I think the key points to remember from this week's readings were that it is very important to form healthy working relationships with journalists in order to have success in media relations. Getting to know the individual preferences of journalists regarding the way they are contacted and what is sent to them will ensure that journalists will look out for your information rather than dreading seeing it pop up in their inbox. Another point raised in the readings was the disparaging attitudes amongst journalists when it comes to public relations. Whilst some are very positive and seemingly grateful for the work practitioners do, others were suspicious of pr motives and held fast to old stereotypes.
The readings made me think more about public relations practice in that it reinforced the notion that you really have to be a people person and on the ball in regards to keeping media relationships maintained in order to have success in this field. It also made me realise that a lot more goes into media relations than just sending out a media release to every media outlet you can think of. Practitioners need to target specific media in a much similar way to what they do in targeting their external and internal publics/stakeholders etc.
See Steve, I told you it would all be revealed in due time, don't you feel enlightened? haha
I commented on Laurie's blog this week.
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5 comments:
Oh really.
Very enlightened! Your point about being a people person is correct. So much of public relations is about working with and communicating directly with other people.
Hi Nathan
Your comment on having to be a "people person" within PR is a very valid one. I have always been of that opinion, but I also think it's important to be genuine about it. One thing that really annoys me is people who are nice simply for their own benefit, to get something out of it for themselves. We aren't always going to get along with everyone, so diplomacy has to be considered. That's why I dislike the "spin" tag attached to PR practitioners. I'm sure there are some out there, but I think we do a great job! :)
Your readings for this week have made me look more into the practical side of public relations, rather then the straight theory that I was thinking of.
While I took the actual way of writing (e.g. grammar), you have made me look at the personality behind the writing, which now I feel is one of the most important points in writing for the media!
Nathan,
I enjoy reading your blog, you provide a very easy to read overview of the readings and explain things in such a manner much easier to understand. I agree with Steve and yourself about the importance of communication in this industry and about developing personal networks and fact files on the people you interact with regarding how they like their information
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