If you're looking to make new friends in public relations (or any other field, for that matter), you've probably learned the hard way that it's not easy. But here's some good news: You can use your network of contacts to help make those connections happen. All you have to do is follow these tips and tricks for connecting with people in PR—plus a few others!
Establish yourself as a thought leader.
To become a thought leader, you'll need to establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can be done by writing a blog, giving lectures and speaking at conferences, sharing ideas and opinions on social media or any other means of communication. You can also create a personal brand for yourself by connecting with influencers who have large followings on social media.
Attend conferences and public speaking events.
Another way to make friends in public relations is attending conferences and public speaking events. Conferences are a great way to meet people, especially if you’re an introvert or don’t know anyone else at the event. Don’t be afraid to talk with people who look interesting! Meet them at the bar after the event so you can continue your conversation on a more casual level. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask questions about their work (i.e., “How do you do X? Where did you learn that? I want to learn more about Y”). Once they see how passionate and knowledgeable YOU are about YOUR industry, they will want to know more about YOU!
Connect with people on social media.
Connect with people on social media. Social media is a great way to connect with PR pros and other professionals in your field. It can also be a great way to share your work and get feedback from others, so keep an eye out for opportunities that arise during the course of everyday life! Here are some ways you should be using it:
Share your work. Do you want to know what PR pros want? They’re always looking for content they can use as part of their pitch or presentation materials. The best way to do this is by sharing what you’ve created on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram (among others). You may find someone who has been looking for something similar but hasn't had any luck finding it yet—or even better—you might find someone who wants more information about what you offer!
Ask questions about topics related specifically towards public relations too! This could include anything related directly towards careers such as getting into college programs or internships/full time jobs etcetera.. You'll want start by asking questions like "what college classes should I take?" Or “how many years should I spend working before getting hired full time?” Etcetera..
Be genuinely curious about what other people are doing, and use your networking brain).
When you meet people, be genuinely curious about what other people are doing. Don’t just ask them how they are and then move on to talking about yourself.
Instead, use your networking brain (your ability to think about how others see the world) and ask questions about their work and interests outside work. Here are some examples:
What do you do? (this is the first step)
How did you get into that field? (tell me more!)
What makes your job fun/challenging?
How have you advanced in your career so far?
What has been exciting recently in your company or industry?
Ask these questions because they will help you learn something new from each person!
Conclusion
Remember, it’s all about showing genuine interest and getting to know people on a personal level. If you do these things well, you’re likely to meet some new friends that can help you succeed in your career.
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