You Are Your First Client

Before launching the PR Woman, I looked at other blogs almost obsessively. I took a good look at the design and tone of each page. Some blogs were extremely serious while others were casual but still informative. I knew then that I wanted the PR Woman to be informative but easy and enjoyable to read. I selected a target audience – the people I thought would be most interested in reading my blog, and geared my posts towards them – towards you. Without realizing it, I implemented what I learned in class. I am my first client, and the PR Woman is my brand.

Suited-up for the second day of my
PR internship

You may be scratching your head and wondering, do I need a blog in order to build my brand? Not necessarily. Take on the challenge of perceiving yourself as your first client and consider the following:

• Are you on social media? You can focus on the ones you find most appealing. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are just some to consider.
• If you are on social media, what’s your tone? Are you all business or all personal? Avoid inappropriate language. Remember, potential employers may take a look at your profile. It is up to you to make yourself presentable. You don’t have to be all business. Twitter accounts that focus solely on links are bland. DKNY’s PR Girl does a great job at balancing both – she’s professional but also opinionated. This adds personality to the brand she represents.
• If you’re thinking of launching a blog, do you know what your focus will be? It’s important that you know what you’ll be writing about. Deciding may take a while, but it’ll be worth it when you’re able to direct others to work you are proud of.
• If you’re a blogger, what can you do to improve your blog and readership? Is your website easy to navigate? Is it easy to find? Don’t be afraid to ask your readers or conduct a small survey. Connecting your blog to your social media by using the same or similar usernames throughout is also helpful. People will recognize you across platforms.

How are you preparing for a successful career? Share below or send me a tweet @thePRwoman.