The Jody Fisher PR Blog
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Framing the Truth: What PR Can Learn from the Power of Narrative
In today’s world, almost everything feels political — but what’s really happening is a battle over storytelling. The way leaders, brands, and organizations frame their message determines how people see the world. Framing isn’t just communication; it’s strategy.
The Headline Test: How to Write Headlines Reporters Can’t Ignore
In the written word, the headline is everything.
It’s the first impression, the hook, the entry point to a story. Reporters, editors, and audiences make split-second decisions based on the words at the very top of every pitch, press release, or post.
The headline sets the tone. It signals what’s new, what’s important, and why it matters. Without a strong one, the rest of the message may never even be read.
But how do you write a good one?
Let’s talk about The Headline Test.
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.