Here are 10 clues that your PR pro may be nothing but show. If you’re experiencing any of these from someone on your internal team or from an outside consultant, it may be time to cut ties. 1. They never bring new ideas to the table. 2. Their answer for everything is “let’s put a press release on the newswire.” 3. They think every story idea you want them to pitch is brilliant. 4. They never push back or challenge you. They just take marching orders. 5. They wouldn’t know a measurable goal if it slapped them in the face – hard. 6. They only e-pitch reporters and their phones are collecting dust. 7. Their clever social media strategy starts and stops at “we should get a Facebook page.” 8. Their reason for being in the PR field is “I’m a people person.” 9. They define PR mistakenly by one of its tools (PR is bigger than media relations or events, like social media is bigger than blogs.) 10.They don’t ask you what your business goals are so they can work to align PR goals against them.
Prospective client, ask: Is/has the person/agency on my PR account or program: ·
an accredited PR practitioner, with the APR designation?
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have more than 20 years experience as a public relations and journalism executive?
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ever worked in a professional news room as a reporter, editor or on air?
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served as President of a PRSA Chapter?
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an actual PR firm, or are they an ad agency that hired a couple “pr people?”
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have expertise in social media, and do they have something even as simple as a blog?
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invested in specific PR tools?
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mentored new PR professionals, and regularly speaks regarding PR to organizations and universities?
The fact is, many claim to be a public relations professional, or have public relations expertise. Advertising agencies are notorious for claiming to have PR expertise, but lack the tools or experience, and in all honestly, approach PR the same way they approach advertising and graphic design. Advertising agency owners figured they could make extra money by adding a public relations person or two, so owners, with little to no PR background or experience, just hired a couple “PR People,” and poof – they’re a PR firm. You don’t go to a sushi restaurant when you want a great burger. The reputation of an agency is only as good as the people that work IN the agency. EMG is quite simply the largest, most experienced, and most expert PR firm in Greater Cincinnati. We have built our firm and our entire careers on public relations.
EisenMarketingGroup.com 515 Monmouth Street
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Newport, KY 41071
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P: 859.291.4302
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F: 859.291.4360