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Erin Willis

In this course, learners are exposed to an overview of public relations principles and theories relevant to practice. You will explore the field, including the origin and trends affecting the future of the industry as well as how to land a job in public relations. This course provides a broad overview of working in public relations and how different tenets of persuasion are used in practice. The course also addresses ethical implications of public relations.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Defining Public Relations
In this module, you will learn the meaning of public relations and understand how different brands use strategic communication to reach target audiences with key messages that advance an organization’s goals.
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The 4-Step Process in Public Relations
In this module, you will learn about the four-step public relations process that informs public relations planning with both qualitative and quantitative research and shifts the public relations function from tactical to strategic.
Corporate Social Responsibility
In this module, you will learn about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a form of self-regulation that contributes to societal goals by engaging in volunteering or ethically-oriented business practices.
Working in Public Relations
In this module, you will learn about the different types of jobs available in the field and the different skill sets needed for working in public relations.
Ethics in Public Relations Practice
In this module, you will learn about the ethical principles applied in public relations practice and will be challenged by different real-life scenarios.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes practical applications, which is common in the field
Suitable for beginners, as it introduces core concepts clearly
Covers ethical implications, which is vital in public relations practice
Provides a broad overview of the field, catering to those new to public relations
Engages learners with diverse media, including videos and discussions

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Reviews summary

Public relations skills from the pros

Learners say that "Principles of Public Relations" is an engaging course for beginners who want to work in public relations. The instructor is praised for being knowledgeable, and passionate about PR. Most students recommend this course for those looking for a well-rounded foundation. However, some did mention that the course had some drawbacks such as technical issues within videos. Overall, this course will provide learners with a solid understanding of public relations principles.
Useful for those new to PR
"Highly beneficial! If you are someone like me who is just a beginner in the field of Public Relation and don't know where to get started. This Course is your perfect start into the diverse field of PR."
"Really great introduction to Public Relations. Covered all of the basic concepts, and perfect for someone with little to no knowledge of PR."
"Excellent and engaging. Very on point and with tons of insides about PR managment. I Love oit!"
Clear and applicable information
"Public relations efforts strive to do the following: Build and maintain a positive image."
"I gained a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of Public Relations."
Informative and relatable professor
"The professor was well informed, relavent articles. her passion on the subject is obvious. Thoroughly enjoyed it."
"The instructor was efficient is delivering all the modules in this course."
"I really liked the course, I learned a lot about public relations and the different styles there are, the areas of work, ethics."
"Excellent and very enriching course. I highly recommend. Excellent instructor"
Mostly personal preferences
"I felt that this course was so informative and will be very instrumental to my current role as a Executive producer of my own media company"
"This course helps me understand there exists differences between public relations and marketing."
"The videos are too long most of the time i get distracted , it is better to make the videos short."
"I really liked the course, I learned a lot about public relations and the different styles there are, the areas of work, ethics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Principles of Public Relations with these activities:
Read and summarize 'Public Relations: Principles and Practices' by Anne Gregory
This book provides a comprehensive overview of public relations principles and practices. Becoming familiar with the material will provide a strong grounding in foundational principles.
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and first two chapters.
  • Write a one-page summary of the key concepts in each chapter.
Watch tutorials on social media marketing for public relations
Social media is an important tool for public relations. These tutorials will provide you with valuable insights and tips for using social media effectively.
Browse courses on Social Media Marketing
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources for tutorials on social media marketing.
  • Select a tutorial that covers the aspects of social media marketing that are most relevant to public relations.
  • Watch the tutorial and take notes on key takeaways.
Join a peer-led study group for the course
Study groups can provide support, motivation, and different perspectives, leading to a deeper understanding of the course material.
Show steps
  • Reach out to classmates or find a study group online.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, share insights, and work on assignments together.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Compile current events related to public relations
Keeping up with current events will provide context and allow you to see how PR theory is used in practice.
Show steps
  • Identify a reputable source for news and information on public relations and create a daily routine of checking for updates.
  • Organize the articles you find into a dedicated folder or file.
  • Review the articles regularly to identify key takeaways and trends.
Attend a workshop on public relations writing or media relations
Workshops provide focused, hands-on learning experiences that can enhance your skills in specific areas of public relations.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant workshops in your area.
  • Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
Write a blog post about the importance of ethics in public relations
This assignment will enable you to delve deeper into the ethical implications of PR and express your understanding through written content.
Show steps
  • Research the ethical principles and guidelines that apply to public relations.
  • Identify real-life examples of ethical dilemmas faced by public relations professionals.
  • Formulate your own opinions on the ethical implications of these dilemmas.
  • Write a blog post that discusses the importance of ethics in public relations and provides guidance on how to navigate ethical challenges.

