3 PR lessons learned from experience in broadcast media

It’s often referred to as “going to the dark side,” but the switch from broadcast journalism to PR is about as common as putting a press release on the wire. With transferable skills, it’s not surprising that many journalists eventually gravitate toward PR, which offers regular schedules and higher salaries—but the industries are very different and the transition isn’t always easy.

I personally made the switch after nearly a decade working as a reporter, anchor and producer in local TV news markets across the country and can attest to the fact that the transition is intimidating. But after checking my ego at the door and absorbing PR tactics and terminology like a sponge, I can honestly say it’s the best career move I’ve ever made. My day-to-day might be wildly different from my days in the newsroom, but there are lessons I learned in broadcasting that are relevant to the work we all do in PR.

1. Highlight visuals.

In broadcast news, there is no story without visuals. If someone agrees to an interview, but doesn’t feel comfortable going on camera, you find someone else to interview. While the standard isn’t as strict for print and digital, it still applies because media is a visual medium.