Six Ways to Set Yourself Up for Long-Term PR Success

Six Ways to Set Yourself Up for Long-Term PR SuccessAs a recent college graduate, I’ve learned what it takes to become a public relations professional.

Not only has my undergraduate career helped me learn the fundamental principles of the industry, but so have the opportunities I’ve taken along the way.

And, through this journey, I found the following attributes are beneficial for anyone looking to be successful in the PR industry.

1. Brand You

Start branding yourself early. Make sure not only your resume, cover letter and business cards are cohesive, but be aware of how you’re portraying yourself on social media.

Employers will go to all lengths to figure out exactly who you really are and what you put out there for people to see.

2. Professional Portfolio

Don’t just rely on your resume to tell employers about your accomplishments. Get creative. Think outside the box and find other ways to display your work.

Nothing’s wrong with the traditional printed documents in a leather binder, but is this really what employers want to see?

Kick it up a notch and wow them. Personally, I use Wix.com as a platform for illustrating my work, but there are so many different platforms you can choose from, so find the one that fits you best.

3. Networking

This is a huge part of any career you are pursuing. Knowing someone on the inside of a company or agency is almost as important as having a perfect resume.

Networking is not a hard skill to learn, but you must be willing to go out and meet people. You never know who you might meet or who someone you already have contact with might know.

And, while you’re networking, don’t be afraid to sell yourself.

We’ve all heard about the “elevator pitch”, but do you have one prepared? If not, figure yours out and give it to everyone you meet, even if they don’t have a job to offer. Relationships can to lead to jobs.

4. Find Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Admitting your strengths and weaknesses is hard to do, especially if it’s in a work setting. I always thought I knew my strengths and weaknesses, but after referencing ‘Strengths Finder 2.0’, I had a more in-depth viewpoint of myself.

If you’re trying to succeed in the PR industry, or just trying to better yourself, I’d definitely recommend this book.

5. Job Hunting

Finding a job can be stressful, but only if you make it that way. Don’t expect to get your dream job right out of college, it may take a year or more until you finally find exactly what you want to do.

Take this time to figure out what it is exactly you are looking for. If you can’t find a job right away, there’s nothing wrong with taking an internship, even if you already have one under your belt.

Many companies expect their employees to start out as interns before they’re hired as part of the team.

6. Stay Relevant

This doesn’t just mean staying up to date with your social media sites. It’s expanding your horizons by listening to podcasts, participating in Twitter chats, attending luncheons, etc.

Public relations is an evolving industry and the people on the inside are constantly learning. So with these tips in mind, you can better yourself both personally, and as a PR professional.

Jillian Berger HeadshotJillian Berger is an Assistant Account Executive at GlynnDevins an Advertising Agency located in Overland Park, Kansas. Jillian is a member of KCPRSA and a former vice president of UCMPRSSA. Jillian has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Central Missouri. Connect with Jillian on LinkedIn and Twitter (@JillianBPR)

 

A Wallflower’s Guide to Networking

A Wallflower’s Guide to NetworkingWe’ve all been there. Whether it’s a mixer in college, or a happy hour event with your local PRSA New Pro’s chapter, we’re all dealt opportunities in life to meet new people as it relates to our interest/hobbies or our career.

For some of us, however, those opportunities aren’t always approached with sunshine and rainbows.

Despite the importance these networking events have on our career and goals, some of us are a bit on the shy side, or are introverts.

And quite frankly, when you’re starting out in your career heading to your first networking event, it’s normal to feel a bit awkward or uneasy regardless of personality type.

There are a few tips that I have used in my own professional advancement and as a fellow wallflower to get around those awkward stutters or fumbles when networking with peers. These include:

1. Bring a buddy.

I will tell you that after moving across the country for my first PR job in Las Vegas, I knew absolutely no one. I will forever be thankful for my first friend there, who also happened to be my roommate and now one of my dearest friends, who encouraged me to come with her to meet-ups with fellow PR professionals in the city.

Now, I know we all can’t be as lucky as I was, obviously. But the takeaway here is to find that person whom you call a friend and ask them to join you at a networking event. You’ll feel more at ease and comfortable being yourself.

2. Introduce yourself.

Well, duh. Right? But there’s more to this. There are bound to be others just like you at this networking event who are also a tad shy. You can probably find them in the corner or hanging back from the crowd. Go up and introduce yourself and start a conversation. Fairly soon, you might find yourself with a new friend. And for help, consider these tips from Huffington Post on conversation starters AND closers for networking.

3. Use your instincts.

When meeting new people for the first time, let your instincts kick in. Listen. Ask questions. And remember to smile, and more importantly, breathe. It’s easy to stare at your feet or into space when feeling nervous, so try your best to make eye contact. These simple, but sometimes easily forgotten gestures will get you further than you think in your networking.

