·
Many agencies jump too soon to tactics,
particularly in the area of media relations. Often they cave in to
pressure from a client who might be his/her own worst enemy.
·
Agencies do not
always realistically price programs, for fear they might be asking for “too
much” and not “win” the business. So, if they do win the business, the
budget they have to execute the program will likely not be sufficient to
support the staff or the staff time necessary to succeed.
·
In traditional-model
agencies, it is most often necessary for the firms to seek long-term, retainer-based
financial commitments from clients.
·
While they may say they are
capable of serving clients well in all practice areas, agencies often
cannot, and, in some cases, should not attempt to take care of all a
client’s needs, particularly on a contractually long-term basis. Different
agencies have different areas of expertise and varying levels of staff
availability at any given moment.
·
Sometimes clients are the
victims of “bait and switch”: the people who pitched and won the business
are not the ones who work on the business. And agencies have been known to
have inexperienced junior staff responsible for an account without the
client’s knowledge.
·
Sadly, agencies have been known to overpromise
and underdeliver.
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· Strategy should drive a program, not the
desire for media coverage, which is a means to an end, not an end in and of
itself. Targeted media are the vehicles through which well-thought-out,
truthful and compelling messages can be consistently delivered to desired audiences.
· smartpr is upfront about what can – and
what cannot - be accomplished for available dollars. smartpr will help a
company assess/prioritize its needs, making recommendations that are
appropriate to a given budget and the stage at which a company is in.
·
smartpr’s "virtual model" allows for pricing
flexibility. Varying types of fee arrangements can be made based on hourly
rates, project rates or retainers. smartpr enjoys working with companies
even in the short term.
· If a client’s program requires resources
beyond smartpr’s immediate capabilities at any given moment, smartpr will
gladly partner with or make referrals to other professionals/firms.
·
smartpr does not engage in the practice of “bait and switch.” Clients always know who is working on their accounts.
smartpr professionals are all highly skilled communicators, most with
decades, not just years, of experience.
At smartpr: "Well done is better than well said." (Benjamin Franklin)
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