This blog may to trigger a you, but to be honest, I’m here for it. Not because I’m an evil sadist, but because having a mirror held up to you allows you to check yourself before you (continue) to wreck yourself.
If you’re chasing “quick wins” in your business, or you’re being seduced by the shouty, snake-oil sellers promising instant success and overnight transformation, consider this a wake-up call. Grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine, no judgment here!), because I’m about to say what most people in the online space are too scared to admit.
SELF DEVELOPMENT ISN’T SEXY
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: self-development isn’t sexy, it isn’t linear and it sure as hell isn’t a ‘one-and-done’ job. You cannot market your way out of the messy, uncomfortable inner work. I see so many people investing in yet another course or coach, all in the hope that the next shiny strategy will finally attract the “hell yes” clients they fantasise about.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work like that.
If you want bigger profits. If you want to become magnetic to your dream clients. And if you want journalists, podcast hosts and event organisers in your DMs inviting you to share your story then YOU HAVE TO DO the inner work first.
LETS BREAK IT DOWN
I’ve been in business since 2013, rebranding to PR with Perkes in 2018 (shout out to getting married and officially becoming Laura Perkes), and trust me, I’ve spent plenty of time in the trenches. It’s easy to think you’ll feel ready to show up once you’ve reached some magic milestone, but that day never comes if you don’t address what’s going on beneath the surface.
So, ask yourself:
🤔 Are you confident in your message, or are you just posting for the sake of it?
🤔 Do you know why you want to hide instead of hit “go live”?
🤔 Are you repeating the same self-sabotaging patterns and blaming everyone else for your lack of results?
🤔 Are you taking radical responsibility for the role you play in your results – good or bad?
These are NOT the questions most marketers or business strategists are pushing, because they’re uncomfortable. But the reality is, if you can’t look in the mirror and honestly own your sh*t, all the rebranding, PR stunts and Facebook ads in the world aren’t going to move the needle.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR PR?
Being visible isn’t just having your name plastered everywhere. It’s who you are being as you show up. You know deep down that you’re meant for more, but something holds you back (probably a tiny voice that lives inside your head, also known as your ego). Are you showing up as the absolute f**king boss you are, even when things are messy and you feel vulnerable? That’s what creates presence, positioning, publicity, and – yes – profit.
The online space is littered with charlatans who prey on your insecurities. They try to scare the sh*t out of you so you’ll buy their five-step system to success. That’s not how I roll. I operate from a place of love and abundance. If my clients are drawn to my energy and my message, they’ll come to me when it’s right for them, not because I’ve FOMO’d them into submission.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
You have to get honest with yourself. When something isn’t working – whether it’s a product launch, a collaboration, or your entire business strategy – STOP and look inward.
❓ Is it aligned? Are you truly lit up by what you’re doing, or are you people-pleasing because you think it will make you “fit in”?
You might try a new idea, get the team on board, then realise three weeks later that it feels all wrong. That’s not you being flaky – that’s you evolving faster than some people can keep up.
So here’s your permission slip: burn down what isn’t working (or at least tweak it if you don’t want to be that dramatic.) Trust your instincts. Your unique energy code (I’m a 1/3 Generator in Human Design, life path 3 in numerology, textbook Taurean – and 100% unashamed) THIS is what will magnetise the right people to you. The stuff that makes you feel “too much” is your superpower.
WHEN IT COMES TO PR, IT’S NOT JUST TACTICS
When I get calls from journalists, or when media outlets come DIRECTLY to me as their go-to expert, it’s not luck. It’s not just because I’m good at pitching (though, I am). It’s because I’ve done the internal work to show up, own my message and share it with relentless consistency – even when it was scary or messy or I felt totally lost.
PR isn’t just about APPEARING successful. You build a reputation by being truly, madly, deeply connected to your mission, your message and your own power. You become “niche famous” by doing the work others won’t, including the uncomfortable self-development that most people want to skip.
PURPOSE + PRESENCE = PROFIT
You don’t have to be the best at what you do. You DO have to be the best known in your niche. Stop cock-blocking yourself from media opportunities, from high-impact partnerships, from being THE #1 choice for your premium, pay-in-full clients. Do the inner work and it will radiate externally.
Self-development creates the armour you need to handle criticism, bounce back when things go wrong and unapologetically take up space online and in the real world. It isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s ugly. But that’s exactly why it works.
READY TO GET REAL?
If your inner work feels like mushy caterpillar chaos (yes, it’s messy in the middle!), know you’re in the right place. I’ve been there. I’m still there some days and I’m not afraid or ashamed to admit it.
My DMs on Instagram are always open – you’ll find me at @PRwithPerkes (don’t forget the extra ‘e’). Come and share your lightbulb moments, ask for support, or just let me know which bit of this blog made you want to fight me in the comments – I can take it 😉
Remember: If you want to attract hell-yes, pay-in-full clients, show up as your full self. If you want to be recognised as an expert, do what others won’t, both inside and out. PR and publicity will pour gasoline on your fire, but you still have to light the match.
Curious about the next step? Watch this space and enjoy the ride, because getting to the next level gets to be playful and profitable when you’re willing to do the work.
About Laura Perkes:
Laura Perkes is a PR Specialist, Communications Consultant and the Founder of PR with Perkes. She helps creative, diverse and innovative founders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs who are wanting to raise their profile and build authority through effective PR.
Creating an an earned attention eco-system which contributes to the year on year growth of their business.
