I was reading through chapter 13 in my PR textbook (Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques by Wilcox), and found some important facts.  I think these facts are useful for anyone in the Public Relations field, so take some time and check out the facts below!

• According to the text, there are two main strengths found in print publications.  The two strengths are that they can feature in-depth stories and they can reflect the face of the organization.
• When making a publication it should reflect the organizations goals, culture, and objectives.
• Remember that headlines should be written in active voice.
• Use fonts that have a high readability and remember that black is the most readable color.
• Remember that every publication you write should have an overall mission statement.

These are just a few of the facts I thought were important while reading through chapter 13.  I hope you find these facts helpful and informative.  Take some time and read through this chapter yourself, because I’m sure you’ll find many more useful facts.

I was reading through chapter 12 in my PR textbook ( Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques by Wilcox), and came across some interesting facts.  Some of the facts that stuck out to me the most are listed below.  Hopefully you will take some time to read through these facts, and hopefully you will find them helpful!

• Writing for the Web is different and requires nonlinear organization.
• Written material for the Web should be short.  Three to four paragraphs is the optimal length.
• Blogging has become a highly used medium for influence.  If you are in the communication field, you should really consider entering the blogging world.
• The textbook notes that Facebook and MySpace are the most popular networking sites used.
• Twitter and texting have become very popular in the Public Relations field, and they are seen as a way to communicate to the masses.

Those were just a few interesting facts I read.  There are many other interesting facts that I did not list, so be sure to check out this chapter for yourself!  Hopefully you will enjoy the read and learn something new!

When reading chapter 11 in my PR textbook, I found some really useful tips.  The chapter is all about getting along with journalists.  This is something anyone in the communication field should take time to read.  This chapter includes many tips that you can use to be successful in your relationships with journalists and editors.  I highly encourage you to look at some of the tips I listed below, because this is an important subject matter that should not be over looked.

• The book shares that gimmicks, such as coffee mugs or T-shirts, are not well received by reporters and editors.
• You should only hold news conferences if there is significant news to be covered.  The news conference should involve news that will allow room for elaboration and questions.
• Do not ask reporters if they got your news release.  This is said to be a very irritating question for them, and they will not be fond of you asking this question.
• Press tours should only be held if there is sufficient news to cover and a legitimate news angle to cover.  Other wise, you are wasting the journalists time.

Those were just a few of the tips the book listed.  If you are working in the communication field, I hope you will take time to read through this chapter on your own.  The tips are useful, and could possibly save you from embarrassing yourself in the workplace.

While reading chapter 10 in my PR textbook, I came across some key points that might interest you.  So grab something to write on, because these facts will come in handy!

• Journalists change jobs frequently, so be sure to keep your media lists and e-mail addresses updated regularly.
• Fax machines should not be used for routine mass distribution of news releases.
• Online newsrooms have become the primary source that journalists use to get the latest breaking news stories.
• E-mail is becoming a popular way of communicating with reporters and editors, but it is still best if you have an established working relationship with them, if you choose this method.

Those were just a few of the many key facts I came across when reading this chapter.  Take some time, and read through this chapter for yourself.  I’m sure if you put in the time to read this material, you won’t regret it!

If your interested in writing for mass media, then I suggest you check out chapter 9 in the Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques text book. This chapter can offer you a lot of important facts that will help you when writing for mass media.  I listed some of the key facts below for you.

• It is important that television news releases include both sound and visual elements.
• For video news releases to be used they must be newsworthy and timely.
• Radio releases require concise writing and a conversational tone.
• To get placements on news programs and talk shows use a persuasive query or a pitch letter

Those were just a few of the key facts I found when reading chapter 9 in my textbook.  If you are really interested in writing for mass media please check out the chapter for yourself!

When I was reading chapter 8 in my Public Relations textbook I found some key facts that were worth remembering.  So grab a piece paper, and jot these key facts down!

• The elements of a good publicity photo are: subject matter, quality, composition, scale, action, camera angle, lighting, and color.
• If you are using a publicity photo it should be sharp, high contrast, and clear.
• It is important to remember that a publicity photo should have no more than four people in it.
• Try to capture action shots, instead of using posed shots.
• Never send your photo as an attachment to a reporter or editor, unless asked to do so.

Those were just a few of the very important facts that stood out when I was reading chapter 8.  I hope you took time to jot them down, because I know these facts will help you be more successful.

This past semester I have learned so many different practical ways to communicate that will help me in my future with Public Relations.  Communication is key in Public Relations, and it is important to focus on the art of effective, efficient, and clear communication.  I think that one of the most beneficial ways of communicating that I have learned about some far this semester would be social media news releases.

I first was introduced to this form of communication when I read about it in my Public Relations textbook.  After reading the small section in the textbook, my interest was peaked.  So I began searching online to find out more information.  I quickly found a helpful website that explains what social media news releases are all about.

This website (realwire) explained that a social media news release was  a press release that is made in a format  for the online world.  Meaning the whole purpose of a social media news release is to target your market for those who are in the online world.  If your target market is those online, then everything you do should be focused on how to reach them (your target market) best.  Your audience range is wider since your dealing with all people who are online, so you need to be sure that what and how you are communicating is relevant to everyone in your target market.  If you want to communicate a message to the online world, there is no better way to do that than through a social media news release.

