Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

PART I: THE BASICS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING

 

Chapter 1: Getting Organized for Writing

 

The Framework of Public Relations

The Public Relations Writer

Preparation for Writing

Research: the prelude to writing

Writing Guidelines

Errors to Avoid

 

Chapter 2: Becoming a Persuasive Writer



Persuasion: As Old as Civilization

The Basics of Communication

Theories of Communication

Factors in Persuasive Writing

Persuasive Speaking

Persuasion and Propaganda

The Ethics of Persuasion

 

Chapter 3: Finding and Making News

 

The Challenge of Making News

What Makes News

How to Find News

How to Create News

 

Chapter 4: Working with Journalists and Bloggers

 

The Importance of Media Relations

The Media’s Dependence on Public Relations

Public Relations’ Dependence on the Media

Areas of Friction

Working with Journalists

A Media Relations Checklist

Crisis Communication

 

PART II: WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA

 

Chapter 5: Writing the News Release

         

The Backbone of Publicity Programs

The Value of News Releases

Planning a News Release

The Basic Components of a News Release

News Release Formats

The Traditional News Release

The Online News Release
The Multimedia News Release

 

Chapter 6: Preparing Fact Sheets, Advisories, Media Kits, and Pitches


Expanding the Publicity Tool Kit

Fact Sheets

Media Advisories

Media Kits

Pitching a Story

The Follow-Up

 

Chapter 7: Creating News Features and Op-Ed

 

The Value of Features

Planning a News Feature

Types of Features

Parts of a Feature

Placement Opportunities

Writing an Op-Ed

 

Chapter 8: Selecting Publicity Photos and Graphics

 

The Importance of Publicity Photos

Components of a Good Photo

Working With Photographers

Writing Photo Captions

Creating Other Graphics

Maintaining Photo and Art Files

Distributing Photos and Artwork

 

Chapter 9: Radio, Television, and Video

 

The Wide Reach of Broadcasting

Radio

Television

Talk Shows and Product Placements

Film Features and Online Video

 

Chapter 10: Distributing News to the Media

 

Reaching the Media

Distribution of Materials

 

Chapter 11: Avoiding Legal Hassles

 

A Sampling of Legal Problems

Libel and Defamation

Invasion of Privacy

Copyright Law

Trademark Law

Regulatory Agencies

Working with Lawyers

 

PART III: Writing for Other Media

 

Chapter 12: Tapping the Web and Social Media

 

The Internet: Pervasive in Our Lives

The World Wide Web

The Basics of Webcasting

The Value of Social Media

The Explosion of Blogs

The Continuing Role of Traditional Media

 

Chapter l3   Newsletters, Brochures, and Intranets

 

The Value of Print Publication

The Balancing Act of Editors

Newsletters and Magazines

Online Newsletters

Intranets

Brochures

Annual Reports

 

Chapter 14  Writing E-Mail, Memos, and Proposals

 

The Challenge of Managing Information Overload

Email

Memorandums

Letters

Proposals

 

Chapter 15  Giving Speeches and Presentations

 

The Challenge of the Speaking Circuit

The Basics of Giving a Speech

Visual Aids for Presentations

Other Speech Formats

Speaker Training and Placement

 

Chapter 16  Using Direct Mail and Advertising

 

The Basics of Direct Mail

Creating A Direct Mail Package

The Basics of Public Relations Advertising

Types of Public Relations Advertising

Creating a Print Ad

Working with an Ad Agency

Other Advertising Channels



 

PART IV: MANAGING PROGRAMS AND CAMPAIGNS

 

Chapter 17  Organizing Meetings and Events

A World Filled with Meetings and Events

Staff and Committee Meetings

Group Meetings

Banquets

Receptions and Cocktail Parties

Conventions

Trade Shows

Promotional Events

Open Houses and Plant Tours

 

Chapter l8   Planning Programs and Campaigns

 

The Value of a Writing Plan

Developing a Plan

Elements of the Plan

Submitting a Plan for Approval

 

Chapter l9   Measuring Success

 

The Importance of Measurement

Program Objectives

Measurement of Production/Distribution

Measurement of Message Exposure

Measurement of Audience Awareness

Measurement of Audience Attitudes

Measurement of Audience Action

Evaluation of Newsletters and Brochures

Writing a Measurement Report