Blog Archives
12 must-read blogs for PR students
Another blog I should have mentioned! Conversations in Public Relations…
This morning, I spoke with George Mason University students in Serge Samoilenko’s class. The topic was blogging. Since many of them will be working communications, I compiled a list of blogs that I thought would help them learn more about PR, understand what it is like to work in PR, and maybe even make useful contacts.
One thing I emphasize for students (and professionals, as well) is to take full advantage of the comments feature to add to the discussion and cultivate relationships (and perhaps drive traffic to their own blogs).
I do follow many other excellent PR blogs but these were the ones that I thought might be most useful to undergrad students and soon-to-be PR professionals. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. PRSay is the blog of the Public Relations Society of America, which of course is the foremost professional organization for PR professionals in the states. It’s a high quality blog that delivers just what you would expect it to.
2. Beyond PR is PR Newswire’s blog and it is outstanding. You can tell the people who write for this blog love to write. But they are also on the cutting edge of any new PR development. The practical public relations tips are invaluable. One of my favorite blogs to read.
3. Fresh Ideas is the blog for BurrellesLuce. I especially like the blog posts by local Debbie Friez. This is another blog with practical public relations tips, as well as takeaways from area public relations professional development events . I advised the students to get to know Debbie’s work through her posts on this blog and to seek her out at networking events, as she is highly connected and influential in DC’s PR community.
4. The Publicity Hound delivers good quality, practical public relations advice you can use in a succinct and uncomplicated way. Joan Stewart‘s writing is fun to read, and I often find tips on public relations topics not covered widely elsewhere. In short, it’s interesting.
5. Levick Strategic Communications has expanded and rebranded their Insights blog from their former Bulletproof Blog, which was excellent. I am just getting used to the new format, but is there ever a lot of good content here. Levick Strategic Communications, as you may know, is one of the foremost crisis public relations firms. Their blog is an education in crisis communications, and never fails to impress me.
6. Social Media Club DC had some starts and stops but it seems like their blog and programming are really on a roll now. None of the students in this class had been to any SMC-DC events, so I strongly recommended that they subscribe and start connecting with this active group.
7. The Fletcher Prince Blog. Like I wasn’t going to recommend my own blog! 
620 blog posts, people. I’m just saying….
8. The blog for PRofessional Solutions, LLC (client) disseminates the wisdom of Kate Perrin and Melanie Jordan, who manage the DC area’s only public relations staffing firm. They deal everyday with companies and job seekers, and they know their stuff. Both women are excellent writers, and yes, I would say that even if they were not my clients! These are also influential contacts to get to know and emulate. I know I often think: “What would Kate or Melanie do/say now?” That’s how savvy they are.
9. Ami Neiberger-Miller writes The PR Toolkit for Nonprofits. Ami started her professional career as a journalist and you can tell: she really is a wonderful and intelligent writer. She has such a broad wealth of public relations experience and knowledge to draw on, and she is a committed blogger. Of course, nonprofit PR is huge in DC. Ami is another DC PR pro people should really get to know.
10. Amanda Miller Littlejohn is another DC area independent who also got her start as a journalist. Amanda’s blog posts on Mopwater + Media Notes are thought-provoking and often inspiring, which is appropriate since she likes to help people build their personal brands. This is an especially useful blog for students and young professionals to start reading on a regular basis, because Amanda also interviews public relations professionals about their jobs, and shares job openings.
11. Another local independent, Denise Graveline, has two excellent PR blogs. I directed them to The Eloquent Woman for its unique focus on public speaking. What communicator would not benefit from public speaking tips and anecdotes?
12. And last but not least, I recommend the blog, Mr. Media Training. I have never met the author, Brad Phillips, but I think his PR expertise makes his blog subscription-worthy. One thing that impresses me about this prolific blogger is how he hops right on a news story or breaking development, so I enjoy those current events insights, as well. I think it would be an excellent addition to any student’s (0r professional’s) daily reading to do list.
10 ways to say thank you to your public relations interns
Inviting your summer interns back for the company holiday party is another nice way to say thank you to your interns.
We still have a bit of summer left, but it won’t be long before your public relations interns are packing up and heading back to college, or moving on to their first jobs.
Hopefully, your company has given them real-life experiences, coaching, and the hourly pay they are entitled to for bringing value to your firm. If you handled the internship well, the interns will leave with a favorable impression of your company and will go on to be brand ambassadors. But did your intern go the extra mile? Are you especially glad you hired her or him?
