Five Ways to Raise the Bar in Your First Six Months

September 15, 2014January 2, 2015Jess Noonan 2 Comments

Raise_the_bar The first six months of your career are incredibly important. Throughout this period, you are setting expectations for what people can expect from you, and also what you can expect from yourself. You are learning a ton about your company and co-workers and simultaneously establishing the habits and work-ethic that can make or break a career.

I recently had my first six-month review as an account coordinator at Text100. While it was great to receive feedback from a number of colleagues and clients, it was also a great opportunity to reflect on my own about what has gone well since I began and what I could still improve upon.

If you are a new professional, consider these tips to push yourself through the first six months of your new job.

Be present

Of course, it is (or should be) a given that you are physically at work when you need to be. But that isn’t exactly what I mean by being present.

This tip applies much more broadly. For example – if your company hosts happy hour events, you should be there. If your colleagues participate in volunteering opportunities, fundraising efforts, fantasy-football leagues, etc., try to be a part of the fun.

Being present extends to the online realm, as well. If your company is active on social networks, you should do your best to be active in those communities.

Raise your hand

Raise your hand whenever it’s possible to get involved in something. This could be in the form of new business pitches, helping out a team with some work that needs to be turned around on a tight deadline, or more operational activities like joining an HR committee or holiday party planning committee.

Not only will raising your hand and saying “yes” show your colleagues your flexibility and dependability, you will also be exposed to more projects and activities. Ultimately, you will learn more and be a more-rounded professional.

Ask questions

You’re young and you’re new; nobody expects you to jump into the job already knowing how to do everything. And, frankly, if you did – it probably wouldn’t be a challenging enough job for you in the first place.

Admitting when you need some extra help and guidance shows a level of maturity to your colleagues, and it makes it much more likely that you will deliver exactly what they need from you.

Make suggestions

Diversity is important in every workplace. Don’t forget that part of what you have going for you as a young professional is that you come from a different background than some of your more senior colleagues. Your different training and unique mix of experiences can sometimes allow you to see opportunities for change that others can’t. You could be the change catalyst needed to improve long-standing policies and processes.

Making suggestions in a very respectful way signals to others that you are thinking critically about the business, and that you care enough about constant improvement to put your own reputation on the line.

Have a side-hustle

Much has been said about the benefits of working on something else other than your typical “day-job” work. In fact, some forward-looking companies even allow employees to use a certain percentage of their time on the job to work on other things important to each individual.

While you may not work at Google or Apple, you should still be using some of your personal time to foster a hobby or develop new skills. That could take the form of blogging, volunteering for your local PRSA chapter or practicing your graphic design skills.

What other tips would you provide for new professionals just starting out in PR?

Jim Mignano is an account coordinator at Text100. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from The College at Brockport, SUNY and he is a member of PRSA Rochester. He loves making new friends on Twitter (@J_Mignano).

No Carbon Copy

September 11, 2014September 11, 2014Lauren Gray Leave a comment

I’ll preface this by saying I’ve been fortunate in ways that some of my colleagues may not have been. I have always believed, deep in my bones, that public relations is how I will do my greatest good for the world. I have no conflict and no doubts.

I wandered but never faltered, and always felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. I know a lot of young professionals don’t feel that way. Maybe PR wasn’t even your first choice. Some of the best PR pros I know fell into the industry by accident.

Like so many of us, I spent six years in college diligently studying AP style, the social psychology of public communications and the prevailing theories in our field. My education was top priority for my dad, who raised me to believe that a college degree was the holy grail, and my key to success and stability. As my final semester of college (and my 18-year scholastic career) drew to a close, I entered the panicked phase known as, “Now what?” I was morbidly preoccupied. Simply leaving college to join the ranks of the educated, but unemployed, was inexcusable mediocrity in my eyes.

I realize this is a very common fear. I had never done things quite like my classmates though. As a pierced and tattooed metalhead belly dancer with a penchant for lighting things on fire, I had cultivated an identity that I couldn’t just set aside for a job. Call me naive, but I don’t think you always have to compromise. In college I’d interned with two heavy metal record labels, held a job as community relations manager for a company that made fire dancing props, and volunteered as communications director for a Burning Man-inspired event that attracted more than 1,000 San Diegans to a fully-participatory art party.

When I’d filled in the last bubble of my last exam, I knew I wasn’t (ever) going to be done learning. But I had to make a choice between spending the next 20 years digging myself out of crippling debt for the sake of a master’s degree, or get to doing things the way I always had: my own way.