Career center

Learners who complete Principles of Public Relations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing public relations activities for clients. This often includes work in social media, media relations, and event planning. This course will help you become a Public Relations Specialist as it teaches you the importance of ethics, and how to work in the field. You'll also learn about Corporate Social Responsibility, and how the Four-Step Process in Public Relations is used.
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers create positive relationships between an organization and its key publics. They develop and carry out public relations campaigns. This course can help you become a Public Relations Manager by teaching you about corporate social responsibility. You'll also learn about the importance of ethics, and how to work in public relations.
Public Relations Director
Public Relations Directors create and implement public relations campaigns for their organization. They oversee all public relations activities. The Principles of Public Relations course will provide a foundation for getting into Public Relations. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Corporate Communications Manager
Corporate Communications Managers tell an organization's story to the public, media, customers, and employees. They carry out public relations duties to maintain the reputation of the organization. This course will provide an introduction to Corporate Communications Management as a whole. It will teach you the role ethics play in the field, and how to create public relations campaigns.
Media Relations Specialist
A Media Relations Specialist's job is to interact with journalists and the media to disseminate a brand's message. They create and share press releases, and organize media events. This course can help prepare you for this role by teaching you about the Four-Step Process in Public Relations, and how to define who your public is.
Account Executive
An Account Executive supports organizations by advising them on their interactions with the media. This is achieved through the creation of public relations campaigns. The Principles of Public Relations course can help build a foundation in this field. It will teach you how to control the flow of information between an organization and the public, including members of the media. Furthermore, it will teach you about the ethical duties that this career demands.
Public Relations Writer
Public Relations Writers create content for use in public relations campaigns. This includes press releases, articles, and social media content. This course may be helpful for building a foundation in public relations, but it does not directly teach the skills needed for this role. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Marketing Communications Manager
Marketing Communications Managers oversee the development and execution of marketing communications plans. This may include work in public relations, advertising, and social media. This course may be helpful for showing you the role public relations plays as part of a complete marketing campaign. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Event Planner
Event Planners plan and coordinate events for their organization. This may include work in public relations, marketing, and sales. This course may be helpful for showing you the role public relations plays as part of a complete event planning process. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Digital Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Managers plan and execute digital marketing campaigns for their organization. This may include work in social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization. This course may be helpful for showing you the role public relations plays as part of a complete marketing campaign. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Marketing Director
Marketing Directors oversee all marketing activities for their organization. This may include work in public relations, advertising, and social media. This course may be helpful for showing you the role public relations plays as part of a complete marketing campaign. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers create written content for a variety of clients. This may include work in public relations, marketing, and journalism. This course may be helpful for building a strong foundation in writing for public relations. It offers an overview of the field, including the history and future of public relations. You'll also learn about ethical implications and working in public relations.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers oversee the sales activities of their organization. They develop and implement sales strategies, and manage sales teams. This course may be helpful as it provides an overview of the field of public relations. It will teach you about the role of public relations in society, and how to use public relations to build relationships with customers.
Journalist
Journalists write and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. This course may be helpful as it provides an overview of the field of public relations. It will teach you about the role of public relations in society, and is a requirement for some journalism programs.
Politician
Politicians run for and hold elected office. They make and enforce laws, and develop public policy. This course may be helpful as it provides an overview of the field of public relations. It will teach you about the role of public relations in society, and how to use public relations to advance your goals.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Principles of Public Relations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public relations theory and practice, covering topics such as public relations planning, campaign development, and crisis communication. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of public relations, covering topics such as public relations history, theory, research, and practice. It valuable resource for students, practitioners, and researchers alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public relations, covering topics such as public relations planning, campaign development, and crisis communication. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public relations strategies and tactics, covering topics such as public relations planning, campaign development, and crisis communication. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of public relations strategies and tactics, covering topics such as public relations planning, campaign development, and crisis communication. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.

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