Product Description

Everyone knows about the Internet as a way to market and sell, yet few organizations have experienced even a fraction of the Net's power for true public relations. This guide, with step-by-step instructions and action plans, explains how to conduct effective and measurable PR on the Net.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #579968 in Books
• Published on: 1999
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Entrepreneur, February 1999
An excellent primer on technology's role in company image-keeping.

Public Relations Quarterly
"...well worth reading."

CIO
"...money spent on Public Relations on the Net will probably pay off big time."

Customer Reviews

Excellent on Fundamentals
Public Relations on the Net successfully covers all the basics that pr pros should already know. Neophytes would be well-advised to learn these basics. But, that is where Holtz stops. For learning more advanced methods about pr on the net, I found Guerrilla PR: Wired by Michael Levine to successfully handle the advanced techniques. Holtz's book is not without merit, but if you're in the industry, then it's highly unlikely you'll learn anything new here. Well-written, though.

FAIRLY DECENT MIXTURE BUT NOT ENOUGH
This book contains some really neat ideas con how to practice public relations on the net.
The problem is that almost all the information that the book contains are simple and obvious topics that a public relations pro already should know but some how or other the author, Shel Holtz, managed to link them to topics regarding the net.
Read this book definitely wasn't a waist of time but if you work in the public relation field think twice before buying this book; Chances are you already know everything contained in "PUBLIC RELATIONS ON THE NET".

Sum it up in two words: Not Much!
I can sum up everything that I learned in this book in two words.

Not much.

It covers common sense things that anyone who has spent any time on the Internet would know.

This was written for people who have already worked in public relations but have had practically no experience in using the Internet. It starts with a history of the Internet, then looks at communications and how the Internet has changed them.

Part Two is more useful for established public relations practitioners as it covers measurement and audiences. It talks about using the Internet in establishing and maintaining media relations. There was actually one very good section here. In order to use the Internet effectively, you must consider it to be a channel of communications between the PR specialist and the media. The only way to do that is to give the media what they want.

Do not send email blindly to journalists and other members of the media unless they have indicated, perhaps at the end of their column, that they welcome email submissions. Always contact them first by telephone to determine if they might be interested in the story that you are promoting. If they are, then you may send them the information via email. Keep it short; no more than two pages. Use excruciatingly good grammar. Be polite and give them information that helps them to do their jobs more easily.

As in any part of public relations, establishing contact and credibility with the media is key to your success in getting your story covered.

Keep a database of your press releases online so that the media people can find them when they need information. You want your PR people to work with your webmaster while your website is being developed. Other suggestions include that you make sure to have an email contact address at your website that is regularly checked by someone responsible. He recommends the use of newsletters, bulletin boards and chat rooms to pull people onto your site. He also notes that it is difficult to get demographic information on your users and suggests registration to get their contact information and demographics.

I personally don't recommend that you use registration for your site when you are just starting out because it will drive users from your site rather than pull them into it.

If you are not familiar with the Internet, this book may be useful. If you are a regular user, you may want to find other sources of information on PR on the Internet.