Confidence Really is the Key
As cliché as it is, it’s true— especially in public relations. Confidence might come more naturally for some than others, but knowing yourself, your work and your worth is something anyone going into public relations needs to learn to do. Employers, coworkers, and clients need to know you believe in yourself before they will believe in you. It’s something I’m still ingraining into my brain, but with these tips, anyone can do it.
Fake it till you make it
This is a big one. As a student, I’m still learning about the world of PR daily, and know I do not know it all. However, that doesn’t mean I need to act like I don’t. I might not understand all of the jargon I hear or always know the best way to tackle a project but acting like I do has proven successful in giving me the confidence to be successful. There’s no room for self-doubt in the field of PR- we’ve got bigger things to tackle.
Be assertive
Women tend to be labeled “bossy” when they communicate powerfully, even though men communicating the same way are seen as “leaders.” This word has a negative connotation to it, but that doesn’t mean we should stop being assertive- don’t let this label scare you! Communicating with confidence is the first step to having others take you seriously. Use a strong voice, organize your thoughts before you speak, and keep the ‘you know what I mean?’s and ‘maybe’s to a minimum. Public relations may be dominated by women, but everyone needs to remember to speak with confidence.
NEVER say “This isn’t my favorite idea” or “My idea sucks”
This is similar to my last point, but don’t do it. Ever. If you present your idea and begin with this it immediately makes your audience ready to agree with you. They discredit your work, even if it’s truly a good idea. Have confidence in all of your ideas, and if it turns out to not be the best idea, then just know...
Rejection is ok
Not every idea is going to be the best, and you won’t please everyone. And that’s ok. This can apply to anything, from getting a bad grade on an assignment to one day at your job getting told your strategy for a client isn’t good enough. When this happens, ask for feedback. Take note of whatever (hopefully its constructive) criticism you receive, but never take it to heart. Give yourself a little pep talk, take a break if you have to, then learn from the situation and move on to the next task at hand.
Confidence isn’t something you will get overnight, but the more you put these tips into practice the more you will gain. Hopefully, now that you have some pointers, you can go into the world a little more confident in all the great skills you have.
About Kylee:
Kylee Reinert is a junior at Grand Valley State University, studying advertising and public relations with a minor in psychology. She is an Account Associate for GrandPR and a member of Grand Valley’s PRSSA chapter. In her free time, Kylee enjoys exploring Grand Rapids and its many coffee shops, spending time with friends and family, and listening to music.