Comments on: Is it worth bothering with PR anymore? http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/ Business Women of Opinion! Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:12:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Offline Marketing – Remember That? 10 Reminders of What You Can Do | Birds on the Blog http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-2679 Offline Marketing – Remember That? 10 Reminders of What You Can Do | Birds on the Blog Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:02:15 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-2679 [...] PR is a far wider activity than just issuing Press Releases (although just issuing Press Releases through the right channels is an excellent way to promote your product or service if you have a new or novel angle), but the development of relationships in general is a long term process that involves providing a deeper understanding of you and your products or services with key people in your target media. This requires a strategy that includes defining your goals and developing a plan of activities to achieve them. PR does involve investment both in terms of time and money, so I would recommend you read Emily Cagle’s  blog about why PR should be considered here. [...] [...] PR is a far wider activity than just issuing Press Releases (although just issuing Press Releases through the right channels is an excellent way to promote your product or service if you have a new or novel angle), but the development of relationships in general is a long term process that involves providing a deeper understanding of you and your products or services with key people in your target media. This requires a strategy that includes defining your goals and developing a plan of activities to achieve them. PR does involve investment both in terms of time and money, so I would recommend you read Emily Cagle’s  blog about why PR should be considered here. [...]

]]> By: Emily Cagle http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1933 Emily Cagle Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:21:33 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-1933 Thanks for the comment, Suzan - and what a comment! I think your consultancy prediction is spot on - I'm seeing more of that all the time (though it often goes hand in hand with more traditional PR practices). The rise of the social web has meant that in many cases, old school media training (e.g. how to handle a TV interview) isn't enough - companies are expected to interact with their customers and other interested parties 24/7 in these new public forums that are Twitter, Facebook etc or incur the wrath that is "FAIL". For PRs, that means a whole new approach to managing clients and campaigns, and for clients it means a whole lot of learning. Thanks for the comment, Suzan – and what a comment! I think your consultancy prediction is spot on – I’m seeing more of that all the time (though it often goes hand in hand with more traditional PR practices). The rise of the social web has meant that in many cases, old school media training (e.g. how to handle a TV interview) isn’t enough – companies are expected to interact with their customers and other interested parties 24/7 in these new public forums that are Twitter, Facebook etc or incur the wrath that is “FAIL”. For PRs, that means a whole new approach to managing clients and campaigns, and for clients it means a whole lot of learning.

]]> By: Emily Cagle http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-7997 Emily Cagle Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:21:00 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-7997 Thanks for the comment, Suzan - and what a comment! I think your consultancy prediction is spot on - I'm seeing more of that all the time (though it often goes hand in hand with more traditional PR practices). The rise of the social web has meant that in many cases, old school media training (e.g. how to handle a TV interview) isn't enough - companies are expected to interact with their customers and other interested parties 24/7 in these new public forums that are Twitter, Facebook etc or incur the wrath that is "FAIL". For PRs, that means a whole new approach to managing clients and campaigns, and for clients it means a whole lot of learning. Thanks for the comment, Suzan – and what a comment! I think your consultancy prediction is spot on – I’m seeing more of that all the time (though it often goes hand in hand with more traditional PR practices). The rise of the social web has meant that in many cases, old school media training (e.g. how to handle a TV interview) isn’t enough – companies are expected to interact with their customers and other interested parties 24/7 in these new public forums that are Twitter, Facebook etc or incur the wrath that is “FAIL”. For PRs, that means a whole new approach to managing clients and campaigns, and for clients it means a whole lot of learning.

]]> By: Suzan St Maur http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1827 Suzan St Maur Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:08:00 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-1827 One thing we need to get out of the way first of all here is that there is much, much more to PR than sending out press releases. Much as I shouldn't "diss" them (part of my own portfolio as a writer is creating press releases for my own and others' businesses) they form only a part of a much bigger picture. I totally agree that the online phenomenon has created a whole new fleet of vehicles used to deliver PR, but frankly I don't think the theories have changed much at all. It's how those theories are applied that is changing. With all this immediate access to your market via the internet, as an amateur you have a loaded gun in your hands. With the right aim you'll hit your target but if you miss, you could shoot yourself through the foot. (No apologies for mixing metaphors!) This tendency is growing, judging by the number of professionals who now offer online reputation management as a service to clients along with marketing and PR. Provided that PR professionals move with the times - and as Linda pointed out referring to an earlier post of mine, there are still so-called PRs in industries like publishing who will never understand what it's all about - there will always be an important need for their services if they're good at what they do. It's possible that PRs of the future will do less hands-on writing of press releases and so-on, but more consultancy work, helping clients to communicate directly with their markets and customers without inadvertently making idiots of themselves or losing credibility. That's not because these clients are idiots - rather, it's because it's horribly easy to come across in the wrong way unless you know what you're doing, despite the straight-from-the-shoulder informality of online communications. Like everything else, PR needs to evolve with the times and as far as I can see true professionals like Emily are doing precisely that. Provided they continue along those lines I can see a constant, and even increasingly crucial role for them. One thing we need to get out of the way first of all here is that there is much, much more to PR than sending out press releases. Much as I shouldn’t “diss” them (part of my own portfolio as a writer is creating press releases for my own and others’ businesses) they form only a part of a much bigger picture.

