A PR girl is often described as an outgoing people person and an excellent writer and communicator. But public relations is much more complex than what meets the eye and requires a wide range of traits. And no, coffee isn’t included but stands as my self-proclaimed trait––anyone else?
1. Mindfulness
a. Nobody likes when interacting with a know-it-all who thinks they’re always right. Instead, soak up the ever-changing PR world like a sponge because carrying more obtained knowledge will pay off. Enjoy learning and be respectful of someone’s opinion without judgment. Always be conscious of someone else’s feelings, you might not be a fan of the product but your client’s heart and soul has been put into it so don’t be the b*tch and voice your opinion in an aggressive manner. It will be a lose-lose for everyone.
2. Gratitude
a. Being turned down in PR is inevitable. But be thankful for those moments anyways. Have thick skin and don’t take it personally. Always thank someone for his or her time and consideration, even if the outcome was different than you desired. Because without gratitude, bitterness can unintentionally arise.
3. Self-love
a. Self-love correlates with confidence. If you don’t love yourself, you could be robbing yourself of genuine confidence. This reflects in how you dress, think, interact, treat other people, and even smile. When selling a product or brand, you’re also selling yourself so make time to cultivate and look after the best version of ‘you’ and always keep your values and morals in mind. Be true to yourself.
4. Class
a. Hate to break it to you but being sloppy won’t cut it when you’re representing a company. Being classy not only entails dressing appropriately and professionally but also responding to all forms of crises with classic sophistication. True class reaps from the inside––stemming from being respectful, choosing to be slow to anger, and displaying kind-heartedness.
5. A Good Listener
a. Choosing listening over talking is much more valuable. Instead of feeling the need to be constantly speaking, listen to the thoughts, needs, and desires of the person––whether it’s a friend, co-worker, boss, or client. If you value someone else’s time, guaranteed they’ll return the favour in the future.
So with my coffee cup in hand, I toast you, my fellow PR girl. Let’s put these traits to good use and try not to spill the coffee while doing so. Because we all know that in PR consuming caffeinated drinks is basically a trait––a much needed one. I’m pretty much convinced that coffee really is a genetically determined characteristic for us ass-kicking PR girls.