What’s In Your PR Handbag/Briefcase?

I had the pleasure of speaking to my friend Linda Jacobson’s PR Principles class at my alma mater last Monday. After the discussion, I went to go get my keys – and had lost them. This isn’t a surprise – my handbag is so big, that best friend Brad tells me I don’t need to carry mace, as the size and amount of stuff I have can be considered a lethal weapon.

Being me, I crack jokes in awkward times and make it a show. I proceeded to dump my entire handbag out on the desk and quip that it was a “typical PR pro’s bag.” That got a laugh, but also questions about what every PR professional should carry on them.

Three Things in a Typical PR Pros Handbag (or briefcase for my PR men)

1. Planner – I live and breathe by my planner. It’s color coded and everything. Why that may sound ridiculous, I have meetings, projects and multiple clients to keep up with. I have events to attend, networking to do and friends to see. Being detail-oriented and organized will help you to go far in this field.

2. Business Cards - You never know who you’ll meet, or where you’ll meet them. Having these on hand will help the person you’ve connected with to remember you. Whenever I get a business card, I always write down something on the back so that I remember them. Want to get ahead in this field? Start building those connections. Make sure that your social networking sites are listed on there.

3. Sewing kit/Shout wipes - The sewing kit? I snag clothes all the time. Buttons fall off occasionally. I might have a traveling closet in the trunk of my car, but I can’t always change quickly. If you have meetings after lunch, what do you do if you spill on the front of your button down? Being presentable at all times will help give you a positive attitude and be a professional on the outside. Your smarts and drive will continue the foundation you laid down by being presentable.

So, what’s in your handbag or briefcase that’s vital to a PR professional?

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This entry was posted on November 16, 2009 at 8:46 am, and is filed under PR verbage, public relations, relationships, social media, tone. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

BGleas

Something to add that I learned from my first boss, especially if you work with celebs (was working in the NBA at the time), always carry a regular pen and a sharpie. You never know when the "talent" is going to need to write something down or sign something.

Also, if you're holding a press conference or long interview, always have a bottle of water handy or know where you can get some water quick, whether it's for a celeb or even an executive doing an interview for your company. They'll definitely appreciate it.
laurenfernandez

I like the idea of carrying a pen or a sharpie around. Even if you aren't working with celebrities, what if you're in a meeting and your laptop dies, you have a pad of paper but no pen?

The only thing I'd caution on water is if you're in an interview - no celebs - that it might cause you to have to excuse yourself and make you even more nervous. Try to hydrate throughout the day.
BGleas

Definitely good points Lauren. A pen is crucial, my former boss used to stress to have a pen on hand at all times. On the water, the person being interviewed usually just sips it to stay fresh and not get dry-mouth while talking so much, but it's a valid point. You never want your client, exec or celeb appearing nervous.
Laura Novo

For me, a small notebook is a must. You never know when you'll need to jot down some notes at a networking event; a great idea for a future blog post; or a reminder to do something later that day. Great post and cute bag :)
laurenfernandez

People really understate the notepad - it's great to be able to whip it out and just jot down a couple of notes. What happens if the person doesn't have a business card on hand? You need to be able to write down the information.

I love the bag - it's a vintage Chanel.
Jackie Adkins

Like Lauren, I also like to have a notebook with me so that I can take notes, write down a quote, or scribble down some good ideas before I forget them. When I'm carrying around my messenger bag (which is usually when I'm going anywhere out of the office for work), I like to have a digital camera or my Flip cam with me just in case I stumble across something that's worth sharing later.

I'm always interested to hear what people's "weapons of choice" are when they're out and about for business.
laurenfernandez

Never would have thought of a flip camera! What a great idea to take that around.
kennethlim

Ha, I always get laughed at for my sewing kit, but it came in handy the other day when I had to mend my jacket.

Some of the stuff I also carry around (that might not be PR-specific, but are practical nonetheless):
- USB flash drive
- notebook w/ pen
- extra pens!
- spare plastic bag
- some mints (sometimes also some granola bars if I'm gone for the day)
- tissues

When traveling, I also bring:
- power adapters (for UK/Euro or US/Euro)
- laptop lock
- spare ethernet cable
- mobile harddisk
laurenfernandez

Right? People make fun until it actually comes in handy - I've sewed back on a lot of buttons and ripped seams before going into a client meeting.

I really like your list - very concise and everything is great to have.
Kelly Misevich

I thought I was the only one who had a sewing kit.

Contents in my bag include:
- two flash drives (one empty, one full of current projects)
- notebook
- sewing kit
- Tide to Go pen
- Listerine tabs
- Planner
- Business cards
- Band-aids (shoe choices have proven these to be a purse staple)

I like BGleas idea of the bottle of water.
BGleas

Thanks Kelly! A bottle of water for the celeb or executive you've set up interviews or a press conference for is one of those little things that can go a long way.
laurenfernandez

You are not alone! I think I wouldn't travel without one - I am always ripping something. There is no reason to go into a meeting or presentation with ripped clothing.

The bandaids are a great idea - especially at tradeshows. Blisters galore.
Kristina Allen

I'm the same as you Lauren, I carry my color coded planner (plus all my colorful highlighters so I can add new color coded entries on the go), business cards, a tide-to-go pen and I'll add the following to my list

-a pencil and fifty billion pens (black, blue, ball point, thick, sharpie pen, sharpie maker)
-iPhone
-glasses
-hand sanitizer (I want to shake your hand, but I don't want to catch your on-coming swine flu!)
-purse size perfume bottle (smell is everything; if I don't like the way you smell I may never talk to you again, so I'll assume it's vice versa, haha)
laurenfernandez

Ohh.... good point on the han sanitizer! I think its always a good idea to wash your hands and use sanitizer before heading to an event or a place where you'll be shaking a lot of hands.
allekristina

oops, posted twice.
Karrie

My phone is my planner, but I still carry pens and notebook. I also learned early on to carry granola bars. (Some of these clients just go-go-go and I'm a gal who needs her protein!). Unscented hand cream because travelling can leave your skin dry and no one wants to shake a dry, cracked hand. And yes to the sewing kit - just recently I stitched a button back onto a co-worker's blouse in a cab. A day in the life.. ;-)
laurenfernandez

Good idea on the snacks... you never know how long your day is going to be and if you'll be able to actually sit down for a meal. Clients come first, and that extra energy boost can help you 100 percent support them.

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