What Does "Creativity" Mean in the World of PR?
Creativity can mean a variety of different things to different people, but what does it mean to be creative in the world of PR? Being creative in public relations can involve a multitude of things, but below I have listed some aspects that I believe to be the most important.
#1 - Thinking Outside the Box
Being creative in the world of public relations involves thinking outside the box and standing out from a crowd. Doing the same thing as everyone else can become boring and static. Creativity in PR is always changing so being creative and thinking of new, innovative ideas allows you to stay ahead of the competition, which can in turn be very beneficial and important when promoting an image or brand and working with a client.
#2 - Solving Problems and Communicating Ideas
Being creative in public relations means that you can solve problems, communicate ideas, add new perspectives, and tell stories. The message you portray is essential when it comes to PR and the brand with which you are working. Remember that when coming up with new and exciting ideas it is also important to make sure you are conveying an idea or story in a clear way. You don’t want to have any disconnect or confusion between concepts. For example, you wouldn’t title a blog one thing and write about something completely different, or design a logo and have it not relate to the company you are creating it for.
#3 - Keeping Your Audience Captivated
Captivating your target audience is also a huge part of the creative process of PR. Being original but also keeping your audience engaged and captivated is an important skill to have in the world of business. Keeping your intended audience as well as your client happy and staying ahead of the game all at the same time can be challenging, but is not impossible. Being a graphic design major, I have experienced difficulties when it comes to thinking of new ideas and satisfying my professors’ criteria. I have learned that not every new idea or concept will work and it is okay to fail a few times before the final product is produced.
#4 - Being Creative in all Aspects of PR
Creativity is important in all aspects of public relations. For example, event planning, writing, social media, design, etc. all involve a creative process. How you put on an event or what you post on social media requires an innovative thinking process. Therefore, no matter what side of public relations you are a part of, it is crucial to remember that your job is just as important in the development process when it comes to promoting and portraying a brand as the next person’s job.
Creativity can be used in numerous ways and can mean something different to everyone. Whether you are designing a new graphic for a company or posting on social media, just remember to let your creative juices flow and have fun with it!
About Taylor
Taylor Zagrzebski is a junior at Grand Valley State University majoring in graphic design. She is a new member of GrandPR and is excited to learn what the world of public relations has to offer in the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. In her free time, Taylor enjoys watching Netflix, going to movies, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.