How to Network as an Introvert

PRSA New Pros Leave a comment

by Jonathan Mayes

As introverts, we’ve all been there. You’re at a conference and there’s a special happy hour at the end of the day, where everyone is invited to attend and “network” after a long day of sessions. Or if you think back to your college days when a career fair is coming up and you learned that the company you’ve dreamed of working for will be there. The only problem is that you will have to network, aka talk with the recruiters. 

As an introvert, I know that it’s sometimes a struggle to even talk with my closest friends and family. Then, adding the stress of trying to impress an employer or colleague, I might as well be swimming up a creek without a paddle. 

However, having experienced these situations before, I’m here to tell you that you can do it! Even though it might sound scary, stepping out and talking to strangers will actually help you build up confidence for future interactions. 

Now, I understand you may still not feel comfortable dipping your feet into the water, so here are three tips on how to prepare and network as an introvert. 

1. Focus on one-on-one or small group settings.

Large networking mixers can feel draining, but you don’t have to attend every one to be successful. Instead, look for opportunities like coffee chats, small professional breakfasts, or niche industry meetups where conversation is easier.

If you do attend a larger event, aim to connect meaningfully with just one or two people rather than trying to work the whole room. Choose the industry or company that you most resonate with and start there. That way, you leave with strong contacts instead of shallow introductions. Once you’re in the room and feel comfortable, you can always talk to more people. 

Online networking (LinkedIn groups, industry Slack channels, alumni networks) can also be a great fit since it allows you to engage at your own pace, plus it can be written and not live chat!

2. Prepare conversation starters in advance.

Having 2–3 open-ended questions ready helps you feel less anxious about awkward silences. A few examples that you can start with include: “What brought you to this event today?” “I noticed your role involves [X]—how did you get started in that area?” “What’s been the most exciting project you’ve worked on lately?”

These questions demonstrate genuine curiosity, invite the other person to talk about themselves (which most people enjoy), and provide an opportunity to discover shared interests.

You can also prepare a short personal introduction—just a 2–3 sentence version of who you are and what you do—so you don’t feel put on the spot when it’s your turn to share.

3. Use follow-ups to your advantage.

After meeting someone, send a personalized message within a couple of days. For example, you can say: “It was great meeting you at [event]! I really enjoyed hearing about your work on [specific project/topic]. Would love to stay connected and hear more about it.”

Sharing an article, podcast, or resource related to your conversation is a simple way to add value immediately and demonstrate thoughtfulness. Additionally, this will help keep the conversation going and demonstrate to the individual you’re networking with that you’re passionate about what you discussed with them, and that you value their insight and opinion.

Finally, because introverts often excel at written communication, this step allows you to deepen the connection without requiring constant face-to-face interaction. It’s the best of both worlds, honestly! 

Bonus Tip – Be Yourself!  

A lot of times, people (and employers) value authenticity over fake personas. If you’re trying to grow with your interpersonal communication skills, explain that to whoever you’re networking with. I’ve often found that the person I’m talking to is quite surprised and impressed when I tell them that I classify myself as an introvert. That then causes them to remember me, which is never a bad thing! 

I’m going to end this blog where I started, and that is, you can do it! Oftentimes, it’s taking that first big step, or in this case, walking up and saying “Hello, my name is X,” that’s the hardest part. Having had the great opportunity to hold multiple internships during college and now two jobs post-college, I can undoubtedly say it gets better with practice. You can do it!! 

About the Author 

Jonathan Mayes is the current PRSSA Liaison and Chair Elect for PRSA’s New Professionals Section. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and a minor in Hospitality Management. He’s currently the Social Media Coordinator at Red Roof Hotels, which is based in Columbus, OH. 

Pitch Perfect: 4 Ways to Level Up Your Media Outreach

Nigel Becker Leave a comment

If you work in media relations, you’ve probably written a pitch before — but as you probably know, writing the pitch is only part of the challenge. 

The other part is getting journalists to say yes… and there’s a lot of competition for their attention. A survey of over 1,000 journalists last year showed that 49% received at least six pitches daily. Twelve percent received more than 21 pitches every day.

How can you break through the noise? It’s important to pitch the right journalists at relevant publications, and to be persistent but not pushy. 

Here are four ways to reach the right people, tell your organization’s story and maintain good relationships with journalists.

1. Research Your Media List, Then Do It Again

Reporters often have clearly-defined focus areas. Finding out what they are will help you pitch angles they’re more likely to cover. A local news reporter may not be interested in an expert who’s across the country; a writer covering parenting tips probably won’t care about a factory opening. Take the time to understand what they cover so you’re pitching relevant stories. 

