Apr 7 2011

25 professional tips for the new communications pro

Here they are, 25 tweet-ready professional tips for new communications professionals:

  1. When your boss asks for your opinion it’s an opportunity. Showcase your strategic thinking and don’t rush your response.
  2. In #PR we often live in the “gray”–answers aren’t black/white or crystal clear. If you want to move into mgmt, you’ll need to embrace.
  3. Is your boss on Twitter? Keep him/her on mobile alerts or monitor their feed so you know what they’re saying.
  4. If you don’t know what SMR stands for and how to use one, learn quickly. (Just ask @jasonkintzler.)
  5. Keep your pulse on how your target audience consumes their news. Produce for those platforms.
  6. Start building your professional network when you don’t need something from them.
  7. Protect your own online identity–secure usernames on networks you’re not active on. (See @Knowem)
  8. Start a list or spreadsheet of online tactics you can use for campaigns. Update regularly. Call it your arsenal.
  9. Remove questionable photos from Facebook, Flickr or wherever else they might live. If you’re searching for a job, HR is searching you.
  10. Think about this. Are you building an online brand that will deter companies from hiring you? Not everyone wants an “online influencer.”
  11. Keep your pulse on new social networks and platforms, but don’t get consumed by them.
  12. Value the traditional PR knowledge. Fundamentals will never change.
  13. If you haven’t told your boss or client that a task or project is complete, they’ll assume it’s not.
  14. Proactively own up to a mistake. It comes out better in the end.
  15. You have valuable information to share. Don’t let age or years of experience deter you from sharing thoughts and opinions.
  16. Don’t rely solely on networks like Twitter to build all relationships. What happens if it goes away tomorrow?
  17. Work like you’re not afraid to be fired. Belief in your abilities will carry you far.
  18. Don’t worry about job titles–worry about your results.
  19. Work virtually? Communicate your value (e.g. task completion) via email to your boss weekly. Don’t wait to be asked.
  20. You’re only as good as your last placement. (I believe this is from my friend @PRtini.)
  21. Pretend *you* are your client: Develop & implement your #socialmedia strategy, monitor news relevant to your career & interests (@msbruschetta)
  22. Remain teachable. With the changing media landscape, listen & learn from experts. Also, REALLY get to know who you are pitching. (@joannariedl)
  23. Anticipate the needs of your colleagues and your clients. Provide suggestions and next steps before being asked for them. (@kaitlin_doody)
  24. Insights and data are your best friends but your instincts have a very important role to play too (@AdamVincenzini)
  25. Learn the difference between strategy and tactics. (@mshahab)

What would you add?

29 Comments on this post

Trackbacks

  1. A Little Birdy Told Me…Week of 4/4/11 « PR in Pink wrote:

    [...] 25 Professional PR Tips (by @prsarahevans): [...]

    April 8th, 2011 at 8:35 am
  1. Dave Van de Walle said:

    Great stuff, as always.

    One addition: “media relations” is part of “public relations.” Also “press release” does not equal “media coverage.”

    April 7th, 2011 at 8:34 am
  2. Heather Whaling said:

    I wish someone spelled it out this simply for me when I was just starting in this field! Sarah, this is fantastic advice — for young and “old” pros alike. :)

    April 7th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
  3. Justin Goldsborough said:

    Nice list, SE. That prtini should really consider a career in PR :) .

    I am a huge fan of No. 25. HUGE. And throw goals and objectives in there too.

    April 7th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
  4. Mariam Shahab said:

    Thanks for putting this list together Sarah!

    Justin – re: my #25 tip. I was taught the textbook definition difference of tactics vs strategy in college, but it wasn’t until actually seeing a full throttle plan in action that I quickly learned the real world difference.

    April 7th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
  5. Fai Charoonsri said:

    Great advice! I’ll definitely be using these tips in the coming months as I embark on my journey into the real world. Bye bye grad school, PR here I come!!!!!

    April 7th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
  6. Tabish Bhimani said:

    Thanks for sharing these tips, Sarah! They’re great, and I didn’t know what an SMR was!

