Reaching Out to Other Communications Pros for Help

n the media industry, as in many other industries, it can be difficult to find allies. By cultivating mentors and industry contacts early in your career, you can make it easy to find communication advice. Whether you're a new graduate or an experienced professional, a professional community can be a valuable asset.

For professionals in the communications industry, corporate secrets and strategies are often heavily guarded. Companies go to great measures to conceal everything from search engine optimization to upcoming campaign secrets. When it comes to general communication advice, however, many media professionals are happy to share their wisdom.

When you're seeking communication advice, it is important to choose your sources wisely. The easiest way to get solid advice is to find mentors in the industry. There's no need to choose just one; instead, look for multiple people who can help you in different areas of your career. That way, you can go to a different mentor for different types of communication advice. According to a recent article from the Australian Businesswomen's Network, when a mentor cannot provide specific advice, he or she will be able to tell you where to find solid information.

If you don't have a mentor, you can seek out other industry experts who are willing to provide community help to other communications professionals. As you consider potential sources of communication advice, choose wisely. For obvious reasons, avoid asking advice from people in competing companies. Instead, seek out the media or communications directors who work for your trusted vendors, past employers, or longtime clients. The existing connection can make it easier to broach the conversation. Plus, by approaching someone with existing knowledge of your industry or company, you can increase your odds of getting helpful advice.

In some cases, it can be uncomfortable to reach out to another industry professional without an existing relationship. If you don't know any other communications professionals, networking events are an excellent place to start. Because they're designed specifically for professional relationship building, networking evenings make it easy to meet people from a variety of industries. Once you build connections, you can identify people who will be able to provide relevant advice. As you network, be up-front about your goals. In doing so, you can avoid wasting time on unproductive relationships.

For people who work in the media industry, mentors and networks are valuable assets. Whether you're looking for advice about salary negotiations or you need to know how to handle a tricky client situation, other professionals can give you valuable tips. By seeking out community help from people in your area, you can build connections and get communication advice that will make it easier to navigate your career.

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