Entry 02

5 Ways to Stand-Out In Entertainment As a Minority Woman in PR

 Image Source: mlashellphotography.co

By: Alanna Hall

Beginning your journey in PR can be challenging and scary, especially as a minority woman, this industry can be cutthroat! According to prsa.org, only 10 percent of PR professionals in the United States are African American, and of that number, the amount of Black women are even smaller. It is important that the industry diversifies, and we see more Black female PR professionals breaking ground in different industries within PR, especially entertainment. But don’t worry sis, I got you! In this article, I will be telling you about 5 different ways that you can make your mark in entertainment PR and use your cultural experiences to help you stand out amongst your peers and get that entertainment PR job you’ve been working so hard for.

Being a Black female professional in PR, it is likely you will have to assert and position yourself differently and more precisely than that of your White counterparts. Diversity within entertainment PR, is prevalent in creating a space where fresh ideas can flourish and projects such as media kits, blogs and content creation will be met with consideration of all cultural backgrounds, and allow for Black voices and ideas to be heard. This industry cannot be deemed proficient when more than 90% of PR professionals are White and 70% of those, White women. This means that the key messages being put out to consumers, has a higher chance of being one-sided culturally, idealistically, and more. So now that we understand why having Black female PR professionals is so important, let’s get right into these tips to help YOU thrive in the workplace.

1.    Don’t Be afraid to engage and expand your network.

Have you ever heard the saying it’s not what you know, it’s who you know? That applies in this industry. Having a strong team of mentors and contacts on your journey to becoming a successful PR specialist is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your success, as mentioned in this article about the importance of networking in PR. This is a field where collaboration is key.

2.    Make sure all your social media includes links to your LinkedIn and Resume.

In today’s climate, social media presence is EVERYTHING. It is imperative to have your email, resume and LinkedIn profile in your bios because you never know who is watching. You could potentially miss out on an opportunity if you do not put yourself out there, and I mean ALL the way out their sis. It may seem excessive to have your professional links everywhere, but it is quite the opposite! It shows that you love what you do and are proud of your accomplishments and are open to new professional ventures. But most importantly, having links in your bio can optimize your website improving SEO, and assert you as trustworthy in your field.

3.    Be confident in your appearance.

As a minority in PR, do not be discouraged to be yourself. You do not have to conceal your culture to be seen as professional. You can still rock your natural hairstyle, or your bamboo earrings shaped as afro picks, with your pleated suit or knee-length dress. In the entertainment industry, it is important to stand out and bring positive attention to yourself and one way of doing that is representing your culture and exuding confidence and positivity.

4.    Learn how to identify constructive criticism.

This tip to help you thrive in the workplace, is pivotal and quite sensitive. Being a Black woman in PR can be difficult and come with many challenges. It is important to be aware of potential profiling and/or misconduct, but you do not want to be defensive when it isn’t warranted; that will have adverse effects on you trying to elevate in a White-dominated profession.

5.    Content, Content, CONTENT!

I cannot stress how important this step is in being a successful minority in entertainment PR. The best way to show how amazing you are, is through the work you’ve done. It shows your journey, your growth, and the corporations that have entrusted you with their businesses. This is the most important part of your brand and your website and is the only thing potential clients and employers must base your candidacy off before actually knowing you.

All in all, you got this sis. After reading this article you are ready to go out into the entertainment PR world and make your mark. As a minority woman in this industry, you will have some challenges and making yourself known and asserting your authority as a professional, but it is not impossible. Engage your network, link all your social media accounts with your resume and LinkedIn, you are a minority in entertainment, and you better own every bit of it! More importantly, learn how to respond to constructive criticism, but also know when you are being wronged in the workplace. And last but certainly not least, building your content is so important. You want to make sure your content speaks the most volumes when anyone is viewing your portfolio.

If you want to learn more about how to assert yourself as a minority in entertainment or are looking for a PR professional to help you set trends and thrive in the workplace, follow me on LinkedIn and send me a message or message me on Instagram! You can also send me a message through my website on the contact page, for professional inquiries.