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Brochures, broadcast plugs and press releases – don’t
call them public relations. Call them what they really
are, valuable tactical devices which public relations
calls upon from time to time to move a message from
here to there.

Nothing more, nothing less, and certainly not public
relations’ Mother strategy which (1), marshalls the
resources and action planning needed to alter individual
perception leading to changed behaviors among a
business, non-profit,or association’s most important
outside audiences. And (2), goes on to help a manager
persuade those key folks to his or her way of thinking,
then (3) moves them to take actions that allow their
department, group, division or subsidiary to succeed.

The management reality behind such an achievement
is the underlying premise of public relations: People
act on their own perception of the facts before them,
which leads to predictable behaviors about which
something can be done. When we create, change or
reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and
moving-to-desired-action the very people whose
behaviors affect the organization the most, the public
relations mission is usually accomplished.

The good news for those managers is that the right
public relations planning really CAN alter individual
perception and lead to changed behaviors among key
outside audiences.

You may be such a manager. If you are, try to
remember that your PR effort must demand more
than special events, news releases and talk show
tactics if you are to receive the quality public
relations results you deserve.

You’ll be glad you took such a step when capital givers
or specifying sources beginning to look your way;
customers begin to make repeat purchases; membership
applications start to rise; new proposals for strategic
alliances and joint ventures start showing up; politicians
and legislators begin looking at you as a key member
of the business, non-profit or association communities;
new (and very ) welcome bounces in show room visits
occur; prospects actually start to do business with you;
and community leaders begin to seek you out.

Your public relations professionals can be of real use
for your new opinion monitoring project because they
are already in the perception and behavior business.
But be certain that the PR staff really accepts why it’s
SO important to know how your most important outside
audiences perceive your operations, products or services.
Above all, be sure they believe that perceptions almost
always result in behaviors that can help or hurt your
operation.

Go over your plans with them for monitoring and
gathering perceptions by questioning members of your
most important outside audiences. Ask questions like
these: how much do you know about our organization?
Have you had prior contact with us and were you pleased
with the interchange? Are you familiar with our services
or products and employees? Have you experienced
problems with our people or procedures?

The cost of using professional survey firms to do the
opinion gathering work will be considerably more than
using those PR folks of yours, who are already in the
perception business, in that monitoring capacity. But
whether it’s your people or a survey firm asking the
questions, the objective remains the same: identify
untruths, false assumptions, unfounded rumors,
inaccuracies, misconceptions and any other negative
perception that might translate into hurtful behaviors.

It’s time to establish a goal calling for action on
the most serious problem areas you uncovered
during your key audience perception monitoring.
Will it be to straighten out that dangerous
misconception? Correct that gross inaccuracy? Or,
stop that potentially painful rumor cold?

It goes without saying that setting your PR goal
requires an equally specific strategy that tells you
how to get there. Only three strategic options are
available to you when it comes to doing something
about perception and opinion. Change existing
perception, create perception where there may be
none, or reinforce it. The wrong strategy pick will
taste like pancake syrup on your Finan Haddie, so
be sure your new strategy fits well with your new
public relations goal. You certainly don’t want to
select “change” when the facts dictate a strategy
of reinforcement.

Here, good writing comes to the fore. You must
prepare a persuasive message that will help move
your key audience to your way of thinking. It
must be a carefully-written message targeted
directly at your key external audience. Select your
very best writer because s/he must come up with
really corrective language that is not merely
compelling, persuasive and believable, but clear
and factual if they are to shift perception/opinion
towards your point of view and lead to the
behaviors you have in mind.

At this point, you must select the communications
tactics most likely to carry your message to the
attention of your target audience. There are many
available. From speeches, facility tours, emails and
brochures to consumer briefings, media interviews,
newsletters, personal meetings and many others.
But be certain that the tactics you pick are known
to reach folks just like your audience members.

Since the credibility of any message is fragile and
always up for grabs, how you communicate is a
concern. Which is why you may wish to unveil your
corrective message before smaller meetings and
presentations rather than using higher-profile news
releases.

