Recently, I was introduced to the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and in a few days I watched all the episodes that are on there. Binge watching, yes that’s what it was. I submerged myself in the story and faced difficulties to stop without seeing it through to the end. I felt as if I was part of the story. That compelling feeling to follow through is all me in Public Relations; a Publicist.

This was initially intended to be my first post, but here it is as my second, after all, who made the rules about blog posts topics anyway? Of course, my inspiration for the title is clear and this is one of my mentions in my first blog post. I have 13 Reasons; a mix of why I chose the field, why I do it and why you need Public Relations.

Here goes:

Passion – I absolutely love everything about communicating and there is a genuine connection between who I am and what I do.

Fun/Excitement – In PR you are never bored. There is always something happening to keep you on your toes. If this is not the case for you, then something is fundamentally wrong. No two days are the same.

Unique Interactions – You never know who you are going to meet next but you should always be prepared. The field allows you to share the same space with unique personalities; some may or may not be in your field.

Creativity – It is key…Let me say it again…Creativity is Key, in my opinion. You have the opportunity to think out of the box.

Learning – A few years ago, social media was not a thought, for many to be able to utilize platforms meaningfully, learning had to take place. In a fast-paced and highly competitive industry like PR, changes are always occurring and we must be able to adapt. Learning is much more enjoyable when it is in a field that you love.

Stalking – Yes, I said stalking and I am saying it proudly because it isn’t the type that leads to you catching a case *laughing*. You are able to witness conversations about your client’s brands, spot opportunities and sometimes gauge what journalists and the media require without them asking.

Over-Analyzing – When I began entering my adult years, one “complaint” from my friends always was the fact that I over-analyzed everything. Who would have thought that the same “complaint” would be a trait that I would boast of years later? I honestly do think through all possible scenarios and weigh pros and cons…every time

Quick Thinking – My constant over-analyzing has allowed me to be quick on my feet. Quick thinking is a requirement and there are times in PR when a crisis may arise and you must be able to assist in outing a few flames here and there.

Teamwork – If you are not a team player then this is not the correct field for you. I have worked along so many persons in the past as part of a team and I know it would be the same in the future.

Maintaining Relationships – Relationships are mandatory for PR to work. We assist clients in maintaining positive interactions as much as possible with their publics. It is also important to maintain relationships with journalists and media houses.

Storytelling – We are storytellers armed with the skill of persuasion. Really, the goal is to gain support and recognition through interactions. I am not talking about mistruths here but the ability to share happenings

Endless Possibilities – You never know what doors will open; the possibilities are endless. Actually, I recently secured a client while attending a workshop, I added points to the discussion on PR in the Music Industry and viola!

Being Yourself – I have always been able to be myself as a publicist, it is what works for me. I do not advise that you try to pretend to be anyone else to secure clients, eventually, they would figure you out.

That’s it for me, my WHYs are out. What industry are you in and what are your WHYs. Feel free to share them in the comment section.

I am an unconventional, out of the box, sometimes frowned upon Entertainment Publicist.