PRLab

A Guest Post By Rebecca DeLuca

On November 21, 2014, PRLab, the nation’s oldest student-run public relations agency, will host its third PRoBono event. During PRoBono, students from PRLab and AdLab — Boston University’s student-run advertising agency — come together for 18 hours to complete public relations and advertising work for five nonprofit organizations. On November 18th at 8:30 p.m. ET, #PRStudChat and #PRLab will gather for a Twitter chat in preparation of PRoBono. Be sure to follow the hashtag, #PRLab, to join the discussion.

The special #PRLab chat will help public relations students develop quality, strategic work for nonprofit clients. Students and professionals will come together to discuss strategies, tactics, and best practices for a variety of situations, including initial client meetings, success measurement, motivation, integrated marketing, presentations, and nonprofit communication.

To prepare for the #PRLab chat, consider the following prompts:

• Some clients want to be on every social media platform. Others consider blasting news releases good media relations. During initial client meetings, how can professionals ensure their clients are thinking strategically instead of tactically?

• Many nonprofit clients need strategies that encompass both public relations and advertising. What are some tips for working on an integrated communications team?

• Nonprofit communications differ from corporate communications. What should you keep in mind when working with nonprofit clients?

• Nonprofit organizations have unique audiences, including volunteers and directors. How can we turn nonprofit audiences into volunteers and/or donors?

• What are some best practices for developing a communications campaign on a limited budget?

• What are the best tools for measuring success on social media? What analytics do you measure?

• Account executives participating in PRoBono have 18 hours to conceptualize, develop, and present a complete communications campaign. How do you keep yourself motivated on a tight deadline?

• A stellar campaign is useless if the clients don’t approve. What tips do you have for delivering a great client presentation?

• What are the benefits of taking on clients pro bono?

The #PRLab chat at 8:30 p.m. ET on November 18 will benefit not only the students participating in PRoBono, but also other students and young professionals within the industry. To learn more about PRLab, our clients, or past PRoBono events, please visit us online. We look forward to chatting with you!

Rebecca DeLuca, MS PR candidate at Boston University, is PRLab’s Director of Integrated Marketing. PRLab at Boston University is the nations oldest student-run public relations agency, providing students hands-on practice in all aspects of PR agency life. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or Twitter, and visit PRLab online to learn more.

A Little More About PRStudChat: It began with a simple question asked by Angela Hernandez, then President of PRSSA at Central Michigan University (CMU). “Is PR Right for me?” A follow up blog post by PR 2.0 expert Deirdre Breakenridge inspired a series of direct messages on Twitter between Breakenridge and fellow PR industry pro, Valerie Simon. This was an important question and one that should be explored beyond one student or one blog post. Why not build a community to help students across the country, and even the globe, learn from the experience and perspective of industry professionals… A community where everyone can learn and grow together.