PR = Patience Required
There’s a saying saying that goes, "don't compare your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20."
Whichever way you define success, it's always so important to remember that it does NOT happen overnight. The same thing can be said about publicity. We often hear from potential clients that they are ready to commit to PR and looking for "quick wins." While it's true, news can spread overnight thanks to the Internet and particularly social media, embarking on a PR campaign does not automatically guarantee fast results; in fact, you're technically not guaranteed anything. The ONLY guaranteed method of appearing in the media is through advertising or a sponsored spend. Earned media, just as it's called, is up to editorial decision-making. It's the job of your publicist to counsel you on how to create the best chance for that decision to be a yes. And chances are, he or she is going to have to ask more than once. It comes down to story ideas, budget, relationships, timing, branding, creative assets available, and so much more. That's why we often say patience is an important ingredient of a successful publicity campaign, along with persistence and hard work.
When building a brand, the value of earned media is significantly greater than any other type of media for long lasting awareness and reputation. So while it may take months or even years to land a positive feature story in the New York Times, for example, the payoff is this: you will ALWAYS be able to say "Featured in the New York Times" for as long as you and your business shall live. This is infinitely more valuable than "Featured in an Influencer's Instagram Post" or "Banner Ad Once Seen on the Internet." Yes, influencer relationships and banner ads do have their place in an overall marketing strategy. It’s important to diversify! But remember that if your story is documented, that press is permanent. For anything to live on as long as it does, it's going to take time to get there. But we promise you it's worth it.
Learn more about how FACTEUR PR’s Public Relations services can benefit your brand or business.
