A Message from your Public Relations Committee
As 2005 quickly flies by, I know everyone is working hard. Remember to toot your own horn along the way. The Public Relations committee would like to remind everyone to keep copies of any and all PR you generate throughout the year. Send your PR information to your chapter or area of specialty president so the committee can begin to create an archive.
PR TIPS:
When dealing with the media it is important to have a game plan: Confidence, Control and Credibility. Before doing an interview it is important to do some basic groundwork.
Here are some questions to ask:
- What type of publication/program is it?
- Who is the primary audience?
- To what extent has the reporter dealt with this issue?
- Does the reporter have an apparent bias?
- Who else is the reporter interviewing?
- Where does my point of view fit into the story?
- What is the interview format? (live/taped, edited/unedited, in-studio or talk show format, on-location, telephone interview, "remote" interview, listener call-in broadcast, solo interview vs. multi-guest discussion, unexpected "ambush" or press conference).
- What type of story is the reporter doing? ("hard news", feature story, personality piece, investigative report, in-depth background piece, point/counterpoint).
- What opportunities does this interview offer to make positive points about yourself, your organization, your product or issue.
- What factual information and other preparation will you need to get ready.