PR Magnets. They’re the people who always seem to be successful in getting major media coverage for their clients. While some bitter PR pros like to call PR magnets “lucky”, the truth is it’s no coincidence that these guys (and gals) are able to get good coverage time and time again.
The good news is you’re about to find out exactly what you can do to become a PR magnet. Start by taking a look at these 7 habits of highly effective PR experts.
1. They use the leaky faucet approach to PR – PR magnets know that by dropping a series of newsworthy press releases over a steady period of time, you will find that the media will eventually cover your company. Take note of the word “newsworthy.” Make sure your press releases will actually be considered newsworthy by someone outside of your company, particularly journalists and editors. The leaky faucet approach is the same tactic many PR firms use, but you can adopt it at a fraction of the cost.
2. They find creative angles for stories – Journalists and editors receive dozens of press releases every single day. Most of these press releases are politely filed away in the nearest garbage can. Why? Because they’re the same old, boring story that’s been told thousands of times before. PR magnets know how to find creative angles for stories so that they instantly stand out from the pack. More importantly, PR magnets know how to write killer headlines that hook journalists and instantly grab their full attention.
3. They’re well organized – The leaky faucet approach to PR (see #1 on this list) requires a lot of content development and following up with the media. To handle all of this, the PR magnet must be well organized so he can attack the project in the most efficient manner possible. If you lack organizational skills, either hire someone to help you or find good organizational and productivity tools online that you can use.
4. They can multitask and think on their feet – PR campaigns are multi-faceted, and many things go into generating publicity for a company. PR magnets are excellent multitaskers, as they have the ability to juggle phone calls, write and distribute press releases, answer emails, and handle other PR tasks all at once.
5. They know the media inside and out – PR magnets understand who the major media players are, what type of stories their target audience likes, and where the conversations are happening. You should be reading newspapers, magazines, and blogs, staying active in social media, and watching TV (news, talk shows, etc.) so that you can get to know the media inside and out.
6. They’re persistent, but know when to take “no” for an answer – Being a PR person is kind of like going to a speed dating event every single day. You’re constantly trying to woo the next girl (media outlet), and you’re probably getting rejected more times than not (being told your story won’t get picked up). Being successful requires persistence, but it also means understanding when “no” really does mean “no”. Pushing the issue after getting a firm “no” can cause you to irreparably damage an important relationship.
7. They set goals and measure results – An effective PR campaign requires clearly defining your goals, creating a sound strategy for reaching these goals, and measuring your success at doing so. Check out these PR measurement tips, and put them to use.
Do you consider yourself a PR magnet? What are your most important habits? Share your tips in the replies.
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. To subscribe to PR Fuel, visit: https://www.ereleases.com/prfuel/subscribe/.