4. Practice.

Consider how you want to present yourself, and what you want to say about yourself. Let’s skip the embarrassing story from grade school, and try being straightforward while maintaining your authentic self. This is probably the most important, as there’s nothing worse than meeting that cheese ball who is there with one goal in mind: taking home the most business cards. Instant ick factor.

While practice won’t necessarily make you “perfect” in this case, it will calm your nerves if you have rehearsed with a friend who will give you honest feedback.

5. Use social media to your advantage.

Yes, face-to-face networking is best. Or at least that’s what most will tell you. However, I cannot tell you the number of relationships I’ve developed with media and PR professionals through the power of social media. My go-to? Twitter. There are endless networking opportunities for a wallflower on social media. It takes a bit of the pressure off.

A few suggestions to consider for this. First, attempt to engage in a Twitter chat every so often (PRSA New Pros monthly chats are a good start!). You’ll be exposed to other participants and immediately will have a shared common interest. Second, keep your bio updated on your Twitter profile. This includes your interests outside of the office. I love nothing more when I can tweet a fellow Ohio University Scripps alum (go Bobcats!) because I saw it in their profile and they shared something I found interesting.

As a final note, just relax. And, “to thine own self be true.”

Thank you, Shakespeare for those remarkably brilliant words.

But seriously, be yourself, and come ready to meet some new people.

Are you a fellow introvert and have a tip to add for networking as a wallflower? Please share with me on Twitter @shandihuber. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Shandi HuberShandi Huber is a senior account executive at Wordsworth Communications, apublic relations agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. An enthusiast for all social media platforms, you can often find her pinning her dream closet on Pinterest or posting photos of her new puppy on Instagram. Connect with Shandi onLinkedIn and Twitter (@shandihuber).  

Why Mentorship Still Matters

Many young professionals are not aware of the importance of mentorship to their career advancement. In fact, the concept of mentorship has been around since the concept of a workplace has existed, it’s just that it wasn’t always called that. Centuries ago, this practice was most commonly referred to as an apprenticeship. Apprentices learned to become goldsmiths, bakers, farmers and metal workers through this practice. They depended on the maturity, experience and wisdom of their teachers to gain the skills they needed to become masters of the trade themselves. It’s only in recent history that this method of learning has been called mentorship.

In today’s modern world, mentorship is just as important than ever, if not more. The reason for this is the complex, fast paced and sometimes overwhelming business world we live in. It’s almost impossible to build a solid career and advance in it without learning to apply business practices and recent technologies that would have baffled the mind as recently as a couple of decades ago.

mentorship_erika-kauffman

Mentorship not only benefits the protege, but the mentor as well. While the mentee learns valuable skills and techniques, the mentor can take note of the methods of training that have been proven to work just by observing the progress being made by his or her mentee. This mentor can then pass this on to other mentors, and if careful records are taken, newer and even more efficient methods of training can be established and passed on to other established and would-be mentors. This spells progress for both mentors and mentees.

How Mentorship Leads to Career Advancement. The benefits of mentorship to career advancement cannot be overstated (Click to Tweet!). Young professionals that receive mentoring advance in their careers much faster than those who don’t. There are good reasons for this.

Emotional & Psychological Support. Surely, it’s understandable that when young aspiring professionals enter into a field of expertise there can be stress and anxiety associated with it. When a mentor is available for guidance, the mentee can experience the inner stability of knowing he or she has someone to advise them during times of doubt, frustration and nervousness. When we as human beings are calm and focused, our creativity, perseverance and thinking processes are at their best.

Faster Learning Process. Young professionals that have mentors they can count on do not need to count solely on the knowledge they have learned while in college or other training facilities. They have at their disposal established professionals in their chosen field who have the experience and knowledge they need to quickly advance. This is not to say that the formal training they have received at institutions is not important, because it is. It’s just that nothing can compare with the real-world experiences their mentors already have. Those that have mentors are usually higher achievers, earn more promotions and see more frequent and higher salary increases than those who don’t.

Job Socialization. Although new professionals have been trained through formal educational institutions, internships and other educational involvements, they still have a lot to learn about the organization they are entering into. Having the basic skills to do their appointed job properly is not enough. They need to develop ways to adjust to and fit in with their new professional environment in order to thrive in it.

Importance of Choosing the Right Mentor. Clear communication is crucial for a mentee and mentor relationship to be successful. When a potential mentee considers a potential mentor, they should first make it clear what they hope to gain from this relationship. A clear set of goals should be clearly defined by the mentee. This will start the process of establishing the right mentor and mentee match. If it’s a good match, the mentor will have a lot to offer to help the mentee reach their career goals.

