Have you seen the show Flack? Ever think of pursuing a real-life career in PR? What does it take to succeed in PR? What are the different forms of Public Relations? Do you have to have a college degree in PR? How can you create a highly lucrative career in PR? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Public Relations Pro” we are talking to successful publicists and Public Relations pros, who can share stories and insights from their experiences.
As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jeannelle “Jae Monique” Douglas.
Jeannelle Douglas, known to many as Jae Monique, is a dynamic presence in the content marketing world. As the co-founder and CEO of Brandstormr, a boutique digital marketing agency, she brings a visionary approach to every project, making waves in the industry.
Jeannelle’s expertise goes beyond content creation–she’s a master at generating media coverage, crafting powerful pitches, and building strategic relationships that elevate her clients’ visibility and brand awareness.
Her creative journey spans a wide array of industries, from travel and entertainment to healthcare and smart home automation. Jeannelle’s knack for tailoring content to connect with diverse audiences speaks to her versatility and deep understanding of the digital landscape.
Before launching Brandstormr, Jeannelle co-founded Pitch Vault Media, a public relations agency that blossomed into PVM Magazine. This online platform became a go-to source for entertainment, music, lifestyle, and news. One of Jeannelle’s standout contributions was creating “Her Lounge,” a special section dedicated to spotlighting trailblazing women in various industries. This initiative reflects her passion for amplifying women’s voices and celebrating their achievements.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you for having me! My journey began as a content writer, working with outlets like Examiner.com and The Hype Magazine, where I got to interview some amazing celebrities and public figures. Over time, I realized that I was just as passionate about promoting the people I wrote about as I was about writing itself. A close friend noticed this and encouraged me to explore the world of PR. Taking their advice — and following my own instincts — I made the leap into PR, and I’ve loved every minute of it ever since.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company?
I would say the most interesting thing that happened was when I landed my first story in a media outlet. It was a big deal for me at the time and I was excited to see that a client I was representing was able to get their story noticed.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
A mistake I made when I first started in PR was writing media pitches that were just too long, instead of getting straight to the point.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Creativity: Creativity is a must. You need to be able to think outside of the box and come up with innovative ideas to thrive.
Builds Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets is important in the PR industry. Having these relationships paves the way to securing top-tier features for clients.
Ability to Adapt: You have to be willing to adapt in the PR industry. Various situations and challenges can happen at any time and you should be prepared to respond quickly.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I’m working on HER lounge, which I launched earlier this year on PVM Magazine, which is a media outlet that I co-own. HER Lounge puts a spotlight on women who are shaking things up, breaking barriers, or inspiring others.
Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. For the benefit of our readers, can you help articulate what the different forms of PR are?
Media relations
Social media
Crisis management
Event PR
Community relations
Where should a young person considering a career in PR start their education? Should they get a degree in communications? A degree in journalism? Can you explain what you mean?
I would recommend earning a degree in public relations or a similar field such as marketing, communications, or journalism. There are other alternatives to pursuing a career in PR such as earning certificates in public relations or media relations. You can also gain hands-on experience by taking on a few internships. While earning a degree or certificate builds a great foundation, nothing beats hands-on industry experience.
You are known as a master networker. Can you share some tips on great networking?
Social media can be your biggest ally when it comes to networking. Linkedin is a great platform to use to network with other like-minded professionals and to connect with journalists. Joining PR Facebook groups is another way to amplify your networking and build relationships.
Lead generation is one of the most important aspects of any business. Can you share some of the strategies you use to generate good, qualified leads?
Word-of-mouth referrals are among the most powerful forms of generating good leads. Content marketing is another strategy that works well for lead generation. One way to do this is by publishing blogs that are both informative and engaging. Posting quality content is a great way to draw in potential clients.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your opinion and experience, what are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Public Relations Pro” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)
1. Communication skills: You must be able to communicate effectively and make sure your message is clear.
2. Think outside of the box: There’s no hard and fast rule. Be creative and innovative with your PR strategies.
3. Adapt: PR is an evolving industry and PR pros need to be able to adapt to changes. Some of those changes could be new strategies and tools.
4. Build relationships: Relationships are important in the PR industry. You’ll need to build relationships with members of the media such as journalists, editors, reporters, and podcasters.
5. Be open to learning: A willingness to learn will take you far. Since the PR industry is always growing and evolving, you need to be willing to learn about the latest trends, tools, and platforms.
Because of the role you play, you are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I could inspire a movement, it would be free childcare for working parents. Childcare is expensive and most people can’t afford it. In many two-parent households, one parent works while the other parent stays at home with the children to avoid the high costs of childcare. Free childcare will empower parents to pursue their careers without worrying about the financial side.
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