HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE P.R.O

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HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO)

To be a good, positive and productive Public Relations Officer (PRO), emphasis will be placed on:

- New, up and coming motorcycle clubs, with whomever is designated to be that clubs representative

- Members of motorcycle clubs who have been appointed to the PRO position with no familiarity as to what a PRO is or does

- PRO’s with experience who want to “brush up” on their skills

We want everyone who attends the 2006 PRO Convention to leave with the necessary tools and resources to be an effective PRO.

1. Positive Personality and People Person

a) In this position, you have to have a positive personality and be a people person. The main objective of a PRO is to network with other motorcycle clubs, its officers and members so you can help your Club gain more exposure. You also should be approachable and an outgoing person with an outgoing personality. People in and out of this community tend gravitate to people with these quality’s. If you’re easily agitated, shy, impatient or otherwise, this position may not be for you if you were appointed.

2. Hand Shake

a) A handshake is the older form of communication in meeting and greeting. It gives you the opportunity to feel that person’s vibe and know their personality. Also know, everyone’s vibe and personality WILL NOT be the same. Here is where your PRO skills will be put to the test because a good PRO will know how to adjust and adapt to the numerous personality’s you encounter. You will be dealing with all races, creeds, religions; it is one of the most personal networking skills you can portray.

3. Business Cards

a) This is a necessary tool to have when networking with members in other motorcycle clubs or organizations associated with our motorcycle community. It is also a useful tool when doing community service. Your business card should have the name of your club, your government name with your riding name in quotes, telephone number(s), email address(s), and the mailing address your club uses for correspondence. Also, be sure to get that member’s business card too. If you or the other person does not have a business card, be sure to get a pen and paper and write their information down.

4. Phone Numbers

a) Gather as many phone numbers as you can! You can never have too many numbers. When attending events outside of your city, having a phone number can be a very useful tool, especially when you’re traveling to their area and you need directions to either attend their club event or to just visit. Having a phone number is also a good way to keep in contact just to say hello.

5. Internet

a) By now, most of you know, the way of communication is either by internet via email, instant messaging, and signing Guestbook’s on other motorcycle clubs web sites. These are very useful tools. A good PRO will show love, respect, and support on behalf of their motorcycle club when signing the Guestbook of a club that signs your Guestbook. When signing a motorcycle clubs Guestbook, it allows that club and other clubs who visit the site, the opportunity for your clubs increased exposure.

6. Email Addresses

a) As mentioned above, a Guestbook will allow you, on behalf of your motorcycle club, to show love and respect to that club. It will also allow you to network with other motorcycle clubs. When signing another motorcycle clubs Guestbook, you can view other entries and begin to create you own email list and (URL’s) by copying the email addresses and URL’s of other motorcycle clubs.

7. Motorcycle Club Sign-In Sheet

a) As a PRO, you will be responsible for creating and/or maintaining your clubs Sign-In Sheet for other motorcycle clubs to sign-in when attending you clubs events. Your Sign-In sheet should contain sections for others to place their:

- Motorcycle Club name

- Name

- Position

- Phone Number

- Email Address

- Web site URL

Having these vital pieces of information will give you further resources to network with other motorcycle clubs in and out of your area. You can use this information to begin creating your clubs email database to allow you to solicit your club upcoming events. The web site URL will give you the opportunity to go to their web site, sign their Guestbook, and leave any information you’d like for that club, and others who visit that site, to be aware of any of your clubs upcoming events.

8. Index Cards

a) Index cards are a useful tool when having your clubs event. The index cards can be placed next to the motorcycle club sign-in sheets with some kind of drop-box so you can gather the contact information of those attending your clubs events who are not affiliated with any motorcycle club. As most of you are well aware, a lot of motorcycle clubs have a following of people who always attend your events, but are not members of a motorcycle club. The information you should request to be placed on your index card should be:

- Name

- Mailing Address

- City, State, Zip Code

- Email Address

Having this information will allow you to send an email of your clubs upcoming event to those not in a motorcycle club, but just in case those people attending do not have an email address, you can still keep them abreast of your upcoming event by mailing them a flyer.

9. Know What Motorcycle Club Parties are Networking Parties

a) Some motorcycle club parties are just for that – to party, but there are motorcycle club parties that are networking parties. Most of us know what motorcycle club has the hottest annual party; where motorcycle clubs from across the East Coast and abroad will be attending.