Inevitably, the need for a progress report will cause
you to begin a second perception monitoring session
with members of your external audience. You’ll
want to use many of the same questions used in
the benchmark session. But now, you will be on
strict alert for signs that the bad news perception
is being altered in your direction.

A source of comfort for you, should program
momentum slow, will be the fact that you can always
speed things up by adding more communications
tactics as well as increasing their frequencies.

Calling tactical devices just that, avoids confusing
them with the broader, more comprehensive
mission known as public relations. A mission that
allows managers of all stripes to alter individual
perception in a way that leads to changed behaviors
among key outside audiences, thus insuring the
success of that manager’s operation.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box
in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website.
A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Bob Kelly counsels and writes for business, non-profit and
association managers about using the fundamental premise of public
relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has published over
200 articles on the subject which are listed at EzineArticles.com, click
Expert Author, click Robert A. Kelly. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola
Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport
News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S.
Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The
White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia
University, major in public relations.
mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net

Visit:http://www.PRCommentary.com

Author : Robert A. Kelly
Site : ezinearticles.com

You often hear people refer to public relations or PR as something positive or negative that a company received in response to an action. “Wow, they got good PR out of that!” But, what exactly does that mean?

The confusion about what public relations is or what it encompasses is not surprising given that the field is so multi-faceted. Research will show that the term public relations is often grouped under marketing and used synonymously with others such as community relations, media relations, public affairs, image enhancement, publicity, and promotion.

In fact, leading experts in the PR field often disagree, offering numerous definitions for clarification. Rex Harlow, a pioneer in public relations education, complied over 500 definitions from a variety of sources ranging from complex essays to simple descriptions. One of my favorites is, “PR stands for Performance and then Recognition.”

In 1981, the Public Relations Society of America attempted to end the confusion, by forming a task force with the mission of defining public relations once and for all. They landed on this concise definition, “Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to one another. It is an organizations efforts to win the cooperation of groups of people.”

But the real question is, why does this matter? Why should I understand and have a need for public relations in my business? Authors Cutlip, Center, & Broom offer some help to these questions. In the sixth edition of their reference book, Effective Public Relations, They state that public relations is, “the management function that identifies, establishes, and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the various publics on whom it’s success or failure depend.”

This definition is great in that it, first, identifies that public relations does not just happen. It is truly a function that must be created. Second, this definition contains the key phrase, “success or failure.” This is why public relations efforts are so essential. How your company interacts with and represents itself to the world will determine the fate of your company.

We know that the definition of public relations is ever evolving and often disputed. However, there is one clear and common thread that is woven throughout these definitions. They all involve relationships and interactions. Simply put, public relations is all about communication. It is working to produce effective communication designed to influence, provide information, and gain understanding.

Perhaps the most understood public relations action is use of the media to communicate with and promote to target markets. Submitting press releases, gaining exposure, and developing promotional campaigns is something we can sink our teeth into. However, it is important not to confuse advertising and public relations. Advertising is a paid tool that can be used to support public relations efforts. When used effectively together, the two can make a powerful team.

Keep in mind that media relations and publicity are just a few of the many areas of public relations. Effective communications need to occur with all of your “publics” both internal and external. For example, your business cannot function without clear understanding and communication with your bankers, investors, and/or board members. You depend on a relationship with your local community to support your efforts. And, you rely upon your employees to support your image. Public relations involves developing and implementing a successful communication plan to work with and among these groups for the benefit of all.

And, what happens when things don’t turn out as planned? Enter public relations again! Public relations efforts must be pro-active in order to protect the image and reputation of the company. From crisis planning to the simple development of clear responses to community questions, it is in the best interest of the company and their publics to be prepared.

Perhaps the most ironic thing about public relations is that the field itself has a poor image. For some, the term PR tends to conjure up thoughts of deceptive and self-serving rhetoric. They picture obnoxious, celebrity press agents of today who believe that any press is good press. Some picture historical event promoters such as P.T. Barnum, of Barnum & Bailey Circus, who use exaggeration and hype to entertain.

