Searching for Information, producing shareable content, and experiencing life through a mobile digital lens: 20 Must-Have Mobile Apps for PR Professionals

One of the main ways for public relations professionals to succeed in this ever-changing environment is investing in the right tools and skills for their profession.  Whether this is going to conferences and seminars, or getting the latest technology gadgets that are on the market.  Either way, you are investing in your overall knowledge and skill set for your employer (business, academia, government, agency, etc).

Mobile apps are definitely the wave of the future – there seems to be a new app that comes along every day that has a new feature, upgrade, or offers the individual a more personalized experience in sharing and creating content with others. However, there seems to be millions upon millions of apps to choose from – some work for only the iPhone, Blackberry, or Android – while there are others that are just for tablets.  Then you have have apps that cross between the two devices, so it does get kind of overwhelming at times.  So, the question is – what are some must-have apps for PR professionals today?  Well, there are several that I have that I have found to be very useful, and here are a few:

Social Media

• Hootsuite:  Of course!  You have to make sure that you have an idea of what your friends, followers, and colleagues are talking about in social media – from Facebook to LinkedIn to Twitter.  It is indeed a one-stop shop for a PR professional when it comes to social media.
• Mashable:  Great resource on latest trends and stories related to social media – great to see what is going on with other businesses and see potential case studies to apply in both practice and research.
• Zite:  This is a MUST HAVE app if you have an iPad – a great aggregator of information that is timely, relevant, and personalized to your interests.  This is the first app that I look at when I wake up for the latest trends in social media.
• Blogging (Tumblr & WordPress):  Writing and updating via social media does not stop when you are on the road – so it is key to make sure to have apps so you can update your blog regularly through your phone or iPad.
• Traditional Social Media Apps (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube):  Whether you are on your phone or using your iPad, you have to make sure to have these fundamental apps for social media.
• Instragram:  Creating art works and masterpieces from your photos to share with your community will visually tell your story to the online community.
• Groupon & LivingSocial:  Always good to see what are some of the deals out there as well as creativity thinking about how to integrate this for a PR or cause-marketing campaign.

• Skype:  Great app to use when you are overseas to make international phone calls. All you need to do is make sure that you are using wireless.  It is less expensive than using your phone.
• Sephora:  When you have to look fabulous, you need to make sure that you apply makeup perfectly, and this app allows you to do this by sharing tips and how-tos with their videos and beauty advice.
• OpenTable & Urbanspoon:  When you are out to a business meeting or meeting with a client, or possibly arranging a consulting meeting with fellow researchers – you have to meet at a fabulous place.  Looking at local restaurants based on reviews (Urbanspoon) and making a reservation immediately (OpenTable) is the way to go!
• Tagwhat:  Combination of augmented reality with geolocation is one way to really get a historical and realtime point of view of a particular location.  When you are at a particular location, you can use this app to see what other activities and events happened at this particular location.  Interesting way to gain insight about a location for a story or feature angle.
• Converter & Translator:  This is especially important when you are working abroad or traveling to an international conference.  Always good to know the language as well as the currency exchange.
• Conference Apps: If you are traveling to a conference, you need to make sure that you download their app to see the schedule, organize your day based on the presentations you want to go and see, and any seminars or socials you would like to attend.  APS (Association for Psychological Science), AEJMC (Association for Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication), and PRSA are just a few organizations that have their own conference apps.