I recently took a trip to Florida and had the chance to reconnect with a former boss. The job I had at Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management (now The Strategic Firm) came at just the right time for me. I knew enough to be a good PR professional but I was ready to learn more.
My boss, friend and mentor, Roger Pynn, APR, CPRC, taught me that public relations isn’t just cranking out press releases or, in these times, counting “likes.” It’s so much more than that. One of Roger’s favorite sayings is “focus on what keeps the client awake at night.” In fact, it’s still printed on the back of his business card. That’s where the value and power of public relations is to be found. Immersing yourself in a client’s business so you have a true understanding of it and how a PR strategy can be effective for them.
Much of the public relations industry has lost this big picture view. We’re too busy with the fear of “missing out” on the very latest. It would benefit PR professionals and their clients to get back to building relationships with their audiences … and not at a distance through social media.
I’ve kept Roger’s philosophy since those days more than 20 years ago and it has proved true time and time again. Look to develop a public relations strategy that will help you build the right relationships to benefit your business goals. It will probably give you a better night’s sleep. Thanks, Roger!