Unfortunately, it is true that not everyone engaging in public relations activities is acting in the best public interest. But it is also important to understand there are wonderful, ethical, and positive public relations actions taking place all around us. In fact, without them, we would be a lost society.

The art of public relations is one that has deep and historical roots. In a sense, it’s as old as communication itself. Government, religion, and business have and always will rely on public relations. Think about it, what would be different in our world if the Catholic Church hadn’t taught its priests to “propagate” the faith? Without communications developed to influence targeted publics, how would we be persuaded to accept the authority of government leaders or to take a position on a public issue? We can even thank event promoters in ancient Athens for building the foundation for special event planning of today. It takes the same basic public relations skills to promote the Olympics then that it does now…now that’s an event!

Public relations efforts are essential to business success and growth. And, opportunities to use public relations activities to better your company and your bottom-line are endless. Ann Landers point out, “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them!” Don’t make this mistake by ignoring the power of public relations. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

This article was published by Business Builders, a marketing outsourcing company that believes very strongly that the best way to gain loyal clients is to offer them the tools needed for success. Their Web site, http://www.businessbuildersnet.com, offers many additional free resources as well as valuable products for purchase on their product site: http://www.easyaspiemarketing.com

Author : Jennifer Mccarron
Site : ezinearticles.com

Free publicity resulting from a media release sounds good, but how do you go about getting it? The first step is to write foolproof media releases.
Are you looking for inexpensive ways to promote yourself or your business? Well, read on about media releases, one of the most cost effective promotion vehicles available. Free publicity resulting from a media release sounds good, but how do you go about getting it? The first step is to write foolproof media releases.

Many people ‘gasp’ at the thought of committing the written word to the page. Don’t be scared, just apply these quick and easy steps to write foolproof media releases! Let’s get started!

Always remember when writing your media release that editors will likely give you a ‘10 second’ glance to see if the topic is newsworthy. Make sure you cover all the media release basic essentials to ensure your media release isn’t ‘tossed’ before it gets even the 10-second once-over.

Before You Start Writing Your Media Release

Before you even begin typing, take a moment and determine ‘what is your story’ or ‘what is your angle’. What do you want to communicate and why? Some media release ideas are the launch of new product, change in your company that affects your customers, or an event that affects your industry.

Remember that a media release is not an advertisement; your story needs to be a newsworthy account about you or your company.

Essentials for Media Releases

You are ready to start writing, take the time to familiarize yourself with the essentials required in all media releases.

· “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” on the top left of the page

· Contact name, title, address, phone number, fax number, email address

· Headline, bold and centered on the page (more on writing effective headlines later)

· Location and date

· No more than one page in length

· Be concise and grammatically correct (no spelling errors!)

· At the bottom, provide a bio on the company, person etc. Provide brief details and remember to include a website address where readers can get more information.

O.k. the essentials are the easy part, let’s delve into the guts of your media release and the tools for writing effective content.

Effective Media Release Content

1. Headline – Some PR people say that you need to spend as much time writing the headline as you do on writing the entire content of the media release. The headline needs to capture attention, while at the same time convey the content of the media release. The headline may be the only thing an editor reads of your media release so ensure it’s a good one!

2. Paragraph structure – Make sure you make your most important statements in the first paragraph, waiting too long could mean your media release is never read! The headline along with your opening paragraph should tell a gripping story. Answer the five critical questions, who, what, where, when and why. The last paragraph is your call to action – make it clear and compelling.

3. Writing Style – Keep your audience for the media release in mind and ensure all information is factual and relevant to that audience. Provide statistics and/or relevant quotes that substantiate the information you are providing. Limit jargon and slang.

4. Distribute – Spend the time researching and creating a distribution list. Effective media releases do work; you just need to ensure that you send your media release to the right places. Check out industry associations, relevant publications (both print and online), newswire services, PRWeb, the opportunities are endless!

