As a student I have always needed to write papers that needed a certain amount of words or be a certain amount of pages. Now that I am going into public relations, that philosophy has screwed me over. I have spent years trying to figure out how to make my papers and essays longer to reach a teacher’s requirements by stringing together long sentences and paragraphs. However, writing for public relations is the exact opposite.

Writing for public relations is different than writing an essay or writing a book. In public relations you need to be short and concise with what you write. Even though he wasn’t talking about public relations at the time, Mark Twain said it best, “If I had more time I would have written less.” I love this quote because it is perfect for public relations writing.

When you are writing press releases, media advisories or anything in public relations you need to get rid of the fluff. You need to write very tight and concise in order to make sure your message reaches your audience in the way you want it too. Journalists and media desks get flooded with press releases or pitches and do not want to have to read fluff, they want to know the 5 W’s and how. If you give them fluff, they won’t read what you wrote and they might “blacklist” you.

Even though at the time, Mark Twain didn’t know it, he was giving great advice for public relation professionals. Whenever I write anything, I always go back and see if I can make my message more concise. When you do this and read over your work, you realize how much better it sounds and how much easier of a read it is.