Erika KauffmanErika Kauffman is the General Manager & Executive Vice President at 5W Public Relations. With over a decade of experience in communications and management at 5W PR, Erika is an integral part of the firm’s leadership team and oversees a number of industry practices at the agency.

Meet Your 2015 New Pros Executive Committee

It’s hard to believe we’re already a couple months into the year, but the Executive Committee has already been brainstorming and implementing ways to serve PRSA New Pros members throughout the year.

With a mix of returning and new chairs, we’re excited for what 2015 has in store. Read on to learn more about each person on the committee and feel free to get in touch. While you’re at it, don’t forget to join in our monthly Twitter chats and register for PRSA ICON in November. Click here to contact the New Pros Executive Committee members directly.


Nick Lucido
 – Section Chair Untitled design (6)
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Work: Account Supervisor, Edelman Digital
Education: Michigan State University: B.A. in Advertising with specialization in Public Relations, B.A. in Public Administration
How PRSA benefits me: Now in my 5th year of membership, PRSA has helped me expand my network and meet incredible professionals from across the country and world. Working with my fellow New Professions Section committee members has been a really rewarding experience and helped me make the transition from student to professional.
Fun fact: I moved to Brazil 10 months ago and since I have arrived, I’ve experienced the World Cup hosted in this country, protests against the Cup, a water crisis, a presidential election and a scandal affecting Brazil’s largest company and political party. It’s been an interesting year!

Jessica Noonan – Section Liaison and 2016 Chair-electJessica Noonan
Location: New York, NY
Work: Associate, Burson-Marsteller
Education: American University: B.S. in Business Administration and B.A. in Public Communication
How PRSA benefits me: Since I was a student PRSA has been a go-to resource for the standards of the PR industry. By being an active member of the society I’ve had numerous opportunities to network with some of the stars of our industry.
Fun fact: PR runs in my family – my parents met working in PR nearly 30 years ago!

Amy Bishop – Programming Co-chairAmy Bishop
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Work: Senior Digital PR Strategist, DigitalRelevance
Education: Indiana University: B.A. in Journalism
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA helps me take an active role in national industry discussions and also allows me to connect with my local PR community.
Fun fact: I love dubstep music, naps and strategy board games.

Brian Price – Programing Co-chairBrian New
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Work: Assistant Account Executive, Edelman
Education: Northern Michigan University: B.S. in Communication Studies, Graduate Certificate in Public Management
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA benefits me through providing a network of peers and seasoned professionals to work with and guide me as I begin my career. It’s also given me opportunities to grow through leadership opportunities at my Chapter and insight into the profession.
Fun fact: I’ve never been one for caffeinated drinks in the morning or for energy.

Stephanie Vermillion – Blog Co-chairStephanie Vermillion
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Work: Senior Account Executive, Wordsworth Communications
Education: Boston University: M.S. in Public Relations; University of Dayton: B.A. in Journalism
How PRSA benefits me: I love having the chance to meet so many like-minded people both locally and nationally. I’m also a big fan of the ongoing education resources, because that’s critical to ensure we’re all staying at the top of our game.
Fun fact: Outside of work, running is one of my favorite hobbies. I just completed my fifth marathon, the Disney World Marathon, in January 2015.

Ashleigh Mavros – Blog co-chairrsz_1ashleigh_mavros
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Work: Account Associate, Fahlgren Mortine
Education: Ohio University: B.S. in Journalism
How PRSA benefits me: I couldn’t imagine making the transition from student to professional without PRSA. The organization creates a web of guidance, support and continuous learning to help you discover your aspirations and abilities.
Fun fact: I grew up in a small farm town where I was fair queen and showed heifers for 4H; I definitely enjoy the change to the city life in Columbus!

Erica Brown – Social Media Co-chairErica Brown
Location: Sacramento, California
Work: Account Associate, AugustineIdeas
Education: Sacramento State: B.A. in Communications/Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA benefits me by continuing to learn more about the field of communications as well as networking with professionals not only in Sacramento but across the nation and the world.
Fun fact: I don’t drink coffee, my favorite drink to get is an iced soy chai tea latte!

Lauren Loxterman – Social Media Co-chairLauren Loxterman
Location: Houston, Texas
Work: Founder, Soversity
Education: University of Houston: B.A. in Communications, Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA has given me a place to grow. I can learn from industry vets and not be afraid to fail because of the support I receive from the society.
Fun fact: I’ve recently been getting back into film acting.

