Public Relations PRimer: A Virtual Life Jacket for Businesses Ready to Test the PR waters

The Public Relations PRimer is a hands-on e-book published by the National Mail Order Association to help small and medium-sized businesses get the word out about their products and services.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) November 30, 2005 -- In a climate of increased advertising spending by small business, a new publication focuses on a key aspect of the marketing mix: public relations. The Public Relations PRimer is a hands-on e-book published by the National Mail Order Association to help small and medium-sized businesses get the word out about their products and services.

The Public Relations PRimer provides a thorough overview of what entrepreneurs should -- and shouldn’t do -- to generate publicity for their businesses. The e-book is segmented into specific areas such as print, online and broadcast PR, to make the content easy to grasp for busy business owners.

“Public relations is a cost-effective way to reach thousands of people with a message carefully crafted to promote one’s business,” says John Schulte, association chairman. “While many people are savvy when it comes to running their business, they are less than savvy when it comes to public relations.

“PR isn’t rocket science,” says Schulte. “It is, however, a crucial part of the business marketing mix. And businesspeople who fail to realize this will see their companies fall to the wayside as their competitors gain market share through well-managed public relations.”

The Public Relations PRimer includes:
·   More than 300 consumer and trade magazines, grouped by publisher
·   50-plus links to online directories and search engines offering free listings
·   35 links to free online news release distribution sites
·   Dozens of online resources to help build a targeted media list

The Public Relations PRimer was compiled by a 25-year veteran of the communications field. With a journalism degree under her belt, this industry expert shares insight from both sides of the PR spectrum. She has worked for a major metropolitan daily newspaper, a weekly community newspaper, advertising/PR agencies, written for regional and national magazines, served as PR director for a seven-county area, and held numerous volunteer publicity positions. What’s more, she holds professional accreditation from both the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators.

“The bottom line,” says Schulte, “is that businesses must include PR goals in their overall marketing plans. Our e-book is simply a resource to guide businesses toward those goals.”

The e-book, priced at $49.95, is available for purchase online at: http://www.nmoa.org/catalog/publicity/index.htm

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