The joy of being published!

Hi everyone,

 

This is my third blog post, and I am just over half way into my placement. I mentioned in my last blog that I had been preparing a media release to encourage members of the community to become Puppy Raisers. After I had gotten approval for the media release by all departments involved, I sent out the media release to MANY community newspapers. After about 3/4 days, I hadn't heard anything from any of the outlets I had sent the media release to, so I thought back to what our tutors had said about media release distribution (I was once again happy that I our tutors are full of relevant and practical information) and decided that I would ring each of the contacts I had sent the email to and follow up, asking if they need any further information. This was a daunting task, especially as an intern because I lack experience and reputation, and I felt like I was annoying journalists by ringing them. However, once I had rung everyone and left messages with them about needing further information or photo opportunities, I realised the importance of this task. Following up with journalists allows us as Public Relations representatives to show that we done all that we can to get our messages out.

 

Well my efforts paid off, because that afternoon I received an email from the Canning Examiner asking for photos to go with the media release to create a story for their next edition. I was so excited about the response, but knew that I needed to act promptly to ensure they would still use our story. I was so excited and proud when I saw the story in the Canning Examiner Newspaper. It was probably the best feeling knowing that I was the person who had spearheaded this story! Below is a copy of the story that was published.

 

 

 

The radio station 6PR also contacted me to arrange an interview with a 'sensational talent' to go on air for their night program. Again I was pretty pleased with myself, but had to act quickly because I had to find a current puppy raiser for the interview, get them approved by all relevant departments, prep them and let 6PR know their contact details all before 5pm THAT DAY! Again, the interview was a success and went to air the following night!

 

Finally, another newspaper contacted me back, asking if they could interview and photograph a puppy raiser that lives within their area. After finding a person living within their jurisdiction, I once again sought approval from the departments and contacted the talent. I am still waiting for the next edition to be published to see if the story made it in, but fingers crossed!!

 

I have learnt that trying to get stories into newspapers isn't just about writing and emailing out media releases. It involves a whole lot of approvals to ensure messages and information is accurate, following up, acting promptly to provide further information and scanning newspapers to see if the story has made it. It may be a full on process, but it's definitely worth it when the media release creates a story that has been published for your organisation. You really feel like you have contributed to the organisation!!

 

It's all in the Detail.

So, here is my first blog post! 

One thing that has definitely been made clear to me is – follow up, follow up, follow up! While looking for a placement I knew that I would have to work hard to get a place that I loved. We have all heard it before, PR agencies get hundreds of generic emails from graduating students chasing work experiece. So, I found that following up my emails with a couple of phone calls really paid off. I have currently been doing two days a week at Detail Communications, based on the charming little street of George Street in East Fremantle. The entire décor of the office, which has been created by Claire Mcgowan, who runs Detail, matches the antique Fremantle feel.A little view of the office!
 

After meeting with Claire, Sarah and Caitlin (the Detail team) it was made very clear, that although getting coffee and scanning clippings would helpful for them – it would prove of no benefit to me. So, thankfully they aligned me with a client to work on a project from the get go. The markets having been running for the past few years an last year was a part of the 140 William project. This year the organisers - now faced with branching out on their own, seeks the support of Detail.I met with Jacquie, the founder of Made on the Left markets, who discussed what she wished to achieve this year, with her given budget.

Unfortunately, there was a short time frame between the original consulting day to the day of the markets so we had to give the long leads the a miss and focus on short lead publications.  With the short time period in mind we focused on targeting the newspapers, such as the Community group, The West and the Sunday times - all which ran a mention of the markets!

It was my role to liase with the market designsers and the Communtity group to organise a photo shoot and interview which would then be ran across all the Community papers. It was stressful and you quickly learn how to deal the the clients and the medias needs. But its clear that hard work pays off and here is the publications in the Western Suburbs Weekly:


I have always known that at the end of my degree (so soon!) that would want to work in a consultancy. It allows you to manage a broad range of clients - which always keeps you on your feet! Its clear that the girls at Detail are extremely passionate and love achieving results, which produces a workplace that has allowed me to then feel passionate about what I am doing too.

Looking forward to letting you all know how the Fremantle Festival is going next time...

Brooke x