I totally agree that the online phenomenon has created a whole new fleet of vehicles used to deliver PR, but frankly I don’t think the theories have changed much at all. It’s how those theories are applied that is changing.

With all this immediate access to your market via the internet, as an amateur you have a loaded gun in your hands. With the right aim you’ll hit your target but if you miss, you could shoot yourself through the foot. (No apologies for mixing metaphors!)

This tendency is growing, judging by the number of professionals who now offer online reputation management as a service to clients along with marketing and PR. Provided that PR professionals move with the times – and as Linda pointed out referring to an earlier post of mine, there are still so-called PRs in industries like publishing who will never understand what it’s all about – there will always be an important need for their services if they’re good at what they do.

It’s possible that PRs of the future will do less hands-on writing of press releases and so-on, but more consultancy work, helping clients to communicate directly with their markets and customers without inadvertently making idiots of themselves or losing credibility. That’s not because these clients are idiots – rather, it’s because it’s horribly easy to come across in the wrong way unless you know what you’re doing, despite the straight-from-the-shoulder informality of online communications.

Like everything else, PR needs to evolve with the times and as far as I can see true professionals like Emily are doing precisely that. Provided they continue along those lines I can see a constant, and even increasingly crucial role for them.
Twitter:

]]> By: Suzan St Maur http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-7996 Suzan St Maur Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:08:00 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-7996 One thing we need to get out of the way first of all here is that there is much, much more to PR than sending out press releases. Much as I shouldn't "diss" them (part of my own portfolio as a writer is creating press releases for my own and others' businesses) they form only a part of a much bigger picture. I totally agree that the online phenomenon has created a whole new fleet of vehicles used to deliver PR, but frankly I don't think the theories have changed much at all. It's how those theories are applied that is changing. With all this immediate access to your market via the internet, as an amateur you have a loaded gun in your hands. With the right aim you'll hit your target but if you miss, you could shoot yourself through the foot. (No apologies for mixing metaphors!) This tendency is growing, judging by the number of professionals who now offer online reputation management as a service to clients along with marketing and PR. Provided that PR professionals move with the times - and as Linda pointed out referring to an earlier post of mine, there are still so-called PRs in industries like publishing who will never understand what it's all about - there will always be an important need for their services if they're good at what they do. It's possible that PRs of the future will do less hands-on writing of press releases and so-on, but more consultancy work, helping clients to communicate directly with their markets and customers without inadvertently making idiots of themselves or losing credibility. That's not because these clients are idiots - rather, it's because it's horribly easy to come across in the wrong way unless you know what you're doing, despite the straight-from-the-shoulder informality of online communications. Like everything else, PR needs to evolve with the times and as far as I can see true professionals like Emily are doing precisely that. Provided they continue along those lines I can see a constant, and even increasingly crucial role for them. One thing we need to get out of the way first of all here is that there is much, much more to PR than sending out press releases. Much as I shouldn’t “diss” them (part of my own portfolio as a writer is creating press releases for my own and others’ businesses) they form only a part of a much bigger picture.

I totally agree that the online phenomenon has created a whole new fleet of vehicles used to deliver PR, but frankly I don’t think the theories have changed much at all. It’s how those theories are applied that is changing.

With all this immediate access to your market via the internet, as an amateur you have a loaded gun in your hands. With the right aim you’ll hit your target but if you miss, you could shoot yourself through the foot. (No apologies for mixing metaphors!)

This tendency is growing, judging by the number of professionals who now offer online reputation management as a service to clients along with marketing and PR. Provided that PR professionals move with the times – and as Linda pointed out referring to an earlier post of mine, there are still so-called PRs in industries like publishing who will never understand what it’s all about – there will always be an important need for their services if they’re good at what they do.

It’s possible that PRs of the future will do less hands-on writing of press releases and so-on, but more consultancy work, helping clients to communicate directly with their markets and customers without inadvertently making idiots of themselves or losing credibility. That’s not because these clients are idiots – rather, it’s because it’s horribly easy to come across in the wrong way unless you know what you’re doing, despite the straight-from-the-shoulder informality of online communications.

