World PR Day: Carving a Niche for Yourself as a PR Practitioner
Credit: Women in PR

World PR Day: Carving a Niche for Yourself as a PR Practitioner

Earlier this year, Faith Senam Ocloo contacted me with different PR topics from which I was to choose and speak on for the Women in PR Ghana Twitter Space conversation. I remember telling her, I will be fine with any topic she assigns to me. She came back and asked, "Would you want to handle something around specializing in the financial sector?" That moment was an eureka moment for me. I realized I had built something over the last 10 years that was worth sharing and paying attention to.

As a Public Relations Professional, two unique attributes define you. Your knowledge of the “Science of communication and the Act of communication”.

Through your education and training, you are armed with the "Science" of communication which is derived from all the theoretical underpinnings of the profession; the theories and models that help you make meaning of, explain and predict communication processes such as information processing, social influence, cognitive biases, cultural nuances, the ability to know what to say to which people and at what time among others. The "Act" of communication, on the other hand, is your ability to effectively exchange meaning.

With successful mastery of both the "Science and Act of Communication" , PR professionals can excel in any sector they choose to operate in. The key to success, however, is carving out a niche for yourself. You need to stand out from the crowd to thrive in this dynamic industry.

In this article, I explore some practical steps that can help you define and own your space as you prepare for professional excellence.

  • Identify your area of Interest: While it is important to pay attention to the many functions and sectors that your skills might be useful, identify and define your area (s) of specialization and interest. Public Relations practice is like a tree with several branches. That means you can take any of the PR functions and cone your skills there or you can identify a sector and carve a niche there. One person who has done this so beautifully is the founder of Women in PR. Faith Senam Ocloo has captured the Fashion PR space and is helping brands tell beautiful stories with various PR tools. Focusing on a particular niche allows you to develop deep expertise and become a go-to professional in that specific area.
  • Continuous Professional Development: PR is an ever-evolving field, and staying updated with the latest industry trends, tools, and techniques is crucial. You need to take advantage of professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences and summits like the just-ended Women in PR summit. Attend webinars, read industry publications, follow thought leaders on social media, and join relevant PR associations like the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana , CIPR Qualifications , Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) , and The Comms Avenue to stay abreast with emerging trends. By continuously expanding your knowledge, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and credible PR expert.
  • Build a personal brand: At the just-ended Women in PR summit, most of the speakers: Ivy Heward-Mills APR, MCIPR, MBA , Adedoyin Jaiyesimi , Oluwasola Obagbemi , Gifty Bingley all emphasized the need to build your brand. If you can’t build and tell your own brand story, why will any company trust you with their brand? Crafting a strong personal brand will help you stand out in this industry. You have to define your unique value proposition and communicate it consistently across various platforms (online and offline). Let people know what you are made of and the value you bring to the table. Don’t just focus on putting other brands out there, make room for your brand. If you need to do this by sharing valuable insights, thought leadership articles, volunteering, or even taking advantage of opportunities that showcase your expertise and help you build credibility, DO IT.
  • Develop relationships: The Business of Public Relations is essentially building and nurturing relationships for the brands we manage. You need to build relationships with the right people. Network with industry professionals, journalists, influencers, potential clients etc. Attend industry events, participate in professional communities, and engage in meaningful conversations. By cultivating strong relationships, you gain access to valuable opportunities, collaborations, and referrals that can help you carve a niche for yourself. I recently landed a hosting gig because Joyce M. Sackitey-Ahiadorme APR recommended me to Faith Senam Ocloo
  • Be a problem-solver: Successful PR practitioners are known for their ability to proactively solve problems and provide innovative solutions. Develop a reputation for being a strategic thinker who can navigate complex PR challenges. Cultivate strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and be proactive in identifying potential issues before they arise. By demonstrating your problem-solving abilities, you position yourself as an invaluable asset.
  • Show Results: For people to truly appreciate what you bring to the table professionally, you need to show tangible results. Don't be ashamed to share your wins. Keep track of your achievements and measurable outcomes from your PR campaigns. Let people know how your strategies and tactics have positively impacted an organization's reputation, brand visibility, CSR or crisis management efforts. Sharing your success stories will help you showcase your expertise for immediate or future opportunities.
  •    Never stop learning: As John F. Kennedy puts it "The day we stop learning is the day we cease to truly live.” As mentioned earlier the PR landscape is very dynamic. For you to stay ahead of the curve, you need to embrace a lifelong learning mindset. Take advantage of every opportunity to acquire new skills, stay updated with emerging technologies and be open-minded enough to adapt.

Essentially, you have to work hard to carve a niche for yourself as a PR practitioner. In honor of world PR day, let's take time to reflect and explore ways to make the needed changes. Remember, success in any industry is built on expertise, credibility, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Happy World PR Day!



Dear Reader, thanks for your time. I would love to read your comments and feedback. You may add to the suggestions above. I have intentionally tagged all the names and associations because I want you to check them out.

Love!

Eunice Asantewaa Ankomah, MCIPR, CDFP, Certified IIPS,

Wendy Naa Amerley Amarteifio

Media and Communications Officer

7mo

Insightful, thanks for sharing Eunice Asantewaa Ankomah, MCIPR, CDFP

Patrick Kwame AGBO

Technical Manager at Liezer-Legacy Productions

1y

Glad to see you soaring, go higher!

Like
Reply

We love our girls because we get goals

Faith Senam Ocloo

Fashion PR I Beauty PR I Lifestyle PR | Women in PR

1y

Proud to see! Cheers to seeing you take on the world with your niche.

Benedicta Affram-Mensah

Communications || Social Media Marketing || Content Marketing || Social Media Manager|| Advertising

1y

Very insightful. Thank you for this initiative EUNICE ASANTEWAA ANKOMAH, MCIPR, CDFP

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