The trail into the PR career can take many varieties.

Some be part of businesses and in-house groups straight out of school. Others come to the observe from journalism or advertising backgrounds. That’s how Mandy Menaker discovered her love of PR, engaged on a “scrappy” staff that was out to punch above its weight.

It was a profession expertise that ended up serving her nicely, as she led media relations efforts for firms like ClassPass and now’s the director of communications for Orchard, an actual property resolution for patrons and sellers.

Menaker shared her new routine—she joined Orchard earlier this yr—as a part of our ongoing “Day within the Life” sequence. Right here’s slightly of what she needed to say about PR and communications work in 2022:

1. What’s your favourite a part of your morning routine?

Menaker: On the mornings I do business from home, one in all my small delights is selecting my espresso mug. I’ve 20 or so mugs acquired by means of presents and travels, and I like to set the tone for the day primarily based on the mug I select. As soon as the espresso is poured, I’ve a set of slippers beneath my desk and my canine curls up for her morning nap as I sort away.

My favourite a part of my job is messaging, so I save that for mornings. I really like sitting down with a heat cup of espresso and diving into an upcoming announcement or buyer success story. There isn’t a higher strategy to begin the day than specializing in how your services or products has solved an issue and helped to enhance the standard of somebody’s life.

2. Who’s an important individual you discuss to day by day?

Menaker: In my private life, I’m fortunate to have a husband who is a superb sounding board and a mom who’s an enthusiastic cheerleader. Each individuals are there in the course of the good occasions to have a good time and the difficult weeks to assist me get to the opposite facet. I even have a WhatsApp group with a number of of my greatest mates who work throughout totally different industries. They’re unbelievable folks to offer enter after I get caught, and likewise present terrific comedian aid between conferences.

At work, I’m one month into a brand new position, so I’ve leaned closely on my supervisor to get a transparent panorama of the enterprise and the precedence targets to sort out. Nonetheless, a big a part of my focus has been one-on-one conferences with folks throughout quite a lot of departments. The very best story concepts have a tendency to come back from locations you least anticipate, and it’s additionally important as a communications skilled to know all elements of a enterprise. Work can also be much more enjoyable when you’re frequently assembly folks and staying interested in their lives!

3. What’s the largest problem you’ve confronted in your profession?

Menaker: My path to PR was unconventional. I fell into PR organically after working in a advertising division with a restricted price range. We would have liked to get inventive about the right way to get the phrase out, so I started constructing native partnerships, internet hosting associated occasions, and pitching journalists the main points. I take into account that job my scrappy PR begin.

In 2016, I used to be fortunate to have a founder keen to take an opportunity on me regardless that I didn’t have a proper PR background, and I used to be employed to steer comms for a Paris-based startup increasing to the US. I had by no means labored in an company or in-house on a PR staff, and it was a steep studying curve. I learn each article I might discover about pitching and constructing press relationships, and frolicked reaching out to different publicists and communications leaders who had been beneficiant with their time and experience. Google turned my greatest buddy, filling me in on any trade jargon that I got here throughout. I made a number of errors, however I additionally was obsessive about reviewing these moments to know how I might enhance.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to construct a community of unimaginable communications friends throughout a number of industries, and to work on quite a lot of bulletins which have made me extra assured within the work I do. My journey has been humbling, and I’ll all the time make time to get espresso with one other communications skilled who wants assist discovering their footing.

4. What’s your greatest e-book or podcast advice for PR colleagues?

Menaker: I really like We Earn Media, hosted by Britt Klontz and Jackie Lambert. Every episode encompasses a journalist or editor who affords an in depth have a look at 1-2 pitches they obtained that materialized into articles or broadcast segments. The friends clarify why the pitch resonated, and provide tactical ideas for enhancing your personal pitches.

5. What’s your favourite instrument you utilize often in your work?

Menaker: I’m an enormous fan of Muck Rack. I really like that you may seek for a particular phrase to see if a journalist you might be contemplating for a narrative has coated your matter beforehand. Muck Rack additionally has essentially the most up-to-date media database out of any instruments I’ve sampled.

6. Are you in an workplace/distant or each? What do you want (or dislike) about your present setup?

Menaker: Orchard is constructing out a brand-new, 107,000 sq. foot HQ in New York. As soon as this house opens, I’ll be spending two days every week within the workplace and persevering with to work remotely the remainder of the week. I’m thrilled to work at an organization that acknowledges the significance of in-person interplay, however nonetheless offers us the house and suppleness to work from the place we really feel best.

No matter the place I work, I attempt to transfer round a number of occasions in the course of the day. On days I do business from home, that typically consists of frequenting my favourite native espresso outlets for a number of hours between conferences, or spending a number of hours typing from the sofa in order that I’m not stationary at a desk. Within the workplace, I often transfer round, profiting from tech-company workplace perks like bean bag chairs and lounge areas. Shifting my location energizes me, and my creativity and focus are enhanced after I take my laptop computer to-go.

7. What’s one trick you utilize to advertise well-being, make your self really feel good at work?

Menaker: I’ve not too long ago began blockading 45 minutes in my calendar for lunch. Whereas I’m admittedly horrible at taking a lunch break (I normally eat at my desk), I take advantage of these 45 minutes to take my canine for a stroll, do the laundry or make amends for a cheesy actuality present reminiscent of “Love is Blind.” Breaks are important for letting your mind relaxation and seeing issues from a unique approach if you return. 

8. What’s one of the best recommendation anybody has ever given you in your profession?

Menaker: Keep away from checking your e mail very first thing within the morning.

For a very long time, I obtained into an unhealthy sample of checking e mail on my cellphone earlier than I had even left the mattress. The outcome was that even whereas chatting with my husband or having a shower, I used to be already considering of how to answer a journalist or what priorities I might accomplish earlier than lunch. My ranges of stress rose, and I discovered myself inching nearer to burnout.

Now, I’m extraordinarily intentional about ready to learn my e mail within the morning. I attempt to prioritize doing one thing that brings me pleasure, reminiscent of studying a e-book on my Kindle or going for a jog. By spending much less vitality on work after I first get up, I’ve extra vitality to sort out the challenges that come my manner after I log in. I’m additionally happier and extra productive since I solely work when I’m prepared to provide it my full focus.

COMMENT