« The Press Release "Remix" | Main | Friday Fun: Insignificant 'R' Us »

There are No PR Pros at the End of the Rainbow

I wish I had a nickel for every time a client or prospect told us: "If you do our PR for cheap, we'll increase the budget as-soon-as we get acquired or get the VC $$$." Almost. Never. Happens. Correction: Never Happens. "YOU will get rich when the acquisition/funding comes through," I say. "And that's great; we're happy to help make that happen...
  • "But, WE don't make money when the 'lucky strike' happens...
  • What guarantees can you possibly make to us about this event?
    • "What if the CEO/VC decides to NOT increase the PR budget when the warchest fills-up?
    • "What if an acquirer decides to suspend all vendor contracts? - will you go to bat for us?
    • "When you hired us you suggested that you wanted to be primed for an acquisition/VC infusion - so, why should we expect a big retainer increase once that motivation is gone?"
Have you ever seen the polite grimace on a PR pro's face, as they listen to the delighted tale of their client's new-found riches? Have you ever seen a PR pro's jaws clench, as the client goes on to suggest that maybe, just maybe, "the great PR helped increase the valuation"? Don't succumb to the client's pitch. PR agencies work very, very hard to promote their clients' successes, with no expectations of life-changing wealth as a result. Get paid for today's work today. "Tomorrow" will take care of itself.

Posted by Todd Defren on May 12, 2006 05:07 AM |

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.pr-squared.com/MT_Virtual/mt-tb.cgi/202

Post a comment

PR Squared Comment Policies: PR Squared is owned & written by Todd Defren. The content of the blog represents his opinions but does not necessarily reflect the opinions of SHIFT Communications or its employees.

By commenting at PR Squared, you are granting its owner license to the content of your comment, and acknowledge that the authors do not have a duty to modify or withdraw posts, but that we may do so if we choose, for any reason.

PR Squared strives to maintain an atmosphere of free & open conversation. “Constructive criticism” is okay. Personal attacks are not okay. This is a private website, and we reserve the right to delete any comments we find offensive.

If a commenter repeatedly abuses PR Squared’s comment policy, then none of their comments will be published in the future (even if those subsequent comments are “good”).

Anonymous comments or comments made under an assumed name will not be posted. Comments that smack of “spam” will not be posted.


Clicky Web Analytics