Writing a foolproof media release will take a little time and effort. The rewards of free publicity, resulting in even more customers and revenue are worth the investment! Why not try writing and distributing a media release today!

Author : Matt Bacak
Site : ezinearticles.com

We’re all familiar with the litany of TV and radio talk shows. Perhaps you’ve watched or listen…maybe you thought – I would make a great guest! Well, if you think you would make a great TV and radio talk show guest…read on and learn how to get on TV and radio talk shows!

A radio or TV talk show, can be a great publicity move. It takes some effort, but with a little research, and a lot of perseverance, you could be on your way to promoting your product, service or even yourself on a radio or TV talk show.

Step 1 – Groundwork

You need to think about your pitch to the radio or TV talk show. What do you have to say that’s new, interesting, unique and different? What’s your angle or story idea? Do you have a unique product? Are you an expert in a field?

Once you given some thought to about your pitch, prepare a one page backgrounder on yourself. This fact sheet is very important if you are just venturing into the talk show arena. Include a professional head shot picture and highlight all of your previous speaking engagements, published articles, books etc. You need to build credibility since you are an unknown entity to the radio or TV talk show producer.

Now that your backgrounder or fact sheet is complete, research the various talk shows where you would like to appear. No sense wasting your time or the producer’s time if your topic idea is not appropriate for the genre of the talk show. When doing your research, find out what types of topics the show is looking for. Often, the talk show’s website or the radio station website are good starting places.

Check out how the radio or TV talk show likes to receive topic ideas. Do they prefer phone calls, emails or is there an application form available? Try to determine whom you contact and what the best method for contact is.

Step 2- Practice

Often overlooked, it is always a good idea to practice your pitch and show your fact sheet to some respected colleagues before you try it out on the TV or radio producers. Ask your practice partner to throw out some tough and challenging questions so that you get practice rebutting any negative responses. The practice pitch will give you a chance to make any changes, streamline your narrative and to think about how you will answer the producer’s questions.

Step 3 – Make Contact

Now that you’ve figured out what you want to say and where you want to say it, it’s time to make contact.

There are a few methods of making contact. The first is to fax or email your backgrounder and then follow up with the radio or TV talk show producer a couple of days later. The second idea is to call the radio or TV talk show producer and sell them on your idea right away. A lively phone conversation will demonstrate that you are able to be engaging and interesting. If you get voice mail, persevere! Mention your idea on the voice mail, send your backgrounder and then follow up with a phone call again. A third, albeit more passive way to get on radio and TV talk shows is to register with one of the many online databanks or publications, which are directories of people available for radio and TV interviews. These sites and publications are designed for media professionals who need to quickly and easily find guests for various topics.

When you are pitching your ideas, strongly capitalize on your experience. If you have limited to no talk show experience, the producer may be scared off by that. Play up any and all experience you have. For instance, focusing on the broad range of presentations you’ve made to various audiences will show that you’re adept at speaking. Even better is to have some references lined up who will provide testimonial to the producer that you were an informative, intelligent and engaging speaker.

Another idea is to link your idea with an event or issue in the news, if possible. If you can inject a ‘little’ controversy into a topic (say you represent the opposing side of an issue) you have a better chance of being signed on.

Here’s a quick and easy tip, remember to boost the producers ego by mentioning something from a previous show topic or guest, producers love to know that people are watching.

Be excited! You have to believe in your idea, topic or whatever it is you have to say. The more enthused you are – the more likely you will get the radio and TV talk show producers to buy into inviting you to make an appearance on their show.

Step 4 – You’re Booked!

O.k. you’ve gotten the call you were waiting for. You are booked on your favorite TV or radio talk show! It helps the producers and talk show host if you supply a list of relevant questions. Pick 10 or so questions that you would like to be asked. There is no guarantee that they will use them, but producers and hosts are notoriously busy people and anything you can do to make their job a little easier will be appreciated.

