PR Pro’s: How to become a creative thinker.

2009 February 13
tags:
by Taylor

It is so important as a PR professional, especially in this industry, to be a creative thinker. Someone who brings new ideas to the table and thinks outside of the “traditional PR” box.   However, reading Dave Mullen’s recent post “10 clues your PR pro is nothing but show” about deciphering PR wannabe’s from the real professions, made me realize that knowing these key factors is one thing, but the important step is changing your mindset to actually take steps in this direction and be the one coming up with these new ideas (rather than recognizing them coming from someone else).

So that left me with the question, how can you become a creative thinker? Here are a few ways to start yourself off on the right foot…

Challenge your employer.If you don’t have the confidence to bring things to light that you don’t approve of. You are that pushover that says “great!” to ever suggestion. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you know something is a bad idea. Maybe you shouldn’t sign that contract because your experience tells you it won’t bring the ROI that your employer expects. Maybe you have to calm a team down taht is moving to hastily so you can re-evaluate your goals… whatever it is, don’t be afraid to challenge your boss or your team. If you are right, they will thank you for it later.

Bring new ideas to the table. Notice I didn’t say good ideas. I don’t care if you think they are good or bad, throw them out there, you never know what lame idea of yours could inspire something else once you’ve spurred discussion, and you will be appreciated for being a pro-active thinker if nothing else.

 Brainstorm Time! It’s hard to be creative when you’re swamped with other daily tasks, so set aside some time for yourself each day, or at least a few times a week to sit down with your notebook and pen, and think about NEW ways to move forward, and new ideas to bring to your campaign, client or team.

Educate yourself. Attend seminars in our field, teleseminars, webinars, meet people. Whatever. The best way to learn is by reaching out to those who have gone before you, and if you find the right people, they are surprisingly willing to help. FIND A SOUNDING BOARD, because a collaborative effort, in my opinion is the best kind, and you will often need to bounce a few bad ideas off on others to come up with some good ones. Find a mentor, find a friend, network, learn from others. Trust me, this is essential to grow and learn in your field.

What do you think? How can someone train themself to be a “new ideas” person? How do you start from scratch to create a different campaign, approach or plan? How do you bring NEW to the table?

from → public relations, thoughts, Uncategorized

  • http://davidwmullen.com david mullen

    Great ideas here, Taylor. Thanks for sharing them.

    To your point, you get credit for bringing new ideas to the table – with your team and with the client. Your clients WON’T pursue many of them, but they’ll recognize that you’re always thinking about their business and looking for ways to help them achieve their goals. That’s a very good thing for clients to associate with you.

  • Leah

    Learn the techniques of Improv comedy. Improv’s fundamental spark is that you respond with, “yes, and…” to whatever you’re handed. This can be a fun way to think on your feet, or a way to turn around a challenge. Say you have a disaster at hand. It might seem unnatural to say, “yes, and then the boat sank,” but just the exercise of thinking along those lines can generate unique insights and ideas that work.

  • http://www.strategiclee.com Erica Lee

    One thing I would add is – ask more questions. PR folks seemed to be afraid to ask the tough business and competitive questions. Ask them when they need to secure the next round of funding, what is on the product roadmap, what partners they are targeting and who is in the customer pipeline. The more you ask the better you can do the 4 items you have outlined.

    Thanks for taking the positive side of this issue!

  • http://www.chriscantore.com chris cantore

    good stuff.

    i’d like to add: challenging your consumer (and, not being afraid to offend.)

    have a great weekend!

    chris.

  • http://taylorjgraves.com Taylor

    chris -

    yes and so many large and/or older (more traditional) corporations are afraid to challenge customers, risk offending them, or risk tarnishing the company rep by presenting authenticity in order to come out a stronger more true blue brand. i think it’s the younger generation that will understand the importance of challenging, risking offense for the sake of a truthful brand. thanks for your comment!

    -taylor