📰 Traditional PR

The established principles of public relations—media relationships, press releases, reputation management—before social media transformed the communications landscape. For professionals seeking to master the foundational craft that still underpins effective publicity.

Straight Talk About Public Relations, Revised and Updated

by Robert Wynne • 2019

Press releases still beat viral dreams. A PR veteran explains why, and what actually earns coverage.

4.00

📢 Public Relations 📰 Earned Media 🤝 Media Relations

Straight Talk About Public Relations, Revised and Updated Summary

Straight Talk About Public Relations, Revised and Updated 89%

Press releases still beat viral dreams. A PR veteran explains why, and what actually earns coverage.

by Robert Wynne 2019

4.00

3 ratings

📢 Public Relations 📰 Earned Media 🤝 Media Relations

Public Relations

by Ron Smith • 2013

How PR builds trust, manages crises, and earns goodwill: a field guide for newcomers.

3.91

👥 Public Relations 🏢 Corporate Communications 🎯 Strategic Communication

Public Relations 88%

How PR builds trust, manages crises, and earns goodwill: a field guide for newcomers.

by Ron Smith 2013

3.91

23 ratings

👥 Public Relations 🏢 Corporate Communications 🎯 Strategic Communication

Strategic Silence

by Roumen Dimitrov • 2017

How not speaking, being boring, and off-the-record whispers let PR pros shape what the media asks.

📢 Public Relations 🎙️ Communication Strategy 📰 Media Relations

Strategic Silence 88%

How not speaking, being boring, and off-the-record whispers let PR pros shape what the media asks.

by Roumen Dimitrov 2017

📢 Public Relations 🎙️ Communication Strategy 📰 Media Relations

You Need PR

by Jenna Guarneri • 2022

Brand identity first, coverage second: a PR system for startups that don't have an agency budget.

4.28

🗞️ Public Relations 🚀 Startup Marketing 🏗️ Brand Building

You Need PR 88%

Brand identity first, coverage second: a PR system for startups that don't have an agency budget.

by Jenna Guarneri 2022

4.28

18 ratings

🗞️ Public Relations 🚀 Startup Marketing 🏗️ Brand Building

Writing Skills for Public Relations

by John Foster • 2012

Tight sentences, headlines that earn clicks, and the legal traps hidden in everyday PR writing.

4.00

✍️ Public Relations 📝 Business Writing 📖 Plain English

Writing Skills for Public Relations Summary

Writing Skills for Public Relations 87%

Tight sentences, headlines that earn clicks, and the legal traps hidden in everyday PR writing.

by John Foster 2012

4.00

5 ratings

✍️ Public Relations 📝 Business Writing 📖 Plain English

The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR

by Al Ries • 2002

PR builds brands; advertising only maintains them. Why press coverage beats paid media every time.

3.72

876

🎤 Public Relations 📢 Advertising 🏗️ Category Creation

The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR Summary

The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR 87%

PR builds brands; advertising only maintains them. Why press coverage beats paid media every time.

by Al Ries 2002

3.72

876 ratings

🎤 Public Relations 📢 Advertising 🏗️ Category Creation

How to Start a Home-Based Public Relations Business

by Randi Minetor • 2012

Start a PR firm from your spare room: pricing, pitching, ethics, and keeping work flowing.

4.50

🗣️ Public Relations 🏠 Home-Based Business 💼 Freelancing

How to Start a Home-Based Public Relations Business Summary

How to Start a Home-Based Public Relations Business 87%

Start a PR firm from your spare room: pricing, pitching, ethics, and keeping work flowing.

by Randi Minetor 2012

4.50

2 ratings

🗣️ Public Relations 🏠 Home-Based Business 💼 Freelancing

Public Relations

by Edward L. Bernays • 1952

Public opinion is not found; it is built, and building it has rules.