Once you’ve finished your radio or TV talk show appearance, be sure to update you backgrounder. Surprisingly, the more talk shows you do, the more you build your credibility as an ‘expert’. As soon as you have a few appearances under your belt, you will likely find it easier to make that initial contact with the TV or radio talk show producer.

It cannot be stressed enough when you’re looking for ways to get on TV or radio talk shows, perseverance and determination are the keys. You cannot give up. It will be difficult to make contact and eventually get booked, but the reward in free publicity is MORE than worth it! Good luck!

Author : Matt Bacak
Site : ezinearticles.com

So you’ve hung up your shingle and customers aren’t exactly beating a path to your door. What can you do? Well you might think standing out on the street with a megaphone will do the trick. And it may be one way to gain attention for your business, but an overall public relations plan incorporating a number of promotional ideas could be just what your business needs.

Public relations is communicating who you are, what you do and how you make a difference. It’s about having successful “relationships” with your “public”. They could be friends, clients, potential customers, competitors or the media who can all help spread the word about your business.

One way of communicating your message is through publicity or media relations. Sending out media releases to create awareness of your product or service is great publicity but is just one tactic of an overall PR plan that you could incorporate in to your business.

Lets look at a few other ideas:

1. Special events such as an open day, a fund raising event, trade show or award night

2. Product launches and product giveaways to the media

3. Newsletters email or hard copy – direct communication with your public, clients and customers

4. Write articles about your area of expertise and submit them to business or consumer publications

5. Fact sheets or tip sheets– written information about your product or service that you can include with any mail outs or have in your reception area

6. Create a website. This is your online PR brochure but you need to keep telling people about it

7. Public speaking – free speeches to Rotary clubs or other organisations is a good way of letting people know about your business and area of expertise

8. Networking – join organisations of like minded people such as Business Women’s Networks, the National Speakers Association or your local Chamber of Commerce

9. Sponsorships – if you don’t want to organise an event sponsor one that somebody else is doing. Make sure your sponsorship is acknowledged on any advertising and other communication collateral

10. Something as simple as sending thank you notes and letters is good personal PR

Through her training and speaking programs on image and media, she helps you to grow your company’s major asset – You! Sue enjoys helping others to bring out their personal best and Shine. To find out more or subscribe to Sue’s ezine visit http://www.shinecomms.com.au

Author : Sue Currie
Site : ezinearticles.com

Most of us are aware of the many benefits to having an Internet presence. These days a website is an essential element of your public relations and marketing mix. Particularly for small businesses, it provides you with a distinct advantage over your competition and establishes you as a leader in your area of expertise.

Some websites are designed as an on-line brochure for your business, yet others really drive the customer to make their buying decision. But what is the point of having a fancy brochure if no one is buying your product or service. A website can be a cost effective public relations tool for your business. It can help you attract prospective clients who may not hear about you otherwise and increase sales without adding overhead. But you need to promote it. Don’t just launch your site and then wait for business to come knocking at the door – it may not turn up. If you’re looking at creating a website or wanting people to know more about your on-line presence, here’s a few public relations tips to promote your site on and off-line.

Spread the Word Off-line

One of the first things you need to do is look at who your ideal customer or client is and who you want to attract to your site. It is important to know your audience so you can target your public relations campaign to them. Send out a media release to attract interest to your site through the appropriate media. Is it Time Magazine or Women’s Weekly? Perhaps the ideal avenue for you is your local newspaper or a business magazine. Of course just issuing a media release doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a run so let’s consider a few other points.

1. Put your web address on all your communication collateral such as brochures, newsletters and on business cards, postcards, flyers about your products, catalogues and posters

2. Don’t forget to include it on letterhead, fax cover sheets and invoices

3. On stickers used for mail outs, packaging and products

4. Include it on promotional products such as pens, caps, coffee mugs, fridge magnets, t-shirts or uniforms and key rings

5. In your voicemail messages or your on hold message service

6. Mention your website address during radio or TV interviews and speaking engagements

7. At meetings suggest to clients they can find out more information about your company by visiting the site

8. Put it on all media releases

9. Include it in all your advertising – print, TV and radio

10. On the company car or van

11. Yellow pages, white pages and other business directories

12. All your email signatures

Think back to your target audience and include your website address anywhere a potential customer is likely to see it.

