Fancy a job in PR? Here are our top tips to get started

No matter whether you’re pondering a career in PR or if you’re 100% certain it’s your vocational calling, here are a few tips and tricks for getting your foot on the ladder in this dynamic industry.

Craft your own social presence

In today’s digitally dominated world, it’s important that you not only have a grasp of how social media works, but that you can evidence this too.

While traditional paper-based CVs are still important, social media profiles are often one of employers’ – and journalists’ – go-to places to find out more about you.

Therefore, if you’re looking to stand out and grab an opportunity in this competitive space, well-polished Twitter and LinkedIn profiles are must-haves for connecting with industry professionals and demonstrating your keenness to engage with industry news and upcoming trends.

Be ‘in the know’

If there’s one super tip when it comes to beginning your career in public relations, it’s to get into the habit of reading the news on a daily basis.

This may seem somewhat basic, but it’s one of the fundamentals to get right if you’re going to blossom into a media-savvy pro.

Having an appetite to always find out more about not only what’s going on in the PR landscape, but sector-specific areas and national news, not only illustrates your passion for the job, but will also put you in good stead when it comes to pitching to journalists.

It’s important to consult a smorgasbord of traditional and modern media too – from blogs and social media channels to print magazines and newspapers. Every platform has its place in the media mix and it’s good to know how each one works – finding out what journalists do and don’t look for in a story.

Read, write, type, repeat

It goes without saying that if you’re pursuing a career in PR, you likely have a passion for the written word.

And there sure is lots of researching, notetaking, and putting fingers to the keyboard in this job.

Therefore, if you’re wanting to keep your writing sharp, concise, and creative, you can’t underestimate the importance of reading and practising drafting different types of content. From social media posts and blogs to press releases, thought-leadership features, webinar scripts, and email marketing sequences, everything has a part to play in a fully considered PR and marketing strategy.

Grab a coffee and listen to the experts

It’s true that there’s no one right way to deliver a PR strategy, and each project and campaign is different. That’s why it’s useful to listen to the real-life tales and sharing of experiences from people who have worked in the industry for a long time.

There are a variety of podcasts or webinars available from the likes of PRmoment and PR Week – to name a couple – which you can sign up to and listen to in the car or when you’re having half an hour of ‘me time’ with your headphones and a brew.

Of course, no one has all the answers, but the more people you can speak to and learn from, the more industry knowledge you’ll absorb – helping to make you a well-informed and seasoned PR pro.

Try a spot of networking

Attending conferences and industry talks with like-minded delegates – either in-person or virtually – is a great way to take your existing knowledge to the next level.

It’s worth putting your research hat on and doing some digging into whether any industry bodies, news outlets, or PR agencies are hosting any digital events or webinars about the sector. If so, it can be a great way to learn more alongside other attendees – some sessions even have a dedicated Q&A slot, allowing you to get answers to your most pressing questions.

So, what are you waiting for?