Public Relations
The term and act of public relations has many different interpretations. I used to believe public relations was only shown in the form of holding press conferences and engaging in a Q & A section. It has become clear that public relations is a multifaceted discipline that involves interpersonal, writing and interviewing skills throughout this semester. This course has helped my creative thinking and analytical skills. In my coursework I have developed such as active listening skills, identified newsworthy angles and crafted questions to generate credible stories and learn the tools a public relation specialist uses. My perception of public relations has expanded to recognize that it is the act of conveying a message through a medium knowing there will be a receiver bias.
Public relations emphasized the significance of quantity, speed and context. Quantity pertains to the amount of context being put out, while speed relates to the timely release of information to let readers know about opportunities before another source does. Context refers to the format in which information is presented. Public relations is about fostering awareness as well as building relationships to enable two way communication. Public professionals are tasked with managing controversies, controlling online reputation, updating social media and representing brands. These tasks are with the goal of connecting with audiences effectively and efficiently.
Public Relations Examples
Some examples of this include using public relations to put a spin on stories that may put an individual in a negative light. For example, the Jonas brothers had to reschedule their summer concerts. Their public relations team conveyed to their fans on the jones brothers official website that their shows have been rescheduled. They put out a video for their fans about what happened sharing their point of view.
Another example of public relations is the Spotify pop-up library for Taylor Swift’s new Tortured Poets album. It allows fans to have an on-hands experience with her artistic vision for her new album. This fosters a sense of community among her fans as well as increases the buzz around her new album before it comes out. Furthermore, there was also an element of mystery throughout the library. There were hints and clues about music video release dates and hints about certain lyrics. Swift gives fans a unique experience to get fans excited about her album. Overall, on-hands experiences and mystery give Swift an excellent public relations campaign.
Writing Critique
Over the course of this semester, my writing has undergone noticeable changes and improvements. In my initial blog posts, specifically the first and second ones, I struggled with integrating multimedia content and visuals, which impacted readability. Additionally, these posts lacked clear structure, with long paragraphs and insufficient background information provided about the topics discussed. For a blog post about Elle King about her performance at the Grand Ole Opry to honor Dolly Parton, I did not give background information about the Elle King controversy, or provide quotes and images. I also did not provide what Twitter post I was referring to and looked into Elle King’s public relation team on how they handled it.
My second blog was about the water brand, Owala’s Instagram post. The same problems appeared here as talked about in the post about Elle. However, there was more of a clear use of research in comparison.
As the semester progressed, I made conscious efforts to enhance my writing style and content. In my Croctober blog post, I used an engaging lead to reel in readers. I gave them more background about the cowboy boots that were being talked about through attaching a youtube video and a photo about them. Furthermore, I incorporated direct quotes from reputable sources, like CEO Andrew Rees, to bolster credibility and provided actionable recommendations, such as suggestions for improving press releases. One notable strength that emerged from this evolution was my ability to engage readers effectively. I included how the Croc company is honoring fans, as well as recommendation of how the company can get fans involved through social media.
For the Croc blog post, I provided a TikTok of fans reacting to the Croc boots, and I ended the blog with “The ultimate question is, are you ready to ride into Croc Nation?” to include an interactive prompt.
In my final two blog posts, I applied lessons learned from previous ones, ensuring proper referencing, using heading and providing insightful critiques supported by examples and class concepts, such as design principles as well as using the nut graph. I also engaged in comparative analysis, drawing differences between two different infographics about how to grill safely.
Moving forward, I intend to continue refining my writing by focusing on further diversifying multimedia content, refining my structure for enhanced readability, and consistently incorporating relevant research and analysis to enrich my arguments.
Learning
One aspect I can utilize is interviewing skills, as well as writing a press release. I plan to pursue a career in event planning. I have learned how to effectively tell a story across various media formats. My technical skills have improved as I understand how to reach a large audience effectively. Communication through different mediums is crucial in advertising. Additionally, I’ve learned how to increase event awareness through social media and websites.
This course has provided me with a deeper understanding of the background of through hands-on experience. For example, I enjoy interviewing people and hearing their stories. Public speaking and I strive to assist in challenging situations, excelling at presenting information within tight deadlines. I thrive on planning, executing, and evaluating events, as well as engaging with clients to bring their vision to life. Delegating tasks and setting up rooms are tasks I enjoy.
Social media plays a significant role in receiving and providing information. It serves as a platform for branding, communication, and self-expression. Among friends, it’s a way to share updates on my activities. With potential employers, it showcases who I am and my journey. With young professionals, it demonstrates how I maintain a clean social media presence, reflecting the best version of myself.
However, there are challenges. One must be mindful not to overshare or neglect updates, as this affects how others perceive you. Maintaining a clean profile and monitoring content is essential. Nevertheless, social media offers opportunities to share one’s brand and connect with like-minded individuals, allowing a glimpse into who you are and what you stand for.
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