want to make your company’s website easy for reporters to give you good coverage.

How do you feel about the teller who usually waits on you at your local bank? What about the characters on your favorite television show? Chances are, you feel that they’re trustworthy people you’d like to be friends with – even if you don’t know their real names. This sensation actually has a name; it’s called the mere-exposure effect. Learn more about it and how it can help your company.

4 ways to measure the success of your public relations messages

Public relations professionals craft messages for audiences, which we call outputs. Outputs are what a company releases and communicates to its target audiences. News releases, social media posts, email blasts, blog posts, and events are among the many ways PR professionals create outputs that appeal to target audiences.

When I started competing in pageants at the age of 16, I had no idea the skills I would learn and the professional development I would experience. I was initially drawn to competing because I thought it would be a great opportunity, and I’d get to dress up and have my hair and makeup done. Then, I figured I’d take the crown home, having completed my duties. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

How do we ensure that communication pros abide by their codes of ethics?

Both the journalism and public relations industries have always struggled with negative reputations. People have been calling PR practitioners “spin doctors” for decades, and, as the era of fake news fell upon us, it changed the face of journalism. Despite unfortunate widespread beliefs, both PR pros and journalists follow strict codes of ethics in their work.

Every company needs PR to build trust, increase sales, and more

What is public relations?

The world revolves around relationships. Every company has relationships with its customers, shareholders, and employees as well as the public. Without these relationships, business would cease to exist. So, what does public relations have to do with relationships?

3 ways your company can rise above the fray and maintain a positive image

According to the Knight Foundation, public trust in the media is at an all-time low. In a recent survey conducted with Gallup, the group dedicated to supporting quality journalism and engaging communities found some shocking facts. One surprising finding was that participants ranked newspaper and television news lowest, next to Congress, among major institutions they trust.

3 tips to improve your pitches

For more than 25 years, I worked as a journalist. During that time, I would pitch story ideas, while simultaneously learning the preferences of my editors. One time, an editor declined my offer to write about an emerging artist. "What will your second paragraph say?" he asked. He explained that he wanted human interest. So, I gave him plenty. I repitched the story, providing details about an 88-year-old dying artist, who was bedridden and painting with an easel sprawled out on his stomach. This time, my editor approved the story.

3 ways to shift the storyline and spotlight your company

Did you know that seasoned professional journalists use three independent sources when researching, interviewing, and compiling information for a typical news article? In an era of “fake news,” this approach ensures that information is accurate, unbiased, and fair when compared to one-sided narratives that clog newsfeeds. Yet, sensationalized stories are the ones that gain traction and viral exposure. How, then, can companies earn media coverage and rise above the fray? The answer is simply to be provocative.