Customer Reviews

Public Relations For Dummies

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I was foolish enough to buy this from Amazon and it convinced me never to buy again any title that has the suffix ..for dummies. It is completely worthless, it is not a how to and it contains no purposeful concept for any sort of PR activity. If this edition has the additional CD... its worthless too, contain a complete crock of useless shareware and 30 day trial software.
The book is one long self-penned hagiography about how wonderful the author is and what a genius at PR he is. Well where this book is concerned that's true. It goes on at length discussing a thin veneer of material with little or no clear plan of attack. The book itself is an exemplary example of all that is wrong with PR. It is some exhausted title in a pre-remaindered condition that has been re-furbished in the emperor's new clothes that is the signature of the For Dummies title. Splash on a bit of yellow and black, slap in a few moronic cartoons and before you know, it a load of old cobblers is as bright as sixpence.
However it is called For Dummies for a reason- stumping up 20 pounds for this easily sorts the men from the Dummies. I, regretfully fall into the latter category in this case. But never again Wiley and Hungry Minds, never again.

I was at a disadvantage because there were no reviews of this book available prior to my purchase. Here is my remedy to that. Having my own business I wanted to learn how to utilize my opportunites at public speaking and appeal to the audience, media opportunities, and generally looking good. This is honestly the first "for Dummies" book I have purchased and wanted to take back. This book was written from the perspective of a PR person to other PR people/businesses. It is by no means directed or truly beneficial to the private business owner like myself trying to utilize the media and how to appeal to the public as the foremost authority. Save your money and find another book.

I find that Dummies book is well organized yet basic in presenting real strategies.Ron Here's a book I would reccommend Guerrilla P.R.: How You Can Wage an Effective Publicity Campaign...Without Going Brokerivhcin

I can't speak for Yaverman, but I know for certain that neither Ilise Benun nor Bob Bly is a practicing PR pro. Benun's main biz is helping solo or small business people -- mostly graphic artists but also marcomm/PR folks -- get new clients. This might include self-PR, but she's not a PR expert by any means. In one of her books, she advises you never to bill by the hour -- something that will come as a big surprise to most of the PR agencies out there!! Bly started out in PR more than two decades ago, but quickly shifted focus to become a well known freelance copywriter -- mostly collateral materials and direct mail/communications. The "Dummy" people didn't pick the right authors here.

i wanted to know more about pr this book does a good job nut its a bit out dated