Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals
Media Relations 101

This course is designed to help newer public or government affairs professionals. Our media training explores essential skills to help maximize your message in the Washington media environment. Instruction includes hands-on exercises, an overview of key media players, basic message development, and effective press release and media kit preparation.

Students then put everything together to form a powerful communications plan involving both the Internet and traditional message distribution. You will also gain a core understanding of basic crisis communication planning.

More Information
Agenda	When	Where	Related Training	Policies

 

The leadership competencies for this course include:

• Creativity & Innovation
• External Awareness
• Flexibility
• Written Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Technology Management
• Partnering
• Political Savvy
  

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This sponsored course is tailored for your group's specific needs.

The program fee for sponsored courses includes program development, faculty, and course materials, presented in the DC area at your location, for up to 20 attendees. *  We will contact you after we receive your registration to finalize details.

See the FAQs About Sponsored Courses for more information, including Wait Lists.  

Government agencies: please see the GSA Schedule for our GSA contract pricing.

TheCapitol.Net, Inc.
Contract GS02F0192X  

Bring this course to your location. This course and any combination of its topics are available as custom on-site training for your organization. We can tailor this course for your agency, association, business, or NGO. For more information about how this training can help your members and staff, please contact our client liaison. Not enough people for a sponsored or custom course? See these Capital Learning Audio CoursesTM Capitol Learning Media Training Courses Maximizing the Internet for the Public Affairs Professional Media Relations: Capitalizing on Your Resources, Your Office, and the Media Media Relations: Merging Policy and Media Strategies Media Relations for the Public Affairs Professional, A Seven Course Series

Course materials include the Training Edition of "Media Relations Handbook for Agencies, Associations, Nonprofits and Congress," by Bradford Fitch "Offers a wealth of practical advice on public relations that will be of benefit to governmental and non-governmental organizations alike." -- Municipal World, July 2004

Sample Agenda	Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (networking lunch at noon)   How the Media Works and How to Work the Media Introduction to who, what, and where the media is The mindset of, and tips for dealing with reporters such as etiquette for email, phone, fax, spam Touch on common reporter "problems" How new technology has changed the media, and how you need to change too What the media can do for you Characteristics of organizations that effectively use the media Make sure you are targeting the right reporter Deadlines and lead time Online technology Getting the media interested in your organization Working effectively with reporters Different approaches for pitching to TV, print, radio reporters   Developing Your Basic Message Tools of the craft and tips to get started Using techniques, such as Message Box, for working out all sides of your message Connecting the message to your organization's strategic mission, values, or goals Who are the people in your organization that can help you or not. Identify who speaks for your organization   How to Develop an Effective Press Release and a Complete Media Kit What should go into a media kit? Writing a press release; examples of good and bad press releases What shouldn't go into a press kit - using the right materials for the right audience Writing regular and email press releases Creating an online media kit - making sure you are effectively using hyperlinks Backgrounders, FAQs   Putting the Pieces Together for a Communications Plan Capturing attention of the media and the public, and working from there Using the web to further your goals Importance of knowing the governmental affairs aspect of your organization The importance of follow-up and tracking to see if you are being effective Basic crisis communications planning; 8 mistakes to avoid in a crisis Five key steps in developing a communications plan This course and any of its topics are also available as custom, on-site training anywhere in the United States.    Do you need a training course we don't offer or coverage of an additional topic in this course? If you have suggestions for courses or topics you would like to see us offer, please contact us or complete our online suggestion form.
Suggested Prerequisites	None. If you need help deciding which courses you should take based on your work experience or training, please contact us via email or phone: 202-678-1600.
Time and Dates	8:30 am to 4:30 pm This Sponsored Course Requires One (1) Day
Location	This course can be presented at your location in Washington, DC, or at a location in Washington, DC, that we provide.  *  For a map with a brief list of hotels near the Capitol, click here. When we arrange space, we use these Washington, DC, locations.
Course Materials	Course materials include the Training Edition of "Media Relations Handbook for Agencies, Associations, Nonprofits and Congress," by Bradford Fitch.
Certificate of Training and CEUs	A Certificate of Training is available for this course. To get a Certificate of Training, your registration fee must be paid in full, and you must attend the entire course. Approved for .7 CEUs from George Mason University.
Related Training	Advanced Media Relations Workshop Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony Speechwriting: Preparing Speeches and Oral Presentations Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing Writing To Persuade
Policies	See https://www.thecapitol.net/PublicPrograms/CoursePolicies_Sponsored.html All statements and discussion at all of our courses, workshops and seminars, public and custom, are off the record and not for attribution, unless specified otherwise. The resulting confidentiality ensures a frank and free exchange of views.
FAQs	FAQs about our sponsored courses including suggested attire.
Program Fee and Registration	$11,875 - for up to 20 attendees *  The program fee includes program development, faculty, and course materials and presentation at your DC-area location for up to 20 attendees (sponsor provides classroom space, AV, and any breaks and lunch). For an additional fee, we can also provide classroom space in the DC area for up to 20 attendees, AV, breaks and lunch. We will contact you after we receive your registration to finalize details.  Registration and payment at least 3 weeks before the course is required so the program can be customized for your specific needs. For more information see FAQs About Our Sponsored Courses.  * = This course can be also presented outside the DC area. Contact us for details.      Fax or Mail: Print out and complete the registration form (in Adobe pdf). The completed form should include your method of payment.    Fax the completed form to us at 202-688-2424.    Mail the completed form to us at TheCapitol.Net, Inc., PO Box 25706, Alexandria, VA  22313-5706
Available as custom, on-site training?	Yes.  This program can be tailored for on-site agency, association and corporate training.  Please call 202-678-1600 for information. Government agencies: please see the GSA Schedule for our GSA contract pricing. TheCapitol.Net, Inc. Contract GS02F0192X
Need more information?	Phone: 202-678-1600 Email: registrar -at- TheCapitol.Net Complete our online information request.
Non-Partisan	TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.

URLs: www.TheCapitol.Net/PublicPrograms/mediaI.html
TCNMR101.com

This Sponsored Course Requires One Day
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
 

   
Approved for .7 CEUs from George Mason University.

All of our courses and workshops include extensive interaction with our faculty, making our courses and workshops both educational and mini-consulting sessions with substantive experts.

Rave Reviews

"An outstanding day of instruction. Useful in every facet of my job."
-- Public Affairs Specialist, USDA

"This opened my eyes to new ways to attracting media attention that I will actively pursue."
-- Program Coordinator, national association

"Great speakers, excellent materials."
-- Media Relations Manager, national association

"Excellent, very practical."

"One of the best seminars I have attended. Enough information to give head start in preparing the agency's strategic plan."

See more testimonials about this course.

Mary Agnes Carey

Willie Blacklow

Sid Davis

Kent Jenkins, Jr.

Sheilah Kast

Steven Keller

Michelle Lehman

Robert McLean

Leonard Steinhorn