What To Expect When Working with Spotlight PR
If you are working with a public relations team for the first time, you may be wondering what you can expect from the engagement. This blog illuminates our process, but it’ll also help you discern whether you’re ready to hire a PR team or publicist. While each client’s deliverables are governed by their unique contract, below is a snapshot of what you might expect as a retainer client.
We’ll Establish Regular Check-Ins
To properly support you, we want to be in communication with you. As such, we will work with you to establish a meeting schedule that works for you. While we’ll certainly communicate via email, virtual or in-person calls are extremely beneficial. We’ll use these spaces to iterate, receive and share feedback, and build trust.
We’ll Engage Journalists Often
We will consistently search for opportunities to include your expertise in relevant stories. Depending on your contract terms, we might also identify key reporters we believe you should know, and reporters who should know you. Whether it is through a press release, briefing memo, or pitch note, we’ll regularly engage journalists if you are a retainer client.
We’ll Amplify Your Thought Leadership
You’re an expert in your field. We want the world to know who you are and also where you stand. When appropriate, and depending on the terms of your contract, we may engage you about writing an opinion essay. Whereas an interview leaves quotes and angles to the reporter’s discretion, opinion pieces give you more control over your message. These tools allow you to speak directly to your audience and give you space to do so. Opinion essays are a phenomenal way to share your thought leadership and elevate your platform.
We Will Be Proactive About Media Outreach
As a firm that specializes in publicity, we are always thinking about favorable media coverage. From years of experience, we know that media coverage takes time. That’s why we’ll be persistent in pitching the media, persistent in asking you for information, and persistent in developing new coverage angles. We will always aim to be proactive: we aren’t waiting for reporters to come to us, we’ll go to them.
We Will Meet You Where You Are
As PR practitioners, our job is to advise and recommend. But you are in the driver’s seat. This means that while we’ll offer recommendations, at the end of the day, we aim to center your desires and hopes. Our strategy will be tailored to your unique needs and organization.
We’ll Provide What You Need
Your work is unique, and it deserves particular attention and care. Even within an organization, we know that there are different needs for different seasons. Our goal is to be flexible and adapt to what you need. For instance, some clients retain us when they’re facing a crisis. Once the crisis subsides, our contract may shift to strategic communications focus. In other situations, some clients hire us for ghostwriting or media training, as that may be what is needed at that moment. The bottom line is we’ll work to be responsive to what you need and when you need it.
We know you’re leading important work, and you do not have to do it alone. Visit our website to schedule a consultation today.
Your Needs Determine Our Focus
Our strategy is specific to you and your needs. As we are reaching out to reporters or considering different news outlets, we are always thinking of the audience you want to reach and the message you want to share. We contact those who we know will be interested in your story and who cover similar work. Our outreach is tailored to you and what will best help tell your story.
Your work is unique, and it deserves particular attention and care. Whatever your budget, goals, and current environment, we will focus our strategy to match those needs. Even within an organization, your focus changes over time; you may shift from needing crisis communications support to media training to ghostwriting. We will come with you on your journey so that you are not alone in any of these stages.
If you are interested in learning more about developing a PR strategy specific to you, schedule a consultation today. We look forward to getting to know you and building your platform.
Sophia Shannon is a senior media relations associate for Spotlight PR LLC. Be sure to check out our other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.