3.98

175

📢 Public Relations 🎭 Propaganda Theory 🗣️ Opinion Shaping

Public Relations 87%

Public opinion is not found; it is built, and building it has rules.

by Edward L. Bernays 1952

3.98

175 ratings

📢 Public Relations 🎭 Propaganda Theory 🗣️ Opinion Shaping

Journalism and PR

by John Lloyd • 2014

PR is bypassing the newsroom and speaking directly to you. Journalism hasn't caught up.

3.78

📢 Public Relations 📺 Media Studies 💻 Digital Disruption

Journalism and PR 87%

PR is bypassing the newsroom and speaking directly to you. Journalism hasn't caught up.

by John Lloyd 2014

3.78

9 ratings

📢 Public Relations 📺 Media Studies 💻 Digital Disruption

Hype Yourself

by Lucy Werner • 2020

The small business PR kit: media assets, journalist contacts, and story hooks that skip the agency.

3.91

128

📣 Diy Public Relations 📧 Media Pitching 🎯 Guerrilla Publicity

Hype Yourself 87%

The small business PR kit: media assets, journalist contacts, and story hooks that skip the agency.

by Lucy Werner 2020

3.91

128 ratings

📣 Diy Public Relations 📧 Media Pitching 🎯 Guerrilla Publicity

Inbound PR

by Iliyana Stareva • 2018

Make journalists and clients come to you: an inbound playbook that finally makes PR measurable.

3.87

📢 Public Relations 📝 Content Marketing 🧲 Inbound Methodology

Inbound PR 86%

Make journalists and clients come to you: an inbound playbook that finally makes PR measurable.

by Iliyana Stareva 2018

3.87

46 ratings

📢 Public Relations 📝 Content Marketing 🧲 Inbound Methodology

The Father of Spin

by Larry Tye • 1998

A parade of smoking debutantes, a heartier breakfast, and the man who engineered modern spin.

3.93

398

📚 Public Relations History 🧠 Propaganda Studies 🗣️ Mass Persuasion

The Father of Spin 86%

A parade of smoking debutantes, a heartier breakfast, and the man who engineered modern spin.

by Larry Tye 1998

3.93

398 ratings

📚 Public Relations History 🧠 Propaganda Studies 🗣️ Mass Persuasion

The New Rules of Marketing and PR

by David Meerman Scott • 2007

Stop pitching journalists. Start publishing directly for your customers: the complete playbook.

3.85

7k+

📝 Content Marketing 💻 Digital Marketing 📣 Public Relations

The New Rules of Marketing and PR Summary

The New Rules of Marketing and PR 86%

Stop pitching journalists. Start publishing directly for your customers: the complete playbook.

by David Meerman Scott 2007

3.85

7k+ ratings

📝 Content Marketing 💻 Digital Marketing 📣 Public Relations

Trust Me, I'm Lying

by Ryan Holiday • 2012

Blogs run on lies. A former insider shows who supplies them and why truth loses.

3.85

12k+

📰 Media Manipulation 📈 Attention Economy 🔍 Misinformation

Trust Me, I'm Lying 86%

Blogs run on lies. A former insider shows who supplies them and why truth loses.

by Ryan Holiday 2012

3.85

12k+ ratings

📰 Media Manipulation 📈 Attention Economy 🔍 Misinformation

The Origin of Brands

by Al Ries • 2005

The market doesn't converge. It branches, and every branch is a brand you can own.

3.71

436

🧱 Brand Strategy 🌱 Category Creation 📍 Brand Positioning

The Origin of Brands 86%

The market doesn't converge. It branches, and every branch is a brand you can own.

by Al Ries 2005

3.71

436 ratings

🧱 Brand Strategy 🌱 Category Creation 📍 Brand Positioning

Mastering the New Media Landscape

by Barbara Henricks • 2016

Your social media audience isn't yours. Here is how to build one that is.

4.16

📣 Content Marketing 🎯 Personal Branding 📰 Public Relations

Mastering the New Media Landscape Summary

Mastering the New Media Landscape 86%

Your social media audience isn't yours. Here is how to build one that is.

by Barbara Henricks 2016

4.16

32 ratings

📣 Content Marketing 🎯 Personal Branding 📰 Public Relations

Propaganda

by Edward L. Bernays • 1928

Your opinions are not your own. A founding spin doctor reveals who really pulls the strings.

