Phyl, and anyone else in PR or Advertising job question

I am in the midst of applying for a job, Event Coordinator, they dont mind that i dont have DIRECTLy related PR experience, the fact that I have been involved in organizing large events/fundraisers in the past. They also asked if I have worked on press releases... HELP ! What exactly does this involve ? Are there any examples online ? any 'buzz words' i can use ? I know 1,000% I can do this job, its that these people that interview, if they dont see it exactly as they want on your resume, theyre like 'see ya later'
Has anyone overseen the organization of a major fundraiser ? done the press releases for it ? What is a good job description of the proces you went through ?


Any feedback would be appreciated !

Press Releases are relatively easy to write -- they are basic news stories -- but with a promotional twist obviously on whatever your company is trying to promote or and event they want media to cover.

Here's a web site that has sample and some tips. Just plug 'Writing a Press Release' into yahoo or another web browswer -- I found a few web sites that popped up.

http://www.press-release-writing.com/

I've got a related press release question! When you send them, either via e-mail or snail mail, do you just send the press release, or do you include a brief, personalized cover letter too? I've got the writing part down, just not sure of the protocol around sending. And are you following up with a phone call? Someone had once mentioned to me that if you include a photo, and follow up, you've got a better chance of getting some press from it.

hey -there- I am not involved in the PR end of Advertising...but event marketing isnt that difficult. Depends on if the company you are applying to does it all the time, or they just dabble.
If they do it all the time- then they are buttoned up.
Event markleting is just creating an event to highlight your client/product. Like the launch of a new computer game, hyping the Womens basketball league, or a new type of sports drink.
Figure out what outlets/locations would be the optimum for featuring your product. (sports drink samples outside of the US open, or Madison Sq garden)...then what medium u want to tie into it ( cable- sports channel) and talk to the sales people at the media and set up a promtion pitch meeting with them.

Let me know if you need more info-
But I will be out next week on vacation.

Karen, I usually send mine out over business wire and then e-mail just the release with a brief message to my key editorial contacts. I only add a photo if it is an employee promotion announcement, or if an editor comes back to me with a request for one.

In general, I do not follow up with phone calls. It all depends on the business you are in. Some editors get annoyed if they think you are 'pushing' them into writing about you, whereas others enjoy a little reminder that you sent something. I have found over the years that it is a bit of trial and error!

I'm actually in the marketing department for a bread company - we sell primarily to restaurants and supermarkets, so we'd just be hitting the trade magazines and papers, not consumers.

Given the number of viruses floating around, I figured I'd just have a line at the bottom, indicating that a photo was available upon request, since any attachment is suspect these days.

Press releases are a minor part of the departmental responsibilities, so I want to make the process as easy as possible. I'm glad to know that I don't need to send personalized cover letters or follow up in all instances.

Thanks for all the feedback ladies!

Got my fingers crossed for next week. Im pretty sure I can handle this position (actually, positive, lol). but some companies get frazzled if they dont see XYZ written in bullets on your resume. They dont look deeper and see all the transferable skills one has :(

We'll see what happens !
Thanks again !

I also do PR and Fundraising for a non profit organization -- so if I can be of any help before your interview--ask away--I am actually in the midst of hiring for one of my development positions so interviewing is def on my mind these past few weeks!! ugh--
Good luck
Laura

Laura,
Are you in Syosset ? (thats where my interview is). Wouldnt it be funny if you were interviewing me! HAH !

So they did call, and ask me to come in, even though I have no PR experience. Do you think they will be open minded about that fact that I never worked for a PR firm, but I have lots of experience planning major events, at work and where i've volunteered. Anything I can mention that would be good to mention ?

thanks!