Hey there,
In this post, we will be discussing 5 books to read that can help fast-track your PR career. I mean, reading is so essential to our lives as humans and if you are a PR consultant, you need to read! Books are so crucial for your development and growth and they help make you a better person easily. Books teach about storytelling, strategy, people skills and so much more So what inspirational and educative books will I be recommending? Keep reading to find out more:
1. “Made to Stick” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Do you know that feeling when an idea hits right off the bat and sometimes falls flat? This book breaks down the code behind memorable messaging! The brothers provide a SUCCES framework (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories) for making messages stick in the minds of your target audience. The book is apt for PR professionals who need to craft memorable campaigns and compelling narratives that actually resonate with their audience.
2. “Spin Sucks” by Gini Dietrich
You know that thing that is always said about authenticity and transparency? Gini Dietrich clearly points it out in this book! PR is truly about authenticity, and the book draws a distinction between the old-age story of PR pros being spin doctors and how real PR is practiced. It provides practical strategies for building genuine relationships with your audience while maintaining your integrity and executable advice on integrated marketing, content creation, and crisis communication.
3. “Trust Me, I’m Lying” by Ryan Holiday
In contrast to the previous book, this one describes the manipulation that goes on in the media scene. The author shares stories from his career on how news travels in our digital age, how headlines are crafted, and how crises are engineered. It’s the perfect definition of a real behind-the-scenes tour of how the media works, complete with practical insights you won’t learn in any PR classroom. It’ll also teach you how to think like a PR chess master.
4. “Talk Triggers” by Jay Baer and Daniel Lemin
This book explains why some brands are talked about while others are ignored. It reveals how to create operational differentiators that get people talking naturally about your brand or client. The best part is that it contains real-world examples of companies that have mastered the art of word-of-mouth marketing.
5. “The New Rules of Marketing and PR” by David Meerman Scott
The PR game has changed, and if you’re still playing by the old rules, you’re going to get left behind. This book is like the cheat sheet for the digital age! Forget the gatekeepers – learn how to create and share content that speaks directly to your audience. The author dives deep into how to harness the power of blogs, social media, and viral content to connect directly with your audience. Whether you’re pitching to journalists or engaging with influencers, this book will help you navigate the new PR frontier.
Try reading any of these 5 books to help fast-track your PR career, and let me know what you think in the comment section! Your PR and marketing journey is on its path to greatness, just like I highlighted in my post on planning your PR career for 2025, so why don’t you learn and share?
I hope you enjoyed reading this far. Join me monthly on my journey into the PR world, where I discuss challenges, tips, pointers, and wins in the PR career space. See you soon!
Warm regards,
The PR Chic