3.74

9k+

📢 Public Relations 🧠 Mass Psychology 🗳️ Political Propaganda

Propaganda 86%

Your opinions are not your own. A founding spin doctor reveals who really pulls the strings.

by Edward L. Bernays 1928

3.74

9k+ ratings

📢 Public Relations 🧠 Mass Psychology 🗳️ Political Propaganda

The Ultimate Guide To Content Marketing & Digital PR

by Charlie Marchant • 2016

A playbook for earning media coverage, search rankings, and customer trust without a PR budget.

5.00

🖋️ Content Marketing 📰 Digital Pr 📥 Inbound Marketing

The Ultimate Guide To Content Marketing & Digital PR Summary

The Ultimate Guide To Content Marketing & Digital PR 86%

A playbook for earning media coverage, search rankings, and customer trust without a PR budget.

by Charlie Marchant 2016

5.00

1 ratings

🖋️ Content Marketing 📰 Digital Pr 📥 Inbound Marketing

The Little Book of Big PR

by Jennefer Witter • 2014

Get your small business in the news: a PR playbook for owners who can't afford an agency.

3.33

🗞️ Public Relations 🏪 Small Business Marketing 👤 Personal Branding

The Little Book of Big PR 86%

Get your small business in the news: a PR playbook for owners who can't afford an agency.

by Jennefer Witter 2014

3.33

21 ratings

🗞️ Public Relations 🏪 Small Business Marketing 👤 Personal Branding

Crystallizing Public Opinion

by Edward L. Bernays • 1923

Public opinion runs on instinct, not reason. The 1923 blueprint for engineering it.

3.78

947

🏢 Public Relations 📡 Mass Communication 👥 Group Psychology

Crystallizing Public Opinion 86%

Public opinion runs on instinct, not reason. The 1923 blueprint for engineering it.

by Edward L. Bernays 1923

3.78

947 ratings

🏢 Public Relations 📡 Mass Communication 👥 Group Psychology

Social Media Is Bullshit

by B.J. Mendelson • 2012

Viral success is mostly fake. The boring alternative costs less and actually works.

3.40

350

📱 Social Media Criticism 🕵️ Marketing Skepticism 🎈 Debunking Hype

Social Media Is Bullshit 85%

Viral success is mostly fake. The boring alternative costs less and actually works.

by B.J. Mendelson 2012

3.40

350 ratings

📱 Social Media Criticism 🕵️ Marketing Skepticism 🎈 Debunking Hype

The New Positioning

by Jack Trout • 1995

A consumer's mind holds seven brands. If yours is eighth, it might as well not exist.

3.71

222

🗺️ Marketing Strategy 🧠 Consumer Psychology ✂️ Simplicity In Business

The New Positioning 85%

A consumer's mind holds seven brands. If yours is eighth, it might as well not exist.

by Jack Trout 1995

3.71

222 ratings

🗺️ Marketing Strategy 🧠 Consumer Psychology ✂️ Simplicity In Business

Backstory

by Ken Auletta • 2003

Why America's best newspaper kept winning Pulitzers while its parent company kept losing money.

3.50

📰 News Industry 🖊️ Editorial Independence 🏛️ Press Ownership

Backstory 85%

Why America's best newspaper kept winning Pulitzers while its parent company kept losing money.

by Ken Auletta 2003

3.50

74 ratings

📰 News Industry 🖊️ Editorial Independence 🏛️ Press Ownership

Optimize

by Lee Odden • 2012

Optimize for Google and for humans simultaneously: the integrated playbook that ends the tug-of-war.

