Five Things to Prepare Before You Get Press with Your Host Lexie Smith – Podcast Transcript

Speakers: Lexie Smith

Lexie Smith 

Hey guys, we have two more episodes left in season two of Pitchin’ and Sippin’, this one included, which is wild. After next week, we will have published 50 episodes, which I think is a really big deal. So yay. In season three, we will continue to bring in epic guests ranging from members of the media, to PR professionals and founders, which by the way, if you want to apply to be on the show, the application can be found on the PR bar website at the PR bar inc.com/podcast. Alternatively, if you have guests or topics you’d love to hear on the show, shoot me an email or DM. I honestly really want this podcast to always deliver the utmost value to you guys. Anyways, in season three, we’re going to do something a tad different. In between interview episodes, I want to sprinkle in short and sweet minisodes with quick PR tips and tricks, etc. This was actually a couple different listener requests, and I am so down. So today I’m giving you a taste of just that. Please absolutely do reach out to me and let me know if once again, there’s a specific topic you’d like me to cover in season three, we will include my personal email in the show notes, but also feel free to shoot me a DM on Instagram. My Instagram handle is @theprbar_inc.

Lexie Smith 

Okay. Today, your minisode is on five things to prepare before you get big time press. First number one, you need to prepare yourself and manage your expectations. Meaning you have to understand that throughout your PR journey, you’re going to have successes, but you’re also going to have failures and don’t let failure keep you down. But also prepare yourself for what could happen when you step in the spotlight. Meaning things can go really good, really bad. Or they could just flop. The advice I give to all of my clients is to physically prepare for the best case scenario. We’re going to talk a little bit more about how to do that soon. But mentally try to stay as neutral as possible. If sales don’t come pouring in on your big debut, then try and realize how scoring such a big placement or feature can still deliver immense value from the credibility itself. It might just be a bit more to further leverage. So I also said prepare yourself for what could happen when you step into the spotlight. And that leads us to number two. Number two, prepare your family and friends. During interviews, it’s common to be asked to share parts of your story. Your story typically involves your family, childhood memories, hardship, friends, you know, goes the gamut. Make sure that those around you know that they might be mentioned or in the spotlight by association. Quick story unfortunately, early in my career before I understood how to prepare my clients to do this, I have seen some burned relationships transpire from an entrepreneur being really candid about their family, which was really great for the journalist and for the press. But the family was not so keen that their information or dirty laundry was being aired publicly, right which fair. If you’re unclear on how different members of your family or your friends or your clients, family or their friends feel about the spotlight, consider having a conversation or encouraging them to have a conversation before big placements are pursued. So you need to prepare yourself, you need to prepare your family and friends. Third thing to prepare is your team. Prepare your team for the spotlight. Make sure they are aware that you might see an influx of calls. For example, after a certain segment airs or a publication goes live, communicate that you’re actively pursuing PR and address how they are expected to respond to certain scenarios, inquiries or topics. For example, another one from more mid-career. I had a client land a pretty big TV spot. And a journalist called into their main location. It was a brick and mortar. And one of their employees answered and it was a journalist and they were looking to interview the founder and it was actually a really big journalist. But the employee had no idea what they were talking about. So he kind of brushed off the journalist and, and hung up and just casually mentioned it to the founder after the fact.

Lexie Smith 

And then the founder was like, Oh my God, wait, what happened, but the employee, to no fault of his own, had no idea, right? So make sure your team is prepared at all levels. Hey, guys, it’s Lexie here. If you enjoy this show, then I’m guessing you’re someone who loves knowledge, resources learning. And you could appreciate a good punter too. If I am nailing it right now, then I also know that you would absolutely love the PR weekly roundup sent out every Tuesday. I give the members of my community a lot of resources, tips, event invites, knowledge, nuggets, freebies, and so much more. It’s really simple to jump on the list, all you gotta do is head to the PR bar inc.com/newsworthy. To sign up, we’ll put that link in the show notes, of course. Okay, back to the show.

Lexie Smith 

Connected to your team brings us to number four, you need to prepare your systems. Make sure that your website, for example, is equipped to handle a potentially large traffic increase. Ensure your CRM if you have one customer relationship management system is set up to manage an influx of leads. Ultimately, make sure you’re optimized on all of your back end systems, so that you’re prepared to fully maximize the potential ROI of a given when things should go as hoped. The fifth thing that you should prepare is your inventory. If you are a product based business, make sure you either have enough inventory on hand to fulfill an influx of orders. Or, at the very least have a waitlist or some systems set up in case you sell out. Right. So think ahead, if you can’t fully afford or you don’t want to choose to stock your warehouse, you know, can you prepare your systems to handle clients, you know, can they get on a waitlist or a back order waitlist, just don’t forget about what happens when you sell out. Now if you’re a service based business, make sure you’ve really thought carefully about how many new clients or how much additional workload you can take on or your team can truly take on. And again, have a plan in place for what to do with interest that surpasses your capacity. So if people are calling in wanting to work with you, and you have a full schedule, it would be a really big time loss of opportunity, if you didn’t send them somewhere, to be nurtured until you do have the open capacity. So these are just things to think about. Your inventory can be physical, or it can be reflective of your time.

Lexie Smith 

So a quick recap. You should prepare yourself, your family and your friends, your team, if you have one, your systems and your inventory to really put yourself in the best possible situation. When a big press is on the horizon. If you’re a publicist who’s listening, then you should be communicating all of these items and guiding your clients along through these points. Unlike young PR Lexie didn’t do back then. But now she knows better. It’s okay, we live where we learn. Now, if you’re an entrepreneur, pursuing your own PR, or you are the head of PR for your company, then tap back and take some notes from this episode and add these items to your personal agenda. I want to leave you with this today. It’s my personal philosophy. And it might sound a little corny, but I’m a little corny and funny over here. But I really do believe that everything happens for a reason when it comes to business. From every flop failure or success, something can be learned. Know that whatever the outcome, something can be gained from every action or inaction that you experience as a result of PR. And honestly, I just want to say hats off to you for putting yourself, your company or your clients out there. Your story, their story, your point of view, their point of view, your product, your thoughts. They deserve to be heard and seen. All journeys come with bumps. Hi Paul. wins low points, some of which can all happen in a single afternoon, depending on the day. Know that no one has a smooth ride. However, we have a philosophy here at THEPRBARinc. And we’re going to share it with you now. I highly encourage you to adapt, and that is to celebrate all of life’s wins, no matter how big or how small, cheers!