In any industry, a certain amount of exaggeration is inevitable (as someone who’s also an award-winning, 6’5” muscular gold medallist with perfect teeth, I can certainly relate). But there’s a fine line between highlighting your accomplishments and overstating your contributions. I’ve seen this dynamic time and time again, particularly during my years as a PR professional in the video games industry.
For context, during my career, I had the privilege of working on some of the most iconic titles in the gaming world, including Unreal, Duke Nukem, and Driver. These were already well-known games with enthusiastic fan bases. While I’d like to think I played a role in their success, it’s safe to say that with such high-calibre titles, it was hard to fail.
What I’m genuinely proud of, however, are the instances when I was able to generate strong PR traction for games that didn’t have the same built-in hype. These were the times I could truly demonstrate my expertise. But, if I were to present myself as a PR expert, which examples would I highlight? Likely, the more high-profile, "sexy" projects.
This brings us to an important point. While it's natural to showcase your most impressive accomplishments, it’s essential not to overstate your impact. For example, it’s entirely reasonable to claim that a social media campaign helped increase brand awareness. But when you claim that a particular campaign was solely responsible for a miraculous 400% increase in sales, you’re treading into dangerous territory. Once credibility is questioned, even your most legitimate successes risk being dismissed.
It’s important to recognise that, no matter the project, your audience will have a reasonable understanding of your role. Whether you're involved in logo design, managing social media, or media buying, your contributions will certainly help achieve positive outcomes. However, it’s crucial to remain humble and honest about the collective nature of success.
By maintaining a balance of humility and credibility, you not only ensure that your work is recognised appropriately, but you’ll also build a reputation for being honest and trustworthy in your professional relationships.