Flying solo: 5 tips for success in a one-person communications shop

Everybody wants a press release. Everybody’s got a great idea how you should spend your time. Here’s how to stay sane.

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Great! You got the job. But you’ve never felt so alone, working as a one-person communications department.

Executives are demanding press releases for every minor rejiggering of the website or redecoration of the office. Colleagues are requesting time-sapping commitments to their projects. And you’ve got to answer to your boss’s priorities.

If this describes you, pull up a chair. April L. Finnen—a senior health communications specialist for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—and Amanda Changuris—senior social media marketing analyst for Highmark Inc.—offer their wisdom from the trenches.

Here are some tips from their Ragan Training video, “Flying solo: Proven strategies for a one-person communications department.”

1. Wait! Don’t agree to write that press release—at least not right away.

You’re not required to chirp “Sure!” whenever you’re asked to write up a minor development that no news outlet would ever cover.

“It’s all I can do not to cringe now when someone asks, ‘Hey, why don’t we do a press release?'” Finnen says.

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