Class Notes 4/14: Brainstorming with the class
PR FOR STUDENTS

First Communication: Send email to PROpenMic members and prepare them for the questions that will be asked each day.
Just a suggestion, I would choose just one question with a focus on your audience - what do they want to know or would find most interesting or would generate the most discussion. Don't be afraid to throw out a challenging question either, sometimes those can get the best response. bh

Questions:

1. Understanding" What is PR?

• Notes on writing, AP Style, new way of writing PRs, etc.
• How important IS writing?
• Research and evaluation: Why evaluation is important, new research tools, RACE
• Fundamentals of PR
• Ethics in PR- No longer "flacks" but respectable PR advisers- how to balance business goals with ethical practices
• Questions WE have as PR students (How the heck do you write a white paper? How often should you bug reporters? etc.) and helpful links and explanations

2. Area of PR- Finding Yours and Where to Go: What is YOUR niche?

• Finding your niche: pros/cons of nonprofit vs. profit, sports etc.
• Why PR?
• Different places to practice - agencies. Progression to one area from another.
  
• How to get accredited and why you might want to?
• How to choose PR institutions: who has most growth? Etc.
• PR differences around the world
  

3. History and Trends: What's new in PR?

• What's old? Evolving trends: From Barnum and Bailey to Twitter/ which industries are using PR that didn't used to?
• New PR tools to consider - Twitscoop for research and other Web 2.0 tools, Social media as it affects PR and Broadcast- What kind of effect does it really have? And do we really know?
• Where PR is going
• How to use the appropriate technology for your audience
• Writing in news-style. "Soft news"
  

4. Jobs: How can I find a good PR position in this economy?

• The PR job market in this economy - by area- best and worst places to look for PR jobs?- and advice to set you apart to employers
• Tools to use to keep learning
• Resume style- VisualCV, Portfolio, writing samples.etc.
• Self-branding: acting the part. Does your Facebook, etc. reflect your assets?
• People are still hiring, looking in places you haven't considered before
• Tailoring your experiences to reflect the goals of the org
• What to do in the interview
• These skills aren't dead, and employers still need them
  

5. Recap/Potpourri- people pick own stories - Show us your colors!/Throw What You Know! - Highlight your own university and what you are doing! Tag it with your university, or talk about how YOUR firm does it!

• PRSSA, AWC, and other groups that will advance you
• Benefits of PRSA
• How companies are usng PR: Marriott's Green Movement, etc. - Danny

Direct posts toward the following audiences:

• Professionals- old
• PR Students
• PR Instrustors
• Young Professionals

* Ask one question per day, centralize the discussion

Content should be written 72 hours in advance
Comic relief: funny videos too!

We need:

• Writers
• Editors
• Video