The Key to Great PR is Perseverance
By Paula Gardner of Do Your Own PR
I regularly seem to come across businesses that have pinned their hopes on one press release. They tell me how they sent it out with excitement in the pits of their stomachs and then felt the hard cold flop of disappointment when they didn't get an army of journalists on the phone the very next day. And then, disillusioned, they resign their venture into PR to the past and move on to what they consider safer tactics.
But what separates these businesses from the ones that do get go on to get great, continuous press is often one thing, perseverance.
PR is a long-term option and takes perseverance in more ways than one.
Putting the time in
Just like exercise, an occasional blast of frenetic activity will have little long-term effect. What does succeed is regular, time-tabled PR activity. Take a look at your weekly schedule and ascertain how much time you can devote to PR. A morning or afternoon a week is great. Put in your diary and make it sacrosanct. If you don't have that amount of time, what can you ditch or delegate to make the time?
Experimenting
One press release does not make a PR campaign. You need to release something to the media at least every other month. Sometimes these communications will disappear into the ether; sometimes they will be spot on. Regular postings to the press ensure that your name is in their minds (and contact books) and allows you to experiment with different ways of writing and presenting your press release.
Building Relationships
But the most important part of a PR strategy is building bonds with journalists and editors. Just like making friends or networking for business contacts, this takes tact and time. It's not a case of rushing in, but gently building trust and respect.
Allowing the campaign to reach the public
Seeing your company covered in the press is extremely flattering and satisfying, and may help bring you enquiries, clients and increased sales, but the real rewards come with continuous long-term coverage that propels your company firmly into the public eye and creates a recognised brand, your brand.
Working with my long-term clients on the PR Academy programme I have watched complete beginners go on to nab columns in national magazines, be interviewed for monthly glossies and appear on national TV. A key part of the programme is clients' accountability ? ostensibly to me, but primarily to themselves. Take this aboard with your own campaign, either charting your goals and your progress in a diary or journal as you go, or partnering up with another business and sharing the process. This helps keep up impetus and motivation when it becomes a little too easy to get distracted by the day to day distractions of running your business.
And it's a wonderful way to share and celebrate your PR successes, supporting and cheering each other on as you go.
copyright ?Paula Gardner and Do Your Own PR 2004. All rights reserved.
Paula Gardner of http://www.doyourownpr.com is a PR and marketing coach who works with people who are passionate and serious about getting their business noticed. Do Your Own Pr offers Pr training via ecourses, telephone coaching, one to one consultations and in-house staff training. You can sign up for the Do Your Own PR newsletter at http://www.doyourownpr.com
high-end home cleaning Morton Grove ..When your book is mentioned on television, sales go up.... Read More
Effective Media Relations Tips - What To Do After The... Read More
When a reporter is wowed, intrigued, surprised or captivated by... Read More
Stripped down to its core, publicity is little more than... Read More
Relationships are based on trust-not just romantic relationships, or doctor/patient... Read More
It doesn't matter how cruel the reality programs get, there... Read More
Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More
With all due respect to all those stereotypical males out... Read More
Not a single reporter showed up at our news event.... Read More
A PR product or service launching is a perfect way... Read More
Many of our clients are in service businesses, such as... Read More
Although I still believe there is a place for advertising... Read More
It can bite you and waste your public relations budget... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
There'll never be a better time for a manager working... Read More
You do not have to hire a publicist or advertise... Read More
How you answer questions depends on many factors. Example what... Read More
When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More
Mark Twain once said the rumors of his death had... Read More
If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with... Read More
Is that what we are? Fanatic, over-the-top disciples of some... Read More
There's an old African proverb:"If you think you are too... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
In this great country of ours, there are basically three... Read More
spring cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..That's like asking if advertising is all about type faces... Read More
PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
Maybe it played for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams,"... Read More
Don't let yourself be diverted by communications tactics playtime. You... Read More
It sounds too simple to be true, but it really... Read More
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More
Are you working as hard as you can in your... Read More
When ABC News anchor Peter Jennings announced he had lung... Read More
PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More
As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More
When most people think about marketing, they think advertising. While... Read More
It's one thing for a senior manager to approve story... Read More
Many people are intimidated by radio interviews, whether live or... Read More
There are a lot of things that make a business... Read More
If you're trying to promote your store, but you don't... Read More
Today's issue of Lean Marketing Champions features tips on doing... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
It seems difficult to believe at the dawn of the... Read More
Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
Since the major part of a small business typically comes... Read More
Where is there a business, non-profit or association manager who... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
In public relations, "junk" is more about attitude and lack... Read More
Attention: Who Else Wants To Get Publicity Whenever You Want... Read More
Public Relations |