Adapting quickly and learning continually are essential to a successful PR career. Whether you’ve been out of school for two years or ten years, staying up to date on industry trends and continuing to hone your craft is important. There are hundreds of books professing unique knowledge of the PR industry, but only a handful are truly worth exploring. So here are some books worth adding to your library, whether you are new to PR or an established professional.
THE NEW RULES OF MARKETING AND PR – David Meerman Scott
Digital Marketing has introduced us to many effective tactics like SEO, social media marketing, blogging, etc. The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott, now in its 8th edition, is a must-read for all PR professionals. This book is a compilation of all the latest social media trends and high-tech platforms that can develop your marketing and communication skills. It provides everything you need to speak directly to your audience, make a strong personal connection, and generate attention for your business. It has sold over 400,000 copies in twenty-nine languages and is an international bestseller.
ROGUE ELEPHANTS: ONE PR GIRL’S FIGHT THROUGH THE HUMAN JUNGLE – Jane Hunt
This book is helpful for students and those contemplating a career in PR. Rogue Elephants: One PR Girl’s Fight Through The Human Jungle is an autobiographical account of the author Jane Hunt’s career spanning three decades. It highlights the ups and downs of life in PR, with many funny moments and bizarre encounters. It sees her launched into a career in in-house PR while faced with substantial personal challenges. With a peek into the decision-making and the day-to-day implications of life in the PR world.
TRUST ME, I’M LYING: CONFESSIONS OF A MEDIA MANIPULATOR – Ryan Holiday
Hailed as “astonishing and disturbing” by the Financial Times and “essential reading” by TechCrunch. Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by former American Apparel Marketing Director Ryan Holiday predicted the rise of fake news. In the book’s first half, he explores the current media landscape and how it can be influenced, while the second half delves into the consequences of those actions.
HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE – Dale Carnegie
Finally, while not exactly a PR book, How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a classic that will teach you many things about public relations. Written in 1936, this book sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, a masterpiece in the science of human interactions. Sometimes people forget the “relations” part of Public Relations. This book emphasizes that you should genuinely be interested in people and listen to them intently. It gives you tips, including always remember the name of the person you’re talking to because this is music to their ears. Lastly, it teaches you to always put yourself in the other person’s shoes so that you can feel and see things from their perspective.”
