Welcome to Carolyn Sutton PR, where we believe in the power of endurance and strategic thinking. In the world of Public Relations, success is not a sprint, but a marathon. We cannot emphasize this enough - and it’s the FIRST thing we tell clients. You need to invest in the long-game to see the long-term results.
Here, we unveil the wisdom behind PR and share six essential tips for current and future clients to navigate the Public Relations path.
1. Crafting a Solid Foundation: The Starting Line of Success
Just like a marathon, building a strong foundation is crucial for a PR strategy. Establish clear and authentic brand key messages, ensuring that you have solid, updated brand messaging. This foundation serves as the starting line, providing a solid, consistent language for long-term success.
2. Personalized, Ongoing Content is Imperative
Brands who want to establishe a brand story and secure smart media coverage, must have custom photo + video content to deliver to the media and for all future purposes to tell the brand story on Instagram, websites, and more. Video content is the future of brand storytelling and will continue to explode - driving more views, engagement and return on investment.
3. Relationships Are the Steady Pace: Cultivate, Nurture, Thrive
In a marathon, consistency is key, and the same holds true for PR. Building and nurturing relationships with media, influencers, and stakeholders require time and dedication. The slow and steady pace of relationship-building pays off in the long run, creating lasting connections that elevate your brand. This incredible front page from The New York Times story feature for Allegiance Flag Supply took five months from pitch to publish on Christmas Day.
4. Strategic Milestones: Celebrate Every Progress Marker
As you navigate the PR marathon, it's crucial to recognize and celebrate the smaller victories along the way. Set realistic, strategic milestones that align with your overarching goals. Each milestone achieved is a testament to progress and a source of motivation for the journey ahead.
5. Adaptability: Maneuvering Through the Twists and Turns
A marathon is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the PR landscape is no different. Embrace change and remain adaptable to evolving trends and challenges. A flexible strategy ensures that your brand not only survives but thrives in the ever-changing media landscape. We recommend staying in touch with Jeneration PR for consistently updated PR Trends insight.
6. Patience: The Endurance of End Results
Patience is the unsung hero of both marathons and PR endeavors. Understand that meaningful results take time. Whether it's securing a feature story, building brand authority, or fostering community engagement, the endurance of patience brings forth the most rewarding and lasting outcomes. We can often pitch a story and not have it publish for more than a year.
For nearly 15 years, we’ve educated clients that PR as a marathon, a journey that requires strategic planning, perseverance, and a commitment to continuing to share your story, the news and evolve as a brand to ensure relevance. By embracing these six tips, our clients can not only endure the race, but revel in the victories that unfold with each step.