Introduction to Public Relations in AEGEE

1
Introduction to Public Relations in AEGEE

• by Karolina Pomorska
• Rotterdam 30.11.2001

2
What it is all about?

• What is PR?
• The difference between internal and external PR
• Why is PR so important for us?
• Basics of PR on the local level
• Tips for posters and flyers
• External PR contacting the media!
• Questions!

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So, what is PR?

• all relations in and outside of AEGEE
• the communication process building up the image
  of AEGEE among its members and in the society
• not an advertising
• not a promotion
• not marketing
• Marketing propaganda?

4
Internal and external PR

• INTERNAL PR
• You can communicate to your members spreading
  information about the association to them

• EXTERNAL PR
• You can also communicate to the outside word,
  spreading the information there

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But why is PR so important?

• Guarantees a good information flow within the
  local and the Network
• Motivates people to JOIN and to ACT
• Provides us with the support of individuals and
  institutions of the society
• Inseparable from FR brings money
• Thanks to good PR our efforts are not wasted and
  achievements appreciated

6
PR on the local level

• The KEY word is MOTIVATION
• To make a good PR you must know the organisation
  yourself very well!
• More, you should even like it! ?
• Info on AEGEE Key to Europe, Newsbulletins,
  www.aegee.org, IE events!

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PR on the local level ACTION!

• Create a local newspaper
• Make announcements on the meetings
• Organise information stands
• Make sure the newcomers dont feel isolated
• Use mailing lists!
• BE ORIGINAL (Operation screensaver storm,
  hand-outs in toilets, stickers on coins, pasta
  eating for free...)

8
Tips on posters and flyers

• What you cannot forget!
• LOGOs (AEGEE, Congress logo, sponsors, media
  patrons)
• Place and date!
• Contacts (web page, phone, on-line application)
• Catchy SLOGAN ?
• For more information check the handouts with
  additional info to the lecture!

9
Contacting the media!

• Media the most powerful moderator of social
  relations. The 4th power?
• Before contacting them...
• Choose the right ones! (profile, target group)
• Know whom to address (who is responsible for
  youth matters? European Integration issues?)

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Still... contacting the media...

• Contact them when...
• ... you organise an event
• ... you have interesting results of your event
• ... you had elections
• ... you just want to spread info about AEGEE
  (beginning of the academic year!)

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... Contacting the media...

• HOW??
• present yourself establish a personal and
  positive contact if possible
• Send out press-releases!!!
• Try to convince them to become patrons of your
  event
• Maybe they are interested in a long-term
  patronage?

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When you already have your contact established...

• Do not loose the trust of the journalist! Give
  always true information (check twice!)
• Deliver promised material on time!
• Try to stay in touch with the same person
  he/she already knows AEGEE and its value ?

13
Questions!!!

• CONTACT
• Karolina Pomorska
• kara_at_panda.bg.univ.gda.pl
• PRWG of AEGEE-Europe
• PRWG-L_at_aegee.uni-karlsruhe.de
• www.aegee-prwg.de