Notes

PR People Are A Good WAY TO OBTAIN Story Ideas For Writers
Public relations (PR) people, either doing work for an agency or company, are a good source of timely story ideas or sourcing comment for business articles.

more info is to bring their client's services to the eye of the market. And when the publication you write for is read by potential buyers of the company's service or product, the PR folks are happy to help you to get their client some mention in the media.

The PR person's assistance gives the writer time to develop more query letters, write and sell more articles.

1. THE HUGE BENEFITS PR people can help the writer by: - Offering their clients/company's executives as you possibly can sources for stories.

- Contacting the sources for your story and coordinating schedules to create interviews.

- Nagging the foundation if he's dragging his heels to set the date for the interview/answer your email questions.

- Being pushy on your behalf to get 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 news release interests you, or if you want to interview the business on a related matter, contact the PR agency representing them. While you're at it, also mention your key areas of interest therefore 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've got a story idea and would like to make contact with a specific company. Usually I call the business, require their media relations office. Sometimes I'm sent directly to the communications/PR/media agency.

Sometimes I bounce around the company from person to person until I make contact with the relevant person to comment on my story and a PR /media relations person I should maintain a contact with.

To cement our association, 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 some ideas.

c) Media briefings, product launches and associated events PR people love inviting writers/journalists to media briefings and product launches where the client can introduce themselves and their products to several publications at once. In case you are interested /able to wait many of these events, let the PR people you meet know. They'll include your name in their media lists for when they send out invitations on subject matter you write about.

If you cannot attend the function (s), let the PR people know the subject/ offering interests you and can they send you a media statement. They are able to also help you create interviews with one particular involved so that you can develop a story.

d) Allow PR people find you online This point is particularly relevant once you write on a niche subject. I was very surprised the very first time I received a tale pitch from the California-based PR agency, due to the fact I'm based in South Africa.

Upon closer questioning, the individual managed to get clear she was aware where I was located and she still thought there was prospect of us to interact.

Since then, I've done some stories initiated by PR companies located in the UK, Germany and Israel. Think of it in this manner - if your subject is universal and your potential sources have operations outside your country then there is opportunity to work with 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 one major issue to bear in mind when getting together with PR people is your objective and PR person's may be in conflict.

The PR person really wants to help the business look good, when you objective is write a tale that informs/educates/entertains your readers. Your task is not to create marketing /promotional material - the company already pays the PR visitors to do that. So make sure the terms of the interaction are clear, especially based on the fact that the company is a source and doesn't have copy approval privileges.

Damaria Senne is really 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
Website: https://www.songsofvasistha.com/