Amidst all the noise from a week ago, Jeremiah Owyang strikes a blow for truth and justice with a smartly (as always) written post “How PR Can Help Some Startups.”
The money quote:
Some PR folks have become their own hubs. What’s this mean? They should up to so many tech events, that they’ve developed real relationships with influencers regardless of who their client list is. There’s a handful in silicon valley you can identify at any event or party, they literally are “hubs” and people are constantly surrounding them.
PR people have to learn that ‘relations’ is as important a part of their jobs as media is. Those relations will not only outlive their clients, but might help them outlast the next downturn.
Thank you Jeremiah for this.
That is solid. But I think that, while relationships ARE huge, they’re only part of the puzzle. This is obvious, but you need someone who, in addition to the street cred, hub status, has the smart blend of creativity and strategy to plug the client into that network in a way that makes sense for all involved. Your hub grows in value, influencer has interest in client, awareness of client is raised.
If you plug any client into the network that is willing to write a check, your network loses its value over time.
You know this, but just wanted to expand on this.
Thanks David. I didn’t understand the PR profession as much as till now.