Welcome Back

I'm ashamed to admit that I've been neglecting my blog. Fortunately, it's because I'm so busy with work these days that I just haven't had the time. I'm hoping to make more of an effort moving forward.

PR today has changed drastically from when I started in the business. I remember my first few months working at Dan Klores Associates (now Dan Klores Communications). We used to fax press releases! As an assistant, I would have to come in to work an hour earlier to put out a press release via fax so that it's in the newsroom before 9:00 a.m. 

That was way before e-mailing press releases were in vogue, and I welcome how far we've come technologically. Although, it was certainly a helpful social situation sharing one fax machine with other assistants sending out press releases. What a way to get us through the morning. 

These days, I just upload a press release to PRWeb and call my reps over at PRNewswire and set a time for the news to hit. I'm confident that these services will widely distribute the press releases before I even step up to the computer. And, unless I'm working with specific reporters/editors who request personalized e-mails with the news, I tend to sit back and just wait for the hits to keep coming. It usually does and, with an account at Burrelles/Luce and Lexis Nexis I'm in the clear. 

Back in 1998, if I knew there was a hit in a newspaper, I had to literally track down the hard copy, provide a credit card number, and wait for the clip to make its way to my tiny cubicle desk on 28th and Park Avenue South. Today, I just print out a scanned version of the clip for my clip book and then forward the same copy via e-mail to my clients.

Yes, technology today certainly helps a PR professional's life. That being said, I loved everything about learning the business when I did. It made me the professional I am today - scrappy, aggressive, goal oriented and driven. All the things you want when you hire a PR consultant.