Public Relations – Future Plans

Hey y’all!

Since this is the last week of the semester before finals, I figured it would be appropriate to go over the future and what that means for me.

I’ve learned a lot over the past semester about what being a public relations professional is like, such as how to write various press kit materials like news releases, media advisories, fact sheets, backgrounders and email pitches. I’ve looked at different companies’ press releases to see how they take the basic elements of a release and give it a twist that is purely the company’s. I’ve learned what a journalist thinks of emails from a public relations specialist, and how to best write eye-catching titles and informative emails. I’ve made friends with my peers, friends I can reach out to for commiseration and connection. I’ve learned how much effort goes into social media, from the voice and tone used to the existence of a content calendar to work out what will be posted when.

I’m going to use what I’ve learned to curate my online presence. I’ll proofread chosen samples of my work for errors, correct and post them on LinkedIn as samples of my writing and work. I’ll develop a social media calendar for my public social media accounts, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, and determine what I should post and when. I’ll reach out to some of the connections I’ve made over the past year at my jobs and in my classes and ask for recommendations and write some of my own.

And finally, I’m going to endeavor to keep my skills sharp and to learn more and stay on top of industry changes. I’ll practice writing various elements of the press kit based on news stories I see in the news from the position of the company being referenced. I will also endeavor to continue learning as I go by staying up to date on the current industry standards via memberships to national organizations like PRSA and PRSSA.

I hope all of my readers, however many or little, have learned a lot about the public relations field via these blog posts. I hope you apply this knowledge well!