5 new year resolutions for PR pros

2009 was a rough year for PR folks. We were spun even deeper into a whirlwind of slashed budgets, PR 2.0, social media and online publicity. Now that the unfamiliarity is behind us and we have a hold on how to navigate this crazy industry we all love, it’s time to look forward again. It’s time to make some resolutions for how we’ll take our careers to the next level this year.

Here are a few to start with:

1. Refocus on traditional media relations – Good ol’ publicity is not dead and for those who allowed social media to take over in 2009, it’s time to pick up that phone again.

2. Amp up networking – Although networking is what gained new jobs for many PRs out of work in ’09, many stopped attending conferences to save their firms (or themselves) some extra cash. Try to attend a regional or national social media or PRSA conference this year.

3. Have more coffee dates – Stir up more personal relationships this year by having coffee or lunch with the editors and writers you have e-mail relationships with.

4. Help a young PR pro – Public relations students are graduating during a time when jobs are only slowly recovering. Help them out by mentoring or offering more internship positions at your company.

5. Start a personal blog – Many of us blog on behalf of our companies, but few share their personal thoughts or passions in a blog. Create one to tune-up your writing skills and connect your PR skills to another passion, like event planning, fashion, design or outdoor sports.

Not an experienced PR pro yet? Stay tuned for tomorrow's post from our PR intern on new year resolutions for PR students.