by Lindsey Andrick Sanders, Account Coordinator
Maybe you’re a public relations practitioner who has been in the field for decades and your daily routine now feels monotonous. Perhaps you are a student who initially was thrilled to major in public relations, but now you feel drained by upper-level communications courses. Regardless of where you are in your PR career, take the time to let yourself fall in love with public relations all over again and keep the romance alive.
In any relationship, having fun is crucial. If you aren’t enjoying your significant other’s company, that can lead to all sorts of problems. Couples who find themselves in a rut
may try a new activity to inject spontaneity and life into their unions. You can do the same for your career. Instead of blindly going through your daily routine, switch things up! For example, you might be missing all the benefits that social media has to offer by simply going through the motions and staring at your computer screen all day! Consider watching those viral videos that everybody is excited about or following those kooky anonymous or celebrity Twitter accounts that everyone is following – after all, it’s research! Think about it. Some accounts may have more followers than your company or clients. Try to see what makes their content appealing to larger audiences, and tailor their methods to fit your existing social media strategy.
In a healthy long-term relationship, no one is ever taken for granted. People in relationships take the time to keep up with their significant others, even if they think they know everything about them. The same is true in your public relations-ship! Never stop learning and looking for new ideas. Stay informed by reading the news, perusing industry publications and communicating with other PR professionals.
When new trends appear, adapt to them so that you do not get left behind. You might know everything there is to know about social media, but give up-and-coming platforms a chance. Consider what your career would be like if you refused to use Facebook or Twitter – in the future, new ideas will come along that could be just as revolutionary. Don’t allow yourself to get stuck in a rut or dismiss new ways to connect with your audience!
For many people in a relationship, the most dreaded conversation is the classic “Where are we going?” discussion; however, you don’t have to fret! When analyzing your public relations-ship, you can guarantee a positive outcome because PR always wants to get more involved with you. There is no risk of rejection – if you show your interest, there are endless opportunities to spice up your career and try new techniques!
This Valentine’s Day, reflect on what drew you to public relations in the beginning and what made you stick with it. Embrace PR once again, and get excited about your profession. Have fun at the events you plan, and take pride in the press releases you compose. Make an effort with your public relations-ship year-round so you can celebrate many more anniversaries.