Fabulous PR Skills that Will Never Go Out of Style

With New York Fashion Week coming to an end, we are reminded about our personal styles and what pieces in our closet are classic and timeless. As PR professionals, we also have to evaluate what skills we have under our belts that are also classic and timeless. With these five skills, you can be sure you will never go out of style!

1. Writing – We are always writing. Whether it be press releases, news articles, or media advisories we will never be done writing. An important skill to learn about writing is getting to the point. You have to know what is important and learn to communicate that first. 
2. Interpersonal Skills – In the PR world, it is all about who you know, not what you know. With this industry, it is all about interacting with others. Being able to successfully network with other professionals will open many doors as well as make your work so much easier. 
3. Media Awareness – This could quite possibly be the key to any successful PR career.  We must be always one step ahead of the media and know what the next big thing is. Keeping up with social media, news, TV and radio is a big part of success.
4. Attention to Detail – while there is the saying “don’t sweat the small things”, in PR you have to be ready for anything that may be thrown your way. Some of the smallest things can unravel into a bigger problem so you must always be prepared.
5. Business Sense – While we are not the math pros, we will need to have a good sense of what will be best for our client’s business. You have to have a bit of knowledge about business, statistics and measurement in order to be taken seriously in the PR world. 

If you can tailor these skills to best fit you, much like your favorite pair of jeans or little black dress you will have the perfect wardrobe and skill set for success! Let us know if you have any other skills to add to the list!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Virginia Laskowski 

6 Tips to Improve Your PR Career in 2013

2013 has begun and on the contrary to what many believed, the world didn’t end. So, as we look into this upcoming year and we start to make new resolutions (some realistic, some unrealistic) there are many ways that we can look to improve our professional lives as well. Here are my six tips to making 2013 a happier, healthier and more productive year:

1. Take some risks – do not be afraid to think outside the box and offer suggestions that are unique and creative. These ideas and risks will earn you respect from not only your peers but your boss as well. By being able to challenge yourself and bring new things to the table you can grow professionally and personally as well.
2. Stop complaining – be positive! It is very easy for us to complain about what is going wrong in our lives, careers, families and personal lives but instead of dwelling on the negative take control of your life and realize that you have the power to change your life for the better. By staying positive it will not only put you in a better mindset but also stress you out less. Also don’t sweat the little things or the things you can’t control!
3. Save the drama for your mama – there will always be times where you are in a situation of argumentation with someone. However, do not engage in petty drama. Do not always become defensive and feel the need to always prove your point or be right. No one likes a know it all. Remove yourself from situations that are toxic to your stress and energy. As much as we love to engage in gossip, do your best to focus on bettering yourself, not talking about the flaws of others.
4. Realize you are human – everyone makes mistakes. Once you realize that this in fact is true, admit when you are wrong. Always be honest and it will lead to a healthy way to resolve the situation. 
5. Have thick skin – in the PR field there will always be someone who has something negative to say about you or your work. Realize that not everyone will agree with you all the time. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as a learning experience. 
6. Turn OFF your phone – if you are like me and constantly have your phone on and by your side (even when sleeping), we need to understand that this is unhealthy! Being able to be reached 24/7 can create unrealistic expectations. By turning off your phone for just a couple hours a day it can not only relieve stress but help you recharge your body and brain. 

Do you have any other tips for the PR professional in 2013? Let us know! Wishing everyone a productive, and healthy 2013!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Virginia Laskowski

Social Media Frenzy: Should Companies Keep Quiet in the Wake of Crises?

Crisis communication has always been a tricky thing to tackle in the PR world. When a tragedy strikes, companies must be careful about what they post on social media. If they don’t acknowledge the crisis, many people will perceive them as being insensitive. However, if they do post about the crisis it could be misconstrued as if they are jockeying for engagement during the crisis. 

Then there are some companies who go too far and turn crisis situations into marketing opportunities. For example, in the middle of Hurricane Sandy, American Apparel sent an email to customers that offered “20 percent off everything for the next 36 hours.” They also added to this email, “in case you’re bored during the storm.” They titled this sale the "Hurricane Sandy Sale" and have gotten a lot of heat on social media sites. 

Obviously, companies are in a tricky situation. They must find the correct balance of social media interaction. There is a fine line between being acknowledging a crisis and exploitation. In this type of situation, companies must be aware of their social media presence and the affect that it has on their customers. Everyone is a consumer, not just of products, but of information as well. In a society where social media seems to be taking over, companies must try to be a bit more sensitive with what they are posting. Eventually, the crisis will be averted and life will go on, but until then, we must all exercise sensitivity during crisis situations and remember the effect it has on everyone.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Virginia Laskowski