You are on Page 2 of Section 8

● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information Next Page

Many times impromptu interviews take place during callouts or actual emergencies, so taking advance precautions might be the best way to make sure we always look our best. Having such clothing in your “go-kit” would insure that you are ready for whatever comes your way. Just be sure it is not always wrinkled and doesn’t look like you already slept in it for three days. An (unwrinkled) nylon windbreaker with a patch or other easily visible identification on it also can be helpful and covers up other clothing well. Remember that the first 3 seconds are critical! In those few moments the people who meet you have already summed you up and nothing will change that. Television is especially unmerciful. You may not like it, but that’s the way humans are. So work it to your advantage. Be prepared - plan in advance, as you can for Field Day or a pre-arranged event, great, but always expect that unexpected visit from the media. I happen to know several ARRL staff who keep a clean, ironed shirt and tie stashed behind their office doors just in case. It might also be good practice to include a comb or brush, fresh razor, cologne, deodorant, mouthwash or mints tooth brush and paste and the like in your go-kits. Being showered, clean prepared and ready to face the world through the eyes of a reporter is of paramount importance, and can make or break us. The most important thing you will carry though is your personal pride as a PIO, and with that in mind, you can’t lose with some good precautions taken in advance. So that’s what YOU can do – but you are only half of the interaction. The other half is the preconceptions and prejudices of the reporter. Remember too that when speaking to reporters – especially television when the camera is rolling, to make good eye contact with the reporter and/or camera. Don’t look away or show that you are distracted by things around you, but be on target at all times. Look interested (which you are), use hand gestures and stay on topic and on point. Remember that you will only have a few minutes or seconds in some cases to state your case so every word counts. Another thing to remember when dealing with television cameras: Some clothing will not print well. Loud striped ties, polka-dot shirts and loud colors do not fare well, so stick to colors that are “camera friendly”. Sometimes when reporters interview people wearing such “bad print” clothing, the interview hits the cutting room floor, and your golden opportunity just vanished and you won’t get a second chance or a “do-over”. Finally, watch the background for your interview shot. Make sure that it is relevant to amateur radio, but that it is not so distracting that it takes away from what you are presenting. As we discussed, perception is everything and sometimes the reporter will have an advance “vision” of what he or she expects a ham radio operator to look like. Some even have the mental view of someone with a flurry of H/T’s on the belt and an antenna growing out of their hat. Who taught them this? - We did it to ourselves!