The Nuts & Bolts of Organizing on Campus: Social Media & Public Relations

What is public relations?

• Marketing• Publicity about your cause, issue, organization• Controlling perceptions

Create a public relations team and assign duties

It’s not one person’s responsibility

USING PR TACTICS

Be UniqueGive something new

Offer solutionsUse a tie-in

Regular communication

Think through your message

• Does the campaign have emotional strength?• Does it demonstrate the message?• Can the intended audience relate to it?• Is it a step above the ordinary?• Does it answer the basic questions of who,

what, when, and where?• What results do you want?

PRESS RELEASES

Let the media know what’s going on

• Events• Issues• Faxes or mail

Contents

• Contact Information• Release date• Headline• Body• Response information

Keep it short and to the point

Use your available resources to find media

• NASW• Other organizations with similar goals• Your university

Be prepared

• Put together a description of your event or cause

• Know the details• Make it more than just an “event” • Post event- send thank you cards

Letters to the Editor

• Short- no more than 200 words• Local is best• Keep writing!

HANDLING THE MEDIA

Don’t worry you won’t be this bad!

http://www.naswoh.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=727

LET’S PRACTICE!

Get comfortable with public speaking

• Classes• Other organizations• Departments

Provide a handout

ONLINE MARKETING

Facebook

• Build relationships with legislators, reporters, etc.

• Facebook events

Twitter

Photo based sites (Instagram, Pinterest)

Blogs

• Write content about your event or cause for other blogs

• Start your own blog and publicize it

PR AND YOUR CAREERProtect AND Develop Yourself!

Activism can change the world- and your life.