Instead, I embarked on a self-guided master study. I started taking probono clients the week I graduated. My first gig was a burlesque company for whom I directed marketing strategy and also performed as a guest fire dancer and hosted VIP absinthe tastings. Next, I worked media relations for a fine artist in New York, then a nationwide art event for elementary school children. I’ve just been asked to manage publicity for a fire dancing retreat and also for a prominent horror literature convention, both of which will be coming to Los Angeles very soon. I love the way my work has integrated so organically with my oddball hobbies. It was just a matter of promoting my skills where I was already passionate. Everyone needs PR.

Now I’m a year out of school, working my tail off for clients who count on me. I’ve been rejected, I’ve been discouraged, and I’ve failed. And I love that. Now, I’m at a turning point where I must value my time and stop working for free. I’m good at what I do, and being able to say that is priceless.

My mentor in college told me I’m not a carbon copy, that I’m not destined to do things the way everyone else does. I will always be grateful to her for that, because I can’t imagine doing things any way but mine.

Audrey LaBenz is a freelance marketing and public relations consultant from Los Angeles, CA. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach in 2013 and has been working PR since 2009. She spends most of her off time designing costumes, hiking with her dogs and learning to spin flaming objects.

Three Daily Habits to Help You Get Ahead

September 8, 2014January 2, 2015Jess Noonan Leave a comment

Between pitching the media and creating continuous content, we have little – if any – time to focus on personal career growth. But, with the industry rapidly evolving, we should make this a priority.

While nurturing your career can take hours on end, and ultimately feel like a job within itself, these three simple habits can help you get ahead – while staying sane – in this ever-changing, competitive PR world.

Rise early to shine on the job

If you’re not a morning person, you’re probably sick of reading about all those powerful entrepreneurs who swear waking up early is the key to success.

Now, I may not be a powerful entrepreneur, but I’m a true believer in this early-morning habit. By waking up an hour earlier, you have ample, uninterrupted time for those little things you often put off when the workday begins.

Exercise? Finish it early, before you have time for excuses. Reading the news? You’ll be more informed and prepared throughout the day. Writing a PRSA blog post? With fewer distractions, morning is the perfect time for writing.

But night owls fear not: If you can accomplish these tasks later in the evening, more power to you. Just make sure you get enough sleep to operate efficiently the next day.

Read, read and read some more

As a PR pro, you probably spend a majority of the day reading already, but the outlets and content likely revolve around your company or clients’ industries. Try thinking of yourself as another client.

You have to be well versed in, well, everything, to demonstrate your depth of knowledge to clients, leadership and peers. Here are a few suggestions to start:

Illustrate your industry expertise by reading sites like PR Daily, Spin Sucks, and PRSay.
Read local news to be aware of your city’s issues and happenings. It will help you lead informed conversations at networking events, happy hours and daily encounters. And, if you’re pitching locally, you’ll quickly learn reporters’ beats.
Be aware of national and international news for pitching trend stories and being an informed citizen in general. Try an app like Cir.ca for a brief overview of important worldwide news.

Prepare and prioritize your next day’s to-do list

Before you leave work in the evening, prepare your to-do list for the following day. It will make your mornings more efficient and ensure you don’t lose track of any projects overnight.

We all have our own to-do list processes, so find what works best for you. In my case, I use the app 2Do to input every single deliverable with deadline as it’s assigned so I don’t miss anything.

Every evening, I reference the app and handwrite my to-dos on a sticky note. Then, I highlight three major projects for the day so I know where to start as soon as work begins.

Are you ready to get ahead? Take the next few weeks to adopt these habits and evaluate which fit your lifestyle so you can develop a personalized, daily routine to expedite career success.

What habits help you build your personal brand? Please add your suggestions in the comments section below.

Stephanie Vermillion is a senior account executive at Wordsworth Communications, a public relations agency in Cincinnati. Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn and Twitter (@SMVermillion).

Book Review: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

September 2, 2014January 2, 2015Jess Noonan Leave a comment

This post is part of The Edge monthly series of book reviews on books relevant to new PR professionals.

As young communicators, we can learn a valuable lesson from John C. Maxwell: communicating isn’t the same as connecting.

The famed leadership expert, and author of over 70 books, uses this publication to teach us the difference.

“Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them,” says Maxwell.

As PR/communications professionals, connecting is an important aspect of our job, but are we being as effective as we can be? That’s what Maxwell challenges us to examine with Everyone Communicates, Few Connect.

These lessons are critical for professionals across all industries. Writing, speaking, presenting, pitching, and selling are critical skills in any job, regardless of industry or field.

