Synopses & Reviews
The first edition of the Public Relations Writer's Handbook has become the gold standard reference in the PR industry. However, since the book was first published, the digital revolution has changed the way we live and do business. Computers, e-mail, cell phones, and the World Wide Web have become a part of everyday life.
The second edition of The Public Relations Writer's Handbook offers a simple, step-by-step approach to creating a wide range of writing, from basic news releases, pitch letters, biographies, and media alerts, to more complex and sophisticated speeches, media campaign proposals, crisis responses, and in-house publications. In addition, the thoroughly expanded and updated second edition shows how to keep up with the best practices of the public relations profession, as well as with the speed made possible and required by the digital age.
The Public Relations Writer's Handbook is a handy guide for PR writers who must communicate ideas, information, and emotions in a clear, concise, accurate, and credible manner in many styles, tones, and voices, for many different audiences. The Handbook helps to simplify and demystify the writing process, so that your skills can be honed and your talent developed.
In this extraordinary resource, authors Merry Aronson, Don Spetner, and Carol Ames offer their secrets to cracking the public relations barriers and getting your message heard by as wide a public as possible.
Synopsis
The first
Public Relations Writer's Handbook has become one of the most well-known reference books in the PR industry. A second edition will launch it even further, with the added expertise of seasoned PR writer, Carol Ames, and brand new chapters on digital media and email. Most books in the public relations writing category are sorely outdated, failing to examine the changes of electronic media. The authors are working on a substantive revision of the book, examining every chapater through the lens of the 'digitial age.' Chapters will include:
-Public Relations Goes Digital with 100% New Information
-Mulitmedia Presentations- 100% New
-External Communications- 80% New
-Internal Communications- 90% New
-Crisis Communication & Official Statements- 95% New
-A thoroughly updated appendix, including an entirely new grammar and style checklist.
Synopsis
The second edition of the Public Relations Writer’s Handbookoffers a simple, step-by-step approach to creating a wide range of writing, from basic news releases, pitch letters, biographies, and media alerts, to more complex and sophisticated speeches, media campaign proposals, crisis responses, and in-house publications. In addition, the thoroughly expanded and updated second edition shows how to keep up with the best practices of the public relations profession, as well as with the speed made possible and required by the digital age.
Synopsis
Praise for the Second Edition of The Public Relations Writer's Handbook
"Essential for any PR professional. Well written and easy to understand."
Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
"Despite all the rapid advances in technology, good writing is still the key to effective communications. And good writing comes from clear thinking. This book provides an excellent, step-by-step approach to both."
Jon Iwata, senior vice president, Communications, IBM
"Good writing is still at the core of all great communications campaigns, and this book provides aspiring and experienced practitioners with practical guidelines and effective approaches to consider."
Andy Polansky, president, Weber Shandwick Worldwide
"This is a practical, direct, and easy-to-use handbook for public relations writing, authored by top communications professionals. It's a must-read for anyone serious about a successful career in public relations."
Carl Folta, executive vice president, Corporate Communications, Viacom, Inc.
"This book offers no-nonsense, straight-ahead advice on how to compete and win in today's digital world of public relations."
Paula D. Woodley, lecturer, Annenberg School for Communications, University of Southern California
About the Author
Merry Aronsonis the founder and director of MerryMedia, a Los Angeles–based entertainment marketing and PR firm. She has worked as a journalist, entertainment publicist, and network television promotion executive, and has taught PR writing at New York University and University of California, Los Angeles.
Don Spetneris senior vice president for Global Meeting and Communications at Korn/Ferry International. He was named an "Industry All Star" by Inside PR magazine, and his essays on communications have been published in The Journal of Corporate Public Relations and PRWeek.
Carol Amesteaches entertainment studies and public relations on the faculty of California State University, Fullerton. She is an experienced independent public relations professional and executive producer of movies for television.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
1. Public Relations Goes Digital ~MS.
A Few Words About the Truth.
A Few Words About Grammar.
E-Mail Is Not Private; E-Mail Is Forever.
A Few Words About Style.
Chapter Recap.
2. News Releases, Photo Captions, and Media Kits: Making Your Story Newsworthy.
Inverted-Pyramid News Style.
Trade Versus Consumer Press.
Adjusting Your Style: Consumer Versus Trade.
Before You Write.
Research.
Conforming to a Standard Style.
Content.
The Appointment Release.
The Product Release.
Lifestyle, Trend, and Survey Releases.
Localizing a National Release.
The Delayed or Feature-Style Lead.
Quotations.
Photos, Samples, and Review Copies.
Style and Form.
The Q&A.
Photos.
Media Kits.
Approvals.
Chapter Recap.
3. The Pitch: Creating Media Interest.
Stage One: Analyze the Subject, and Identify the Target.
Stage Two: Call the Editor.
Stage Three: Write Your Pitch.
Stage Four: Follow Up.
Chapter Recap.
4. The Biography and Backgrounder: Bringing Your Subject to Life.
Biographies.
Obituaries.
Backgrounders.
Writing the Bio.
Fact Sheets.
Time Lines.
Bibliographies.
Chapter Recap.
5. Speech Writing: From Your Pen to Their Lips.
Speech Writing I: Eleven Steps.
Speech Writing II: Technical Guidelines.
Chapter Recap.
6. Multimedia and PowerPoint Presentations.
Illuminating Difficult Subjects.
The Script.
Coordinating Text and Slides.
Impact and Continuity.
Putting It All Together: Rehearsal.
Audiovisual Presentations.
Chapter Recap.
7. Writing for Broadcast: Communicating with Video and Sound.
Pitch Letters and News Releases.
Creating Scripts for Electronic Media Kits.
Chapter Recap.
8. Special Events: The Art of Getting Noticed.
News Conference.
Press Junket.
Publicity Tour.
Chapter Recap.
9. Financial Writing.
Learn the Basics of Business.
Follow SEC Reporting Requirements.
Confidentiality and Insider Trading.
Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure).
Investor Relations Department.
Plain English: The Official Style of the SEC.
Business Release.
Quarterly Earnings Release.
Quarterly Conference Call.
Annual Report.
Annual Meeting.
Chapter Recap.
10. Publications: The Editorial Stage.
Editorial Considerations.
Newsletters.
Corporate Brochures.
Assigning Stories.
Establishing Editorial Guidelines.
Other Concerns: Format, Timeliness, Style, Approvals, and Copyright.
Production.
Files and File Copies.
Chapter Recap.
11. Writing for the Internet.
E-Mail, Instant Messaging, Paging, and Wireless Internet.
Web Sites.
Blogs and the Blogosphere.
Chapter Recap.
12. Responsive Writing: Setting the Record Straight.
Letters to the Editor.
Web Responses.
Guest Editorials.
Chapter Recap.
13. Crisis Communications and Official Statements:Preparing for a Crisis.
Official Statements.
Talking Points.
Crisis Media Plan.
Anticipating Needs in a Crisis.
Disclosure.
Crisis Releases.
Minimizing Negative Reports.
Threatened or Ongoing Litigation / Chapter Recap.
14. Program Writing: Selling Your Concept to the Client.
Structure of a Public Relations Program.
Introduction or Situation Analysis.
Objectives.
Target Audiences.
Strategies.
Activities.
Management, Staffing, Administration, Tracking, and Evaluation.
Budget.
Chapter Recap.
Appendix A: Research and Interview Techniques.
Appendix B: Grammar References.
Glossary.
References.
Index.