Simon Oh – Newsletter Co-chairScreen Shot 2015-03-05 at 9.51.09 PM
Location: Campbell, California (San Francisco Bay Area)
Education: San Jose State University: M.S. in Transportation Management (in progress); Cal State Fullerton: B.A. in Communications, Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: Connecting with and learning from fellow PR professionals about how I can succeed as an emerging professional myself.
Fun fact: Fan of tacos, light rail and Simpsons references (“I was saying Boo-urns”)

Hanna Porterfield – Newsletter Co-chairHanna Porterfield
Location: New York, New York
Work: Assistant Account Executive, Development Counsellors International (DCI)
Education: Michigan State University: B.A. Advertising, Specialization in Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA has allowed me to connect and relate with public relations professionals working in a variety of industries. Not only that, but I continually gain leadership experience, stay up on industry news and am making friends around the country.
Fun fact: I ran my first sprint-distance triathlon in 2014 and am obsessed with spin class.

JR Rochester – Membership Co-chairJR Rochester
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Work: Digital Media Strategist, AAA Carolinas
Education: East Carolina University: B.S. in Public Relations & Interpersonal/Organizational Communications
PRSA Benefits: PRSA has been instrumental in my success as a new professional in and out of the office. It has given me leadership development, professional development and personal life long friends.
Interesting Fact: I was in the United States Army for 11 years and I attended Saddam Hussein’s trial.

Hilary Jurinak – Membership Co-chairHilary Jurinak
Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Work: Communications Coordinator, Binny’s Beverage Depot
Education: Columbia College Chicago: B.A. in Marketing Communications
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA provides countless education and networking opportunities.
Fun fact: Midwestern girl addicted to exploring Chicago, networking and enjoying craft beer.

Mike DeFilippis – Mentorship ChairMike DeFilippis
Location: Washington, D.C.
Work: Assistant Project Manager, Direct Impact (subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller)
Education: Boston University: B.S. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA is a group where I can learn more about the profession from seasoned executives, as well as develop my career alongside like-minded new professionals;
Fun fact: I’m an Eagle Scout.

Lauren Gray – PRSSA Liaison Lauren Gray
Location: Stamford, Connecticut
Company: Project Manager,The Visual Brand
Education: Western Carolina University: B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA benefits me with networking opportunities that have brought me great friends and connections and by allowing me to continue to learn and grow in various leadership opportunities and from various conferences.
Fun fact: I’ve been to 29 states and 8 countries and plan to add more this year!

Henry Cervera – PRSSA LiaisonUntitled design (10)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Work: Independent Practitioner for small business owners
Education: Utah Valley University: Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations, currently finishing a degree in Business Management
How PRSA benefits me: PRSA has given me access to an abundant amount of learning channels (on-demand webinars, case studies, the Edge and the PRSay blogs, that help me stay up to date with the latest trends and news of our industry. As a PRSSA member, I started building my professional network. Now as part of PRSA, I can continue to connect with more professionals nationwide through the New Professionals Section.
Fun fact: Committed to run a race each month of the year and is currently training to run his first marathon in April, the Salt Lake City marathon.

Five Tips to Help Simplify Your Social Life

As young PR pros, social media has grown into our everyday routines, used as a tool for both Don't stress out. Breathe.personal and professional use. With social media growing ever so rapidly, it is sometimes hard to keep up with the constant changes and advancements.

Producing engaging content and adhering to guidelines to make sure your post gets as much traction as possible can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there are ways you can simplify your social life on both a personal and professional level.

1. Maintain your online presence. Follow people on Twitter, clean up your Facebook, update your LinkedIn, and keep your profiles public – these are the easiest ways to be found via social media.

2. Schedule, schedule, schedule. In maintaining your online presence, you need to make sure you have time to keep the profiles listed above up-to-date. Pre-scheduling posts has made every community manager’s life easier, but it can also help your personal profiles so you don’t have to worry about losing your online impressions. There are numerous free online tools you can use for this including TweetDeck and Hootsuite!

3. There’s an app for that! If This Then That, LastPass, Evernote, Hootlet, etc. are only a few of the apps that can help simplify your social life. Useful for business and personal profiles, there is the right app for you depending on what you’re looking to post. My favorite is the “recipes” created on IFTTT which automatically posts your Instagram photos to your Twitter using the proper links so you can see the image.

4. Share, share, share. Sharing content! There’s nothing like creating traffic and sharing what people are saying online to get your message across. Always give credit where credit is due by tagging authors or publications in which will also help create more engagement for your profile.

5. Always measure up. Those of us who don’t work in social media don’t think to measure how our online presence is doing. Being able to measure your content helps you to see what posts are working and how to improve your content for the future. This can been seen through many online tools such as Klout, Twitter and Facebook Analytics, Hootsuite, Sysomos, and Sprout Social just to name a few.

What have you done to simplify your social media presence? 

Marcy McMillanMarcy McMillan is the Marketing Communications & Events Coordinator for York University’s Campus Services and Business Operations department. When she’s not working, you can find Marcy discovering new restaurants in downtown Toronto, attending and writing about events or spending some time at the public library. Find her on Twitter @marcy113 or visit her site