3.78

264

🎯 Content Marketing 📱 Social Media Marketing 🔍 Organic Search

Optimize 85%

Optimize for Google and for humans simultaneously: the integrated playbook that ends the tug-of-war.

by Lee Odden 2012

3.78

264 ratings

🎯 Content Marketing 📱 Social Media Marketing 🔍 Organic Search

Event Planning and Management

by Ruth Dowson • 2014

A planning system for events that must deliver, from the first objective to the final debrief.

4.33

🎪 Event Planning 📰 Public Relations 📦 Event Logistics

Event Planning and Management 85%

A planning system for events that must deliver, from the first objective to the final debrief.

by Ruth Dowson 2014

4.33

12 ratings

🎪 Event Planning 📰 Public Relations 📦 Event Logistics

Managing Content Marketing

by Robert Rose • 2011

A story framework that turns your brand into a magnet for subscribers, not just viewers.

3.78

153

📄 Content Marketing 📖 Brand Storytelling 🎯 Buyer Personas

Managing Content Marketing 85%

A story framework that turns your brand into a magnet for subscribers, not just viewers.

by Robert Rose 2011

3.78

153 ratings

📄 Content Marketing 📖 Brand Storytelling 🎯 Buyer Personas

The Gutenberg Parenthesis

by Jeff Jarvis • 2023

Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.

3.83

218

📖 Print Culture 📰 Media History ⚙️ History Of Technology

The Gutenberg Parenthesis 85%

Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.

by Jeff Jarvis 2023

3.83

218 ratings

📖 Print Culture 📰 Media History ⚙️ History Of Technology

Killing Marketing

by Joe Pulizzi • 2013

The smartest brands no longer rent attention. They own audiences and charge for access instead.

3.90

232

📝 Content Marketing 👥 Audience Building 🎯 Marketing Strategy

Killing Marketing 85%

The smartest brands no longer rent attention. They own audiences and charge for access instead.

by Joe Pulizzi 2013

3.90

232 ratings

📝 Content Marketing 👥 Audience Building 🎯 Marketing Strategy

The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette

by Stephen Hess • 1998

The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.

1.00

⚖️ Campaign Ethics 📰 Political Journalism 🔍 Media Bias

The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette Summary

The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette 85%

The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.

by Stephen Hess 1998

1.00

1 ratings

⚖️ Campaign Ethics 📰 Political Journalism 🔍 Media Bias

Propaganda Blitz

by David Edwards • 2018

The news isn't broken. It's working exactly as designed: manufacturing consent for the powerful.

4.28

184

🧐 Media Criticism 📣 War Propaganda 🏢 Corporate Power

Propaganda Blitz 85%

The news isn't broken. It's working exactly as designed: manufacturing consent for the powerful.

by David Edwards 2018

4.28

184 ratings

🧐 Media Criticism 📣 War Propaganda 🏢 Corporate Power

Project Management

by Joan Knudson • 1991

Projects fail predictably. The lifecycle framework that catches trouble before it catches you.

4.00

🗂️ Project Management 🏛️ Traditional Pm 📋 Project Planning

Project Management 85%

Projects fail predictably. The lifecycle framework that catches trouble before it catches you.

by Joan Knudson 1991

4.00

4 ratings

🗂️ Project Management 🏛️ Traditional Pm 📋 Project Planning

Manufacturing Consent

by Mark Achbar • 1994

No conspiracy, no censorship: why the news in a free society still serves the powerful.

4.41

699

📖 Critical Media Studies 📊 Political Economy 🔍 Propaganda Studies

Manufacturing Consent 85%

No conspiracy, no censorship: why the news in a free society still serves the powerful.

by Mark Achbar 1994

4.41

699 ratings

📖 Critical Media Studies 📊 Political Economy 🔍 Propaganda Studies

The Kickstarter Handbook

by Don Steinberg • 2012

Your Kickstarter succeeds on 30 days, a video, and the crowd you build beforehand. The playbook.

3.74

133

🎯 Crowdfunding 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👥 Audience Building

The Kickstarter Handbook 85%

Your Kickstarter succeeds on 30 days, a video, and the crowd you build beforehand. The playbook.

by Don Steinberg 2012

3.74

133 ratings

🎯 Crowdfunding 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👥 Audience Building

Ogilvy on Advertising

by David Ogilvy • 1983

Your headline is 90% of your budget. A master adman's craft rules for making every word sell.

