Answers to typical questions that new clients ask
Can I get into the papers?
If you have some real news that editors recognise as adding value to their product – and they have space to accommodate it – your news will be carried, either in full or in part. But space is always at a premium, and your news story will have to compete with countless other items that may be equally strong and relevant to the readership. It’s always worth a try, especially if there’s a ‘tame’ contact journalist – but don’t bank on it. However, if your business hits a crisis of any kind you could be fair game for local, regional and even national media. Your PR plan should always include guidelines for communicating in a crisis.
How can I communicate with the world?
With a combination of your website, email newsletters and social media accounts, you have an ideal range of self-publishing tools, giving you the freedom to publish want you want, how you want it – and reach a potentially global audience. What’s more, there are opportunities to point readers to your online sales facility or lead-generation tools.
Can I do it myself?
Yes – if you have the time and the skills. However, the internet is littered with bad writing and editing: if you want your material to have real reputation-enhancing quality you should consider using an experienced consultant copywriter and content manager. When the writer produces material in ‘newspaper style’ it comes with objectivity that boosts credibility.
How much time will I need to spend on PR?
You should allow as much time as possible to ensure that you, your internal team or your consultants can deliver properly. A good guide is to plan for at least one face-to-face meeting with your consultant each month, supplemented by occasional meetings or telephone contacts as necessary to complete projects on schedule.
How will we work together?
Regular meetings with your consultant should be to review recent PR activity, and to prepare for the next challenges. You brief on upcoming requirements – perhaps also providing some direct input. The consultant goes away to prepare a draft for your approval. If necessary, your approved draft can be referred to external contributors for their approval. Once approved by all relevant parties, the material is published or issued as planned.
How will you charge me?
Generally speaking, consultants sell their time – either at an agreed hourly rate or at a set monthly fee. While the set fee is good for the client’s budget and the consultant’s cash flow, time sold by the hour (usually in quarter-hour segments) is perhaps more transparent. It also offers greater flexibility to cope with the peaks and troughs of the business year. Agree your budget with your consultant – then se how tings go.
How can I prevent PR budget excesses?
Many factors can change during production of PR material, and this inevitably affects costs. The best way to avoid spiralling costs is to ensure the initial brief is accurate and that subsequent adjustments are minimal. But PR budgeting is no science – so if there’s a cost problem, talk it through with your consultant
Do you have experience in my sector?
Some consultants specialise, while others prefer the variety of multi-sector activity. The fact is that the need for business communication and the basic tactics are common across all sectors. Processes and procedures are the same, product knowledge and press contacts are easily gained. What really matters is that the consultant is rapidly able to strike up a good relationship with the client and grasp the necessary concepts.
Why should I hire you?
Experience, creativity, enthusiasm, skills, wide-ranging interests, quality output and a passion for language.
Do you have the skills for the job?
Speaking personally, yes. News writing, business and industrial writing, editing and design, photography, web and social media content management – and extensive PR consultancy practice.
How do I contact you?
Please click HERE for our contact form.
DISCLAIMER: Information on this page is for guidance purposes. It does not constitute terms and conditions.
If you have some real news that editors recognise as adding value to their product – and they have space to accommodate it – your news will be carried, either in full or in part. But space is always at a premium, and your news story will have to compete with countless other items that may be equally strong and relevant to the readership. It’s always worth a try, especially if there’s a ‘tame’ contact journalist – but don’t bank on it. However, if your business hits a crisis of any kind you could be fair game for local, regional and even national media. Your PR plan should always include guidelines for communicating in a crisis.
How can I communicate with the world?
With a combination of your website, email newsletters and social media accounts, you have an ideal range of self-publishing tools, giving you the freedom to publish want you want, how you want it – and reach a potentially global audience. What’s more, there are opportunities to point readers to your online sales facility or lead-generation tools.
Can I do it myself?
Yes – if you have the time and the skills. However, the internet is littered with bad writing and editing: if you want your material to have real reputation-enhancing quality you should consider using an experienced consultant copywriter and content manager. When the writer produces material in ‘newspaper style’ it comes with objectivity that boosts credibility.
How much time will I need to spend on PR?
You should allow as much time as possible to ensure that you, your internal team or your consultants can deliver properly. A good guide is to plan for at least one face-to-face meeting with your consultant each month, supplemented by occasional meetings or telephone contacts as necessary to complete projects on schedule.
How will we work together?
Regular meetings with your consultant should be to review recent PR activity, and to prepare for the next challenges. You brief on upcoming requirements – perhaps also providing some direct input. The consultant goes away to prepare a draft for your approval. If necessary, your approved draft can be referred to external contributors for their approval. Once approved by all relevant parties, the material is published or issued as planned.
How will you charge me?
Generally speaking, consultants sell their time – either at an agreed hourly rate or at a set monthly fee. While the set fee is good for the client’s budget and the consultant’s cash flow, time sold by the hour (usually in quarter-hour segments) is perhaps more transparent. It also offers greater flexibility to cope with the peaks and troughs of the business year. Agree your budget with your consultant – then se how tings go.
How can I prevent PR budget excesses?
Many factors can change during production of PR material, and this inevitably affects costs. The best way to avoid spiralling costs is to ensure the initial brief is accurate and that subsequent adjustments are minimal. But PR budgeting is no science – so if there’s a cost problem, talk it through with your consultant
Do you have experience in my sector?
Some consultants specialise, while others prefer the variety of multi-sector activity. The fact is that the need for business communication and the basic tactics are common across all sectors. Processes and procedures are the same, product knowledge and press contacts are easily gained. What really matters is that the consultant is rapidly able to strike up a good relationship with the client and grasp the necessary concepts.
Why should I hire you?
Experience, creativity, enthusiasm, skills, wide-ranging interests, quality output and a passion for language.
Do you have the skills for the job?
Speaking personally, yes. News writing, business and industrial writing, editing and design, photography, web and social media content management – and extensive PR consultancy practice.
How do I contact you?
Please click HERE for our contact form.
DISCLAIMER: Information on this page is for guidance purposes. It does not constitute terms and conditions.