Originally published in January 2017. The personal experiences and client examples below reflect that time.
When I tell people I work for a PR agency specialising in technology, I often get puzzled looks. First, because some people still seem surprised that a woman finds IT interesting, and second, because they cannot imagine what makes it enjoyable. Let me explain why PR for IT companies is, for me, the best job in the world.
1. Communicating about innovation
During a placement at a generalist PR agency, I sent out a press release about a new European lottery. The “news” was that it was Europe’s largest lottery and still had tickets available. When I called journalists to ask why they had not covered it, their responses were furious. They asked me to stop bothering them or offered to transfer me to the advertising department. I hung up feeling thoroughly deflated. That day, I decided I never wanted to do PR for brands or messages I did not believe in.
That brings me to the first reason I enjoy PR for IT companies: innovation is a fascinating subject to communicate. Almost all our clients are driven by technology, usually developed to make people’s lives easier or better. That is something people can relate to — and something they want to hear about.
As IT PR professionals, we connect clients with the outside world through reviews, blogs and press releases. An additional responsibility, and one that makes the work challenging, is translating complex technical language into something everyone can understand. To do that, I have to keep learning the terminology, which brings me to my next point.
2. Continuous development
In some jobs, you might eventually feel that you have learned everything there is to learn. That is never the case in PR for IT companies. Technology keeps developing, so you have to keep up.
At the time of writing, working for Microsoft meant continually learning about subjects such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and developments in cloud technology.
3. Technology journalists are great to work with
You might think I am only saying that to flatter them, but I mean it. Understanding technology takes a sharp mind. I am not as technically minded as many technology journalists, yet they are people with whom you can have informed, engaging conversations.
You can also build strong relationships because you often work with the same people at a publication. At a generalist agency, the variety of clients may mean approaching a different group of journalists each time.
Put all that together and being a PR consultant in the IT sector is my dream job. Could it be yours too? Get to know Progress Communications and contact us to ask about opportunities.
What are you waiting for?
Marieke
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