4.15

12k+

🏗️ Advertising Fundamentals ✍️ Copywriting Craft 📬 Direct Response

Ogilvy on Advertising 85%

Your headline is 90% of your budget. A master adman's craft rules for making every word sell.

by David Ogilvy 1983

4.15

12k+ ratings

🏗️ Advertising Fundamentals ✍️ Copywriting Craft 📬 Direct Response

How to Write a Good Advertisement

by Victor O. Schwab • 1980

Desires that open wallets, proof that seals trust, and the ask that closes the sale.

4.21

521

✍️ Copywriting 📜 Classic Advertising 🖋️ Headline Writing

How to Write a Good Advertisement Summary

How to Write a Good Advertisement 85%

Desires that open wallets, proof that seals trust, and the ask that closes the sale.

by Victor O. Schwab 1980

4.21

521 ratings

✍️ Copywriting 📜 Classic Advertising 🖋️ Headline Writing

Manufacturing Consent

by Edward S. Herman • 1988

Why a free press produces propaganda as reliably as a state ministry: the structural answer.

4.23

25k+

📰 Media Criticism 📢 Propaganda Studies ⚙️ Structural Bias

Manufacturing Consent 85%

Why a free press produces propaganda as reliably as a state ministry: the structural answer.

by Edward S. Herman 1988

4.23

25k+ ratings

📰 Media Criticism 📢 Propaganda Studies ⚙️ Structural Bias

Branding For Dummies

by Bill Chiaravalle • 2006

Branding that lasts: why consistency outranks brilliance, and a playbook for earning consumer trust.

3.74

118

🧭 Brand Strategy 🎯 Market Positioning 🤝 Consumer Trust

Branding For Dummies 84%

Branding that lasts: why consistency outranks brilliance, and a playbook for earning consumer trust.

by Bill Chiaravalle 2006

3.74

118 ratings

🧭 Brand Strategy 🎯 Market Positioning 🤝 Consumer Trust

Making Them Believe

by Dan S. Kennedy • 2010

A goat-gland transplant doctor was a fraud, but his marketing methods built modern advertising.

3.95

📬 Direct Marketing 🎓 Authority Positioning 💘 Emotional Selling

Making Them Believe 84%

A goat-gland transplant doctor was a fraud, but his marketing methods built modern advertising.

by Dan S. Kennedy 2010

3.95

94 ratings

📬 Direct Marketing 🎓 Authority Positioning 💘 Emotional Selling

The One Hour Content Plan

by Meera Kothand • 2017

End the idea scramble: three frameworks that plan a year of blog content in one hour.

4.05

2k+

🚀 Content Marketing 💼 Solopreneurship 📝 Content Planning

The One Hour Content Plan 84%

End the idea scramble: three frameworks that plan a year of blog content in one hour.

by Meera Kothand 2017

4.05

2k+ ratings

🚀 Content Marketing 💼 Solopreneurship 📝 Content Planning

Words That Work

by Frank Luntz • 2006

Your audience hears their own version. A pollster's method for making your words land as intended.

3.62

3k+

🗳️ Political Messaging 🏢 Business Messaging 🖼️ Message Framing

Words That Work 84%

Your audience hears their own version. A pollster's method for making your words land as intended.

by Frank Luntz 2006

3.62

3k+ ratings

🗳️ Political Messaging 🏢 Business Messaging 🖼️ Message Framing

Platform

by Michael Hyatt • 2012

The exact playbook for building an online platform from scratch: a blog that fuels a career.

4.16

13k+

🌐 Personal Branding 📱 Social Media Marketing 📝 Blogging

Platform 84%

The exact playbook for building an online platform from scratch: a blog that fuels a career.

by Michael Hyatt 2012

4.16

13k+ ratings

🌐 Personal Branding 📱 Social Media Marketing 📝 Blogging

Smart Brevity

by Jim Vandehei • 2022

Readers give you 26 seconds. Journalists' best system for writing shorter and being read.

