Not all publicity is good publicity, and you could be doing more damage to your brand than good. Saads Abrahams from media update is sharing three publicity mistakes that could be hurting your brand — and how you can fix them!
Publicity can either be a powerful brand builder or a silent reputation killer. It doesn't matter if you are a large and long-standing brand or a business that just got its footing — some of the smallest publicity mistakes can do major damage to your brand.
That is why we've put together three common publicity mistakes that could be hurting your brand — and what you can do to fix them!
Inconsistent Messaging
Mistake: Your brand needs to have a single voice across social media, press releases, interviews and events. Mixed messaging is the easiest way to confuse your audience and weaken your brand identity.
How to fix it: Take time to develop a clear brand messaging / voice guide. Share it with your PR team, spokespeople and content creators. This will ensure that every message reflects your brand values and tone.
Pitching the Wrong Stories to the Wrong Outlets
Mistake: Not tailoring your pitches or sending irrelevant stories to journalists and media outlets can ruin your media relationships.
How to fix it: Never send out blanket pitches — tailor each and every pitch. Spend some time researching the journalist / media outlet, understand the publication's tone and then angle your story to fit their style and interests.
Overhyping Your Brand
Mistake: A common publicity mistake is making exaggerated claims or using too much buzzword fluff. This tactic is a quick and easy way to disintegrate trust in your brand.
How to fix it: Focus on clear and honest messaging that is backed by facts, case studies, or real customer experiences. When you let your work speak for itself, you will build authentic and long-lasting trust for your brand.
What are some other publicity mistakes that you often see? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva
**Information sourced from Medium and Motive PR