Editor’s Note: This article is a repeat as part of our countdown of last year’s top stories.
Adapt quickly and continually learn are essential to a successful public relations career.
You are reading: Books for public relations
Whether you’ve been out of school for two years or 10 years or are completely self-taught, you need to keep up with industry trends and continue to hone your craft. Consider these 10 books on public relations, from tomes on the profession to works that can help you sharpen your technical skills.
check out the list below and add them to your kindle wishlist:
1. “contagious: why things catch on” by jonah berger
This new york times bestseller tries to explain why certain products and ideas go viral.
Wharton marketing professor and author Jonah Berger argues that, contrary to popular belief, advertising is not what makes something popular, but rather the secret science behind word of mouth and the social transmission of advertising. ideas. This book provides a set of practical techniques to help spread the word, perfect for any public relations professional hoping their story will catch on.
2. “everyone writes” by ann handley
Author Ann Handley believes everyone is a writer, whether they’re posting on social media, publishing a blog post, or crafting a media pitch.
In his guide to creating “ridiculously good content,” he offers lessons and rules that apply across all digital platforms, from websites to blog posts to emails and more.
3. “spin sucks: communication and reputation management in the digital age” by gini dietrich
Known throughout the industry for running one of the world’s most popular PR blogs (and one of our favorites), gini dietrich has compiled all the cutting-edge tips and tools for ethical and effective communications she’s learned in a practical guide for business leaders and public relations professionals.
In his book, you’ll learn how to share your story more powerfully, humanize your organization, create new content, and more.
4. “the new rules of marketing and public relations” by david meerman scott
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Our digital world creates a new set of rules for professional communicators.
In this book, David Meerman Scott shows you how to harness the power of online communication, including how to use it to speak directly to customers and build lasting relationships with those who make your business tick.
5. “Writing Tools: 55 Essentials for Every Writer” by Roy Peter Clark
old but good, roy peter clark writing tools distilled more than 30 years of experience in journalism, professional writing, and teaching into a series of short essays on different aspects of writing.
Although not necessarily published as a public relations book, Writing Tools has become a classic for writers across industries since its original publication in 2008. Get your copy of the 2018 refreshed edition, which includes five tools never shared before.
6. “the business of persuasion” by harold burson
Lauded as the “must-read book on public relations,” The Business of Persuasion is an entrepreneurial memoir from the 96-year-old founder of Burson-Marsteller.
In its pages, readers will learn what public relations really entails through personal and professional examples.
7. “The Little Book of Great Public Relations: 100+ Quick Tips to Make Your Business Stand Out” by Jennefer Witter
A successful PR professional can help a business grab the attention of potential customers and build brand credibility, and this book helps give eager communicators the tools to get there.
Written for small business owners and entrepreneurs who haven’t mastered the art of public relations, this book still has plenty to share with beginners and experts in the field, from how to craft the perfect speech to tips for dealing with reporters.
8. “known” by mark schaefer
Perfect for PR professionals looking to make it on their own, “Known” is a collection of case studies, exercises, and personal branding stories from some of the world’s most successful people spanning industries like banking, education, fashion and more.
Although not necessarily written for PR professionals, “known” provides a path to establishing a personal business and experiencing success in the digital age.
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9. “social media: marketing strategies for rapid growth using facebook, twitter, instagram, linkedin, pinterest, and youtube” by john williams
In today’s digital landscape, a list of industry works without mentioning social networks would be missing an important piece of the puzzle.
williams tells readers how to increase fan following on social media and strategies for telling brand stories in a way that engages audiences, making it one of our favorite public relations books.
10. “on writing well: the classic guide to writing nonfiction” by william zinsser
Another work that isn’t necessarily a public relations book, “On Writing Well” has been praised as a book for anyone who needs to learn to write or improve their craft.
zinsser offers the fundamental principles as well as the experience he has gained throughout his distinguished career as a writer and teacher. As one of the most powerful tools in any public relations professional’s arsenal, writing well is a valuable resource for improving skill and increasing effectiveness.
*bonus* the ap style book
Did you really think we’d go through a list of books for public relations professionals without mentioning the classic ap-style book?
PR professionals need to think (and write) like journalists, which is why the ap stylebook is a must have on every communicator’s desk.
what are your favorite public relations books?
jessica lawlor is the features editor for the muck rack blog and manages the content initiatives and social media for muck rack. A version of this article originally appeared on Muck Rack, a service that lets you find journalists to feature, create media lists, receive press alerts, and create coverage reports with social media data.
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This article originally appeared on pr daily in 2018.
3 responses to “10 books every public relations professional should read”
I just finished contagious and loved it! it was really enlightening and easy to follow. I liked how the premise is supported by experiments, making it a scientific way to understand your audience’s feelings and desires. I follow him with the elephant in the brain, thinking that the two will fit very well. thanks for the great list! I’ll review some of these below.
… and also… the global PR revolution – http://www.globalprbook.com, among the best sellers in new PR releases on amazon.com.
an eleventh book, and much higher than the eleventh on the list: the bible. not because it’s a nice thing to do, but because the book is one of the best guides to having good public relations and winning them over.
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