The Jody Fisher PR Blog
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Preparing for Crisis: How to Keep Bad Situations from Getting Worse
No one likes to think about a crisis. But whether you’re leading a business, a nonprofit, or a community organization, the reality is that at some point you’ll face one. The question isn’t if—it’s when. And when it comes, will you be ready?
The truth is, most crises don’t announce themselves. They show up quickly and often at the worst possible moment. That’s why one of the smartest ways to prepare is surprisingly simple: game out possible scenarios in advance.
Three Ways to Get Publicity for a Client with “No News”
Every PR pro has faced it: a client looks you in the eye and says, “We need press.” Then you ask what’s new, and you get… crickets. No product launch. No leadership hire. No event on the calendar.
Sound familiar? Don’t panic. Just because a client doesn’t have “hard news” doesn’t mean they can’t make headlines.
How to Regain Trust with a Reporter
In public relations, trust is everything.
Reporters rely on PR professionals for accurate, timely, and useful information. They count on us to help them tell stories that inform, educate, and sometimes even protect the public. So when that trust is broken, the fallout can be catastrophic - to your credibility, and to your client.
How to Build a Real Relationship With a Reporter — and Get More of Your Stories in the News
When it comes to media coverage, most people make one big mistake: they treat reporters like an email address in a database instead of a human being they can build a relationship with.
Remember: reporters are people with interests and passions. Tapping into that can help build bridges that last.
If you want more of your pitches to land, you need to stop thinking about one-off press releases and start thinking about the long game—creating trust, credibility, and a professional relationship that lasts for years.
The 3 Things That Will Never Get Old in PR
The PR industry is always changing.
When I started my career in a NYC newsroom, we had dot-matrix printers spitting out AP wire copy, fax machines spewing news releases from city hall and reel to reel tape.
Today, AI researches and writes pitch letters, social media algorithms decide what goes viral, and media outlets are contracting the way I wish my waistline would.
But for all the change, there are three fundamentals of public relations that will never go out of style.
What To Do When the Media Doesn’t Show Up
You planned the event. You sent out the invites. You confirmed the guest list. Maybe you even had a media advisory go out to every local news outlet.
And then… crickets. No reporters. No cameras. No coverage.
It happens—and it’s not the end of the world.
The truth is, you can still make your event matter. You just need to shift from “hoping for coverage” to creating your own. Here’s how to do it.
Don’t Invite Elected Officials to your PR Event
When it comes to planning press conferences or public events, one of the most common mistakes I see is this:
Thinking an elected official at your podium will automatically get you media attention.
Want PR Success? Know Where You Belong
If you’re struggling to get media coverage—or frustrated that your pitches are going unanswered—there’s a good chance you’re missing one critical piece of the puzzle:
You haven’t figured out where your story belongs.
It’s one of the most overlooked fundamentals in public relations, but it’s everything.
What’s the Best Pitch You Can Send to a Reporter?
If you’ve ever spent time crafting the perfect pitch, only to hear crickets from a reporter, you’re not alone. Journalists are inundated with hundreds of emails every week. So, how do you stand out?
Simple: Send the kind of pitch that lets them make a decision right away.
It’s tempting to lead with a clever subject line or a mysterious hook, but when a journalist is scanning their inbox, clarity wins. They’re not looking for a puzzle—they’re looking for a story they can take to their editor.
How AI Like ChatGPT Is Changing PR — And Why It’s Not Taking Your Job (Yet)
AI isn’t here to steal your job in public relations.
But if you ignore it? If you don’t learn how to use it? You might hand your job over to someone who does.
Sound dramatic? It’s not. In fact, this story has played out across the PR industry many times before—every time a new technology came along and reshaped the way we work.
When to Shake Things Up: The Power of Pausing and Reframing
Ever feel like you’re stuck on a treadmill—running hard, but not really getting anywhere?
It’s easy to think the solution is to push harder, hustle more, or come up with an entirely new strategy. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is… pause.
Yes, really. Stop. Step back. Breathe.
Because burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken—it just means you’ve been running without rest, solving without perspective, pushing without purpose. And that’s not sustainable.
Are You Ready for TV?
Being interviewed on television might be one of the most awkward things a person can do. There are microphones in your face, lights in your eyes, and a camera pointed directly at you. It’s not normal life—but it is an opportunity.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
When Is a Pitch Not a Pitch? When You Forget to Tell a Story.
In the world of media relations, the difference between a good pitch and a wasted opportunity often boils down to one thing: storytelling. A reporter pitch isn’t just a suggestion or a random idea. It’s not a vague concept or a list of bullet points. It’s a story—a fully-formed, well-thought-out narrative that’s ready to roll.
Understanding Public Relations Ethics: A Guide to Responsible PR Practices
Public relations (PR) is about building and maintaining relationships between organizations and their audiences. While PR can be a powerful tool for shaping public perception, it comes with significant ethical responsibilities. Ethical PR ensures transparency, honesty, and fairness in communication, helping organizations build trust and credibility.
What Public Relations Is Not: Dispelling Common Myths About PR
Public relations (PR) is an essential tool for businesses and organizations to connect with their audiences, build trust, and share their stories. However, many misconceptions about what PR actually IS can lead to unrealistic expectations or misguided efforts. Understand what public relations is not and clarify its true role in your communication strategy.
Email Subject Lines That Get Reporters to Open Your Pitch (and Why They Work)
When it comes to pitching your story to journalists, your email subject line is a golden opportunity to grab their attention. Reporters receive hundreds of emails daily, so focusing on a detailed subject line can make the difference between being read or ignored.
What You Should Have in Your Media Kit and Why It’s Important
In the world of public relations, first impressions matter. A great media kit can be the trick to capturing the attention of journalists, bloggers, and other media professionals. But what exactly is a media kit and why do you really need it? What should it include? Keep reading to find out!
How can I use Public Relations for My Business?
Public relations (PR) can be the strategy that changes the course of your businesses. When done well, PR can enhance your brand’s credibility, build trust, and attract attention in ways that ads and self-promotion simply can’t. But if you’re wondering where to start, we’ll break down the steps to building an effective PR strategy for your business and why working with a PR professional can make all the difference.
Get Media Coverage that Highlights Your Business: How to Leverage Third-Party Validation for Your Brand
Media coverage is a powerful way to amplify your brand and establish trust with your audience. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an established business, or a non-profit organization, media coverage can act as the third-party validation, that stamp of authenticity and approval, that helps elevate your reputation, grow brand awareness, and attract new clients or customers.
What Are the 4 Ps of Public Relations?
Public Relations (PR) is a key component of any successful business strategy, and understanding the core elements of PR can help your brand build credibility, engage with your audience, and grow over time. One essential framework for approaching PR is understanding the 4 Ps of Public Relations.