How to Be External Communications Coordinator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 5, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Social media has become an increasingly important tool for organizations to reach their external audiences. The effectiveness of external communication can have a direct effect on the success of an organization. As such, an External Communications Coordinator is a vital role that helps ensure that communication is timely, accurate, and strategically focused.

They are responsible for developing and executing an external communications plan, managing relationships with media outlets, creating content for social media accounts, monitoring analytics, and ensuring that messages are on-brand and consistent with the company's mission. With their expertise and understanding of the external environment, they are able to help organizations make the most of their communication efforts and maximize their reach.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, or a related field is typically required to become an external communications coordinator. Coursework may include writing, research, media relations, and marketing.
Gain Experience. Relevant experience in areas such as marketing and communications is often required to become an external communications coordinator. This can be in the form of internships or volunteer work.
Earn Certifications. External communications coordinators may benefit from obtaining professional certifications, such as the Certified Professional Marketer offered by the American Marketing Association.
Develop Writing Skills. External communications coordinators must have strong written communication skills and be able to write for a variety of audiences. Additionally, they must be adept at editing and proofreading their own work.
Develop Public Speaking Skills. External communications coordinators must be comfortable speaking in public and presenting to groups. This can include giving presentations at conferences or speaking to the media.
Build a Network. External communications coordinators must be able to build relationships with the media and other external stakeholders. To do this, they must be able to network effectively and build relationships with key influencers.
Stay Up-To-Date. External communications coordinators must stay informed about current events and trends in their industry. They must also be up-to-date on the latest technology so they can use it to their advantage.

In order to stay updated and competent, it is essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in the field of external communications. By actively pursuing educational opportunities, such as attending conferences, webinars, and seminars, and engaging in professional networking, individuals can stay informed and connected with important industry contacts. Additionally, staying up-to-date on the most recent technologies, techniques, and best practices by reading industry publications, subscribing to newsletters, and researching online resources can be beneficial. Finally, it is important to actively seek feedback from colleagues and mentors to ensure that ones skills are growing and evolving in line with the changing landscape of the external communications field.

You may want to check Social Media & Communications Consultant, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, and Communications Trainer for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and implement communication strategies to engage external audiences
Develop and execute an integrated communications plan to promote company activities
Write and edit content for external publications, newsletters, and websites
Prepare and deliver presentations, briefings, and media releases
Manage and monitor social media channels
Monitor industry trends and news to stay informed on current events
Develop relationships with external media outlets, industry experts, and other stakeholders
Coordinate press conferences, interviews, and other public events
Create reports on communication activities and results
Liaise with internal teams to ensure alignment with external communication plans

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Knowledge of social media platforms and digital marketing strategies.
Demonstrated ability to create and execute successful external communication campaigns.
Ability to develop engaging visuals, videos, and other content for external audiences.
Knowledge of the latest trends in public relations and communications.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or other graphic design software.
Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in various departments.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Ability to track and report on performance metrics for campaigns.

Effective communication is essential for successful external communications. The ability to clearly and concisely articulate messages, both verbally and in writing, is essential for successful external communications. Organizations need to be able to effectively communicate their messages with their external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, partners, and the media.

Poorly written or unwieldy messages can create confusion and a lack of trust in the organization's ability to communicate effectively and professionally. Furthermore, poor communication can lead to misunderstanding, errors, and even lost business opportunities. As a result, having strong written and verbal communication skills is paramount for any external communications coordinator.

the ability to understand and respond quickly to customer and media inquiries is a necessary skill, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departments and organizations. Finally, having a good understanding of the company's messaging strategy and brand identity is key to ensuring that all external communications are aligned with the company's overall vision and messaging.

Executive Communications Analyst, Public Relations & Communications Consultant, and Media & Communications Consultant are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in external communications?
Describe your experience coordinating and managing external communications campaigns.
How do you ensure effective communication across multiple channels?
How do you balance developing new initiatives with managing existing campaigns?
What strategies do you use to measure the effectiveness of external communications campaigns?
How do you stay up to date on emerging trends in the communications industry?
What challenges have you faced when creating and executing external communication campaigns?
What do you consider to be the most important elements of successful external communication?
In what ways do you develop relationships with external stakeholders?
How do you ensure consistency across all external communication channels?

Common Tools in Industry

Social Media Management Software. Allows for the coordination of social media accounts, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. (eg: Hootsuite)
Content Management System (CMS). A web-based platform for creating and managing website content. (eg: WordPress)
Email Marketing Software. Allows for the sending of automated emails to an existing list of contacts. (eg: MailChimp)
Video Editing Software. Allows for the creation of videos for use on websites or social media accounts. (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Project Management Software. Allows for the tracking and coordination of tasks and deadlines related to external communications projects. (eg: Asana)
Image Editing Software. Allows for the editing of photos and images for use on websites or social media accounts. (eg: Adobe Photoshop)
Analytics Software. Allows for the tracking, analysis, and reporting of website and social media data. (eg: Google Analytics)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
International Public Relations Association (IPRA)
National Communication Association (NCA)
International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR)
International Association for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender (IASCLG)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
International Association of Business Communicators Canada (IABC-Canada)
Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA)
Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management (GA)

We also have Digital Communications Consultant, Public Relations & Communications Specialist, and Social Media & Communications Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Public Relations (PR). A field of strategic communication that focuses on creating goodwill between organizations and the public. It is often used to build relationships with customers and other stakeholders.
Media Relations. The process of creating relationships with the media to gain publicity and brand recognition. It involves crafting messages and stories to be shared with the media.
Advertising. A paid form of communication that is used to inform and persuade an audience. It can be used to promote products, services, and even causes.
Content Marketing. A type of marketing that focuses on creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage potential customers. The content can be in the form of blogs, articles, videos, podcasts, and more.
Social Media Marketing. The use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to promote products and services, build brand awareness, and engage with customers.
Crisis Communications. The practice of using communication strategies to manage and mitigate a crisis. It involves anticipating potential crises, developing messaging strategies, and responding quickly to any crisis that arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary function of an External Communications Coordinator?

The primary function of an External Communications Coordinator is to develop, manage, and execute strategic communications campaigns that promote the goals and objectives of an organization.

What type of experience is necessary for the role of External Communications Coordinator?

To be an effective External Communications Coordinator, individuals must have experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field. They should also have strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.

What are some common duties of an External Communications Coordinator?

Common duties of an External Communications Coordinator include creating and maintaining relationships with media outlets, developing press releases, writing content for website and social media channels, managing crisis communications, and organizing events to promote the organization's message.

What qualifications are needed to become an External Communications Coordinator?

Qualifications for becoming an External Communications Coordinator typically include a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field. Other qualifications may include prior experience in similar roles, as well as proficiency with various software and digital tools.

What are the benefits of hiring an External Communications Coordinator?

Hiring an External Communications Coordinator can help an organization build and maintain relationships with media outlets, increase brand visibility, improve public perception of the organization, and create more effective and efficient communication strategies.

Web Resources

Communications Coordinator | U-M Careers careers.umich.edu
Communications Coordinator - Stanford University Careers careersearch.stanford.edu
Communications Coordinator EnterpriseWorks/Research Park researchpark.illinois.edu