Staying Up to Date While Avoiding Information Overload
Published on June 11, 2019, at 12:39 p.m.
by Emma Bannen.
It is crucial for public relations professionals to keep up with the latest news (in the industry and beyond) and trends. But with newsworthy happenings popping up every second, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. Here are a few options to help you stay informed about what’s important while filtering out the noise.
Read
If you’re like me, you probably start your morning by checking email (and maybe sneaking a peek at social media) on your phone in bed. Email news summaries are an easy add-on to that routine.
One of the most well-known email subscriptions for news is theSkimm. Geared toward young women, this daily email pairs hard-hitting, need-to-know news with a conversational, snarky tone that will keep you hooked — even if the subject doesn’t.
For something more specific to PR, check out the Skinny on PR by PR News. Each week, you get helpful tools in your inbox to develop your PR skills. Additionally, PRWeek has a wide variety of options to keep you in the loop about top stories for PR professionals.
There are endless email newsletters on any subject you can imagine. Try searching your communications sector (sports, finance, etc.) plus email newsletter. Check out this blog for even more general news options.
Listen
If you don’t have time to stop and read your news highlights, try a news podcast. It couldn’t be simpler to listen to current top stories while you get ready for the day or during your commute.
The Daily, a podcast by The New York Times, gives you the top stories in 20 minutes or less, five days a week. Yeah, That’s Probably an Ad by AdWeek gives a communications perspective on the latest trends.
Listening to any podcast is also a great way to bolster your storytelling abilities. Some popular podcasts include This American Life, Stuff You Should Know and Serial.
In the age of technology, it’s easier than ever to wade through the wave of news. Use these tools to be an informed PR professional, without being bogged down by an overwhelming amount of content.
