Planning a Successful PR Campaign

Here are six basic steps to help you achieve your public relations goals:

1. Set realistic, measurable goals. Put these goals in writing. For example, you might want to attract 50 parents to a PTA meeting or increase Reflections entries by 10%.
2. Decide who you want to reach: PTA members, parents of all the students at the school, teachers, administrators, and/or community leaders. How will you reach them? Media, fliers, newsletters, community posters, email, and websites.
3. Develop a timetable for contacting the media. Know media deadlines and reporters who might be interested. This is where your carefully crafted media list comes into the plan.
4. Form a public relations committee to implement plan and delegate responsibility.

   1. Develop a Compelling Story for your PTA: Craft a story that resonates with your target audience and encapsulates the mission and values of your PTA organization. This narrative might focus on the positive impact of parental involvement in education, the benefits of PTA membership, or the importance of community support for the local school. Make your message clear, relatable, and emotionally engaging.

   2. Select the Right PR Tactics for your PTA: Choose PR tactics well-suited to your PTA organization. Consider the following tactic
      1. Newsletter and Website: Maintain an informative and updated PTA website and newsletter to communicate with parents, teachers, and the community.
      2. Social Media Engagement: Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to engage with your local community and share important updates and stories.
      3. School Events: Organize events and workshops related to education, parenting, and community involvement.
      4. Local Media: Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels to promote PTA initiatives and events.
      5. Collaboration: Collaborate closely with teachers and school administrators to align your efforts with the school’s educational goal.
5. Measure and Adjust Your PR Campaign: Implement appropriate metrics to gauge the effectiveness of your PR campaign. This could include tracking the number of PTA memberships, event attendance, website visits, or social media engagement. Regularly assess these metrics and adjust your PR tactics as needed to maximize your outreach and impact within your local community.
6. Use a formal evaluation tool for your public relations report.

Remember that for your PTA organization, building strong community relationships is key. Your PR efforts should aim to foster a sense of involvement, support, and collaboration among parents, teachers, and the broader community, ultimately benefiting the educational experience for students.