Ged Carroll set me some more homework in his ‘Low cost ways to keep your clients happy’ meme. He’s put together an impressive list of low cost tools that enable PR professionals to do their job better.
I have a single piece of advice for front line PRs in a challenging economy – and it won’t cost you anything. Stick close to your clients. Meet with them. If that’s not possible call them regularly, especially if they are based overseas.
The PR industry relies far too much on digital, rather than face to face communication. Richard Houghton, PRCA Vice Chairman and CEO of Carrot Communications made the same point when he quoted on old boss last week.
“If you haven’t spoken to your client today, how do you know he is still a client?” And no, email, SMS or direct messages via Twitter or FaceBook don’t count!
PR lecturer Richard Bailey goes a stage further in his post Face to Face or Facebook? outlining his personal communications. Face-to-face, hand-written card or letter and phone make up his top three. I completely agree.
Tags: Ged Carrol, meme, richard bailey, richard houghton
and my top tip: “be nice”Compliments of the Season
Good advice.. this is what my lecturer at college is always saying too. By the way, a little off topic, but.. did you see the Borkowski PR christmas card yet? http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rJwgw3Z4sBoI guess this is their way of making their clients happy!
Email, text messages and social media tools have made people lazy about keeping in contact. There’s no substitute for the personal touch which – despite today’s techno wizardry – remains a friendly face, voice or written note.
Amen.Ged, I have’t seen you in a few years but I bet you could make cash on the side as a double for Darth Vader in RotJ (the bit at the end where he takes his helmet off). Only kidding, fine figure of a Scouse.