Can journalists make good PR pros?

How easy is it to jump from journalism to public relations?

Some argue that it’s simple, while others say that it’s nearly impossible. Journalists do face some unique challenges when they want to make the leap to PR. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

One of the major pros for journalists making the leap to public relations is that they understand how reporters work. This means when it comes time to send in a press release or work with a TV station, they’ll know what to do. Often, they also have contacts they can call on to help them get in the paper or on the news show.

Another advantage reporters have is that they know how to write. While this sounds a little strange, many PR pros neglect the art of perfecting their writing. Journalists spend all day doing this very thing, so when it comes time to knock out a press release or write the perfect tweet, they have what it takes.

One major thing reporters have going for them is the ability to decipher what qualifies as news. Often, companies will try to send out non-news as major events. The reporter will be used to seeing such nonsense come in the newsroom, and can kill it before it goes out the agency door.