3.92

10k+

📧 Business Communication ✂️ Concise Writing 👁️ Attention Economics

Smart Brevity 84%

Readers give you 26 seconds. Journalists' best system for writing shorter and being read.

by Jim Vandehei 2022

3.92

10k+ ratings

📧 Business Communication ✂️ Concise Writing 👁️ Attention Economics

Operation Hollywood

by David L. Robb • 2004

The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.

3.46

🚫 Military Censorship 📢 Propaganda Studies 🏛️ Pentagon Influence

Operation Hollywood 84%

The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.

by David L. Robb 2004

3.46

72 ratings

🚫 Military Censorship 📢 Propaganda Studies 🏛️ Pentagon Influence

United States of Distraction

by Mickey Huff • 2019

Six companies own nearly all American media. The product is a public too distracted for democracy.

3.74

114

🗞️ Media Criticism 📰 News Literacy 📡 Propaganda Studies

United States of Distraction 84%

Six companies own nearly all American media. The product is a public too distracted for democracy.

by Mickey Huff 2019

3.74

114 ratings

🗞️ Media Criticism 📰 News Literacy 📡 Propaganda Studies

You Can't Read This Book

by Nick Cohen • 2012

Censorship didn't vanish after book burnings. It learned to smile and send a legal notice.

4.08

736

🗽 Free Speech Defense 🙊 Religious Censorship 🏢 Corporate Silence

You Can't Read This Book 84%

Censorship didn't vanish after book burnings. It learned to smile and send a legal notice.

by Nick Cohen 2012

4.08

736 ratings

🗽 Free Speech Defense 🙊 Religious Censorship 🏢 Corporate Silence

American Aloha

by Heather A. Diamond • 2008

A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.

4.20

🏛️ Public Folklore 🧳 Cultural Tourism 🎪 Festival Studies

American Aloha 84%

A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.

by Heather A. Diamond 2008

4.20

10 ratings

🏛️ Public Folklore 🧳 Cultural Tourism 🎪 Festival Studies

Youtility

by Jay Baer • 2013

Turn your marketing into a free tool: replace ads with apps, and customers sell themselves.

3.99

1k+

📄 Content Marketing 🤝 Trust Building ⏱️ Real-Time Marketing

Youtility 84%

Turn your marketing into a free tool: replace ads with apps, and customers sell themselves.

by Jay Baer 2013

3.99

1k+ ratings

📄 Content Marketing 🤝 Trust Building ⏱️ Real-Time Marketing

Resonate

by Nancy Duarte • 2010

Make your audience the hero of a mythic journey, and a talk becomes a movement.

4.11

6k+

🎤 Public Speaking 🎨 Visual Storytelling 📈 Storytelling In Business

Resonate 84%

Make your audience the hero of a mythic journey, and a talk becomes a movement.

by Nancy Duarte 2010

4.11

6k+ ratings

🎤 Public Speaking 🎨 Visual Storytelling 📈 Storytelling In Business

National Security Cinema

by Matthew Alford • 2017

The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.

3.81

113

📢 Propaganda Studies 🎬 Military-Entertainment Complex 📺 Media Manipulation

National Security Cinema 84%

The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.

by Matthew Alford 2017

3.81

113 ratings

📢 Propaganda Studies 🎬 Military-Entertainment Complex 📺 Media Manipulation

Positioning

by Al Ries • 1980

Better products lose. The marketing war is about owning a single, simple word in the brain.

4.04

19k+

📈 Marketing Strategy 🏷️ Brand Strategy 🧠 Consumer Psychology

Positioning 84%

Better products lose. The marketing war is about owning a single, simple word in the brain.

by Al Ries 1980

4.04

19k+ ratings

📈 Marketing Strategy 🏷️ Brand Strategy 🧠 Consumer Psychology

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