Invest in 2019: How to Become a PR Pro This Year
With the holidays behind us, it’s time to begin a new year filled with opportunities and motivation. Luckily, if you’re a young, rising PR professional, you’ve come to the right spot. Below I’ve laid out a handful of products and services that I believe every young professional should invest in to take their career to the next level.
Planner.
Rising PR professionals have busy schedules; therefore they are usually in need of some sort of planner or organizer. I can speak from experience when I say that getting a planner has saved my life in college! Here’s a helpful article from Buzzfeed that features 11 planners that are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Business card holder.
Whether it’s a job interview or a conference, young PR professionals always have their business cards on them. But how many of them actually have an organized way of storing their cards? Check out sites such as VistaPrint or Etsy for some cardholder inspiration!
Personalized stationery and thank-you cards.
Similar to business cards, young PR professionals understand the importance of crafting a thank you card. However, one can take their thank-you card game to the next level by getting personalized cards. This will certainly go a long way in making a good impression, plus who doesn’t want their name on fancy stationery? Sites such as Shutterfly and Minted are great places to look!
Domain name.
Think about investing in your online presence by purchasing a domain name for your personal website or portfolio. Consider buying one from GoDaddy or Namecheap. You’ll thank yourself in the long run for taking this huge leap toward professionalism.
Books.
Now I’m not the biggest fan of reading however when it comes to books about PR, count me in! This list of the top ten must-read books about the public relations industry will help you stay ahead of the game within the classroom as well as in the real world.
PRSA membership.
Last but not least, if you’re preparing to graduate this spring, consider transitioning into PRSA by attaining an associate membership. This will help you continue to grow outside of the classroom while also launching your career.
Hopefully this list has helped you determine what you can and should invest in for 2019. If you have additional ideas or suggestions for current PR pre-professionals, feel free to leave them below!
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Emma Ingram is the 2018-2019 Publications Editor in Chief for PRSSA National. Previously she was the Vice President and Chapter President at American University PRSSA. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
