5- PART SERIES: PR MYTHS DEBUNKED
“Who would be interested in Little Old Me?’ is a belief that comes up time and time again in conversations, particularly with female entrepreneurs, and it’s something that needs delving into further to understand where that belief has come from and to discuss the truth surrounding it.
It’s an objection that’s important to address on a surface level AND on a deeper level. I doubt this is the first time that these thoughts have come up and stopped you from moving forward in business and in life.
As a PR Strategist & Reputation Manager it’s my responsibility to address this objection in relation to getting in the media, so that you can stop hiding in the shadows and show up as the awesome business owner you are.
AS SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG
More often than not, objection that no-one wants to know about you comes up because you’re about to step out of your comfort zone. As human beings, our initial reaction is to protect ourselves from any kind of change/hurt/embarrassment.
You mind monkeys (AKA your Ego) will try and protect you at all costs from anything new that you’re about to start. This is normal (in fact, if you think about it, it all makes sense now!)
From my own experience, these thoughts surface when I’m on the brink of a breakthrough. When I know that what I truly want is on the other side of discomfort. I can see and feel that it’s within arms reach if, I just reach out and grasp it with both hands.
But.…. something holds me back. It could be fear of the unknown, fear of success, fear of judgement, fear of fucking it up. It could be all of those things at the same time!
I’ve learnt to do something that helps me snap out of it. That brings me back into my body, reconnects with my purpose and gives my mind monkeys the middle finger.
Want to know what it is?
Talk to your mind monkeys. Give them a name so that you don’t feel like a total twat talking to yourself (LOL!)
Hear me out….
Your mind monkeys can often be your inner child, and what happens when children don’t want to do something? They throw a tantrum or deploy delay tactics in the hope that you’ll give into their demands and not make them do the thing they don’t want to do.
The crazy thing is…..‘the thing’ you’ve been avoiding is never actually as horrendous as you thought it would be, once you actually gave it a go. Remind your mind monkey that this is the case. Stroke your mind monkey, reassure it that all will be ok, that you’re ok. After a while it will feel placated and return back to the place it feels most safe.
Then it’s time to crack the fuck on!
LET’S GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS
EVERYONE has a story to share (even you) that can impact, inspire and influence at least one other person.
That story isn’t always obvious. It sometimes takes time to rise to the surface if it’s been buried for a long time. Sometimes you’re too blase about the work that we you and the impact that is has that you assume other’s wouldn’t be interested.
Or it could be that you feel too vulnerable sharing what has happened to you (which is totally fine btw, it’s why I created The Four Pillars of PR)
LET’S LOOK AT IT ANOTHER WAY
You set up your business for a reason, and that reason is part of your story.
It could be that:
- You were made redundant and decided to turn your passion into a business
- Full time employment no longer offered the flexibility you needed once you started a family
- You’ve always felt unfulfilled – you knew deep down that you were destined to make a bigger impact in the world
- You experienced something you want other people to avoid experiencing
Those four bullet points above are all ‘news hooks’ that you can use to tell your story in the press.
They’re all situations that other people will be able to relate to. And you know what media outlets are always looking for? Content that their audience will relate to
Perhaps you:
- didn’t get the support that you needed from your employer after having a baby
- managed to re-write your mental health story by practising meditation and journalling
- managed to drop a dress size by making one simple tweak to your lifestyle
Again, these are all ‘news hooks’ that media outlets use all the time, because that’s what their audience is looking for: for inspiration, for advice, to feel they’re normal, or not alone
The key role of communication is to:
✅ inform
✅ educate
✅ entertain
✅ connect
If your story ticks two of those boxes then a journalist is going to want to write about you
EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE AND ALL YOU HAVE TO GIVE
As humans we’re very curious beings. We love to learn, and sharing stories is something we’ve been taught to do from a very young age.
We’re inquisitive and, on the most part, aspire to do better every day. We look to our peers for approval, we discuss issues and challenges with friends and loved ones, to help make sense of certain situations.
This is no different when you’re seen in media outlets. You’re simply casting the net wider in terms of using your voice, sharing your message and reaching the people who need you right now (there will be hundreds of them!)
“BUT WHY WOULD PEOPLE LISTEN TO ME?”
It’s natural to turn to friends and family for advice and support in your hour of need, but friends and family haven’t always experienced what you’re going through, so while they can be supportive and offer advice, it’s not always on the depth that you need. That’s when you (and others like you) begin to search outwards.
Right now, you’re ideal clients are joining online forums and Facebook groups to be with people who have experienced what they’re going through. They’re searching on Google for articles that have been published on blogs or online lifestyle titles. They’re probably even listening to podcasts dedicated entirely to the situation you help with.
If you can get in front of those people who need you, by being visible in the places where they’re searching for advice and support, then all of a sudden you’re catapulted into a whole new world.
You start to be seen as the expert. These perfect strangers feel like they know, like and trust you. They want to work with you.
This is what happens when you tap into the power of the press. This is what happens when you put yourself out there, you attract people who need you and are willing to invest in your services and expertise.
COMMIT TO BEING A CHANGEMAKER
People need you right now, more than ever before, but you’re hiding in the shadows ans holding yourself back.
Sharing content on social media isn’t enough. You’re not being seen (or heard) by enough people, which is why your business isn’t growing in the way that you’d like and you’re not generating the income that you want.
If you make the commitment to share your story and your expertise on a bigger scale, YOU will help inspire, impact and influence others.
You shine a light for them and invite them to follow you and learn from your journey and your experiences. You’re also saying that you’re here and can help. That’s when you open the door to having a conversation and (may even) sign them as a client.
It’s really empowering. For you and for them.
When you’re featured in the press you’re automatically seen by a larger number of people.
You’re automatically seen as an expert and someone who can be trusted. You elevate yourself to the next level, even if it’s on a subconscious level by the reader/listener.
To most people, if you’re in a magazine or invited to speak on a podcast, radio show or TV programme then you must be someone important. Someone to stop and listen to. To learn from. That level of authority is priceleess.
However….before you get to authority level, you must first believe that people want to hear from you, learn from you and work with you.
You must understand that there are hundreds, thousands, even millions of people out there who need to hear what you have to say. It only takes one person to listen and decide to take action to make you believe that you are an expert. That you are powerful and magnetic to the people who need what you offer.
Not everyone is ready to open up and share their experiences in the media. It can certainly leave you feeling vulnerable, but that’s usually where the magic happens.
When you decide to turn your mess into your message you’ll attract more people into your business because they recognise themselves in you. YOU become their role model. Their changemaker.
RETHINK YOUR MIND
If you’ve read this far, then it’s time to rewrite the belief that no-one will be interested in you. It’s not serving you and it’s holding you back.
There are many people who need to hear from a leader like you, to show that there is a way out of whatever they’re experiencing. That it is possible to break through the situation and come out on the other side.
Spend some time thinking about the ways in which you can share your story or your expertise to empower others to make a change. Then commit to showing up (slowly at first if you don’t want to go all guns blazing).
YOU’VE GOT THIS! 💪
