How to be awesome at PR

PR is an industry that welcomes all sorts and ultimately the team you work in makes you an awesome PR. Our office is filled with ex-journalists, ex-investment analysts, fresh faces, biologists and many more, all of which bring a range of different skills. So to say there is a core set of skills to being an awesome PR is tricky, but there are definitely some that are important, plus a few extra tips and tricks that may help along the way.

Be organised, personable and this one is extra important – have the ability to duck and dive. PRs love lists, it’s one of the first things I learnt, lists help you keep on top of your workload and your teams. Everyone does it a different way whether that be having a daily or weekly list or an excel spreadsheet organising your days.

Be able to strike up a relationship almost instantaneously, every day you are talking to new people; journalists, third party commentators or new clients. Be friendly, smile when you’re talking (even if you’re on the phone) and always follow up after meeting someone, even if it’s just to ask how their weekend was.

Finally, be able to chop and change at the drop of hat, being organised helps a lot with this. You never know when a comment opportunity might come up, or a client might pop in so be ready to manage your team's expectations.

Other important tricks of the trade. Ask questions all the time, ask yourself, ask your colleagues, your clients, journalists, it’s one of the best ways to learn especially if you are new to an industry. My other easy to master trick is to absorb yourself in news, read a paper every morning, listen to the radio whilst you’re getting ready for work – do anything you can do to take in media. Be so on top of the news that you find yourself discussing it over dinner with your family and friends. They might think you’re boring but when you can keep up with the editor of the money section at The Times you’ll be the one laughing.