It’s been over a year since my last post. This is shameful to note, as I usually admonish clients about the importance of continuous content. The truth is I let others’ social media presence take the precedent over mine. I moved to DC in a weekend after taking a Digital internship at Edelman. I learned a lot about social media; I quickly picked up skills on how to analyze social media and the softwares to measure it. After Edelman, I took another internship at a crisis communications firm where I learned traditional PR skills like pitching and writing press releases. I found myself longing to be back in social media though. Then I found myself in the communications department of the Smithsonian National Zoo. It was quite different from agency life, but I found an encouraging environment and interesting work. Now I’m in Denver, looking for a new adventure.
One post I’ve been meaning to write is what your professors don’t warn you about agency life. Don’t get me wrong, I thrive in agency environments, but I imagine it could be shocking for some newly grads. Here are some tips:
1. PR people are like lawyers: they bill their time in 15 minute intervals.
2. Multitasking is key. With multiple clients, you need to learn to switch gears quickly.
3. You need to be an expert on everything. Or at least the industry your clients are in.
4. Google Reader and Google Docs are your closest friends.
5. Think like a reporter when pitching. Always Google their city to see if a big news event will have them swamped.
6. Construct every document as if a client will see it. Never create sub par work.
