Ideas for becoming a more versatile communicator

To thrive in PR, marketing or communications, you need a broad skill set.

Writing and relationships are still important, but it helps to have more modern weapons in your communications arsenal. Here are four that will make you a more formidable communicator:

1. Navigate WordPress.

There’s a reason why 75 million sites use WordPress. It’s simple to use for content management novices, yet versatile enough to build beautiful websites for the likes of Disney, Facebook, Bloomberg and Sony. It’s also free.

Communicators of all stripes should start a free blog on WordPress. Aside from having a forum where you can write and promote your work, you’ll be forced to learn a content management system, edit photos and figure out how to embed different pieces of content.

You’ll screw things up repeatedly, then be forced to troubleshoot on your own. You’ll never really be on your own, though, as WordPress support forums and how-to videos are ubiquitous. It’s a great way to learn basic web developer and programming skills.