It is back-to-school season and you know what that means…you’re busy (and probably stressed) going through your child’s checklist to get ready for the first day of school. While you’re in this back-to-school, super-organized mode, why not dedicate some of this energy and prep for your own professional development? Set a good example for your kids by completing your own PR checklist to ensure you’re ready to go “back to school” this fall when your clients’ events and media pitching are in full swing after the summer lull.
Here is our back-to-school checklist for PR pros:
- Finish your summer reading list – stop throwing those PR Tactics issues in the “read it later” pile. It’s time to dust them off and catch up on the latest PR/marketing trends. Just think, you may even learn a new trick or two.
- Review the course syllabus for the year – your “syllabus,” the editorial calendar, is something PR pros can’t live without. Be sure to check and see what editorial coverage is on the horizon while following up with those journalists you haven’t spoken to in a while to see what they’ve got in the pipeline. You never know, you might score a new media placement.
- Buy school supplies – stop procrastinating! Do your research and buy that new media tracking or social media dashboard monitoring tool you’ve been talking about for a while now.
- Update your school directory – yes, I’m referring to those dreaded media lists. It’s time to revisit those lists and scrub them clean of any outdated contacts or media outlets that have folded. Don’t forget to “hit the books” (or Google for that matter) to find new outlets and contacts to add to your lists.
- Check in with the “PTA” – and by PTA I don’t mean the parent-teacher association. I mean the association of public relations professionals, otherwise known as PRSA. Surf the PRSA website, connect with colleagues all over the U.S. and read up on new case studies and other insights that have been published. You’re sure to get some fresh, new ideas for the “school year.”
- Do your homework –sharpen your writing skills for the fall course load. Spend some time reviewing AP style additions, SEO trends or even how to write better copy for your press releases, marketing collateral, etc. One of my favorites is Wylie’s Writing Tips. You’re sure to pick up a few pointers.
This post was contributed by Leah Ekmark.
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