You’ve sent out your media release but don’t forget to let existing clients know your site is now up and running. Use direct mail, send them a note – a good reason to communicate with them – or send them an e-newsletter with the latest news. Or perhaps use in-store posters to announce the site launch to your existing customer base. Consider running ads in the local paper or business magazines if that is where you attract your customers. In short, keep doing what you’re doing to attract clients or customers to your business but add your website address to the mix.

How to Find You On-line

The way most companies promote their websites is by search engine submissions, but search engines and their effectiveness can be a bit of a maze. It does pay to talk to the experts on this one, try your web designer or web host first, as just registering with search engines does not guarantee you traffic. Also just because you have a lot of “hits” on your site doesn’t necessarily mean they are your ideal target market.

Most search engine traffic comes from Google and Yahoo! By using a combination of these search engines and using the right words and phrases on your site you would optimise your chances of being found. You don’t need to spend a great deal of money as some sites don’t charge at all and others charge a nominal yearly fee. Again it pays to seek advice from your web expert.

Once you do get that traffic to your site, here’s a few ideas to keep them there and to encourage them to visit again and again.

1. Keep your site interesting. Commit to updating on a regular basis

2. Optimise. Again talk to your web expert on this one but make your site is user friendly so visitors don’t log out because it’s too hard to find the information they want or it takes too long

3. Portray a professional image. Ensure consistency of your web design with your other marketing materials and don’t forget to include your logo

4. Present interactive features that keep visitors returning, perhaps a competition or an on-line survey. And don’t forget freebies. You must give your visitors something of value such as articles or fact sheets

5. Send out a regular e-newsletter to your data base that offers tips and information and a link back to the site

6. Post articles on other websites with links back to your site

7. Explore online advertising or sponsorship on another busy website

8. One of the most effective PR tools to drive customers to your website is through link exchanges with sites of similar interest. Locate sites that make a good match to your own and contact the owner to ask if they’ll link to your site in exchange for you linking to theirs

Like any public relations campaign, attracting visitors and potential clients to your website will take hard work, creativity, perseverance and commitment over an extended period of time. But don’t let your website just sit there – make it work for you so you can allow your expertise to shine.

Through her training and speaking programs on personal branding, image and media, she helps you to grow your company’s major asset – You! Sue enjoys helping others to bring out their personal best and Shine. To find out more or subscribe to Sue’s ezine visit http://www.shinecomms.com.au

Author : Sue Currie
Site : ezinearticles.com

In the ‘Age of Scepticism’ gaining media coverage is one way of cutting through the ever increasing noise to get your message across.

Research shows the average consumer receives between 1500 and 3000 marketing messages a day.

Editorial generated by media coverage is more credible than advertising and can help cut through the clutter.

It can also help build your reputation.

But how do you get media coverage?

Here are 10 tips for harnessing the marketing power of the media.

1. Know Your Strengths.

What are you an expert at? What is your specialized area of expertise? What unique services or information can you offer? Position yourself as the expert. Even in a crisis this can position you or your organisation as the ‘go to’ person. This builds credibility.

2. Clarify your communication objectives?

What do I want to achieve? To inform or entertain? To provide information? To build a profile? To influence public opinion? Personal marketing? Marketing or launching a new
product or service?

3. Define your target audience?

Who is my target audience? General public? Customers? Competitors? Suppliers? What age are they, what level of education, what beliefs and values, geographical location, how do they use the media? What influence do they have?

4. Identify the best channels of communication.

What is the best way to reach your target audience? TV, Radio, Internet, newspapers – local or Statewide, specialist or generalist, industry publications, community newsletters?

5. What is your key message?

Distil what you want to say into three key points. Remember less has more impact. Be disciplined and stay ‘on message’. How can this message resonate with, influence or tap into collective attitudes among relevant consumers?

