Crisis Management in Public Relations

My corporate public relations professor asked each student to review a chapter in our textbook.  My chapter was Crisis Management.  I learned many things about this issue, but I would like to highlight three points.

1. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.  I learned that a crisis situation will most likely happen to each and every PR professional.  One can’t predict when these are going to happen, but one can prepare for when it does.  Preparation will help the damage to be minimal and end quickly.
2. Tell the truth, tell it fast, tell it all.  It is important for a PR professional to tell the truth and to never lie to the public.  Also, it is very important to tell the whole truth.  If a professional tell part of the truth or withholds fact it can be detrimental to the company.  If a PR professional doesn’t tell the whole story fast and complete then someone else will tell it for them.
3. Control the message (don’t let it control you.)  Dont let the media or the public tell your story.  Make sure to be honest, but be smart.  Don’t overconfess and DO NOT say “no comment.”

I hope this helps!



10 Things I Learned From My Corporate PR Class.

I learned a lot this year in my Corporate PR class, but here is my top 10 list.

#1 Networking is important:  Whether is the traditional face-to-face handshaking way or the newer social media way, networking is important for a PR student.  PR students want a career and the only way to get one is to know people who can help you get there.

#2 Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.  Preparation is something I always have known the importance of, but it seems that it is such a vital aspect in Corporate PR.  If you are not on your toes and prepared for anything, then you are only making it harder on yourself and your company.

#3 Blogging.  I learned the importance of blogging.  Not just fluffy blogging, but actually writing meaningful substance that is meaningful to the readers.

#4 Importance of Social Media.  Before this class I thought social media was just for talking to my friends, but know I know it can be used as a valid tool for PR.

#5 Podcasts are Helpful.  The only podcasts I had ever listen to before was the occasional sports talk show, but I listened to many PR podcasts and they seem to really help me comprehend PR ideas.

#6 Interview Professionals.  Sometimes as a college student it is tempting to think you have everything figured out, but after interviewing a PR professional I learned I had a lot to learn.

#7 How to Produce a Small Campaign.  This semester I had the opportunity to help in a campaign for the new Sprint 4g service.  Our group put on an event and it was helpful to learn the ins and outs of event planning.

#8 Writing is Essential.  After talking to a few PR professionals I learned that writing is essential in the PR world. 

#9 Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions.  I didn’t know much about Corporate Pr going in to this class.  I learned to swallow my pride and admit I didn’t know some things.  I learned the importance of asking questions.

#10  Enjoy What You Do.  I have learned that I really love public relations and I feel that it is something that I would love to do.

PR Resume Writing Tips

 

I hope this video helps you in your quest for writing a quality PR resume. I know as a PR student myself I’m very interesting in finding a job in the near future. Again, I hope this video helps a little in that process.

Challenges and Opportunities in the World of PR

Public Relations is an up-and-coming industry.  It is projected that public relations will be the one of the top ten fastest growing professions in the years leading up to 2016.

PR is more important now than ever and is being practice all around the world. 

Challenges:

1. Backing up words with actions.
2. New communication technologies.
3. Globalization.
4. The media in general.
5. Building trust.
6. Survival

PR is a field that has limitless potential.  The more the world grows and the more technology grows, the more opportunities will be available for PR professionals.

Source:  Reputation Management.

Public Relations Consulting

PR consultants work in firms that offer communication services and advice to clients for fees.

The Triple Squeeze-  Clients, employees, owners.

Tips for Managing Client Relationships:

1. listen before talking or acting.
2. know client company’s industry.
3. be supportive of client’s service or product.
4. be true to your client.
5. communicate as much as possible.

Hope this helps.

Source:  Reputation Management

 

Site Stats

As I check my stats on this WordPress blog I learn a lot of things about the nature of my blog.  I learn how many people view my site on any given day.  I learn why they came to my site and what they viewed.  I can see if someone referred a viewer from another site and I can see how people found me on a search engine.  These are all important facts that a blogger should know about their site.  When you become aware of these stats then you can cater your site to them.  It will help you know who’s helping you and what people are wanting to read.

I think it is important for a PR professional to check the stats of their company’s website because it can help them in the things I mentioned before.  Knowing who you’re talking to is very important.  Analyzing stats lets you do this very thing. 

I have been blogging for about two years now and I can’t remember many things more important than analyzing my stats.  One good thing about WordPress blogs is that the stats are built-in.  This makes it much easier because you don’t have to go to an outside source for your stats.

Another thing that I would like to add to this post is the value of Google alerts.  This helps alert you when your name is mentioned somewhere online.  I recently used the name of a PR podcast name Coming Up PR.  They contacted me about my post.  I am located in Lakeland, FL, and they are located in Canada I believe.  This just shows the importance of Google alerts because people so far away can see when they are talking about each other.  This helps in networking as well as company awareness. 

I hope you can how much I believe site stat analyzing is important.  I hope it helps you.