What can we learn from working with the tech press? 

I've just been chatting with Chenda Ngak, the head of Public Relations for Automattic.com 

It's a firm that owns brands like WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, Pocketcasts and more.

In the chat, I asked Chenda to share some of what she has learned dealing with the tech press for years.

How can you stick in people's minds forever?

This week I had a conversation with one of Australia's highest-rated radio show hosts but it had nothing to do with radio. 

The conversation highlighted how you can leave a lasting impression on people in your PR and frankly personal relations.

This is what happened plus I also share a way to use this in your PR today.

Can you get the press to come to you?

I've always been fascinated by a book written by a PR called Ilyana Stareva. The book argues that it is possible to get journalists coming to you rather than the other way round. 

I am always on the hunt for fascinating ideas in PR and I finally had a chance to talk to Ilyana and of course I couldn't help but hit the record button as we chatted.

There are two techniques I'm sharing in today's show.

Firstly, the importance of being an advocate for your customers or followers and secondly, the importance of leaning into their style but without copying them.

Both are techniques I learned from journalism that help you gain a connection with your followers.

Welcome back to series 4 of the public relations podcast

I'm taking a 4-week break. The Public Relations Podcast will return in late September for Series 4. 

If you missed any of the last 32 episodes in series 3 then there is a tonne of content sitting in your podcast app feed right now waiting for you. 

I'll be announcing the return in the newsletter so if you are not already signed up, head to www.ThePublicRelationsPodcast.com 

Speak soon.

A very quick episode rounding up a few data points I've been noticing with this podcast that you may also find useful.

There are so many tools out there that can be used to identify who is you are reaching with your public relations efforts.

Imagine the next time you put out a bit of "comms" material that you were laughed at or voted the worst comms person if it went wrong?

That's the kind of pressure many PR people feel but not necessarily immediately. 

Now imagine you got instant feedback from your audience. How would you handle your PR now? What would you do to ensure you connected with your avatar? How would you adjust your public relations strategy to make sure you engaged with them on an emotional level?

In this episode, I talk about a group of people who do get instant feedback and ask the question, what can we learn from them from a PR perspective?

Could you use your own personality to drive your organization's brand?

That's exactly what Dominic Walker is doing. 

He's using his own personality and contacts in the city where he lives popular sporting venues to connect with people and develop his firm's reach.

Could you do that too?