By: Sarah Beth Sullivan

Top Ten Things I Learned in PRCA 2330

#1 Twitter

• When I was first assigned to do a week of Twitter, I was beyond confused.

• Now I understand the importance of being able to connect with millions of people at the click of a mouse.

#2 Interesting Facts about the Evolution of Public Relations

• The first, most important people to start practicing PR were: Edward Bernays, Ivy Lee, George Creel and John W. Hill

• Also, Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to utilize press conferences and press interviews.

• My favorite fact about the history of PR was the propaganda coordinated by Edward Bernays. (Continued on next Slide)

Edward Bernays and “The Torches of Liberty”

• Bernays contracted with the tobacco industry. At this time, very few women smoked.

• Bernays decided if he could make smoking attractive to women, the tobacco industry would double their profits.

• In the New York Easter Parade, many beautiful women marched, and at the signal of Bernays lit up cigarettes, or their “torches of freedom.

• By participating in a male-dominant act, this movement helped women see themselves as equals to men.

More Information about Bernays

• Click to see a video of Edward Bernays and his accomplishments

#3 Thank You Notes (Times 2)

• After an interview, make sure to send a thank you note in an email AND mail a copy to their address. That’s why it is always a good idea to grab a business card.

• The follow up thank you letter shows thoroughness, which many potential employees will not display.

#4 All About Blogging• The most beneficial thing I think I have done in this

class is having and maintaining a blog.• The only kind of social networking I had ever done

before this class was Facebook, and way back in the day, Xanga.

• A professional-looking blog is important in this field so employers can see your writing skills.

#5 Podcasts

• Once again, this is something I had never done before, and new very little about.

• To help with my confusion, I watched a YouTube video by Jason Rhode of Northern Illinois University.

• I listened to a podcast about Seth Godin’s book Tribes, and gained an interest in the world of podcasting.

• I thought it was great that Ms. Nixon, my professor, would upload podcasts of our classes to her blog.

#6 How Much Damage Bad Publicity Can Do To a Company, and How Quickly Good PR People Can Do

Damage Control• For example, the Domino’s YouTube video. • I’m sure the people that saw the video never want to eat

Domino’s again, but there were only a certain number of people who did get to see the video because it was taken off YouTube shortly after being posted.

• Domino’s fired the employees and pressed charges, and apologized to the public.

• We did a unit on Crisis and Conflict Management, and according to what I learned in class, I’d say Domino’s handled the situation very well.

#7 The Four Basic Steps of the PR Process

PR Process

RACE

#8 Gifts Are a Big No-No

• Gifts can be seen as bribes, which is extremely unethical.

• Stay on the safe side and don’t give out gifts to potential employers or clients.

#9 AP Style

• The AP Style is the standard form of writing in PR.

• I was used to MLA formatting, so this was an eye-opener. I know my best friend will be the AP Stylebook.

#10 How to Make Myself a Marketable Employee

• Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio!– This point was stressed over and over again. I need to

start compiling my portfolio now, in order to show my best work in an interview.

• Experience– All of the internships or work experience I can get will

help me in attaining a job.• Networking– The easiest way to get a job is through people you are

already acquainted with.