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● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information |
INTERRUPTIONS Presentations, no matter how well prepared, often can be interrupted by someone in the audience. It may be a question asking for clarification or simply a rude person taking a front row seat in the middle of things. If it is asking for clarification, briefly address it, be happy that they are listening so intently. Then refer to it in the Q & A at the end of your talk so that you don’t get diverted from your outline into trivial details. If it comes from something else in the room, a person or even a loud unexpected noise for example, a quick funny comment from you acknowledging the event will get things back on track. If you cannot think of anything else, take a hint from the old Jack Benny shows. He made a career out of one word: “Well….” Q & A SESSIONS Always allow plenty of time for questions and make yourself available after the presentation to do some “one on one” if they would like to talk to you. Be accessible and approachable. Be willing to go the extra mile to see that they have all of the information that they need. Pass out cards, flyers and literature that you have at your disposal. Make references to websites and links, using the graphics in your Powerpoints, which will allow them to do independent research at a later date. Allow plenty of time for them to write these down, or better yet, incorporate these into handouts and literature to be distributed. CONCLUSION Always bring along plenty of business cards and let people - especially the media know how they can contact you if they think of a question later on. This may lead to follow-up interviews and articles which can be done at a later date and perhaps on another topic of interest. Collect business cards or information from those who you make contact with so that you can do some follow up of your own. Building relationships with those you come in contact with can only add to the experience and exposure to Amateur Radio that they are beginning to cultivate. Always just do your best, and remember that the impression you make on those in your audience will be a lasting one, and the more positive you make that first contact, the better you will serve our hobby. |