The Guide's Top Tips from PR Couture

When the guide was first launched last year, the lovely Crosby Nicks at PR Couture kindly featured seven top tips from the book. For those that missed the article first time round, below are a few tips from the feature.

Chapter: Keeping A Record
Brief Description: Record keeping is perhaps the most important aspect of handling your own PR. By retaining clear and concise records of your actions you will speed up the entire PR process as well as keeping confusion to a minimum.
Tip: To aid the organisation of press correspondence and to appear more professional, set up an independent email account for your business, i.e. press@usual address.

Chapter: Looking Good
Brief Description: This chapter is concerned with the shooting, presentation and desired effects of your images. From lookbooks to jpegs we discuss many of the options open to when handling the visual side of your PR plan. We also provide advise for preparing for a shoot.
Tip: Aim to include each piece from your collection. If you design throughout the season, you may prefer to use a mannequin or opt for the still life option. Recreating an orchestrated shoot for additional pieces later on in the season may be tricky. Ensure you can update these new pieces easily in to your lookbook as they arrive.

Chapter: Loose Buttons
Brief Description: At some point a button will fall off your PR plan and invariably you will have to deal with damaged samples, lost accessories and frustrating obstacles that might hold you up. This chapter reveals some of the black holes you will encounter and how best to approach them, as well as offering a few pointers for other, more general aspects of handling your own PR.
Tip: Misprints – If one of your samples is used in a fashion shoot, then it is vital that you are credited correctly for your designs. However there are occasions when publications print inaccurate information. In this instance, you must notify them immediately. No publication wants to provide their readers with incorrect information and they will usually do all they can to rectify the situation. The publication can notify readers of their mistake in a subsequent issue or, as with missing samples they can provide more coverage as a means of apology. The important point to remember in this instance is that you are losing potential sales and possibly giving another label credit for your designs. Be sure to persevere when seeking an amendment.

The Pocket Guide To Fashion PR...the offical blurb

The Pocket Guide to Fashion PR contains a wealth of advice and insider information on the exciting and fast paced world of Public Relations. Ideal for the new designer and some of the more established women's wear and accessory brands, this guide concentrates on the core aspects of establishing and maintaining a fashion PR plan, whether on your own or within a team.
On the reading list for many of the UK's most revered fashion courses, this guide is an introduction to the skills and dedication needed by any individual wanting to raise awareness, gain recognition and ultimately increase the sales of their product. From press releases to general emails, meetings to industry jargon, The Pocket Guide To Fashion PR concentrates on establishing and maintaining a PR plan that works for you.
Designed for those with minimal experience of Public Relations, it enables you to keep PR activities close to home and under your purse strings, as well as providing invaluable tips for those already succeeding in their PR strategy. From maintaining press relations to securing coverage in national magazines and newspapers, The Pocket Guide to Fashion PR gives you a chance to successfully compete against powerful public relation firms and more established brands