See & Be PR

Mistakes a PR Intern should never make

May 132013

When I started here, I began as an intern. Beyond being a test to see if you make the cut, it is also a valuable learning experience and a great first step into the world of PR.
Things I learned you should never do as an intern are things I would like to share to help anyone else starting the journey.

Act like you are above it all
The things you get asked to do may seem beneath you or your degree, but every task is important in shaping you to become a PR professional.

Dress like an intern
You may not have the job yet, but you had better start dressing for the position you want. A big part of getting ahead is coming in looking like a professional.
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Dressing for Work

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Public Relations, UAE No Responses »

Apr 242013

Getting dressed for work may seem so easy but there is a lot more that goes into it other than what colour works with that shirt.

While it’s nearly impossible to come up with one set of rules that applies to all – some institutions being more casual or more formal than others – there are certain principles that should be applied anywhere.

For starters, let me say that what you wear is a reflection of you. No matter how much we try to preach that ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’ this couldn’t be further from the truth. People will make snap judgements about the way you look and the way you choose to dress.

What can you do to make a good impression?

Dress for the position you want
We’ve all heard this before and we will continue to hear it because it is true. You need to look the role so that superiors can envision you in that role, and a great wardrobe also exudes confidence – a trait we want to see in our top execs.
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Listen before you Speak

Do's and Don'ts, How to No Responses »

Apr 222013

Too many of us are in love with the sound of our own voices. This is a problem when it comes to good communication because we’re not really listening to what the other has to say. Communication is a two-way street. There needs to be some give and take.

How can you become a better listener?

Look at the other person
Eye contact is a very important part of communication. It lets you connect with the person who is talking and confirms that you are paying attention.
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Turning Weaknesses into Strengths

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Public Relations No Responses »

Apr 152013

We all have them – weaknesses, something we are not quite good at.

While some choose to see these as limitations, I choose to see them as motivation. Motivation to turn my weaknesses into strength, while also finding out what my real strengths are.

How can you do this?

Identify it
We’re always asked in interviews and appraisals to admit our weaknesses. Many of us will turn to ‘How to’ guides in order to come up with the ‘right’ answer for this question in order to impress. I say when no one is really asking, do this exercise for yourself and be really, truly honest.

Work on it
Everything can be changed or fixed with effort. If you’re a bad writer, practice. If you know nothing about social media, do the research. The thing is that you have so many tools at your disposal today to work on your weaknesses, there is no reason they should be seen as limitations.
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Ready for Public Speaking?

How to, Public Appearances No Responses »

Apr 102013

Unlike what most people think, it is not something you are born with, it is something you can learn and acquire. And it is not something that only people in marketing, sales or media will have to deliver but people from different walks of life will undertake. Whether through practice, confidence or genuineness, the ability to move people through public speaking is attainable and once you succeed at it you should not underestimate its power.

There are many things one must consider when giving a good public speech but keep your focus on content, structure and delivery.
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What about Fashion PR?

How to, Media, Public Relations No Responses »

Apr 082013

Fashion PR is one of the interesting and exciting areas of PR that is truly enjoyable to work in. It is all about fashion shows, interviews with new up and coming designers, stylists and creative directors as well as collaboration with related parties such as makeup artists, accessory designers, modeling agencies and photographers.

It is certainly not standard, but is (and should be) as diverse as the clients, projects and designs themselves. It should also be tailored to each designer and brand according to the concept, artistic inspiration and brand direction.
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What to do when you’re NOT happy at work

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Public Relations No Responses »

Mar 272013

We’ve all been there. A time and place when things at work don’t seem to working. Maybe it’s the boss that’s making you angry or clients who constantly seem on a different page.

What do you do?

Cry me a river
One thing you shouldn’t do is cry about it. While this emotion is a part of life, there is just no place for it in the workplace. While it may get you what you wanted in the first place – people feel awkward in the face of tears and may act in a way to only stop the crying – it is very unprofessional. Not only that, you are going to risk credibility.
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Making you Pitch Stick

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Media, Public Relations No Responses »

Mar 252013

What’s the one thing you need to know to make it in PR? How to pitch a story.

Daily we’re faced with selling our news to the media, and if you’re not really good at it, you won’t be doing a lot of convincing.

So how do you make a pitch stick?

Know what you’re pitching
If you can’t properly explain it, how will the audience really understand it?

Make sure there’s a story there
Sometimes behind all the fluff and the big words there really isn’t a story to tell. Our job as PR professionals is to let clients know when their news isn’t newsworthy – and maybe find a way to make it worthy of headlines.
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You want the job? You’re going to have to work for it

Do's and Don'ts, How to, Public Relations No Responses »

Mar 132013

People searching for a job are always complaining. They say they aren’t getting the time of day from employers, and I think I know why.

As an Office/HR Manager in a Public Relations company, I get the pleasure of combing through hundreds of CV’s every time we advertise a job. When I play that role, I need to use my judgment to decide what I think about them as an HR representative.

Some people are turned down from the minute I see the resume. Why? I have already spent my time and energy listing the skills and credentials that we are looking for and you obviously don’t fit the role.

You know nothing about our industry
Some people get desperate when job searching, but don’t show it. If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to at least 50% of the requirements, then apply somewhere else. I have people with not an ounce of PR experience applying for the role of PR Account Director. Seriously? What makes you think you can do the job?
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The Year of CSR

How to No Responses »

Mar 112013

With Microsoft being ranked as the company with the best CSR reputation, followed by other big names like Google and Walt Disney, it is hard for smaller companies to get on the boat and keep up with the race. We keep hearing our clients say “we will now focus on CSR” or “we need a CSR-related event” or “this will be the year of CSR”, but they often forget (or are unaware) that CSR should not just be a focus for a quarter or a year – it is about sustainability and integrity and it takes a while to get it right and to get recognition for it.

So when can you say that you have successfully completed a CSR initiative and start boasting around to the media?
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Older Entries

Avatars by Sterling Adventures

Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha

Mistakes a PR Intern should never make

Dressing for Work

Listen before you Speak

Turning Weaknesses into Strengths

Ready for Public Speaking?

What about Fashion PR?

What to do when you’re NOT happy at work

Making you Pitch Stick

You want the job? You’re going to have to work for it

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