Look out for changes, too, since reporters’ beats can shift dramatically. One Wall Street Journal reporter recently shared he’s switched to covering AI and computer chips. It’s his seventh assignment in 15 years, and a far cry from his previous focus: Disney and Hollywood studios. A few years ago, he might have loved a pitch about your company’s Disney tie-in. Today? Not so much.

2. Don’t Forget About Trade Publications

When we start in PR, many of us dream of earning a New York Times mention or a CNN interview. But when you’re telling a client’s story, your top priority should be reaching the people who need to hear it. That doesn’t always mean a mention in a publication with millions of readers. 

An in-depth feature in a trade publication could yield more meaningful results than a mention in a better-known publication. In a survey of C-level executives, managing directors and senior vice presidents, more than 80% of respondents agreed that trade publications directly impact their purchasing decisions. 

Industries like healthcare, IT, agriculture, retail and finance, in particular, have many trade publications with unique topical and geographic focuses. 

3. Be Persistent But Respectful

Your emails will slip through the cracks sometimes. If your story is a great fit for a reporter, a follow-up can make the difference. 

Just don’t overdo it. One report found 64% of journalists agree that PR pros should send only one follow-up message. A barrage of follow-ups could annoy them and hurt your chances of getting their attention with another pitch later. 

4. Track Journalists’ Feedback

Use a spreadsheet or the notes section of your pitching software. Even if journalists aren’t interested in your pitch, they may provide valuable feedback. Responses like “this isn’t a great fit for me” or “I’m not working on any related stories right now” can help you target future pitches.

Detailed notes will help you spot patterns. If a journalist responds “I’ll pass” to three pitches in a row, maybe it’s time to give them a rest or reconsider your angles. 

Final Thoughts: Keep Learning

There’s so much more to pitching than one blog post can teach. The good news is that many resources can help you continue to grow. 

PRSA offers a range of on-demand courses that can help you hone your pitching approach, including Crafting the Perfect Pitch and The Definitive Guide to PR Writing. Throughout the year, PRSA webinars (many free or discounted for members) also provide tips to stay on top of trends and keep your pitches relevant.

PR software platforms like Muck Rack and Cision publish articles and even offer online courses about how to level up your pitching.

Happy pitching!

About the Author

Nigel Becker is the Social Media Chair of PRSA New Professionals, overseeing the section’s Instagram and Facebook. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 and is an account associate at Slide Nine, a communications, public relations and digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio.

Announcement: The PRSA New Pros Blog is Back

PRSA New Pros Leave a comment

Hello New Pros!

We’re excited to share that the blog is officially back! Over the past few months, we’ve been working behind the scenes to refresh our content and bring you even more valuable resources to help you thrive in the early days of your PR career, whether you’re fresh out of school or making a career switch. 

We’re not done yet! Looking forward, we have an insightful line up of content coming your way including: 

  • ✅Blog: Fresh insights on networking, leadership, and strategies to take your PR career to the next level.
  • ✅ Upcoming Webinars: Stay tuned for a lineup of engaging sessions featuring industry experts who will share practical advice and trends to help you succeed.
  • ✅ Mentorship: Our chairs are building a strong mentor network to help you thrive. Keep an eye out for the mentee application, coming soon.
  • ✅ Insightful and Practical Social Media Posts: Follow us on Instagram for tips, updates, and advice.
  • ✅ Member Spotlights: Have you achieved something great in your professional journey? We’d love to feature you! Complete our Member Spotlight to be featured and inspire others in our community.
  • ✅Quarterly Newsletters: Stay in the loop! Our newsletters will keep you updated on upcoming events, helpful resources, and curated content designed to give you an edge in the ever-changing communications landscape.
  • ✅ Professional Insights Video Series: Advance your career with our video series on Instagram featuring advice from industry leaders and peers. We’ll share bite-sized tips, career insights, and behind-the-scenes wisdom straight from the experts.

If you have any questions, ideas, or topics you’d like us to cover, feel free to reach out to any of our board members; we’re here to support you. If you’d like to volunteer, keep an eye out for our volunteer form in the upcoming months to join our committee next year.

Thank you for being a member of the New Professionals Section!

— Mariola Lach, Section Chair

My Tips for a Dramatic Career Change: Part 3

Mikayla Pryor Leave a comment

This is the continuation of a three-part series. If you’d like to read my first entry, start here. 

Hello again! First, we talked about getting in the right mindset, then we talked about preparing for the job search, finally, we will be discussing what to do for interviews and how to deal with it afterward.

