The Colab Brief - 116: TTPD - The Tortured Publicists Department 🪶📜🤍

We thought it would be fun (and a bit cathartic!) to pull back the curtain on what it’s like being a publicist. It’s not all glitter and spotlights—although a little sparkle never hurts, right? 🌟

It’s a non-stop adventure that keeps us on our toes. Imagine coordinating a worldwide tour for multiple clients across different industries, but the tour never ends, and the audience is the entire media landscape. 🌍🎤

So, grab your backstage pass, and let's get an insider’s look at the high-octane, coffee-fueled world of public relations. Trust me, it’s as chaotic as trying to pick a favorite song from The Tortured Poets Department—nearly impossible, but the process is always entertaining!  ☕️🎶

Let's get the show on the road!

Read Time: 2 minutes. 

I Can Fix Him (No Really, I Can) 🕊️

The most challenging part of pretty much any gig, but especially public relations, is dealing with the wide variety of personalities you can meet over a long career in comms. You have to be adaptable and willing to flex as you coordinate conversations between all different types of people. 

Most PR people I’ve met are fixers by nature. We like a challenge and don’t shy away from getting a bit creative to solve an issue. So whether it’s a demanding CEO or a prickly journalist, part of the remit includes being able to wrangle (and mediate) between every Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus. 

The Clock Resets Every Fortnight 🕰️

You can have the absolute best week - securing top-tier interviews and landing major publications, but the shelf life for PR success is short. While every hit matters, consistency is critical. So even with a fantastic week under our belts, the clock resets every Monday. 

The drive keeps us motivated—it’s never a dull week in the world of public relations. There is always another story to tell. 

The Prophecy 🔮

Working in PR can sometimes feel like you’re trying to see into the future. While years of working in the industry can help seasoned pros have a good indication of what will land and what won’t, in truth, no one knows until the pitch goes out. Sometimes, the softest angles will hit a reporter just right, and frequently, what seems like “news” just doesn’t quite meet the mark. 

That’s why being agile, switching up flat angles, and being hyper-specific in your targeting are important tactics when it comes to landing media mentions. 

Florida!!! 🌴

It doesn’t matter if you’re on vacation or it’s the weekend; the news cycle never stops! This is especially true for those of us who work in crisis comms - you just never know when something major is going to hit. The excitement is part of the allure - there is nothing quite like the rush of effectively managing a tough situation. 

Despite the demands that come from a career in the comms field, the excitement of getting a response to a well-crafted pitch and landing your client in a great story makes it all worth it. There is always something new to learn, someone new to meet, and a unique angle left to explore. It’s one of the most engaging careers, especially if you’re looking for a fast-paced gig that is never the same day-to-day. In this line of work, each day is a blank page, offering fresh lessons in the art of storytelling and opportunities to connect with new faces from all walks of life.

PR  isn’t just fast-paced and ever-changing—it’s a stage for those who revel in the spotlight of challenge and like making a visible impact with every project. 🌟

Until next week - 

🚨 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

Our fearless leader, Lizzy Harris, is now a published author! She recently wrote Midnight Max and the One More Uppy Song, a children’s book that follows “Midnight Max” and her nighttime journey.

If you have a child, know one, or just want to support a new author, you can preorder it here.

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