To be honest with you, one of the primary reasons that got me interested in PR is my dream to be Samantha Jones. Running my own PR agency. Let’s forget about the Assistant guy part and the Delivery guy part on the show. ;)
It’s already been a year since I came here to the UK to pursue my masters in PR. Get used to the weather sometimes. Still not get used to the food. How time flies! So here I am in my room, watching Storm Ellen finding herself through the country, drinking a glass of wine, talking stuff to my partner and reflecting on why I love working in PR. We had such a great time.
Oh wait, maybe I’m drunk because I’m still single. Who was I just talking to? That’s actually scary.
“SO, what exactly is it? What is it about?”
Up until now, my parents still ask me that question when I say I’m studying Public Relations.
Since I decided that PR would be my career, I didn’t look back. I will let you into a secret of mine, and perhaps of many people, that why we all love PR. This is of course from only my perspective, from a student who has been studying masters in PR, who has managed to actually get an internship in the office and do the job before this corona happen, who has attended some networking events, who has had a chance to talk to some leaders in the industry, who has just been a Vietnamese boy fighting his way to pursue in the career he loves. Mind you, I do not have years of experience working in PR.
“No two days are the same”
I guess the sentence is on the job description of many PR roles. I do believe that PR is a fast-paced industry with a lot of changes. I remember in my internship, my role varied from doing desk research for the company that we are working with, to ideation for the campaigns. I got the chance to shadow the day at work of my mentor where she was sometimes on a call with clients to keep up with the campaigns or with journalists to pitch stories and build relationships with them. The profession is very diverse and everything changes so quickly. Your job is to keep up with that and to have to stay on top of everything. The industry is such a dynamic environment. It’s about reputation management, media relations, content creation or social media. Trust me, the list keeps going on and on.
The people
Perhaps it’s the nature of the job that makes people in the industry I know most interesting of all people I know. Having a chance to take part in conversations on Twitter with them, meeting them at some events and listening to their wonderful stories all make me absolutely not only in love with the industry itself but also with the people in it. They are smashing the job with impressive coverages, writing blogs, producing content or even doing karaoke. I mean is there anything that you can not do? Yes, I’m talking about you. You are a star! I do not speak from calculation, but my core.
Networking
Having said that, it’s such a great opportunity to connect with all those fabulous people. For me there are 4 Cs in marketing and PR that we will always have to remember: Community, Community, Community and Community. It is more than what it’s. (I’m telling you, Trump!). Building a professional and also personal relationship with people in the industry is something that we should do. PR is about collaboration. “It’s a small world after all” and we are building a big world.
When I posed the question about “Why do you love working in PR?”, my dear friend Teela, a rising star in the industry, said that networking is her ultimately favorite thing. And yes, she’s smashing it.
Need a tip? Twitter is your oyster.
PR has a bottom line impact
I remember vividly that in my Corporate Communications class, my teacher said that PR or Communication people need a seat in the BOD, because these people are in charge of moving the brands forward, helping the brands communicate the values ingrained in the company culture. It’s PR and Communications that have the bona fide impact to help the brand able to compete in the crowded marketplace.
“There’s always something for you to learn.“
There are many things that I don’t agree with my mother, but the importance of knowledge and learning is something that I do with her. She was a teacher.
Especially in PR, the industry is constantly evolving and you have to evolve yourself to keep up with it. I try to keep up with everything. I’m curious about the Kardashians obviously but also curious about what people are doing in the industry and how they give me knowledge. The importance of asking Why. Why are they doing that? Is there any solution for it? Why is it not successful and how can I learn from that?
Curiosity might kill cats but have you watched “Don’t F*** With Cats” on Netflix? You should.
Here are some suggestions for you to learn from the leaders in the industry.
- The PR Hub Podcast by Adam Tuckwell and Jon Wilcox, where they have the conversations with special guests in the communications industry. My favorite is of course the latest one with Alex Myers.
- Digital Download podcast by Paul Sutton. You have to wait for two weeks for an episode, but it’s worth it. Truth bombs will be dropped. He’s an expert in sound editing I think. Check out the latest episode (two parts) with Darryl Sparey, Carrie Rose and John Brown. No shit.
- JBH Webinars. It’s about everything digital.
- #PowerandInfluence by Ella Minty. Do you know my favorite quote is On Wednesday, we wear pink? Right, so every Wednesday, at 8pm, you have the chance to take part in powerful conversations with Ella and her guests. See you there!
- INCITE Global by Manifest. Knowledge as Power. It’s a great platform with the knowledgeable Incite Session. Sometimes it’s about learning when to STFU.
- Ten Minutes With… by The PHA Group. Only ten minutes listening to leaders in business to sharing their stories.
- Blogs. I really enjoy reading blogs from people in the industry. So many perspectives. Some recommendations? My friend Teela Clayton, Comms Hero blog, Comm2point0 blog, Rachel Miller with All Things IC.
My favorite blog recently by Laura – Digital PR Manager at Rise at Seven. Check it out here. - Digital PR Examples by Carrie Rose – Founder and Creative Director of Rise at Seven. You can wonderful digital PR campaigns and case studies.
- Red Sky Fuel For Thought by Red Havas. Only one episode now but I believe it’s worth the wait.
- Monday Briefing by Stephen Waddington. I imagine you have to love Monday mornings as well as Friday evenings. Each Monday, you will receive the briefing from Stephen where he summarises important news in the industry. I mean I don’t know any PR people who don’t know about this legend.
- Meet the Makers by Create with Google. Listening to the stories of people behind the successful campaigns in the advertising industry. Remember the viral #wombstories by AMV BBDO? Check it out here.
- PR In A Car by Rich Leigh. I remember that my teacher recommended us all to follow this series ever since it was first released. Insightful.
I am so happy that I chose PR as my career. I will not look back, because the industry is full of challenging yet rewarding experience. Dear Mom and Dad, it’s about the community and the power of communication.
Photo by Reinis Birznieks on Unsplash
