Public relations (PR) professionals at all levels in industry are required to have solid writing skills. This is because PR professionals are responsible for putting together communication materials which are intended to influence the attitudes and/or behaviours of key members or groups in the public.
Many employers need candidates for public relations positions to finish a writing test as well as provide a writing sample in order to demonstrate expertise in this skill. This means that it is critical to comprehend how to craft effective messaging through written communication.
A professional communicator
As professional communicators, it is required of PR people to develop content, that is accurate as well as compelling, on behalf of companies in addition to organisations. In fact, the ability to be a good writer perhaps the most important skill needed to be a great PR professional. Yes, being able to pitch media and cultivating online relationships in this social media world are also key components to success in PR. However, without good writing skills neither of these tasks can be successfully accomplished.
Here are a few of the many materials and messages that PR professionals have to write:
- Press/News releases
- Fact sheets
- Feature articles
- Social media messages
- Blog posts
- Speeches
- PowerPoint presentations
- Brochures
- Media pitches
- Statements
- Website messages