Marilyn reflects on what she has learned from her public relations class in 10 key areas: 1) social media and networking, 2) AP style writing, 3) legal concepts like defamation, 4) the breadth of PR career opportunities, 5) the history of PR pioneers Edward Bernays and Ivy Lee, 6) the growing importance of technology and social media, 7) situational ethics, 8) persuasive pitch letters, 9) the critical need for valid sources, and 10) the expanding role and promising future of the PR field. She believes PR offers many exciting options and looks forward to a career in the entertainment industry utilizing her new skills and understanding of the profession.
2. #1- Social Media
• Although not something
out of the book, I have
realized the total
importance of social
media: Twitter and
blogging.
• I have been able to make
so many new contacts
and realize the
importance of
connections that I will use
in the future; and have
already been using.
3. #2- AP Style
• AP Style is hands down
what I was expecting to
be the most difficult. I
tend to be too
wordy, so the idea of a
news release is
something that I will
need some practice
over and over.
4. #3- The Law
• The law, even though it
can sometimes be
tricky, is very
predominant in PR. It is
crucial to understand
concepts such as
libel, defamation, infringe
ment etc.
• Basically, I know the little
mistakes that can be
taken to a much higher
level, so make sure to
abide by the guidelines.
5. #4- Careers
• Public relations is so broad
that there are opportunities
in so many fields (not
everyone is Samantha
Jones);
entertainment, healthcare,
nonprofit. I was unaware of
many of these prior to the
class.
• I have decided after
researching each one that I
am most interested in
working in the
entertainment industry;
film, TV, radio
6. #5- History
• Edward Bernays: So he
made the first PR campaign
with women smoking
cigarettes in New York and
look what happened. Now
there are PR firms and
campaigns for just about
everything.
• Ivy Lee: Originated the first
press release which is to
this day one of the most
diligent ways to transfer
information to different
media outlets.
7. #6- Technology
• Technology and social
media are going to be the
basis for public relations
as the years go on.
– Teleconferencing was very
interesting to me because
there is the argument that
technology is deflating
social skills, but with
teleconferencing it is using
both technology and face
to face interaction
8. #7- Ethics
• Ethics can be looked at
from different stand
points according to the
person. I believe that I
use situational ethics
because I do believe
that different
circumstances require
different thought
processes.
9. #8- Pitch Letters
• Pitch letters require not
only good writing
etiquette, but also the
ability to be persuasive.
In order to be
successful in what you
do, the boss needs to
see that you want to do
your best.
10. #9- Sources
• It is CRITICAL to make sure
that sources are valid and
credible so that there is no
debate that could cause
trouble. Anonymous
sources are typically not
recommended.
• Wag the Dog was a good
example because so many
stories were being made up
by the government but their
sources were made up and
unreliable.
11. #10- PR up and coming!
• Overall, I have learned and
believe that public relations is
the place to be because it
expands every day.
Technology and social media
play a large part, but also the
credibility that many firms
have been able to create over
the year.
• The PR professionals from
Three showed me that PR can
range from carpet to
healthcare and I think that
shows that there are many
options out there.
