With the start of a new year, it's crucial to prioritise and hone in on necessary practices to excel at our jobs. For those in the PR industry, there are a few essential habits that are required to stand out among the rest. Here are the top seven practices that will make you the best of the best.
Working in PR can sometimes be chaotic, and many feel that they are being stretched too thin. You need to be on top of your game constantly. From working on campaigns to building relationships with the media — it can all be very overwhelming.
To be a PR professional requires a certain set of skills. However, if you want to go from an average Joe to a specialist extraordinaire — there are certain habits you need to establish.
Keep reading because media update's Saads Abrahams breaks down seven habits of top PR professionals.
Active Listening
Being a PR professional entails constant communication, so it is important to actively listen, whether it's to your clients, conversations on social media, or to journalists and colleagues. Taking detailed notes during these interactions can greatly enhance your campaign messaging.
It allows you to understand the client's needs and desires, the target audience's preferences and the media's expectations — all of which are crucial in creating successful campaigns.
Proactive Planning
What makes a PR professional a pro at what they do, are those who anticipate challenges and opportunities. Proactive planning can greatly assist you in your campaigns and keeps you ahead of the curve.
By being proactive in your planning, you are able to:
Anticipate Challenges: In any campaign, there will inevitably be unforeseen obstacles that may arise. However, by anticipating these challenges and creating contingency plans, you can effectively manage and overcome them.
Manage Time Efficiently: Having a well thought-out plan ensures that you are never scrambling at the last minute.
Maximise Opportunities: Preparedness allows you to recognise and take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, like sharing breaking news that supports your clients' objectives.
Continuous Learning
A habit that will always benefit you is continuous learning. We live in a digital age and that means change is constant — from the way media is being shared to social media platforms' algorithms. So, make sure that you are always on top of your game and continuously studying and growing your skills.
Consistent Networking
In PR, your relationships are crucial to your success. That is why it is essential to make networking a regular part of your routine. This includes attending industry events and networking with as many people as possible, and regularly checking in with your current network.
Building strong connections can greatly benefit your campaigns and ensure that the news you release is warmly received.
Thoughtful Communication
Now that you've built these connections, it is vital that you communicate with them thoughtfully. If you can, tailor your messaging to each outlet, make sure that you follow their formatting and that you don't have any grammatical errors.
Constant Reading
A habit that will never let you down is to make sure you are always reading. Reading is something that will keep your mind sharp — so read everything, news articles, magazines, short stories, fiction and nonfiction.
Reading regularly can greatly improve your storytelling and writing skills, which are essential in public relations. Whether you are drafting press releases or creating content for a campaign, it's crucial to ensure that your writing resonates with your target audience.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Last but definitely not least, make sure that you are maintaining a work-life balance. PR is an incredibly demanding job, and burnout can seriously affect your mental health.
This is why it is incredibly important to make a habit of taking breaks and spending time away from work. PR requires you to always be available, and you need to make sure that you are still prioritising time for yourself and doing other things you enjoy.
Did you find this piece helpful? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva
*Information sourced from PR News and 5WPR