How To Get Started In Public Relations

First, let's start with some things you should not do:

1. Unless you've got a ton of money to spend on PR alone, you probably shouldn't start by handing a wad of cash over to a PR agency to get publicity. Most agencies will want $10,000+ to put together a publicity program big enough to generate real results on a local level and much more than that on a national level. That doesn't mean that PR agencies don't have their place, they just may not be where you want to start, especially if you're just getting started in PR or trying to do it on the cheap.

2. DON'T throw together a news release and send it out to every single media outlet that you can think of, then sit and wait for the fame and fortune pour in. If you do, get an extra cushion or two...it's going to be a long wait. Frankly, traditional press releases rarely work unless you're already rich and famous or you've got something particularly newsworthy to announce.

3. DON'T pester the media if they don't get back to you right away. They don't like it any more than you like people who keep calling you and asking you to do something for them.

4. DON'T announce a press conference and assume that the room will be full. In fact, there's really a very few instances where press conferences work at all unless 1) you're already rich and famous (shound familiar?) or 2) you're announcing something the media will consider to be truly stupendous, like the end of humanity. Contrary to popular opinion, the press hates press conferences because everyone gets the same information. Therefore, the stories all look the same.

Now that pessimism is flowing through your veins (I can almost hear you mumbling under your breath), let's move on to happier thoughts. Here is what you definitely should do:

1. DO scour through your business in search of genuine news-worthy stories. Everyone has a story to tell. Find yours and tell it! How is your business unique? What do you do differently than everyone else that brings in tremendous results?

2. DO get to know your local media representatives. Be helpful. Help them find sources. Give them leads on stories that have nothing to do with your company. Volunteer your own time to give them the information they need. Trust is the keyword here. The more they trust you, the more likely they are to be cooperative when you pitch them a story idea.

3. DO put together a nice but inexpensive media kit, both online and off. Make sure it has all of the pertinent information right up front and easy to find. The media will love you for it. Also, don't get fancy or overly creative. They see through this quicker than you can say "Fluff!"

4. DO work hard to find a powerful story idea that you can provide the media right out of the chute. If you go in with weak ideas, they'll ignore you and brand you as one who has no idea of what they need. So aim for a triple your first time at bat.

Now that you have a general idea of where to start, it should not be that difficult to get your bearings and jump into the exciting world of public relations.

We have a guidebook that will help you on your way to being a powerhouse of publicity. It's called "Media Relations Power". This book tells you exactly what you need to do to carry your public relations efforts to a whole new level, whether you're starting from ground up, or already have an active publicity program in place. Click above to buy one now or to find out more information on this powerful tool! You'll be glad you did.

Tags: PR Starters