Three common misconceptions about a public relations career
So you think you can flack? You probably can. Before you jump in–and if you want to do it well–you’ll need to keep these truths in mind:
1. The PR profession about more than just being a “people person”–it’s great that you love people. I love people. But that will only take you so far, as in, through your internship. After that, you’ll also need to be “a good writer” and “a good listener.” You’ll also need to demonstrate a strategic mind and an appetite for winning. A love of people is great, but it does not a PR superstar make.
2. PR is not a 9 to 5 gig–I don’t know who puts the idea into folks’ heads that public relations is a glamorous profession. The most effective flacks I know work long hours and spend at least a portion of their weekends trolling the Internet for news and opinion pieces, social media trends and client opportunities. Not to mention all the non-billable hours spent defending new/fabulous/sort-of-scary/innovative ideas. You know those communicators that you are always looking at and thinking “how they heck did he think of that?” I guarantee you he’s either A) extremely experienced and or B) lives and breathes his work. Hey, I never said it was a healthy lifestyle, just an effective one.
3. If you are good at your job, you’ll rarely see your own name in the paper–one of the scariest traits in a “PR person” is an obsession with seeing their name or picture in lights. Unless you are a true “spokesperson” for a person or organization, being a PR pro will rarely afford you a print mention. And you’ll likely never be on TV. If this makes you sad, you need to find another gig or some freelance work.
Fellow flacks, have I left out your favorite PR career pet-peeves? Share them in the comments!
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One of the joys and challenges of life as a flack, especially in the in-house environment, is having/getting to be the one in the room who knows more about what’s going on that anyone else.
It’s a joy because you have a wonderful opportunity to make yourself invaluable to your employer, which pays benefits in great amount. It’s a challenge because you have to make a point to ask the extra question that makes the meeting run long or spend the time to do your homework.
To add to your first point – the thing I love most about PR is the strategic side of it, the real business thinking behind the visible tactics.
So my least favourite misconception about this career is that PR is only about writing and creative ideas. Great writing and a creative idea won’t get you anywhere unless you know what you’re trying to achieve with them (and how they’re going to achieve that).
Can so relate to point number one. Received a resume from a bartender, who has “perfected” his communications skills and would like to come work as an account executive. We asked for five-ten years experience. What luck! He’s’ been tending bar for eight.
Jay, indeed. Being the in-house voice of reason is both a blessing and curse!
Maddy, thanks for stopping by FlackRabbit! Funny–I nearly wrote “Four things…” and had a bullet about “PR is only 5% event planning” to address the often overlooked importance of a strategic mind. Good call.
Amanda, ha! Oh, bless him. I got an email from a recent grad and “Social Media MAVEN!” the other day. (caps and punctuation hers) (sigh)
Margie´s last blog ..Three easy ways to leverage LinkedIn
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kelli Matthews, Judy Gombita, KarenRussell, Rachel M. Esterline , Nick Lucido and others. Nick Lucido said: RT @KarenRussell: Link: 3 Common Misconceptions about a Career in PR http://bit.ly/agmSYq [...]
Re: the bartender, you know he’s probably bringing a ton of media contacts to the table from his regular clientele, which is a plus.
Also, Margie, the 5 percent event planning thing is a post unto itself, in my opinion. It’s one more thing in PR that falls under the category of “Something you need to know about, but that should not be the only thing you know how to do.”
You are definitely preaching to the converted, Margie. You’re right about all three of these misconceptions.
Amanda, it sounds like you have the perfect hire for the position you’re looking to fill. Ha!
“MAVEN!” Sheesh, who does that??
Rob Robinson´s last blog ..When you write, keep it tight
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