Birmingham journalists are facing tough times in the industry. Some are already out of work, while others are working harder than ever while facing budget and job cuts.
One option: public relations.
Washington blogger Lori Russo shares her ideas in a post called “Helping Reporters Out … In a Different Way” on her All Thoughts Considered blog. Russo worked previously as an assignment editor and sports producer at a Baltimore TV station. Now, she serves as vice president of Stanton Communications, a PR firm.
She lists attributes that journalists possess that would make them good PR practitioners:
- Blinding Flash of the Obvious – You Know the Media
- You Know the Anatomy of an Interview
- You Know How to Sell an Idea
And she writes:
For journalists (or soon-to-be former journalists) looking to launch new careers, the field of public relations is a logical place to begin. Having made the transition from television to PR 10 years ago, I can confirm that there is a great deal of cross-over between the two industries and that a journalist’s skills translate very nicely into PR. We’re all storytellers – we just happen to be on different sides of the curtain.
If you’ve made the jump from journalism to public relations, let us know how it’s gone for you.