What’s one thing PR agencies hate worse than bad publicity?
Liars!
Hiring a PR specialist is not the same as online dating.
Public relations agencies don’t want to hear about your inflated ego (Swipe left), it’s not helpful and serves no purpose when we are formulating a plan for your success. A good PR company is concerned more with generating results than it is with nurturing your feelings.
Good working relationships between communications firms and clients require transparency.
For a business relationship to be successful, both the vendor and the client should be open and honest about their needs and expectations. Don’t be afraid to share your success stories, but be willing to share your struggle in order to maximize the talents of your communications representative. He or she will be better to assist you and your company needs when they understand your specific pains.
Here are a few things to consider:
What are your actual problems? Is your target demographic not being reached? Are you struggling financially? Is your online presence weak compared to your competitors? What is it that keeps you awake at night?
Fortunately, most PR agencies will stick by your side no matter how grim your business future may seem.
We are all human, and the perfect business model is a myth. The world is too unpredictable to have it all figured out. That’s ok. Why? Because no business starts out perfectly and good representation understands that.
Talk to your PR team like you would talk to a good friend, a parent, your spouse, or anybody who cares about your well-being. You may be surprised at how often PR firms run into similar problems faced by companies of all sizes.
When you realize that there is a challenge in your business communications, you must act quickly and honestly to prevent the issue from becoming overwhelming and don’t be afraid to share the challenge with those that represent you.
Here is a list of 5 questions you should ask a PR agency to ensure they are right for you:
- How much experience do you have in my industry?
- What method will you be using to reach my target audience?
- Who will be managing my account, specifically? (Gather name and contact information)
- What tools does your firm have at your disposal that will ensure my success? (Blogs/Vlogs, Podcasts, etc.)
- How much online presence does your own PR firm’s business account have?
If you are ready to share your successes and your challenges, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s grab a coffee, share success stories and create a master plan!
-Christopher Robles
