Skills required for Mass Communication Professionals

by Delhi School of Communication Mass Communication + Post Graduate Diploma Program

Becoming a Marketing Communication professional requires a wide range of skills. By definition, Marketing Communication is the process of integrating marketing and communications, using various tools of communication - to create and build corporate and/or brand image spanning business and media.

Marketing Communication, therefore, includes not only Marketing, Research & Communication theory but also Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Entertainment Management, Film Production and other related subjects.

Career success in this broad spectrum will depend on other critical skills, apart from technical knowledge.

Here are some pointers to build your Career scope:

• Build Communication Skills. Apart from learning about verbal/non-verbal communication, you need to polish your language (here, playing word games/Scrabble and Cross-word can help). Also improve grammar in all your communication. Build a habit of reading, comprehending what you read and build speed in focused reading. Time your reading capability. Editing skills must be acquired.

Apply the 6 Cs - be Concise, Complete, Courteous, Correct, Considerate and Clear. Avoid repeating the same issue. Be succinct – get to the point.

The communication must answer the 5Ws and 1H – Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

Who – whom is the communication for?

What – what is the key issue of your communication or plan?

When – time period for being considered.

Where – where is the action taking place?

Why – the need for this communication?

&

How – how will you communicate?

• Develop basic Power Point (ppt) presentation skills. Remember, there should not be more than 4-5 words per slide and each point should not be more than 3-4 words. The impact must be “powerful”, with a high recall.  Also, the font should be consistent for headline and other subject lines. Support your ppt with graphs, tables, pictures. Use appropriate background for the slides, depending on the subject.

• Hone Multi-tasking skills. Many entrepreneurs assume that multitasking is the best way to increase productivity. So, make it a point to brush up your Analytical skills and your Creative Thinking capabilities.

Learn to analyze situations or problems critically. Develop the ability to “think-through” issues. Learn to identify the problem, grasp key issues of the problem. Think & integrate your knowledge, interpret available data w.r.t your expertise while arriving at various alternative choices. Look at and use your resources effectively, while making the final decision. Learn to read graphs, pi-charts, tables and analyze & interpret data required for your day-to-day operations.

Make sure you build your strategic creative thinking ability. Firstly, it’s important to think ‘out-of-the-box’. This is going to single you out and also keep you ahead of your colleagues. Also learn some basic software’s, useful for doing simple office work. Understand the effect of colors, design and emotions in communicating messages.

If you can multi-task, you should also be able to adapt to various situations, and upgrade your performance!

• Be aware of Body Language in a positive, expressive manner. Keep the smile on; a tired, lazy body will project a negative image. Stand tall, firm & confident and be confident of your subject matter. Dress professionally. Avoid jazzy jewellery & noisy shoes in the office. For gentlemen, a black outfit requires black shoes and brown outfit, brown shoes.

Dressware should be comfortable, gently appealing, yet sobre. Official party dress should also be elegant, graceful. Eventually, your clothes should not come in the way, while you work.

All official dressware should be suitable to the industry & the occasion. Find out from friends and colleagues what color, form & styles suit you and build such a wardrobe.

• Build strong relationships. Become a people’s person, a team player, and eventually develop strong leadership qualities. Build a strong emotional quotient and strengthen existing relationships. Remember, as Lord Krishna said, “Friendship sustains all relationships. Be empathetic & sympathetic. Help & be-helped with care and respect”.

Also, start networking and build your network from now. For, you can never say when someone can help you out!

• Pick up negotiation skills, for only then will you win the battle. In your communication keep in mind: - Communicate your critical issues with firmness

- Listen to the other party’s thoughts

- Propose a win-win situation

• Prioritize your work on a monthly/weekly/daily basis and confirm, re-affirm your schedule with concerned parties. Communicate these to your superiors. Always return office calls immediately or leave suitable messages.

• Acquire soft skills. Be Positive, Self-motivated, Proactive, gently Assertive, Focused and Self-disciplined.  

• Update yourself continuously. Upgrade your knowledge base; be aware of what is happening in the industrial environment. This will definitely keep you competitive.

• To conclude, be open to learn-unlearn-relearn and evolve in a holistic manner!

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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