6. Build your case?

What are the features, advantages and benefits of your message for your target audience? What evidence and proof do you have? This helps overcome what I call ‘the hump of cynicism’ entrenched in many journalists when they ask ‘why is this news?’.

7. What is the hook?

What will make your message or news release stand out from the rest. Be creative. Use a media release to control the information flow.

8. Develop long-term relationships with the media.

Visit and meet them face-to-face. Network and get to know them.

9. Use the Three Golden Rules to Perform at your Best = Know Your Topic, Be Prepared, Relax.

10. Seek Professional Help.

For maximum impact, effectiveness and value seek the advice of a media and communications professional.

Author : Thomas Murrell
Site : ezinearticles.com

Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out of their subjects. Conflict and other negative situations often make the news and journalists often have a knack for taking a positive situation and twisting it into something else in order to make it more “sell”-able as news.

It’s a common scenario. The media calls after your organisation has put out a news release on the latest groundbreaking achievements.

You’ve done the hard work in preparing your media message, spending time honing the features, benefits, evidence and proof that will build your case to overcome even the most cynical journalist. After hours of brainstorming, you’ve come up with a great quotable quote that even the most seasoned PR pro would be proud of.

You’ve practised and warmed up your voice. You’ve spent time to quietly relax, using your favourite visualisation technique to anchor your feeling of confidence as the moment of truth comes quicker than you realise. You’ve never been more prepared for this media interview in your life. The opening questions go well and you grow in confidence. Your body language and eye contact show you’re in control and on message.

And, then it comes. Like an unannounced steam train, a question out of the blue. A tough ‘red herring’ completely throws you off balance as their ambush technique works with devastating effect. Crushed, your media interview stumbles from bad to worse. You miss several opportunities to stay on message and make the most of the media opportunity. Afterwards you feel deflated, humiliated and let down.

How can you avoid this situation and prepare for the tough questions that often come from seasoned, cynical and ’so what – who cares’ journalists?

Here are Five Ways To Handle Tough Questions In A Media Interview.

1. COMPLIMENT THE JOURNALIST

Many journalists are attracted to the media because they want to see their face on TV, hear their voice on radio and read their name in the paper. I call them ‘ego-driven’ journalists. Work to their egos and stroke them. Compliment them on a great question. For example, use “that’s a great question and I’m glad you asked it, …..”

2. GET BACK ON MESSAGE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

Once you’ve paid the compliment, get back on message as quickly as possible to show you are in control and not the reporter. For example, after the compliment use “…but what I want to say is this …”

3. FOCUS.

Good reporters will always look for an angle to make the story more newsworthy and will try a range of techniques to get conflict into the story. Keep your focus, be disciplined and avoid going down a line of questioning that is not relevant to the story or your message. Be firm, but polite. For example, “I really think we’re getting off track here, the main point I want to make is ….”

4. KEEP YOUR COOL.

Under no circumstances should you lose your temper, shout or get angry. This only inflames the situation and comments said in the heat of the moment when emotions are running high can often get you in trouble. Remember they make great copy and sensational ‘news grabs’. Remain calm. Remember you are the one in control with the information that the media wants. You have every right to call a halt to an interview if the journalist become overly aggressive or offensive.

5. PREPARE and PRACTICE.

I’ve lost count of the number of times a novice interviewee has taken the whole bait and been taken down the garden path and completely off message by an irrelevant question during a media training exercise. Most people are quick learners and when they see it happening to others quickly learn not to do this once they’ve seen how easy it is to stay on track. Prepare for tough questions prior to the interview in a formal media training course or with a colleague. Road test your messages prior to talking to the media and you are more likely to stay out of trouble.

Author : Thomas Murrell
Site : ezinearticles.com

In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there is a considerable choice available to the cautious consumer. People have the choice of various types of media, if they are looking to shop for any particular product.

Looking at the various types of media, we realise just how large the choices are for anyone venturing into buying or selling something. At the same time, there is the factor of convenience. It wasn’t so long ago, when the customer either went to the shops, to buy, or looked in the local or national press, to browse through the classified and commercial advertisements.

