Revision as of 16:57, 11 April 2023 by 154.30.194.139 (talk) (Created page with "Public relations (PR) people, either working for an agency or company, are a good way to obtain timely story ideas or sourcing comment for business articles.<br /><br />Their...")(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Public relations (PR) people, either working for an agency or company, are a good way to obtain timely story ideas or sourcing comment for business articles.Their mission would be to bring their client's services and products to the eye of the market. And if songsofvasistha write for is read by potential buyers of the company's service or product, the PR folks are happy to help you get their client some mention in the media.The PR person's assistance provides writer time and energy to develop more query letters, write and sell more articles.1. THE HUGE BENEFITS PR people might help the writer by: - Offering their clients/company's executives as you possibly can sources for stories.- Contacting the sources for the story and coordinating schedules to set up interviews.- Nagging the foundation if he's dragging his heels to set the date for the interview/answer your email questions.- Being pushy in your stead to obtain a short-notice interview if your deadlines are tight.- Mediating if you can find communication problems with the source.2. SOME SUGGESTIONS TO GET CONNECTED a) Register on online PR portals If the story in the press release interests you, or if you would like to interview the business on a related matter, contact the PR agency representing them. As long as you're at it, also mention your key regions of interest so the PR agency have an archive of stories suggestions to pitch to you.b) Ask the companies that interest you about their PR representation That is especially effective you have a story idea and wish to make contact with a specific company. Usually I call the company, require their media relations office. Sometimes I'm sent directly to the communications/PR/media agency.Sometimes I bounce around the company from individual to individual until I make contact with the relevant person to touch upon my story and a PR /media relations person I will maintain a connection with.To cement website , I send a link of the published story to the media person, with some suggestions on the type of stories I write about and an invitation to pitch ideas.c) Media briefings, product launches and associated events PR people love inviting writers/journalists to media briefings and product launches where in fact the client can introduce themselves and their products to several publications in one go. In case you are interested /able to attend many of these events, let the PR people you meet know. They will include your name in their media lists for if they distribute invitations on subject matter you write about.If you cannot attend the event (s), let the PR people know the subject/ offering interests you and will they send you a media statement. They are able to also help you setup interviews with one particular involved to help you develop a story.d) Allow PR people find you online This aspect is particularly relevant once you write on a niche subject. I was very surprised the very first time I received a tale pitch from a California-based PR agency, considering that I'm located in South Africa.Upon closer questioning, the person made it clear she was aware where I was located and she still thought there was potential for us to interact.Since then, I've done some stories initiated by PR companies located in the UK, Germany and Israel. Think about it in this manner - if your subject is universal and your potential sources have operations outside your country then there is opportunity to use iagencies outside your country. One of the major benefits is that it'll increase your capacity to create and sell to international publications too.CAVEAT The main one major issue to bear in mind when getting together with PR people is that your objective and PR person's could be in conflict.The PR person wants to help the company look good, when you objective is write a story that informs/educates/entertains your readers. Your job is not to create marketing /promotional material - the business already pays the PR visitors to do that. So make sure the terms of the interaction are obvious, especially based on the fact that the company is a source and doesn't have copy approval privileges.Damaria Senne is a journalist and author based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She writes about the telecommunications industry in South Africa and Africa, including cellular, mobile and wireless technologies and messaging news and trends.Read her business related articles at http://www.itweb.co.za She blogs about parenting/writing at http://damariasenne.blogspot.com