why you have to be a people pleaser in PR

There are many different people groups categories that you must hussle to keep smiling everyday in the PR world….

I have come to the conclusion that this is why people who find themselves in the PR industry are different – they are, always happy, always willing to help (even when it means lugging heavy boxes or working a booth somewhere random like the Poway Rodeo for your client, or answering phones for your clients company, or making protest signs for 3 days straight for a big city hall meeting….) The type of people who are really great at PR, are humble and willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved. THIS is why I love PR, for the most part – we aren’t above it, we’re ready and willing to jump at the request to get involved anyway that we are needed… the job is always different, the smile is always genuine, and we’re always willing to do what it takes to keep everyone happy.

YOUR CLIENTS: You have to know everything about your client and keep them happy at all times.

THE MEDIA:  You also have to serve reporters, and appear that you are catering to their exact needs in order for them to bite. You have to be there to help and serve them – to do their job better, in addition to accomplishing your own goals.

YOUR BOSS: Don’t forget your boss – whether you work in house or “out” in an agency. You’re boss is someone who must always be pleased by your performance, drive, effort and abilities. He must always be impressed for you to have value where you are.

YOUR COMPANY: Yes, it’s always about the bottom line. Especially in this economy. Are you adding value? Maybe, are you adding ROI though? This is a very different question.

You really have to keep pretty much everyone you interact with at work happy,  as everyone is a connection/networking opportunity even if they aren’t tied directly into your overall working goal.  ( I realize this can be true of any industry, but I feel that it is exemplified in the everyday juggle of a PR pro.)

Reflecting a little bit on PR, and my job, and my experience – brings me back to not just the heart of PR, but the aspects of public relations that I truly enjoy, and the aspects that honestly – I really DON’T enjoy, maybe even dread. There’s parts we all love about our jobs that we’ll work till 10 PM for, and parts that make us want to cut out early on a Friday afternoon around 2:30 right? (Hey, this blog is about honesty in case you weren’t aware). Anyway in reflecting on all of this I realize that this aspect of PR, helping where you’re needed and getting involved regardless of to the degree… is one of my favorite things. The attitude, the willingness, it’s requires you to be in touch with the service side of the industry. We are in place to be public facing sometimes, serving our clients, or serving the public/customers of behalf of our clients – it requires us to put on a smile and BE that public facing postive brand, and having the opportunity to do that… makes me truly love PR.