    April 7th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
  7. Jessica Malnik said:

    This is amazing advice. I’d have to say #24 really stands out to me. It’s so important to do your research and get all the data straight, but like you said “PR lives in the gray” and sometimes research is not enough. That’s why learning to trust your instincts becomes a humongous asset.

    April 7th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
  8. Jane Cooper said:

    Your tips are realy pro, i think No. 17 is the most important one, “Belief in your abilities will carry you far.”, if you are realy good than it save you no matter what!

    April 8th, 2011 at 1:31 am
  9. Barbara Pflughaupt said:

    Think first as the editor/producer you are pitching – then as your client. Why is it of value to their audience – and what do they need for their story?

    April 8th, 2011 at 1:33 am
  10. Worob said:

    Good list. I also wrote an article on this same topic earlier in the week for @KimkaBob’s blog – http://bit.ly/eXKDA5

    @Worob
    PR at Sunrise (worob.com)

    April 8th, 2011 at 6:51 am
  11. Behavior interview said:

    Thanks for mention here the all top communication tips.In business everyone should have communication etiquettes.Always try to accept your mistakes and work with full honesty and dedication….

    April 8th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
  12. Bryan Long said:

    Great advice. I love No. 8 and will start immediately.

    April 8th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
  13. TheRealChanee said:

    #19- very important! A lot of my fellow going professionals don’t understand the importance of self-reporting.

    Excellent list! Thanks for posting, I will share.

    April 8th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
  14. bear grylls clothing said:

    I was wondering if anyone knew anything about double majoring in either business administration and communications or marketing and communications? If it’s worth it, pros and cons, etc. My sister double majors in biology and spanish and her course load isn’t too heavy, but in the end is it really beneficial? Thanks for your input!

    April 9th, 2011 at 6:03 am
  15. ottawa web design said:

    Great Advice, I love the 8th tip and i will start it immediately.

    April 10th, 2011 at 3:45 am
  16. Best Watches for Men said:

    Sarah,

    Excellent list. Tip #6 is so true, that you need to start building your network of professionals when you dont need anything from them at the time being.

    Steve

    April 10th, 2011 at 11:53 am
  17. p90x said:

    Great list of tips Sarah. I think a very underrated one would be number 1 when your boss asks an opinion. I couldn’t agree with this more, I think it can be the difference between success and failure in some cases. Especially when your boss probably wont ask your advice again if you say a simple answer like “I don’t know”.

    - Robert

    April 10th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
  18. semmy @ Make Money Online said:

    Hi Sarah Great article, as always. Thank you very much for your lists! I really love no 6. Looking forward another great article!

    April 10th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
  19. Ronnie Manning said:

    Great post – communicate communicators!

    April 11th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
  20. Yuriy88 said:

    Seek new ways to promote

    April 12th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
  21. TreeLover said:

    I believe this must be 25 must do’s to be a communication pro. :) I love your list!! Thanks Sarah!

    April 12th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
  22. Website Design said:

    Superb!! After reading your post i have started following my boss on twitter… You each and every pores are very useful to me… Thanks for sharing

    April 13th, 2011 at 7:44 am
  23. Bahamas All Inclusive said:

    Sarah,

    I do believe mostly in building network. This has given me lots of goods. I also liked the no. 9 tip.

    April 14th, 2011 at 9:27 am
  24. TreeLover said:

    I believe the “arsenal” is a must as the trend changes day after day. It is necessary to keep track of the new things that can be useful to you as a communication pro.

    April 15th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
  25. tire said:

    Im not sure what I would be able to add to this already great list Sarah!

    -Jean

    April 17th, 2011 at 1:33 am
  26. Amanda Hocking said:

    Good list, I really like the first comment about showcasing your talents.

    April 19th, 2011 at 11:16 am
  27. Bill @ Backlink Energizer said:

    Nice tips. I especially like the third one: keeping my boss on mobile alerts – I definitely have to try this one.

    April 20th, 2011 at 3:32 am
  28. Bill @ Backlink Energizer said:

    Most people are too concerned with their job titles – that’s very true. However, if you can bring in good results on a constant basis, promotions will happen naturally.

    April 20th, 2011 at 3:46 am