What running has taught me about public relations

During the last couple of months, many of us at Hodges have caught the running bug. (If the opinion piece that ran—pun intended— a few months ago in the Wall Street Journal, Ok, You’re a Runner. Get Over It. resonated with it you, this might not be the blog post for you.)

Here in Richmond, The Monument Avenue 10k is kind of a big deal and this year almost half of our office will be running it—look for us wearing some cool shirts on the day of the big race!

As I’ve been training for the 10k myself, I’ve been reminded that there is advice that makes sense for both beginning runners and those starting out in PR:

• Define your goal(s)—Before you start, determine what goals or benchmarks along the way will make your campaign—or race—a success.
• Develop a plan to follow—Once you’ve determined your goals, create an actionable plan to ensure that you reach them. I joined a 10k training team that provided me with a detailed plan and training schedule to keep me on track.
• Take the time to learn the basics—You wouldn’t run a long race without a good pair of shoes, would you? The world of public relations is always changing and there is always something new to learn, even at the most basic level. One such example is Facebook’s recent change to their algorithm. Stay up-to-date on changes and trends in the industry by attending workshops and presentations or by joining a professional organization like PRSA.
• Don't give up—If your media relations efforts (or race training methods) aren’t panning out, be persistent and re-group; brainstorm new ideas and angles.
• Celebrate success—When the campaign is over and you’ve reached your goal—we’ll call it crossing the finish line—do something to celebrate. Here at THP we hit the gong!

Have any advice for recent graduates just starting their PR careers? Or have any advice to the Hodgers running in The Monument Avenue 10k? Share in the comments below.