The turkey’s been eaten, the gifts put away, the tree unceremoniously dumped outside. We’re now firmly back into the world of work and Christmas seems like a dim and distant memory.

It’s that time of year when many of us turn our attentions to the year ahead and drum up some new year’s resolutions to see us through the months (okay…. weeks) ahead.

Aside from the usual personal goals – lose weight, drink less, floss daily – what are your work New Year’s resolutions? The team at Clareville have come up with a few aims for PR professionals to adopt in 2015:

1. PR PR!

Our industry continues to get a bad press. Champagne swilling spin doctors – that’s not us! Let’s aim to ensure a better understanding of our industry – how we work and how hard we work. It’s about more than parties you know…..

2. The written word

Content needs to be compelling to achieve cut through. When a journalist receives hundreds of press releases a day, how can you make yours stand out? Given how critical compelling content is these days, writing well is a fundamental PR job requirement. However PR isn’t about blasting information. Appreciate your audience. Listen to what they have to say and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Not only will it help fine-tune your brand’s strategy, you’ll actually be able to better deliver what your customers really want.

3. Become More Visual

Content matters but graphics are also key! The popularity of the likes of Instagram, Pinterest, You Tube, Facebook and Twitter to be visual-friendly shows that people want to be enticed by graphics, not necessarily words. A striking photo or interesting infographic can elevate a story.

4. Read, read, then read some more

Understanding the latest trends and stories in and around clients’ industries can provide unique insights into key publications and hot topics. It’s a crucial way to put a client a step ahead of the competition.

5. Stop!

About to press send on that email? Stop! PR is a fast-paced industry, with opportunities coming and going in minutes. This can cause PR folks to work faster, but not necessarily smarter. Before pitching a client’s news, take a brief moment to stop and think. Is this something that would interest that particular journalist? Will your pitch grab their attention? Is the selected outlet right for the client? A few minutes reflection before hitting “send” can mean the difference between a great win for the client and an angry reporter rebuking you for your pitch.