Monday, August 4, 2014

Embracing the Title of “Social Media Guru”

I’ve heard it multiple times from many aspiring PR professionals.

With a grimace on their face and often a caffeinated beverage in hand, numerous individuals have told me the story of their internship supervisor assigning them monthly Twitter schedules, Facebook “likes” analyses, and so on.

It gets even worse.

I have often heard (and even experienced first-hand) the all-too-common occurrence of a family member thinking that a PR professional’s job revolves only around social media, and because of this, they expect you to teach them everything there is to know about every social network available.

I completely understand a person’s aversion towards being known as the “Social Media Guru”. There are many other facets of PR that you may hope to master, and although social media is significant, it is often the first thing people associate with PR.

However, it is crucial to remember that social media is very important.

Along with press releases, PR plans, focus groups, and more, social media is an integral part of PR as a whole.

Oftentimes, when a company first enlists a PR agency to help increase its business and outreach, the first thing the PR professionals assigned to the client will do is analyze their social media presence.

Mastering the art of social media will make you a valuable member of any team you join and any job you fill.
Believe it or not, there is an art to social media. Knowing the best times for reaching people with your posts and well as knowing how to craft a client’s brand through the use of social networks can lead to great advancements in a person’s career.

The bottom line is, being known for you talents with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on will only make you a stronger professional and will help you develop your resume.

At your next family dinner, embrace the title of “Social Media Guru”, because if you have the chops to hold that crown, you should embrace it!

How do you feel about social media and its importance in PR? Let us know in the comments below!

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