Rehearse without an interview

When you think about it most behavioral interview questions boil down to a few things: Are you reliable? Are you skilled? Are you easy to work with? Look up interview questions online and write responses to them. This will give you a collection of answers to pull from depending on the question. It’s not cheating. You’re exhibiting your thought process and experiences. The only thing that changes is the possible employer. Also, think of previous positions and how they could apply to these questions as well. Remember your past is valuable. For tests and technical questions, after taking the time to learn a new skill your capability should appear naturally. If an interview doesn’t go well think of what didn’t work and review it. Don’t be afraid to ask the recruiter for feedback.

Save the Scraps

Eventually, you will need a portfolio of your writing abilities to show employers. After an unsuccessful interview or two, you may feel you aren’t getting anywhere but fear not. With every failure, there is always something to take from it. Save your writing tests. Whatever it is, a social media post, press release, or pitch. Save it, improve it, and add it to your portfolio. Don’t let the screener call and 40-minute interview be in vain. This time worked in your favor. Free material in your own words and ideas. You’re welcome.

Remember you are doing your best

Keep in mind that you are HUMAN. If you don’t get a role it usually isn’t, a reflection on you. The company will put its needs first meaning finding the person who can fill those needs. Just because they don’t think you’re a good fit doesn’t mean you aren’t skilled or have nothing to offer. No one will really know who you are in 40 min interview. Job searching can be challenging especially on your self-esteem. Remember to take breaks during your search. Meditate, exercise, consider therapy, and do things that make you happy. You work to live, you don’t live to work.

About: Mikayla Pryor was born and bred in Charleston, SC. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia working for Berlin Rosen on the New York Public Affairs Advocacy team. She is also the Blog Chair for the PRSA National New Pros Committee. Her hobbies include studying aerial hoop, watching anime, and feeding her beagle mix too many treats.

Mikayla Pryor Leave a comment

This interview was conducted by current Ball State University public relations graduate student Claire Morrell. The following article is based on that interview with Matt Kelly.

Crisis communication has become an integral skill for public relations professionals. Matt Kelly, the deputy market leader at BCW and a graduate of Ball State University’s master’s in public relations, laid out lessons from his most successful crisis communication cases.

It’s more about a crisis manager’s mindset than tactics itself – “Enraged to Engaged”

Matt Kelly has worked on many high-profile crisis cases throughout his career. Most recognizably, Kelly provided his professional assistance in cases such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. When asked how a professional communicator could best manage and orchestrate crisis communication efforts in the ever-changing digital and social media environment, Mr. Kelly took a personal approach. He shared an antidote from his experience working with BP during this crisis.

When working on this particularly challenging crisis, Kelly reminded himself that the people on the other side of the screen were just that: people. They each have different lives that they lead and different passions and aspirations. The same could be said for the corporation members on the other end of the crisis. Even with everything they were facing, their career is just one aspect of their identity. In this situation, Kelly took a page from Apple TV character Ted Lasso’s book. He created a motto that he and his team of community managers could use as a goal through the crisis, “Enraged to Engaged.”

He acknowledged that it was going to be nearly impossible to change the public’s mind about the corporation he was working with. Instead, they needed to focus their efforts on creating an environment with people who have constructive or positive insights to contribute. His team would create a welcoming environment to encourage dialogue rather than an argument. By doing this, they were gaining back control over the crisis and were able to start repairing the relationship between the corporation and the public. Mr. Kelly emphasized that it is important as communicators to remember that the job of a public relations expert is to be the conscience of the client while providing sufficient information to all parties involved to make a more educated, controlled decision.

During Matt Kelly’s time at Ball State, he was well prepared for the atmosphere of crisis communication where critical thinking, research, and problem-solving are demanded. He mentioned that he benefited most from Ball State’s public relations graduate program that focuses on strategic communications, market research, project planning, and development. Kelly’s experience with Ball State’s master’s in public relations master’s gave him a glimpse into the public relations practitioner’s lifestyle and helped to better prepare him for the rigors of the career environment.

More about the Interviewee: Matt Kelly is a digital/social leader and connections strategist. He has worked with top brands like State Farm, McDonald’s, VF Corporation, Discover Card, BP, Dow Chemical, SC Johnson, Conagra Brands, and others to improve their reputation and advance business objectives through smart strategy and creativity. He bridges the gap between creativity and strategy to ensure the brief doesn’t only produce content but moves people toward an objective. He’s a design thinker, brainstorm leader, connections strategist, and channel planner.

More about Ball State’s master’s in public relations: If you are looking to further your education and gain experience on the topic, consider pursuing your master’s degree. Ball State University’s public relations graduate program is entirely online, allowing you to further your education while simultaneously continuing your professional experience. During your time at Ball State, you will gain valuable knowledge that can actively be applied in your career environment. If you are interested in Ball State’s public relations master’s program, you can apply today.