Public Relations

Press release from NASA: 8 things you can learn

I don’t care how technical or complicated your topic is. If you’re writing a press release about it, that’s no excuse to be boring. NASA’s press release about moon dust, written by Dave Dooling, serves as a great example. I found eight things I love in this release: 1. A terrific, simple headline. 2. A lead that really… Read More

Monday Morning Media Minute resumes

PR guy Jerry Brown’s excellent Monday Morning Media Minute ezine resumes after a two-year hiatus. It’s a quick one-minute read, delivered to your email box each Monday morning, that gives you a quick tip about how to work with the media. Today’s topic, for example, is how to frame an issue to control the debate. The… Read More

How to promote a horticulture degree

Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio writes: “Agriculture colleges across the U.S. are experiencing low enrollment rates, especially in the area of horticulture. This is mainly due to the cost of a 4- or 5-year bachelor’s degree. Also, many two-year community colleges now offer this major. “How can a department in a major land grant university… Read More

Photo tips: It’s a camera, not a gun

If you’re taking publicity photos for your organization, or you’re hiring a freelance photographer to do it for you, keep in mind these photo tips courtesy of Sean McManus. I particularly like the one titled “No firing squad”: “It’s a camera, not a gun. Smile. Or at least, don’t look so terrified. People often shoot photos… Read More

How to promote a college’s music industry degree

I am the first-year teaching assistant in the University of Miami’s Music Business and Entertainment Industries Program department, and one of my major responsibilities is to promote the program. Our goal is to be recognized as an important preparatory program for aspiring industry professionals by both the music industry community and the greater community. Miami’s MBEI… Read More

Help wanted with difficult marketing client

Marketing consultant Karla Swita of Mosinee, Wisconsin writes: “You know the guy who says ‘Word of mouth has gotten me this far, so why should I pay for marketing now?’ Well, he’s my client. “I’d love some ideas on how to promote a custom kitchen and bath manufacturing shop without sending him into sticker shock. I’m… Read More

PRWeb ends free service

PRWeb has discontinued its free press release distribution service which is probably just as well, because these freebie sites are usually worthless because your release isn’t distributed anywhere. It’s simply parked at a website. That means you have to pay at least $80 to have your release distributed by PRWeb—a service that pushes your releases into… Read More

Crisis management: Learn from the best

Crisis manager Jonathan Bernstein, one of the very best in the business, has been teaching companies how to get out of trouble—or stay out of it—for more than 20 years. Today, he’s dealing with the most unusual crisis he’s ever seen. In an email message this afternoon to subscribers of his electronic newsletter, he writes: “I am probably,… Read More

Public relations firms: Use newspaper column to promote yourself

Attention PR people at agencies large and small, and sole practitioners who need more clients. Writing a column for your local newspaper is a fabulous way of demonstrating your expertise. Land a gig as a regular columnist and it’s akin to being anointed by the publishing company. That’s what happened to PR practitioner Nancy Juetten who’s writing a… Read More