As companies make PR decisions for the year, considering what to look for in an agency partner is a key commitment.
Some just do Google searches or scan PR rankings sites to research prospective firms, but that’s rarely enough to narrow the field. Many others, though, conduct interviews or seek capabilities presentations as they create a short list of likely contenders.
Here’s what savvy potential clients will look for—and what PR teams should offer:
A firm grasp of the client business and industry
From the beginning of any PR partnership, a client should feel that the team has thoroughly researched its industry and brand, competition and target audience. Prospects should feel confident that competing firms know the company and the assignment inside out. In particular, decision-makers should look for partners that are steeped in industry and brand language. This “shorthand” and the insights it implies usually offer a comfort level and typically bode well for a quick start to the relationship.
Strong communication skills
It sounds like a no-brainer, but the truth is that communications people aren’t always excellent communicators. Any materials prepared by the PR firm need to be topnotch—clear, well-written and persuasive—but communication prowess will also be evident in how astutely the team members question the potential client, how carefully they listen and how they bring answers and insights to their proposed work.
Demonstrable relevant experience
Those searching for a PR agency will usually have relevant experience as a pre-qualifier for firms under consideration. In certain circumstances, an agency’s experience might be spot-on with several case histories that prove it. Recent experience working in a specific industry and knowledge of the journalists, analysts and competitors in the area is only part of the equation.
The best fit may be with a team that has helped organizations overcome similar challenges—a dated image, a lack of visibility, or little or no innovation within their niche. We advise agencies to emphasize the kind of skills and experience that are most valuable and relevant.
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Personal dynamism and salesmanship
Some companies are so pressed for time that they’re content to choose a PR partner without meeting face to face, but both sides benefit from a chemistry test if possible. The presentation process provides an important opportunity to gauge the kind of communication skills a team has—not just for those in the room—but during an engagement where they will need to present and negotiate on the client’s behalf with journalists, potential partners and others. An in-person discussion at an agency’s offices also speaks volumes about its culture, teamwork and daily environment.
Creativity and imagination
To woo and wow a prospect, teams must banish anything that smacks of “off-the-shelf” effort. A presentation should offer creative concepts that are well thought out, fit the brand personality and appeal to journalists, assuming earned media is a goal. A good agency will be able to demonstrate, based on experience, how and why an initiative will succeed, but the gut-level response must be there. Most important, they should paint a picture of the concept simply and logically; otherwise it will be lost on all concerned.
Specific metrics for success
The most creative idea in the world is worth little if it can’t be justified. Smart firms present creative concepts that do more than just attract press coverage. The proposal must incorporate key performance indicators such as organic and social traffic, awareness, and intent to purchase. It’s best for a firm to present its initial assessment of KPIs but work with the client to hone and refine. As well, the PR partner should offer metrics to measure return on investment and present a budget that is tight, detailed and realistic.
Sharp listening skills
The smartest PR strategists know when to speak and when to listen. The team will impress the prospect and learn a great deal about its leadership, goals and expectations simply by being astute listeners. PR people inherently want to talk, but the decision-makers should look for PR pros who know the value of quiet listening and absorbing and inculcating what key company players have to say. That value can be assessed by a team’s smart questions and conversation following a good listening session.
Collaborative nature
The most successful PR engagements are true partnerships, and the best collaborations are achieved after gaining mutual trust. We look to work with clients to brainstorm story angles, content concepts and event ideas so that some inherent buy-in happens early on and it isn’t all about the agency “selling” an idea every time, but that kind of collaboration doesn’t happen overnight. Agency teams should prove themselves first and become true partners—serving the client’s best interests with their own expertise and knowledge of what works. These fertile collaborations produce the best outcomes, as well as the most successful partnerships.
Smart stewardship of budgets and resources
The PR partner who treats client funds and resources the way they would treat their own will win client confidence and pave the way toward a healthy PR relationship. Though there will be some clients who will find themselves in financial straits at some point and have to sever a relationship, the agencies that consistently demonstrate smart fiscal sense have a much better chance to maintain or re-up for future engagement.
Accountability
Many great PR partnerships are tested by a problem in the relationship. This can stem from a miscommunication or an outright mistake made by either party. Frequent, honest communication will help smooth most bumpy roads, and accountability is key. Both sides of the partnership will benefit from a culture of accountability, in which teams take ownership of tasks and keep open, proactive communication on status and results. Each side should also be honest when something ought to be improved or when they need more help or resources to achieve success. Ultimately, it’s up to each member of the team to take responsibility, report on progress and provide constructive criticism and feedback when necessary to keep things moving in the right direction.
Finally, PR firms should continually think about what’s next in their business and their clients’ industries. That means they offer fresh, innovative ideas to their partners. Those who only trot out the tried and true risk becoming stale and could lose out to an innovative rival firm.
A version of this post first appeared on the Crenshaw Communications blog.
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