10 Great Apps for PR Professionals

Today we bring you a guest post from Kelsey Libert reviewing ten top smartphone apps that can help PR pros. Kelsey is a speaker, entrepreneur, and Internet enthusiast. She’s a chief development officer for a diverse website portfolio, where she runs the content development strategy and execution for several websites. Thinking on your feet is essential for any PR pro. For example, consider the NFL Super Bowl XLVII ads. When Oreo leveraged a current event the second it happened, it resulted in a free to low cost campaign that earned nearly 15,000 re-tweets and more than 20,000 Facebook likes. The catch is, in order to be on top of these current events, sometimes you need to be plugged in. This quick line of communication and organization depends largely on people moving quickly with technology. Below you’ll find ten mobile apps that will help you become a PR champion on the go. 1. LogMeIn (iPhone) LogMeIn Ignition (Android) Mainstream media stories don’t usually coincide with your 9-5 job--some big events will end up happening while you’re off the clock. This is why it’s important to be able to plug into your office computer even when you’re not behind your desk. The LogMeIn app offers free remote access to your desktop so you can open files, check your email, run programs and stay productive from your mobile device or any computer over the Internet. The LogMeIn app has the same encryption used by online banks, so you don’t even have to worry about security issues. 2. PdaNet (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile) Logging into your computer is the first step to starting work on the go--and the next step is accessing the Internet. Instead of trying to hunt down the slowest WiFi spot at the nearest coffee shop, you can move more quickly by launching a WiFi hotspot through your mobile device. PdaNet is a free app that turns your mobile device into a WiFi Hotspot so that you can access the Web, email and your apps on up to five laptops. Get your whole PR team together on the fly and plug in wherever you can meet. If you’re not sure how to tether your phone and would prefer a WiFi Hotspot finder, use use the WiFi Finder app. 3. GoToMeeting (Android, iPhone) Usually you want to consult your team before blasting the media with your message. If you’re tackling a timely campaign, you or your colleagues may not all be in the office at the same time. GoToMeeting allows you to set up a mobile meeting with everyone on the fly. Invite your whole team to chat and view a quick presentation, mockups and reports – whatever is shown on screen. 4. Tape-a-Talk (Android) Meeting notes are imperative when you’re planning to speak to a brand's entire audience. But if you're furiously typing away, you might miss a key point or find yourself unable to contribute to the conversation. Tape-a-Talk allows you to listen to the details while the app employs your phone’s mic to capture everything said at the meeting. This is perfect for recapping important points and getting the details down before you plan your message. 5. Money Lover - Expense Manager (Android) When you’re promoting huge ad campaigns, you'd better track every penny. On the fly campaigns can be some of the cheapest, but you still need to assess the costs. The Money Lover app helps you budget and track your spending. Add financial details like marketing budget, winnings, or sales, and enter your expenses from production. Money lover acts like a financial calendar, alerts you to debts, and reminds you of transactions. Add customized categories based on individual campaigns. 6. Adobe Photoshop Express (Android, iPhone) We saw with the Oreo campaign that even the simplest picture can pack a big message. When pictures speak a thousand words, it’s important to have a superior photo editing tool within your phone. Adobe Photoshop Express is a free app that allows you to edit and share photos virtually anywhere. Touch to crop, rotate, adjust color, and add artistic effects and quickly share your photos with your audience. 7. Facebook Pages Manager (iPhone and Android) Social media apps are an obvious necessity for PR pros. While we’re on the subject, you should also have Twitter and Hootsuite on your phone. The Facebook Pages Manager app keeps a constant connection with your audience, which is important for managing any crisis or opportune moment. This app allows you to post new updates and photos, respond to comments and view or reply to private messages. Getting notifications to your phone is an important step when it comes to staying ahead of brand issues or opportunities over the weekend. Whether you’re using a Nokia Lumia 810 or an iPhone, you’ll be able to tap into this app and into your audience. 8. Pulse In order to send a timely message, you need to know which issues are currently trending within your industry or target market. The Pulse app puts all of your favorite blogs, magazines, social networks and newspapers in one place for free. This is great for tracking emerging news stories, but also for sharing those stories with your audience via the app's Facebook and Twitter integration. 9. Pocket (Android and iPhone) Staying up to date on the news is critical for PR, but we don't always have time to read the entire article. The Pocket app allows you to save pages from websites to read later. Even better, it removes all the ads cluttering up the article. Once the app downloads the article, you can read it later without an Internet connection. 10. Evernote (iOIS Android Windows Phone Blackberry) Thinking creatively on the go is great--until you forget the idea you came up with. Evernote allows you to store “ideas, things you like, things you hear, and things you see.” The great thing about Evernote is that it works with nearly every computer, phone and mobile device out there. Save an idea you have while walking with your phone, and tap into your genius later at your work computer. Each of these apps offer crucial help throughout the marketing and PR process. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas or tapping into your work computer, the ability to plug in at a moments notice helps you stay ahead of the game. What do we think, PR pros? Can we add any other essential apps to this list?

Social Pro Daily

10 Great Apps for PR Professionals

Patrick Coffee

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Patrick Coffee