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Public Relations · Published March 16, 2019

Ronn Torossian
Founder & Chairman, 5W

Soft skills necessary for PR pros

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When you think of successful set of skills required for a career, the first things that come to mind are research, writing, visual storytelling and analytics. Usually a degree in public relations or communications or something similar will equip you with the necessary hard skills so that you are adept at the rules and technical skills required to perform your job at a PR firm. Then there’s soft skills that you can’t really learn in a classroom. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are intangible and difficult to measure. However, in a people-centric environment like public relations, soft skills are just as essential for a success since the PR industry is built on the ability to establish strong relationships with the public, clients and the media.Here are some of the soft skills that are necessary to excel in PR:

Attention to detail

As a PR professional, you’re writing press releases and you’re behind building the brand’s messaging. As a representative of your brand, attention to detail when it comes to what you put out to the public is absolutely critical. If you make a mistake, people will notice and point it out. When you’re sending out pitches to journalists, it’s important that your pitch is accurate and error-free.

Team player

PR professionals work alongside various teams, organisations and industries. Being able to effectively work with people across a range of professionals is necessary to be successful in PR. If you want to improve this skill, then look for opportunities in both your personal and professional life to work alongside a team.

Problem solving

PR involves a lot of problem solving. There are times when you need to be creative to come up with solutions to different challenges. Working in PR also involves responding to crisis situations, which requires the ability to think on your feet and come up with approaches that work.

Adaptability

PR is a constantly evolving and industry, involving changes in technology, PR tactics and approaches, and trends. It is extremely important to be able to embrace change and adapt so that you don’t fall behind. If you can’t keep up with the changes, then it may present problems as other professionals and firms will be ahead of the game.

Relationship building

A PR practitioner needs the capability to build strong relationships based on trust. Having a solid professional network enhances your value and allows you to do your job more effectively. Mastering the art of relationship building requires a multitude of other skills, such as the ability to communicate well, reliability, trustworthiness and the ability to deliver what you promise.

Time management

The job of a PR professional is usually dynamic, as they find themselves doing a range of different tasks everyday. Responding to emails, crafting press releases, pitching to media, pitching to clients, social media management and staying on top of the news are just some of the things PR professionals do during their work day. Therefore, it is essential that a PR practitioner is well organised and has strong time management skills so as to not lag behind.  
Ronn Torossian

Written by

Ronn Torossian

Founder Ronn Torossian Ronn Torossian Founder & Chairman, 5W Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W , the AI Communications Firm. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States, with senior practitioners serving corporate communications , consumer brands , technology , financial services , health and wellness , beauty , gaming , crisis communications , and public affairs . Under his leadership, 5W defined AI Communications, building brand authority across ChatGPT , Claude , Perplexity , Gemini , and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, GEO, and influencer channels. Industry Recognition 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s , Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards , Grand Stevie Most Honored PR Agency, a Ragan Top Place to Work in Communications 2026, Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year, and a PRovoke Top 50 Global PR Agency. Torossian has been recognized with the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Research Franchise 5W’s research franchise has become an industry reference for measuring brand visibility inside AI-generated answers, including the AI Visibility Index Series , The GEO Reckoning , The Missing Rung Report, and the 5W AI Power User Study , which identified a 99-point AI favorability gap. Crisis Communications Torossian is one of the world’s foremost crisis communications experts. He has counseled blue chip companies, public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, high-stakes litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. He has taught crisis communications at Harvard University . Media & Commentary Torossian appears on CNN and CNBC . He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer , and his commentary has appeared in the Wall Street Journal , Entrepreneur , Adweek , PRWeek , and O’Dwyer’s . Published Work Torossian is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. Owner and Publisher, Everything-PR Network Torossian is owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network , an independent intelligence platform covering public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across 30 publications. Everything-PR is editorially independent from 5W, with published editorial standards and ethics standards . The network is one of the most-cited sources inside ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini for PR and marketing queries. He is also an active investor and advisor, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) , and serves on nonprofit boards. Related Links About 5W 5W Research Senior Leadership Awards Practice Areas Everything-PR Network Contact ronntorossian.com Frequently Asked Questions Who is Ronn Torossian? Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W, the AI Communications Firm, and owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States. When did Ronn Torossian found 5W? Ronn Torossian founded 5W in 2003. Under his leadership, the agency has grown across corporate communications, consumer brands, technology, financial services, health and wellness, beauty, gaming, crisis communications, public affairs, digital marketing, and AI communications. What is Ronn Torossian’s current role at 5W? Ronn Torossian serves as Founder and Chairman of 5W. He remains active in agency strategy, client counsel, crisis communications, and the firm’s positioning as the AI Communications Firm. What is Ronn Torossian known for? Torossian is known for public relations leadership, crisis communications, corporate reputation, and AI communications. He has counseled public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. Has Ronn Torossian written a book? Yes. He is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. What awards has Ronn Torossian received? Recognition includes the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider’s Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Where does Ronn Torossian publish his writing? He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer. His commentary has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Adweek, PRWeek, and O’Dwyer’s. He appears on CNN and CNBC. What is the Everything-PR Network? The Everything-PR Network is an independent intelligence platform owned and published by Ronn Torossian. It covers public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across a network of publications.

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