2 Rs, 2 Ls and 2 Fs

As I mentioned earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with University of Minnesota students Wednesday night. I talked to them about how I got started in public relations and what I like about my job. I then talked to them about the 2 Rs, 2 Ls and 2 Fs. Let me explain.

The 2 Rs:

Writing

Reading

The 2 Rs are the most critical and basic skills of public relations in the traditional sense. The first R actually starts with a W, but no one at the meeting seemed surprised when I told them that they need to understand how to write.

Just as important is to have a good, well-rounded library of magazines, books and newspapers that you like to read. Read everything and read always.

The 2 Ls:

Learning

Listening

Learning is an essential component of any PR practice. Whether you are working in a corporation or at an agency it is critical to understand the products you are selling and it is very important that you have a teachable heart.

As I told the students last night, "you may think you know everything, but there is no way you are as smart as you think." Well, at least that has been true for me anyway. If I only had a dollar for every time I was wrong!

A close colleague of mine shared that listening is a skill that is often over looked. Often we are so excited to share our amazing ideas that we forget to listen to what our customer really wants. If you want to be successful learn to listen.

The 2 Fs:

Failure

Fun

Failure is part of life and failure is part of any successful career. You need to take risks to succeed and when you take risks sometimes you fail. I mentioned above that I wish I had a dollar for every time I was wrong, what I didn't say is that I have two dollars for every time I was right! The idea is to try and succeed more than you fail. Learn from your mistakes and then capitalize on them and make it better next time.

Having fun! If your not having fun you need to find a new job. Of course in every job there are going to be days that suck, but try and find a position where you are having fun more often than not.