1. Is your client in need of some publicity? Here are a few tips I got from
reading Chapter Four in a book about writing in public relations*.
Traditionally, here are 8 important news values to keep in mind when
considering what actually makes quality news:
1. Timeliness – (Is your news “old?” Will it matter anymore once
published?)
2. Prominence - (Utilizing a popular athlete or movie star will draw even
more attention.)
3. Proximity – (Are you reporting news that is local? Or can you localize a
national story?)
4. Significance – (Is this news topic of great important to your audience?)
5. Unusualness – (Just like crazy circus acts or wild Ripley’s Believe It or
Not, “unusual” stories can pull a crowd.)
6. Human interest – (Can your audience relate to what the news subject or
subjects are experiencing?)
7. Conflict – (People like drama, issues, crime stories, and politics.)
8. Newness – (Inform your audience about new products, new services,
new foods, and new ideas.)
If you need help brainstorming ways to create publicity for your client, here
are my five top picks of the 32 listed in the text!
Interview a celeb
Stage a special event
Make an award or hold a contest
Take part in a controversy
Conduct a poll or survey
*Textbook: Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques, 6th
edition,
Dennis L. Wilcox