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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 |
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Micro-puter announces new super duper software. Counter with: While World Marches in Lock-Step, Elmertown Hams Hear Different Drummer. Unlike the pre-packaged computer programs sold in most stores, Elmertown hams have been experimenting with “open sourcecode” programs that they themselves can modify - and they are successfully using it and talking to the world - for free! Harry Hairy of the Elmertown ARC has been using…. All it takes is a little creativity. It’s not hard! It only requires some extra effort on your part to go above and beyond and really want to promote Amateur Radio in Elmertown. Be ready for more questions When you spin off national news, be ready for more questions. Have good contact info for anyone mentioned in the story (and be sure they know they may get a call). Have hyperlinks to supporting websites available. If possible, be ready to do an actual demonstration. Send you counter-story to your reporter list, preferably as a fax or email. (You DO have a contact list of local TV, radio and newspaper reporters, don’t you???) Time is critical here because your story is only of any value as long as the national story is running. Snail mail is too slow for this. Topic areas to avoid Do not “disrespect” anyone. Stay on the positive and explain what you do. For example, in early February 2009 there was a major ice storm in Kentucky. The hams responded when many 800 MHz and other systems failed in the ice. It would be very easy to join in a chorus of “Commercial systems are junk,” but it would be untrue. In addition, it hits the wrong target. Most emergency systems have been significantly “hardened” since Katrina. The people who voted for, spent money on, and have careers tied to them are the emergency and political leadership of Elmertown. You want to make friends. You do not want to make enemies of them, and badmouthing others will not achieve your purpose. Stay on target - what WE do and can make happen. Leave any criticism to someone else. |