Your head will spin from the number of times you read the word “connect” – mine did – but when you begin to grasp the importance of making connections not just for yourself, but for the sake of your customers/clients, you will thank Maxwell for driving the point home. Improving the customer experience should always be priority number one.

Where this book provides exceptional value – particularly for young professionals – isn’t in practical advice or knowledge, but in the confidence readers can gain from the material. Confidence can be a fragile thing, especially for young professionals. But it can also help young pros excel beyond their entry-level expectations.

The book is also a ‘must read’ for the challenge it presents to its readers to audit their own communications processes. In this regard, you can take as much from this book as your attitude and openness allow.

As a resource, the text also aggregates some of the best principles from respected communication and leadership experts and philosophers. Maxwell also shares his Five Principles and Five Practices, which include:

Finding common ground
Keeping your communications simple
Capturing people’s interest
Inspiring people
Staying authentic in all your relationships

Maxwell posted chapters of Everyone Communicates on his website, and used the commenter feedback to add anecdotes, quotes and advice – each commenter was rewarded with their photo on the inside cover of the book. This helps to make material relatable to every level of professional.

Maxwell may rely a little too heavily on his on triumphs as examples within the book, but the positive attributes of Everyone Communicates can be helpful as you begin mapping a path to leadership positions within your company.

Robert Martin is a Corporate Relations Intern at Allstate and the 2014 Co-Editor of the PRSA New Professionals Newsletter. He resides in Farmington Hills, MI.

Four Social Media Challenges for the Young Professional

August 28, 2014January 2, 2015Lauren Gray 2 Comments

Growing up in the whirlwind of social media, many young professionals find this area as one of their specialties. It’s almost inevitable that in today’s industry you’ll be involved with social at some point in your career. However, even if you rock at social media, there’s hurdles you may face as a young professional when dealing with execs, clients or the business side of the company.

Here’s some of the challenges of working on social media and steps to finding a solution:

What’s the ROI?

Ah, the dreaded return on investment. Social media is a great tool from a PR perspective, but if you can’t prove what it’s doing on the business side, you don’t have much going for you. Whether it’s increasing brand awareness or creating sales leads, you need to be able to provide quantifiable results that prove why your company needs a social presence. If you can show numbers directing customers from social platforms to your website with intent to buy, perfect! However, it’s not always that easy. Think outside the box – showcase conversations that you’ve had or feedback you’ve received that turned a skeptic into a brand believer. You must be ready and able to prove – with results – why social media is necessary.

Every. Single. Post. Must be approved.

This is one of the hardest hoops to jump through. Everyone knows real-time content and engagement can be more meaningful than a month’s worth of pre-scheduled posts, but oftentimes the legal department trumps for social media. Try proposing an in-depth social media strategy that would guide your real-time engagement policies and would have legal’s stamp of approval. This would lay out the topics you can cover, conversations to take part in and outline specific guidelines. I’ve found that partial content calendars work wonders – you still have pre-approved content approved by legal, but you also have the guidelines and permission to create content and engage in real-time. It’s a win-win.

We’d like to just be on Facebook and Twitter.

Sticking to the basics of Facebook and Twitter is the safe, and sometimes, dangerous route. These are both valuable platforms in many cases, but they’re not right for every brand or company. If you’re looking to reach the teenage audience you may not be connecting with them on Facebook, as they’re too busy on Snapchat or Instagram. If you’re proposing the idea of being on a new platform lead by example and showcase other successful brands who’ve executed their strategies. Back up your case with facts on how you’d better be able to reach your audience and why you’re missing out by not having a presence. You can’t be everything to everyone on all platforms, but you should look beyond Facebook and Twitter.

Because you’re a millennial, you’re a pro at social media marketing, right?

Sometimes social media will get thrown to the intern or newbie since higher management isn’t accustom to best practices and don’t have time to devote to the practice. Just because you’re familiar with the various platforms and have put together content calendars before may not mean you’re experienced enough to develop overall strategy – that’s a big chunk of responsibility. Luckily, there’s an abundance of blogs, webinars and workshops that can help you continuously learn and stay up on trends. Take advantage of resources to stay up to speed with the ever-changing world of social.

What social media challenges have you faced as a young professional in the industry?

Ashleigh Mavros is a graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and works in public relations at Fahlgren Mortine, a fully-integrated agency in Columbus. She is a member of the Central Ohio PRSA Programs Committee. Connect with Ashleigh on Twitter at @ashleighmavros or on LinkedIn.