Ben Elder is a communications pro that believes everyone involved in the industry should realize the true "Tao" of public relations and communications. Elder, who has been in the industry for five years, is the Senior Communications Specialist for Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation is the sovereign working government of the Cherokee people. The tribe is federally acknowledged and consists of more than 290,000 Cherokee residents. The capital is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Elder attended Oklahoma State University where he received his Journalism and Broadcasting degree. At this time, he is in the process of obtaining his Masters of Science in Strategic Communications from Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. His professional background ranges from doing contract work for the Worlds Fair in Edmond, to working full-time in the music industry. He has been working for Cherokee Nation since 2007 and is the head of the strategic communications for the cultural tourism department.
There are many skills that are required in the field of public relations and communications. "This profession is all about reading people and picking up on verbal nuances and patterns," Elder explains. "That's the key to being a great communicator." There will be many types of people a professional will communicate with every day, therefore it is important to meet the communication approach of those you work with. Another major skill that is very beneficial in this area of business is knowing how to work with the Web. In Elder’s words, “If you are savvy on the Web, you are an immediate asset to your organization.”
As for advice for future PR professionals, reading and writing every day is crucial, according to this communications expert. Ben Elder gave an insightful look into the public relations industry with information and advice that could help any PR practitioner in the making.
No comments:
Post a Comment