Being a great public relations professional is no easy feat. Those that are truly talented have cultivated specific qualities that set them apart from the average “PR pro.” Below are 5 characteristics that every PR professional needs to develop in order to succeed and deliver at a level above the rest.
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Strong communicator and connection cultivator
Relationships are everything in public relations. PR pros have multiple media connections and a clear knowledge of who is covering what topics. A good PR pro does not waste their time talking to the wrong people when they are looking to report on a story. Working in PR requires you to be friendly, approachable and able to hold meaningful conversations which will not only show your genuine interest in something but will also be a way to form beneficial relationships.
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Great writer
If you are serious about working in Public Relations, you need to be able to write well. In addition to being able to communicate face to face, a great PR pro must be able to move and inspire people through the written word. In our current digital age, it’s important to know how to professionally and comfortably write e-mails, blog posts, articles, press releases, etc. Being a great story teller helps as well. A compelling and well-written piece may tell a story that stays with the reader long after they’ve finished reading it.
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Detail oriented
Proof read, proof read again, and then proof read one last time. Attention to detail, especially when it comes to grammar, is of paramount importance in the PR industry. In order to be taken seriously as a writer and professional, you absolutely cannot publish anything with spelling or grammatical errors. Also, when collecting information for a story, take meticulous notes and keep them organized so that you may you refer back to them while you develop your story.
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Informed
If you’re not informed of what is going on, how will you keep your clients and the media informed? A key to finding success in public relations is knowing your client, your company, the industry and the media like the back of your hand. Exceptional PR pros are always keeping an ear out and actively searching for new stories and relevant news – not to mention they are tapped into what consumers want to hear to help drive client coverage.
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Bold
PR professionals are confident go-getters willing to do anything in the name of creating a marketable and interesting story. To be a great PR pro, you have to take calculated risks in order to launch the organization you represent into greatness.
For public relations, content marketing, and all other full-service integrated marketing, please contact Sagefrog Marketing Group at 215-230-9024 or visit sagefrog.com.