Then came along the advent of radio and television, which provided a whole new concept in advertising. You could now sit comfortably at home, and listen to, or indeed see, advertisements for your favourite products. But this didn’t provide a huge market in private individual advertising, due to the costs involved, although some local radio stations were able to provide so called ‘small ads’.

It has been customary in the past, for someone wishing to sell a product, to advertise it in the local and national press. This continues today, as one only has to browse through the papers, and see thousands of adverts from private individuals.

In recent times, we have seen the evolution of the computer, as an additional source of advertising, and more and more people are turning to this method, as essentially it is one of the most convenient methods of placing an advert. It is also very easy for buyers to browse through the ads, or more specifically, type a word or phrase into a search engine, and save time in being directed straight to the object they are searching for.

But let’s not be complacent about online advertising, either from the buyers or the seller’s point of view. Those of us who run online shopping websites are responsible in ensuring that our customers get a clear and concise picture of exactly what they are entering into, when they open a webpage. It is our duty to provide people with the facts, particularly if they are entering into any online financial commitment. How often do you see the ‘added extras’ tucked away, after completing the initial registration details, or see an additional credit card fee charged? How often do you see an initial price, only to be weighted down with hidden extras? It is imperative in this day of high technology that the end user, that is, the customer, is provided with the full facts of a transaction, at the very beginning.

Starting off with a low or ‘bargain’ price is all well and good, if that price is the final price, but far too often we see the final price creep up with additional fees, charges, add ons, call it what you may. The responsibility lies with the vendor, to ensure that the price has no ‘furry’ edges, and is transparent. If there are taxes in addition to the price, we as vendors, should state so, from the very off. If there is postage and packaging, extra costs for additional services, or anything else, it needs to be stated at the beginning.

Keeping standards extremely high and not taking advantage of the speed in which online transactions pass from one page to the next, to reach the final destination, is an objective that many online businesses have adopted. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go, for many. Let’s hope we will all, one day, maintain the standards that the general public deserve.

Author : Paul Bryant
Site : ezinearticles.com

I am often asked by clients to target USA Today for media coverage, and with good reason: USA Today coverage can have a significant impact on businesses and organizations.
Here’s why:

1. Circulation of USA Today: USA Today is the largest U.S. daily newspaper, with a Monday through Thursday circulation of over two million, and a Friday circulation of 2.7 million.

2. Additional Media Coverage Resulting from a Story in USA Today: Many media outlets — TV in particular — follow USA Today stories closely and do TV segments based on USA Today articles. So, if you’re featured in USA Today, there’s a good chance you’ll receive coverage in other media outlets.

What are USA Today journalists looking for?

Here are some tips:

1. Hop on the hot news story. Sometimes, there’s one story that the news is focusing on heavily (Hurricane Katrina, the Runaway Bride, etc.). Many times there are ways for your business to tie into the news of the day, which is pretty much all the media wants to cover. For instance, Hurricane Katrina is a hot news story at the time of this writing. In a USA Today story on gas prices related to Hurricane Katrina, a small business, gasbuddy.com, was quoted. In a story related to the financial impact of Katrina, a small business, Stone & Youngberg, a firm that deals in municipal securities, was included as a source.

2. Tie your business or organization into a current trend. USA Today rarely profiles individual businesses or organizations. But they will often include you in a larger trend story. For instance, if you make diamond jewelry for babies, you may not get your own business profile, but you may be included in a larger trend story about companies that offer “Baby Bling,” according to Lifestyle Editor Kim Willis.

3. Offer several sources, notes Small Business Reporter Jim Hopkins. You may have a great trend idea, but if it’s hard for the reporters to find sources, the story idea may die. Offering sources is one way to make the story happen — and you can control the names you give.

So if you are looking for great media coverage, consider focusing on USA Today.

Copyright 2005 – Margie Fisher

Author : Margie Fisher
Site : ezinearticles.com