The most important part of any business is its people. And this is especially true when it comes to PR. How you present yourself reflects your organisation. Turn up to a meeting late, sloppily dressed and grumpy and people may assume you apply the same low level of care to your business dealings.
Try to present the most polished version of you to your audience, but always be yourself – people can spot inauthenticity a mile off.
It’s vital to look the part. That’s not to say you should wear a suit – this doesn’t fit the image of all organisations, nor might it fit your personality. But whether it’s a branded t-shirt, colourful uniform or more formal attire, be sure that your outfit is pristine, right for the occasion and appropriately represents your brand.
Even if meetings and events take you outside of your comfort zone, always focus on being friendly and approachable. Greet people with a smile, try to introduce yourself to everyone in the room and never bring your personal life into a business environment. We’re only human and all have off days but if there’s something affecting your ability to present yourself at your best, it might be better to postpone a meeting for another time. This might seem an obvious point but you’d be surprised at the number of times we’ve witnessed people in fits of rage and tears in meetings – and it’s very off-putting!
We’re sure you’ve got the basics covered. But here are a few extras worth working on while you perhaps have a little more time on your hands, to help you keep up appearances:
Looking good on LinkedIn
Of all the social media platforms, LinkedIn is a must for businesses. Used well, it can help you make invaluable connections and attract new business. So, it’s important your profile looks the part. Check the following:
- Update your photo so it looks like you’re in your business setting – this is not the place for a snap of you in the pub or on your wedding day (no matter how lovely you looked!).
- Headline – does it contain key words that relate to your business and the services you offer?
- Summary – does it tell your potential clients what you can do for them rather than all about you and how qualified you are?
- Experience section – we don’t need to know about your Saturday shoe shop job when you were 16 unless of course, it’s relevant now (for example, you own the chain!)
- Posts – keep them business-like and informative.
- Engagement – don’t just post; comment, like and share – play an active part in your online business community.
- Groups – join relevant business groups, be useful and helpful and you will be noticed as an expert in your field (you can join these without being a Premium member).
- See who others in your network are connected to; they could introduce you to someone useful – but be willing to do the same in return.
- Articles – LinkedIn articles allow you to showcase your expertise to a business audience, helping to build your reputation as someone who knows their stuff!
Nail networking
Relationship-building is key to any business. And it’s important to put in the time and effort to maintain them as much as possible – it could pay dividends! Be sure to:
- Stay in touch with and regularly attend old groups. Being a familiar face means you’re more likely to be recommended by your peers.
- Find new groups – or better still, start your own!
- Ask where others network and see if they can get you an invitation or introduction.
- Offer to host a group to give expert advice and information. Keep it simple and jargon-free – remember the service you offer might be new to many people, so it needs to be as easy to understand as possible.
- Take pride in your appearance, even on a video call.
Brilliant blogs
Regular blogging on your website is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and credibility, while also helping your customers. Top tips for blogging include:
- Think about the questions you are regularly asked by your customers and use those as topics for your blog posts. Customers who come to your site for advice and tips are more likely to engage your services.
- Try to blog regularly, even if it’s just a couple of times a month.
- Offer guest posts to websites that have a connection to your business – perhaps a supplier or someone you regularly collaborate with – and ask if they would like to do the same in return. This is great for mutual promotion and demonstrating a strong business partnership.
- Look through relevant business and consumer publications read by your competitors and customers – are there any opportunities to offer one of your blog posts as an article?
What changes have you made to improve your personal PR? Let us know or get in touch for more advice
hello@izzypr.co.uk
