Communications is an incredibly fast-paced field. That means that young and seasoned practitioners alike are constantly having to adapt their skill sets as our craft evolves.As the communications industry continues to change, these are some of the key skills/specialties we see as key to communicators:Marketing Analytics: The ability and necessity to measure results in a digital environment is stronger than ever. By understanding how to think about and interpret data, communicators need to be able to draw inferences and understand trends by providing insights based on what they observe.For us here at SHIFT, it's a key part of what we mean when we talk about data-driven PR; in fact, it's the driving force that led us to seek out and attain Google Analytics™ Certified Partner status. We view the future communicator as someone who is able to effectively blend the art and science of PR to be able to counsel clients with facts and insights as well as experience and intuition.Visuals: Traditionally, communicators have been trained in writing. Interviews, profiles, employee updates, press releases - all are based on the written word. The digital age requires that the communicator be a better storyteller in a variety of media, and that includes visuals. Video, photos, infographics and the like are necessary in a mobile and digital world.Find photographers that you respect and study their craft. Read forums and blogs related to the visual media that you're interested in. Find a creative director who can act as a mentor. While you may not be able to create your own infographic at the end of it, you'll begin to have a better eye for visuals and will appreciate the intricacies of storytelling with fewer words.Coding: A strong understanding of the technical side of the profession is helpful. While the communicator doesn't necessarily need to know how to code (although some basic HTML is certainly helpful), they should understand the basic elements of coding and building sites and apps so that they can make recommendations and help clients be able to navigate the trickier waters.Again, there are many resources out there such as Code Academy, Code.org, Khan Academy, or resources from Google such as HTML5 Rocks or Google Developers University Consortium.Social: Without a doubt, social is a key element in anything digital today. But more than understanding how to use the platforms, it is helpful to understand the offerings to brands, how paid promotions fit in, and how to build an effective program that includes social from the beginning, rather than adding it on after the plan is fully developed.Go further than simply using each platform; make yourself a student of the changes that are happening each week, whether it's the latest change in Facebook's algorithm or the newest social media format. Staying one step ahead of this for clients and for your business is essential - not only to keep your team tactically nimble, but because the communications executive should have a strong understanding of industry trends in order to effectively act as a strategic counsel to leadership.Strategy: Speaking of strategy, this is probably the most essential skill - and it's the one that many younger communicators ask about. "How can I learn strategy?" is a common question, usually in response to a manager saying, "Be more strategic!" The challenge is that strategy is a vague term that may take on different meanings to different people. Indeed, it's very common to see strategy and tactics confused, when one has to do with short-term results and activities (tactics) and the other is concerned with long-term goals (strategy). If you don't have goals, then it's very difficult to think strategically.Communicators should have a keen knowledge of external market forces, competition, customer desire, business units outside of communications or marketing, and how they all come together. As you may have inferred, learning about strategy is more than reading a book or a blog post; it takes time and experience in your field. But as you begin to absorb the facets of strategic thinking, always push yourself (and your team and your clients) to focus on the why first - rather than on the how.The good news is that for the curious and the life-long learners among us, it's never been easier to expand your communications skills. There is a wealth of information available at your fingertips (including an email subscription to the SHIFT Communications blog) and you're surrounded by colleagues who are sponges for information.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