Social media news releases can be constructed in two ways according to the realwire website.  It can be constructed in the narrative style, which is considered the traditional form.  Also, social media news releases can be put together so that the core facts, quotes, contact details and boilerplate are all individually separated. This method allows users to quickly scan various elements of the release.

There are many advantages to social media news releases.  In my opinion, the greatest advantage is that you have a broader range of people reading your release since it is geared for the whole online community.  Since you have a more diverse audience range your message is more likely to get noticed and published.  Social media news releases are also useful, because you can have them be placed under search engines.  That feature alone guarantees that mass amounts of people will have quick access to the message you are trying to communicate.

Although there are many advantages to a social media news release, there are several drawl backs as well.  Often social media news releases can have to many links included in them, which distracts the reader from the intended message.  If the reader is constantly clinking on links, their attention is being redirected and it often will leave the reader confused on the overall message.  Your focus should always be on the message, so you want to be cautious when including links, pictures, and audio.  You should not include those things unless that compliment your intended message.

Before writing a social media news release, you should research tips and examples so that you can avoid common errors.  I recommend visiting the copyblogger website and reading their article on social media news releases.  Also, you can check out the pitchengine website to find help on creating a social media news release.

After reading my Public Relations textbook, I understood some simple “do’s” and “don’ts” of social media news releases.  They mention that it is helpful to include a few links to websites that help reinforce your intended message.  The book also suggests to put key terms in key positions.  If you want something to be noticed or remembered, it needs to be placed in the headline or first paragraph.  The book also recommends distributing your release through large search engines, so that your material is easy to find.

That same text gave notable suggestions of things to stay away from when writing a social media news release.  The authors said you should be cautious with how many links you use.  If you use to many links, you can distract the reader from the original intended message.  It also recommends that you focus on your message first, then try to spice it up after your ensure your message is clear.  Another pointer the author gives is not use low-resolution images.  You want your images to be easily used in layouts, so it is important to use high-resolution images.

If your anything like me, you will want examples to look at before you get started writing.  I found some good examples online that you should check out.  Some examples I found include: Adobe, Ford and the British Army.

I hope this post has been informative on social media news releases.  If you are going to be in the public relations field, you need to take some time to get familiar with this form of communication.  This generation gravitates towards the internet, so we should use that fact to help us communicate better.  I encourage you to take some time and check out the links I have posted through out this post, because I think they will prove to be well worth your time!

Here is a list complied of all my comments on other people’s blogs in my class:

• http://mc02131.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/topic-of-the-week-favorite-super-bowl-commercial/#comment-48
• http://kristinabundy.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/a-week-of-twitter/#comment-8
• http://sarahgricius.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/i-need-a-break/#comment-32
• http://sarahgricius.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/pr-connection-10-bollywood-actress-utilizes-twitter/#comment-33
• http://cyates4.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/responding-to-negative-news-on-the-internet/#comment-12
• http://cyates4.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/selig-multimedia/#comment-13
• http://sarahgricius.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/pr-connection-6-best-buy-is-going-green/#comment-34

Times are changing, as the economy has taken a plunge over the last few years.  No one can seem to escape to reach of the economic times of crisis.  It has even come to the point where now our education system is drastically being affected by this issue.  Even closer to home, the colleges of Georgia will be taking huge budget cuts this upcoming year.

Georgia Southern’s president, Dr. Keel, posted a video on youtube in order to give an inside look to the current money issues.  In this video, he informed every one of the changes that Georgia Southern would have to endure in the upcoming year due to the sever budget cuts.  The changes are extensive and leaving many people unsatisfied, but the issues seem to be out of his hands.  He encouraged everyone to make our complaints known to our state of Georgia politicians, because the budget cuts should not take place.  Dr. Keel seemed to be very honest and straightforward in his address, and he seems to be striving to maintain Georgia Southern’s long running traditions and core values.

I do not want to see Georgia Southern go through the proposed changes, because I know it will affect the heart of the school.  So, get involved and write you state politicians about this today!

A few weeks ago the founder of TOMS shoes, Blake Mycoskie, came to Georgia Southern to speak.  He came to share with all the students about a new way of doing business.  He talked to the students about the principle of giving back.  With every pair of TOMS shoes sold, one pair of TOMS shoes will be given to a child less fortunate.  This idea of giving back can be mind boggling to think about.  The fact that for EVERY  item sold you (the company) give something back in return.

It was fascinating to listen to Blake’s journey through the business world, as he came to create his organization known as TOMS shoes.  I think if more people would reflect Blake’s principle of giving back, we would see our world in a much better state.  He created something that went against the common principles, and he was not afraid to try something new by stepping out of his comfort level.  That leap of faith has proven to be so worth while!

Georgia Southern students responded well to Blake and his organization.  Many of the students at the college are supporters of his organization, as you will see his shoes sported all over campus.  His message and business principles are ones to be remembered and molded after for sure!  If you want to know more check out the TOMS website!