AP Style

Press releases are written differently than most publications.  There is a specific format that almost all PR practitioners and journalists use and that the Associated Press style also known as AP style.   By using AP style PR practitioners save time and money.  No one wants to spend time editing press releases when they can just choose a press release that’s already written in a correct format.  Time is money and the more time they need to spend editing a press release the less the press release is worth to them.  Creating a press release that is in AP style improves the chances that the press release will actually be used.  

When researching AP style I found that the most efficient way to follow AP style is to use the most updated version of The Associated Press Stylebook if the updated version is not available or you are short on time another great option is visiting http://web.ku.edu/~edit/ap15.htm. The site provides a short listing of words/phrases/terms that are often misused or misspelled.   For example dates and times vary depending on how it is being referred to.  The AP Stylebook is also available online http://www.apstylebook.com/ for those who do not have the time to go to a bookstore or wait for shipping.  Companies can also create a stylebook of their own if they follow different rules.  It is important to keep in mind that although it can be a pain to write in AP style it is necessary.  http://lcctorch.messageforums.net/topic31-the-basics-of-associated-press-style.html does a great job of explain what exactly AP style is and why it is necessary.  I myself didn’t understand the “hype” until I read some of the comments on the site.

AP style is difficult to get used to and can change.  But once basic concepts are understood the rest comes easy.  It’s hard to remember everything which is why I’ve found keeping an updated Stylebook on hand.  I had actually purchased one before taking this class because I wanted to prepare myself for the PR world.  It was a great investment.

Introduction

Hi my name is Alycia Richburg and I am currently a sophomore at UW Whitewater.  I am Public Relations major and Sociology minor.  In the summer of 2011 I graduated from MATC with an Associate’s degree in Meeting and Event Management.  Once I graduate from UW Whitewater I would like to get a job at a hotel, specifically as an event coordinator.  I believe that a background in Public Relations will help me a great deal as an event coordinator.  Event Planning involves gaining sponsorship, marketing the event, and doing follow up.  A good reputation is important for all events.  Event location, sponsors, and event type are what draw attendance.  Public Relations is all about gaining and maintaining relationships which results in a good reputation aka an event people will actually want to go to. 

I hope that my degree in Public Relations will help me learn how to build and maintain relationships, improve my writing skills, and teach me how to better market myself and my company.  I do have some experience in Public Relations and Event Planning.  Over the summer I had an internship with Good Karma Broadcasting.  I enjoyed working there a great deal and I learned a lot about what I am capable of and what it’s like to create something that other people get to see.  I look forward to taking this class and hope that I get a lot out of it as well.