3 reasons every PR person should learn HTML & CSS

HTML_tag

Over the weekend a few of my fellow Hodgers and I attended an HTML & CSS Coding Bootcamp held by the awesome folks at 804RVA. One of the great things about working at THP is the Js’ (our nickname for Jon and Josh) generosity and propensity for encouraging us to learn new skills, attend workshops or just to pursue things that interest us. So when a group of us expressed interest in attending the bootcamp and learning more about coding, they happily obliged.

Through the course of a Saturday, Cameron, Kelsey, Greg and I learned enough HTML and CSS to put up our own basic webpages. I now know how to make headers, insert images and links, change the background color and font style of a webpage, and I even know what a “div” is!

We learned some valuable skills with very practical applications for our work in PR. For those of you thinking about dipping your toes into the world of coding, I highly recommend it. And if you’re unsure if it’s for you, or why you’d need these skills in PR, maybe these reasons will convince you:

PR is about communications, most of which takes place online.

We wouldn’t be able to reach you on this very blog you’re reading without HTML and CSS (shout out to our own Tony Scida for building and maintaining the Hodges blog). We use platforms like WordPress and MailChimp to write blogs and send out newsletters that communicate our clients’ messages all the time. And while those platforms make it super easy to build a piece of content using their ready-made templates and tools, your content is infinitely more customizable with HTML and CSS skills. Also, you can fix small issues (broken links, space breaks, image or text resizing, etc.) on your own without having to call in your expensive design and development vendors.

Stop getting lost in translation.

Speaking of vendors, sometimes our job requires us to work with design and development agencies on behalf of our client. Having a working knowledge of how websites are built helps us speak their language and makes us better stewards of our clients’ messaging and vision when we can communicate more effectively with them. It also helps us set expectations and better communicate the process with the client.

“I don’t want to get left behind.”

This was Cameron’s apt response to the question “why are you here?” as we were conducting introductions in Saturday’s class, and I couldn’t agree more. Our industry is very much based in a digital world and we’re going to need to keep up. Even just 10 years ago, we didn’t need to worry about things like making a press release web and SEO friendly, let alone being able to insert digital media like a YouTube video or images into a blog. Who knows what even the next 5 years will bring, but like Cam, I certainly don’t want to be left behind.

Saturday’s class was a great introduction to coding, and I plan on continuing to learn more by using a mix of online resources and asking those who know more than me. If you have any tips or online resources to share I’d love to hear—drop me a comment below.

(Image by Markus Tacker on Flickr.)

Paulyn Ocampo

Since joining THP in 2008, Paulyn has helped execute strategic plans for clients like AMF Bowling Centers, Allianz, Tridium, Silgan and The Peterson Companies. A Norfolk native, she earned her undergraduate degree in mass communications, with a concentration in public relations from VCU.

Read more by Paulyn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to receive our blog posts by email