Firstly, how does this helps your PR works? Let us try to look at the words 'Public Relations'. Literally, it means the relationship with the public. With a good social network, one's task could be achieved far more easier and faster than one whom have to start everything from zero. The simplest theory - no man is an island. Especially when it comes to PR, you need to build good relationship with the media people so they would (hopefully) be more friendly to your nagging calls, with a good relationship with people such as a CEO of a shopping mall, you can get venue for your events with even a discount for it, or perhaps people are attracted to your events simply because they buy your smile :)
What is the difficulty in that? "Being good in socializing is easy! I will just talk to people!" Yes, you are right, this is in fact the very first step. I am sorry to say that in my opinion, people who often feel shy or scared or for whatsoever reason to take the initiative to speak to people fail in PR. Actually, being good in socializing is somehow still a natural instinct, not everyone feels comfortable in communicating with people especially with unknowns or public. You might be able to learn at least to talk to people with appropriate manner but not until you try too hard and the situation become awkward right? Think about it, being a good PR practitioner, it will come to such extent that you have to smile to people when you are not in the mood, your friendliness has to be equalized with your patience, and sometimes, you have to suck up to people even you hate him/her so much.
These are all the criteria I see from my head of department and colleagues. One of my colleagues is a 50 years old woman. Frankly, she doesn't have a good working experience and her English is not that good. But she treats everyone in the hospital (from the cleaners to the receptionists, medical staff, to the admins) very good. She says hi to everybody, she offers them help and food, and she doesn't mind making coffee (you know there is always this culture whereby employees are supposed to make coffee for their boss) for anybody in the office.
Eventually, she becomes very welcomed by people in Mawar and plays an important role for PR department in Mawar. When Mawar organizes charity events to raise fund for the kidney patients, she actually get the most sponsors/donors compared to the others. When it comes to getting goods or stuffs, catering food for any events, she will be the one appointed to the job because she knows a lot of people and she has a good eloquence. She demonstrates me exactly how taking initiative to socialize with people does help our work to be done more efficiently.
So now I hope everyone sees how socializing actually helps to get your work of PR done much easier than you expected. Let's get it started today, just practice with a smile on your face first :) See you guys!
