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Working in Public Relations, Marketing, and Education in the Green Industry

There are so many possibilities when it comes to working in public relations, marketing, and educational advocacy in the green industry.

Public Relations

In regard to public relations, also known as PR, individuals can assist a variety of companies or green campaigns that are in need of exposure. The duty of a public relations manager is to work as a liaison between the client and the media through the distribution of news releases, press conferences and the creation of media kits. They may also handle the scheduling of interviews or be the contact person for media inquiries. Their main goal is to land write-ups or airtime about the ecological product or cause that they are advocating.

Those that wish to work in public relations with a green angle must have the qualities that achieve results: passion for the cause, expertise in the field, good communication skills, and dedication to producing successful campaigns. They must possess keen insight into what angles of promotion would be most successful. With the mountain of press releases that comes across a reporter's desk each day, it is imperative for a public relations professional to craft a media kit or news release that will stand out as newsworthy.

Marketing

Green marketing, which is also referred to as environmental marketing or ecological marketing, usually entails bringing public awareness to products that are deemed to be environmentally friendly. Marketing departments help create eye-catching print display ads or radio and television advertisements in order to help sell their products to consumers. Marketing departments may also help to design printed material, launch a professional website for the sale and promotion of a product, and even help with supplying banners and other promotional items for fairs or tradeshows. Additionally, marketing duties may include assisting with designing the packaging of the green product, which is also an important part of its salability.

Those who work in marketing for the green industry must have skills in writing and communication, along with an understanding of what makes a product stand out to a consumer. They also must balance their zeal for the product with a desire to remain truthful, as misleading claims can result in legal ramifications. The Federal Trade Commission has set guidelines regarding claims made about green products, and an overhaul of these guidelines is expected this year.

Educational Advocacy

Those that work in green education advocacy also strive to bring awareness to the general public about issues involving the environment. This may include creating informative websites about ecological matters, hosting seminars for the general public, and visiting schools to teach children in special assemblies.

A number of cities have education advocacy committees that hold regular meetings to plan ways to educate their community on environmental matters. Not only do these committees reach out to citizens, but also to local businesses and government leaders. One of the largest education advocacy groups is the Delaware Valley Green Building Council in Philadelphia, which is a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council promotes advocacy of green building practices by hosting educational programs and webinars, as well as workshops on how local builders can become LEED certified professionals.

In conclusion, if you classify yourself as an outgoing "people person" and have excellent speaking skills and thorough knowledge of environmental matters, then you may wish to pursue a career in public relations, marketing, or educational advocacy.