What "Friends" Taught Me About PR

In honor of the 10 year anniversary of the series finale of Friends tomorrow, I've decided to list all of the public relations lessons our favorite friends taught me.

1. Think before you speak. Rachel taught me that just as it's not a good idea to talk about your ex with your current boyfriend, it's also not a great move to speak prematurely on a delicate situation. When representing a client, or even yourself, make sure you're fully prepared to answer any questions that come your way.
2. Always be aware. Ross taught me the power of unagi, also known as salmon skin roll. Basically, he taught me the principal of always being knowledgeable about what's going on around me. In public relations, it's important to stay on top of current events because, whether you realize it or not, it all has some impact on your own life. 
3. Fake it until you make it. Joey taught me that if you aren't sure of what you're doing, pretend like you are. Although we would prefer to have all the answers, in PR, sometimes that simply isn't possible. Remain calm, do your research, and come back prepared with a brilliant plan. 
4. Being controlling isn't always a bad thing. Monica taught me that a little anxiety may actually be helpful. Public relations professionals have a reputation of being control freaks, but that just means we like to get things done efficiently. Just remember to let your hair down every once in a while like Mrs. Geller-Bing to relieve some of that stress. 
5. Laugh about it. Chandler taught me that not every failure has to end in tears. Pitch didn't get picked up? Client hated your campaign idea? Life goes on and so does your career, so keep pushing! Pick yourself up and smile about that amazing press release you wrote instead.
6. Be flexible. Phoebe taught me to go with the flow. Despite her tumultuous life, she still managed to move forward. In public relations, there are going to be crises and obstacles but a great trait to have is flexibility. It shows that you are adaptable and a strong critical thinker, and those are great assets to have. 

Although the sitcom may be gone, the lessons Friends has taught me will live on. Hopefully, some of these lessons will help you as well!

2013 Taught Me

With just a day and a half left in 2013, I think it's pretty important to recap what we have learned as PR professionals throughout this year. Otherwise, we might just make the same mistakes in 2014.

1. PROOFREAD! If we have learned nothing else, I hope this blog and all of the mishaps we have covered have taught us all to read very carefully before clicking 'post.'
2. Twitter is actually 120 characters. That's right, not 140 characters. If you want your followers to be more interactive, leave them a little room to interact!
3. Some social media platforms are just trends. With new social networks and applications launching everyday, it can be difficult to determine which ones to invest your time in. Besides, in a few months they may just be swallowed up by an even bigger powerhouse. Simply stick to the needs of your client and its audience and choose platforms based on their needs.
4. Relax. Of course this easier said than done. Of course we will probably have a few breakdowns in 2014. But, at least we're going to make an conscious effort. Right?
5. Stay true to yourself. Yes, I am going to end this list with a corny cliche, but this corny cliche is definitely relevant. It's easy to lose yourself in your client, workload, tweets, and Instagram posts. But the best thing you can do for your client is to remain true to your standards. After all, that's why they hired you.

What are some lessons that you learned this year? We would love to hear about your experiences. Comment below!

What I've Gained as a Member of PRowl PR

As the semester has just come to a close, and everyone is starting their summer breaks, I have had some time to think about my past semester as a member of the PRowl staff. Being a member of PRowl has been a truly positive experience for me as a freshman in college and has provided me with many beneficial skills and opportunities that I would not have received otherwise.

• A Leg Up in Classes: Being a freshman public relations major, I had absolutely no experience with any type of public relations writing. As a member of PRowl, I was taught how to write PR documents such as press releases, media advisories, blog posts, and instruction sheets. Having the opportunity to learn how to write these documents outside of the classroom made the transition to academic writing much easier.
• A Networking Opportunity: As any public relations professional would tell you, one of the more important aspects of public relations is networking. As a staff member of PRowl, I was exposed to a whole networking community. Being a staff member allowed me to connect with other PR majors in my school. It also allowed me to form relationships with older PR majors that were in turn able to aid me in my work as a staff member as well as my other schoolwork.  
• Real World Experience: Perhaps the most beneficial opportunity that I gained from my work on the PRowl staff was the opportunity to gain real world Public Relations experience.  The real world experience that I gained from being on staff will aid me when I apply for internships and jobs in the future. It will be something I can add to my resume, a conversational topic during interviews, and will put me ahead of other peers applying for the same position. 

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Lexi Drexler