Over the years I’ve come to understand what kind of people it takes to be successful in PR, and what kind of characteristics they will have.
PR is a fast-paced, demanding world. One minute we are crowded around a table, brainstorming ideas for our clients, and the next we are quietly working alone at our desks for hours writing blogs and press releases, pitching to the media, posting on social media, or finalizing the plans for a major event. It takes a special person to be able to switch gears smoothly.
So what does it take?
- Creativity. A PR professional must be creative, and must thrive on using that creativity to help clients get to the next level. We read the trade magazines, we watch competition, we study everything and learn about trends so that we know and understand the content our clients want.
- Exceptional writing skills. Everything comes down to writing, and that’s why we require people to take a writing assessment as part of their interview process with Ripley PR. I’ve had people tell me they can do all sorts of things, but the cream always rises to the top when their writing skills are front and center.
- A team player. Why is teamwork essential within our Knoxville PR agency? Because we are stronger together. Working as a team generates out-of-the-box thinking and helps our clients and the agency grow. I trust each and every one of my teammates to do their part to knock the ball out of the park for our clients. I have their back and they have mine.
- Self-motivated. You may say you are self-motivated, but are you really? Do you volunteer and raise your hand when a new project comes along? Are you excited when a new task comes along, or do you look down and away hoping you don’t get asked? Do you want to be put on projects in which you are not entirely comfortable but you are eager to learn? All of these attributes are essential to succeeding in a PR agency.
- Proactive. Don’t wait to be asked to do something. Keep your eyes open and see what needs to be done, then do it.
This is just a small list. I could add attributes like trustworthy, accountable, multi-tasking, and positive. But you get the idea.
If you think you have what it takes to be successful in PR, check out the open positions on our careers page.
