PR help for unpopular subjects
Hi! I am a relatively accomplished woman who is passionate about what I do (I focused all my PhD and post doc work on this) But it’s not at all mainstream, thought about or popular- it’s prison hospice. Talking about aging, and dying in general and then specifically for incarcerated people I don’t find myself the center of the party! But it really is my life’s work. I have lectured all over the world but I want to share it not to bring attention to me, but to bring attention to it! I have some books and articles out there, and I’ve done a few Tedx talks etc. but I really need help finding a good platform or someone to help me find a good platform.
Any thoughts on unique platforms or or people who could help me??
Liz
29
06/18/21 at 1:05PM UTC
Public libraries are always looking for free and compelling speakers. If you can link your talk to recently published books and books in the library's collection, that's even better. It's really important to focus on compelling human interest stories and leave the statistics for the academic journals.
Robin Hendricks, M.Ed., CECAmbition Enabler
422
01/27/21 at 4:49PM UTC
Hi Kori!
I hear you :) and thank you for your work.
Your post resonated with me because a) I spent the majority of my professional life in healthcare and b) when I was not working in healthcare, I worked in a high security prison for a brief, but very educational period of time back in 2009. Check, check ;) I've also got some marcom background under my belt...Here are a few questions I would ask before offering any advice:
1. Are you able to distill a core message that will move people to action once you find a platform? [subject]
2. Whose attention are you trying get, specifically? (ie, who do you want to educate about prison hospice?) [audience]
3. Aside from humanitarian importance, what will spreading your message do to advance your work? [purpose]
Anonymous
01/27/21 at 5:51PM UTC
Thanks Robin! To answer your questions:
1.yes I have two-one for each of the general audiences that I am targeting g
2.audience-one is to educate the general public with a call to action based on either a fiscal or humanitarian premise.
3. The work has the potential to decrease healthcare expenses in prisons which the taxpayers are responsible.
Robin Hendricks, M.Ed., CECAmbition Enabler
422
01/27/21 at 11:26PM UTC
Hi Kori,
Great! So glad to see you've got a clear purpose identified - that's critical.
As it relates to your audience, general public is too vague. For example, unless you have a limitless budget, it's simply too difficult to raise awareness to a non-specific audience.
Think in terms of who will most be moved by your message to take action and support your cause and influence others?
Yes, it would be ideal if everyone cared about end of life care for inmates, but that's just not a realistic goal.
In order to start a movement, you need to first reach those who are closest to the issue and/or can influence others.
Then, think about where those individuals get their news and information and what they pay attention to. That will give you an idea of what kind of platform you might use...Best wishes!