Like everything else, PR needs to evolve with the times and as far as I can see true professionals like Emily are doing precisely that. Provided they continue along those lines I can see a constant, and even increasingly crucial role for them.
Twitter:

]]> By: EmilyCagle http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1826 EmilyCagle Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:53:42 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-1826 Hi both. Yes it can all go horribly wrong, as there a cowboys and poor providers in every industry, and PR is no exception. Word of mouth recommendations is often a good start, then ask to take a look at potential providers portfolio to make sure they are likely to be able to deliver on their promises. I'll be writing lots more tips on PR over the coming weeks. Choosing a provider, campaign expectations, whether you 'want' or 'need' PR, capitalising on coverage, goal setting and measuring results are all great topics that I will make sure I cover in the coming weeks :) Em Hi both.

Yes it can all go horribly wrong, as there a cowboys and poor providers in every industry, and PR is no exception. Word of mouth recommendations is often a good start, then ask to take a look at potential providers portfolio to make sure they are likely to be able to deliver on their promises.

I’ll be writing lots more tips on PR over the coming weeks. Choosing a provider, campaign expectations, whether you ‘want’ or ‘need’ PR, capitalising on coverage, goal setting and measuring results are all great topics that I will make sure I cover in the coming weeks :)

Em

]]> By: EmilyCagle http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-7995 EmilyCagle Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:53:00 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-7995 Hi both. Yes it can all go horribly wrong, as there a cowboys and poor providers in every industry, and PR is no exception. Word of mouth recommendations is often a good start, then ask to take a look at potential providers portfolio to make sure they are likely to be able to deliver on their promises. I'll be writing lots more tips on PR over the coming weeks. Choosing a provider, campaign expectations, whether you 'want' or 'need' PR, capitalising on coverage, goal setting and measuring results are all great topics that I will make sure I cover in the coming weeks :) Em Hi both.

Yes it can all go horribly wrong, as there a cowboys and poor providers in every industry, and PR is no exception. Word of mouth recommendations is often a good start, then ask to take a look at potential providers portfolio to make sure they are likely to be able to deliver on their promises.

I’ll be writing lots more tips on PR over the coming weeks. Choosing a provider, campaign expectations, whether you ‘want’ or ‘need’ PR, capitalising on coverage, goal setting and measuring results are all great topics that I will make sure I cover in the coming weeks :)

Em

]]> By: Majjie http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1823 Majjie Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:59:02 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-1823 Hi Emily - bit difficult to tell, as yet! And you're right that the US PR companies aren't getting it right. There are more kitchen designers blogging over there and - because I've spoken to them and we're on each other's blogroll - they assume I'm US based too. I even had contact from a US bloggers directory which aimed to link PR companies with suitable bloggers. They were very apologetic about making the same assumption. Hi Emily – bit difficult to tell, as yet!

And you’re right that the US PR companies aren’t getting it right. There are more kitchen designers blogging over there and – because I’ve spoken to them and we’re on each other’s blogroll – they assume I’m US based too.

I even had contact from a US bloggers directory which aimed to link PR companies with suitable bloggers. They were very apologetic about making the same assumption.

]]> By: Majjie http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-7994 Majjie Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:59:00 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-7994 Hi Emily - bit difficult to tell, as yet! And you're right that the US PR companies aren't getting it right. There are more kitchen designers blogging over there and - because I've spoken to them and we're on each other's blogroll - they assume I'm US based too. I even had contact from a US bloggers directory which aimed to link PR companies with suitable bloggers. They were very apologetic about making the same assumption. Hi Emily – bit difficult to tell, as yet!

And you’re right that the US PR companies aren’t getting it right. There are more kitchen designers blogging over there and – because I’ve spoken to them and we’re on each other’s blogroll – they assume I’m US based too.

I even had contact from a US bloggers directory which aimed to link PR companies with suitable bloggers. They were very apologetic about making the same assumption.

]]> By: Morag http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/is-it-worth-bothering-with-pr-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 Morag Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:04:02 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=1806#comment-1812 I had a very bad PR experience last year from a woman who was recommended to me for her contacts etc. She charged a fortune for doing bog all and I never did get any cosy editorials or press releases issued, or anything. It made me very leery of the value of PR to a small business. However, I have been talked around by others to try it again. Had more progress from Jane in less than a week than I got in four months from Angela (who now lives abroad, so I can mention her name)! I had a very bad PR experience last year from a woman who was recommended to me for her contacts etc. She charged a fortune for doing bog all and I never did get any cosy editorials or press releases issued, or anything. It made me very leery of the value of PR to a small business.

However, I have been talked around by others to try it again. Had more progress from Jane in less than a week than I got in four months from Angela (who now lives abroad, so I can mention her name)!

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