If so, before the internship ends, now is the time to think about the ways you can say thank you to your public relations interns, while giving them a good start on their public relations careers. Here are some suggestions for ways to thank and help your interns before their internship ends.
1. Schedule a meeting with the intern, about a week or two before their last day. Give them notice of it now, so they can prepare. You can explain that at this meeting you will discuss and assess their work, provide advice, review their work samples, and hear how their internship experience went for them. I asked my interns to write a brief summary of their internship experience before this meeting for me. This helps the intern organize work samples for her or his portfolio, and gives you information to tackle their recommendation letter.
2. Write a LinkedIn recommendation. Your recommendation may be the first one they receive, so it is especially meaningful. It should be brief and honest, but specific. Think of three projects the intern worked on, and their contribution. Mention a few personal qualities that make this intern desirable as an employee.
3. Write a letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation you provide on company letterhead is important for a few reasons. First of all, not every employer is on LinkedIn (gasp!). Also, it’s helpful to have a paper copy of a recommendation for the intern’s portfolio, and the letterhead and signature lend authenticity. In addition, if the intern goes on to another internship, some applications require at least one letter of recommendation.
4. Offer to review their updated portfolio and resume. At this point, the intern should have work samples, a fair idea of their contributions to the firm, and a letter of recommendation (before their last day). They can now update their resume with their internship experience. Review their updated resume and portfolio with them and explain how to make the most of these assets in a job interview.
5. Schedule a farewell meeting with a top executive. Before the intern leaves, speak to your top executive about having a brief meeting with you and the intern. The executive should be informed about the contributions the intern made before the meeting. You should also coach the intern on basic business protocol before the meeting. This is an opportunity for the top executive to thank the intern and impart any quick words of advice, and the chance for the intern to also say thank you and collect a memory for a lifetime. Don’t forget to bring a camera!
6. Connect through social media. If you haven’t had this discussion, now may be a good time to explain the business etiquette of social media. For example, interns and supervisors do not usually connect on Facebook. However, you can safely encourage the intern to connect with you on LinkedIn, and you can offer to review their LinkedIn profile and make recommendations. You can also encourage your intern to “Like” the company Facebook Page, subscribe to the company YouTube Channel, and follow the company blog and Twitter account.
7. Take some photos. I mentioned taking a photo with the chief executive but make sure you also snap a few pictures (with your camera or the intern’s) of them sitting at their desk, posed with employees in the office, in front of the building, at their farewell lunch, working on a project, and even of work samples. Email them the digital files. These photos really come in handy for updating social media profiles and for use in job interviews, and they will become a treasured memento for the interns.
8. Ask the intern to write an article about their internship experience for the company blog. The summary they wrote for you (in tip #1) and the photos (in tip #7) will make for a meaningful blog post that will make the whole company feel good, and will encourage quality interns to apply for your next internship offering.
9. Write a brief thank you note (handwritten) on your personal stationery or a card. Yes, you will have already written the letter of recommendation on company letterhead. But that is directed to a future employer. You should also thank the intern personally. This is another item that will become a memento for the intern. If you give the intern this note a week in advance (say, at the end of the day on the Friday before their last week), it may also prompt him or her to write a thank you note to you, which is great business etiquette training.
10. Provide a parting gift. What you give the intern as a parting present depends on your budget, their contribution, and how many interns you have. If you have a small budget, you might gift them with some company imprinted items you have on hand, or a business card case. But if the intern was really outstanding, and your company has the budget, one especially significant gift is to give them their first professional membership. Professional associations usually discount their membership fees for young professionals. So, if you would like to do this, you can discuss the options with your intern, have them complete the membership application, and then issue a check to the organization for their first year of membership. Some suggestions: Washington Women in Public Relations ($40 for college students, $85 for regular membership) or the Public Relations Society of America ($155 for applicants with two or less years of experience).
What ways have you found to thank your public relations interns?
Related articles
- Interning: Get Remembered For All The Right Reasons (collegecandy.com)
- Odds Are Your Internship Will Get You A Job (forbes.com)
- More than making copies: what interns want (theglobeandmail.com)
- Career Development Series: Turning Your PR Internship Into a Full-Time Job (mediabistro.com)
Public relations ethics: remember to disclose client relationships on Twitter
Most public relations agencies and professionals I observe on Twitter are conscientious about disclosing client relationships when tweeting. It’s easy to do: all you have to really do is add the hashtag #client to the tweet. Like this:
However, one prominent D.C. agency’s employees have been really missing the boat on this. They keep tweeting about their clients, without disclosure, e.g.:
They do this a LOT.
