Tipsheet

=This is the Tipsheet!= Welcome to the P.R. Tipsheet on prWikicities - where you can "talk shop" and share your ideas about p.r. techniques and tactics that have worked (or not.)


 * What it is: This is the place to share tips on p.r. techniques that you recommend, or perhaps would like to employ in the future. It is a community space that encourages participation.


 * What it is not: It is not a place to debate back and forth or discuss the merits of techniques. This can be done, on a limited (and respectful) scale, on the site's Talk page (hit the "Discussion" tab, above). When a tip seems unclear, it's best to add positive tips in the same category that will help clarify the other comments.

To particpate, simply edit the page and add tips. Add comments to pre-existing catagories or add your own.

Content here may be (and should be) used in future articles on these topics.

Websites

 * Keep web content FRESH by frequent additions and changes to keep visitors coming back
 * Company sites should be more than "business cards" online, with few facts and uninteresting material.
 * (add more here)

News releases

 * Keep them short. Abide by a "one-page rule."
 * Use innovative techniques like the video news release (on CD-ROM) or audio/mp3 news release, via email to get noticed.
 * Always follow up with the intended target in the media. They may have "moved on" and no one forwarded it to the right person.
 * Be aware of deadlines when sending news releases to media outlets. If it arrives on or after deadline day - too late.
 * (add more here)

Blogging

 * Encourage clients to start a company blog.
 * Have your client establish strict rules for what is and is not appropriate blogging and put them in writing. Employees should understand that company secrets and proprietary methods and tactics should not be revealed.
 * Start a public relations-themed blog yourself.
 * Keep content fresh - blog regularly to encourage return readers

Online (general)

 * Create an online chat between company officials and the media. Have a moderator screen all questions to avoid obscene or wildly inappropriate ones, but do not censor "difficult" questions. Taking them head-on increases credibility.

News conferences

 * Stage a news conference in a relevent, complimentary location, so the location becomes part of the story (though not a distraction from the message you're seeking to get out.)
 * Don't play favorites. Invite all media outlets, even ones who are not friendly to your client. Don't make not being invited become a NEW issue.

Interviews

 * Make sure clients are "prepped" and know how to address tough or unexpected questions. (An ill-advised comment can come back to "bite" them.)

Please add your own tips!

See also Practical advice.