Today was quite nerve-wracking but also very rewarding. I had to write me first media release about the Commission holding information seminars in country and regional areas to educate the community on the election process.
The hardest part was that as the Commission don’t have a PR team I didn't have anyone to ask and go through it with me as I was writing it. I tried to remember what to include from classes at university but I was a bit rusty as I haven’t had any classes where I’ve had to write media releases this semester.
I had to hand my draft to the manager and he said he went over it with me and explained areas that needed work.
The main difference is the style of writing is very formal compared to what I’d learnt at university. After two attempts the manager accepted it and it will feature as part of a media kit that will be sent out to regional radio stations.
Although today was extremely nerve-wracking it was also very rewarding and it felt good to use what I’d learnt in class into practice. The most important part was that I actually enjoyed the whole process from start to finish of writing a media release and perfecting it until it was right.
Sam
14756614
2 comments:
i know what you mean about i being nerve wracking writing your first media release in the 'real world.' I went through the same thing at my internship several times. As opposed to having to write very formal compared to uni - at my internship we were pushed to use lots colourful words and write with 'human interest values' in mind. My manager was really big on alliteration in the headlines!
Anyway i think it's definitely a confidence boost when you get the media release done, especcially if you some media coverage out of it!
That's interesting that your organisation does not have a PR department. I would of thought an established organisation like WAEC already would of got onto this!
Atleast you've got something to include in the 'reccommendations section of your report there.
:)
I completely understand exactly how you felt! Last week i was asked to create a media release for my organisation and i was so incredibly nervous! I felt nervous for the fact that i hadn't written one since my 2nd year PR classes, and the fact i was writing one for real life and not the classroom. Media releases in my organisation were more of a casual context, but however were significantly longer in length in comparison to a traditional media release. The one thing that let me down was my proof reading skills, so many little errors could had been avoided if i had just took a little longer time examining it!
It's a learning curve for us, we are only new to this and it will take time to perfect the art of a media release.
Good luck for everything in the future!
Tahlia.
Post a Comment