Strive Notes

The past six months have certainly flown by, and I’ve been on a steep learning curve. My introduction into the world of PR has been interesting, varied and exciting; I learned something new every day. By working with Strive PR’s various clients I’ve gained insight into a range of industry sectors including technology, non for profit, HR, finance and more.

I’ve also discovered the importance of solid writing skills. In fact, I think this where I improved the most over the past six months. I’ve learned that the media are inundated with thousands of news releases and pitches every day, but only small fraction of those stories get published.  Most are rejected usually on the strength of the lead or even the e-mail subject line.  To be successful you need to get the tone just right, and style, spelling and grammar must be flawless.  It’s an art, really.

In addition, I don’t think I had previously truly appreciated the power of the Internet.  Social media platforms such as blogs and Twitter have created a whole new range of PR opportunites,  but at the same time, the reputational risks have grown apace.  That’s what today’s PR is all about,  building and sustaining relationships through careful, effective communication, much of which is two-way or multi-directional. This is a complex task requiring a lot of experience and expertise.

I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to embrace social media and am really excited about how this trend will develop. Previously I’d been a little nervous of  technology (ok, maybe more than a little bit!), but now I’m embracing it with gusto. I’ve even set up my own beauty and lifestyle blog, which I would have never even have considered doing six months ago.  I have learned that working in this profession requires confidence, hard work, super organisational skills and a willingness to learn and improve. Sadly, it isn’t at all about attending AB FAB parties. 

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