So what’s the big deal? Read the rest of this entry
Mark your calendars for these August events, DC communicators!
Think nothing happens in DC in August? Think again! There are plenty of educational and networking events coming up this month for communicators, and people interested in learning more about PR, marketing, and social media!
Click each event for registration information.
Tuesday, August 2nd, 6 pm – 8 pm “Second Annual PR Community Mini-Golf Tournament”
Sponsored by: PR Community (and you know who)
Where: Jefferson Falls Miniature Golf Course, 7900 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA
Fees: Self-pay ($6/game). Call (571) 269-7559 if you want a $5 Red Hot & Blue BBQ platter (Pork BBQ sandwich, cole slaw, red-skinned potato salad, pickle and sweet or unsweet iced tea)
Wednesday, August 3, 12 Noon – 2 pm “Executive Communicators Summer Idea Swap – Discovering Solutions to Your Biggest Challenges”
Sponsored by: Washington Women in Public Relations
Where: Hager Sharp, 1030 15th St., Suite 600E, Washington, DC
Fees: Free for WWPR and PRSA members; $15 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.
Tuesday, August 9, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. “Top Tech Trends PR Professionals Need to Consider”
Sponsored by: Public Relations Society of America, National Capital Chapter
Where: Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center, 901 K Street NW, 11th floor, Washington, DC
Fees: $35 for PRSA and WWPR members; $55 for non-members; $10 for students and retirees
Tuesday, August 9, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. “After Hours Mixer”
Sponsored by: DC Ad Club
Where: Jackie’s Restaurant, 8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Fees: Free. Buy your own drinks.
Wednesday, August 10th, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m “Monitoring and Analytics” (breakfast and presentation)
Sponsored by: The Association for Women in Communications-DC Chapter and Burson-Marsteller Digital
Where: 1110 Vermont Avenue N.W., 12th floor, Washington, DC
Fees: $25 for members of AWC, WWPR, BPR and CPC; $35 for
non-members.
Thursday, August 25, 12 Noon – 2 p.m. Brown Bag Seminar: Presentation by Tammy Gordon, Social Media strategist for AARP
Sponsored by: Washington Women in Public Relations
Where: TBD
Fees: Free for WWPR and PRSA members; $15 for non-members. Bring a lunch.
Related articles
- Look for me at WWPR’s Emerging Leaders Awards, July 26 (fletcher-prince.com)
- Educational Happy Hour? (theprsanccblog.wordpress.com)
- Meet the WWPR #ELA2011 Finalists! (flackrabbit.com)
Who To Follow Now: 10 National PR Experts, By Specialty
The Public Relations Society of America maintains a Speaker’s Bureau of experts on various topics related to the practice of public relations. What a great resource for identifying notable people to follow in this field on Twitter.
Here’s my selection of 10 experts to follow, by PR specialty, along with their Twitter handles and follower counts. Follow the complete Twitter list here.
1. Association/Nonprofit Management |Bill Murray (New York, NY) @Bill_PRSA (177+ followers)
2. Career Development | Gerard Corbett (San Bruno, CA) @PRJobCoach (495+ followers)
3. Employee/Internal Communications | Kathy Barbour (Jacksonville, FL) @kathybarbour (1,369+ followers)
4. Ethics | Tom Eppes (Charlotte, NC) @tomeppes (35+ followers)
5. Financial Communications/Investor Relations | Marcia DiStaso (University Park, PA) @mdistaso (356+ followers)
6. Global Communications | Rosanna Fiske (Miami, FL) @Fiskey (1,421+ followers)
7. Healthcare Communications | Paula Pedene (Phoenix, AZ) @PaulaPedene (465+ followers)
8. Public Affairs and Government Communications | Gary McCormick (Knoxville, TN) @GaryMac865 (450+ followers)
9. Social Media | Gini Dietrich (Chicago, IL) @ginidietrich (18,350+ followers)
10. Travel and Tourism | Peggy Bendel (Catalina, AZ) @Deercats (85+ followers)
Related articles
- Does High Twitter Follower Count indicate Thought Leadership? Not SO much! (showfangspr.strategicobjectives.com)
