Five Tips For Fresh Faces in Public Relations

As a fresh graduate, or someone who is changing their career path, starting a new job can be daunting – especially if everyone around you is steaming ahead at full speed. The thought of getting used to a new work culture, making friends with colleagues, and understanding your clients does not make it any easier.

Ten months ago, I was a fresh face in PR myself. On my journey, I have had moments where I felt vulnerable and wondered if my ideas were either ‘too out there’ or ‘not enough’. I was hesitant to ask questions, thinking that I should already know the answers. Almost a year later,I realized that its okay to feel lost – as long as you are hungry to learn and willing to work hard to improve.

1. Ask Questions

We all have insecurities, and no one wants to embarrass themselves, but there is never any shame in asking for clarification. Ask something as many times as you need to, because ensuring something is correct is better than proceeding with the wrong action, or sharing the wrong information with clients and journalists. Confidence is also key.

Be confident in your answers to clients, in your outreach to journalists, in your approach to partners, and in your suggestions. When you are unsure of something, letting someone know that you will confirm with your team before you can share an answer does not make you sound like you do not know what you’re doing, it makes you reliable and honest.

2. Volunteer for as much as you can

It is important to prioritize and finish your daily tasks but do not limit yourself to just your job description. If an opportunity comes your way, be proactive and take it on. Show your willingness and commitment to stepping outside your comfort zone to learn something new. If there is a chance to attend a seminar or a workshop, volunteer.

You might be nervous because you don’t know what to expect but don’t let doubt hold you back. Opportunities like this are useful for your company, your clients, and your growth. The experience you gain will broaden your insights on a particular topic and show that you are determined to go the extra mile to better situate yourself in both the industry and your company.

3. Network

As a new face in PR, your day will likely be spent emailing journalists, hoping they get back to you, and feeling discouraged if they do not. By relying on the experience of your colleagues who can pick up phones, call journalists, and secure coverage, you will build similar relationships with journalists as long as you think with a long-term horizon in mind. Remember, your journey is a marathon, not a sprint.

Attend networking events. Put yourself in a position to strike up conversations with people you do not know, and have the intention of learning about them and seeing what value you can add to their objectives. This is instrumental in developing relationships that can last. The best part is that it is not something you need to do alone!

Ask a friend if they would like to join you, or tag along with a colleague. Be confident and don’t feel like your inexperience will not make a difference. The best outcome is that you make an active effort to meet a journalist who you have exchanged emails with and allow them to put a face to the name that they have only seen on their screen.

4. Research

This might sound time-consuming, but it makes a world of difference! Signing up for newsletters and Google alerts, for instance, provides immense benefits. It is another avenue for monitoring your clients’ coverage, and useful for seeing what publications are highlighting in the news and if your clients can comment or contribute.

Take the time to click on the article, read it, and share it with your team. It is always a positive thing to share interesting articles and information so that everyone is as up-to-date as they can be. It can be hard to keep up with the various industries of your clients, but it is rewarding.

5. Think Outside The Box

Thinking of creative campaigns, or innovative ways in which your clients can work with partners is not easy! If you struggle with this, as I did, lean on your team through a quick brainstorming session to ensure that your ideas are going in the right direction. That’s the greatest part about working with a team – you can lean on each other for support in every capacity.

Collaboration fosters creativity, so use this to your advantage. Even when you are the one who is being asked for creative solutions, there is no such thing as a bad idea. Share your thoughts with confidence, and don’t be self-conscious because your ideas might lead to a bigger campaign activation that is better than what they would have imagined.

Before you know it, you will be sending emails without approval, contributing awesome ideas to your team for their consideration, and confidently leading client calls without a worry in the world!

 

Words By: Jinaan Hameer, Account Executive at Atteline