Comments on: Tip #32: Hush, now

By: Tip #147: Who are you working for? « Pro PR Tips

Tip #147: Who are you working for? « Pro PR Tips — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:31:37 +0000

[...] also tips #32 and [...]

By: K Lee

K Lee — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:11:02 +0000

Yes, a sp0kesperson should be prepared before the pitch.

Yes, a PR person should ride the side-line, silently (unless it is clear the first base coach role is needed).

But, the REAL reason I sit in the room is neither of these. It is for the rare, but real, ambush journalist who has lied about his or her angle, interest and background and is seeking to discredit my spokesperson, our product, and our agency. Then, you darn well bet I’m going to speak up. A lot.

By: Shawn Neal

Shawn Neal — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:26:26 +0000

I think that, as a PR person, we have to be at the sidelines, unheard yet available. That being said, we also must know when we are needed. We can only coach so-far, and if our client begins to loose track, we need to help them get their footing again. It is a bit disconcerting that a reporter would not want a knowledgeable representative to articulate a point when the spokesperson is having difficulty finding the right words. It seems to me that it would make said reporters job a little easier.

By: Tip #120: I’ll ask the questions here « Pro PR Tips

Tip #120: I’ll ask the questions here « Pro PR Tips — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:15:10 +0000

[...] See also: Tip #32: Hush, now. [...]

By: Robin Bectel

Robin Bectel — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:23:22 +0000

Its tough being “on” for an interview. Reporters do this for a living but spokespeople only do this a handful of times a year. its nerve racking to be on the spot. When I’m in a meeting with my spokesperson, my job is to keep them on message (which is all about prep beforehand) , but also, to keep them functioning. Sometimes you need to break in simply to give your person a chance to breathe and think about what they want to say next. Kind of like calling a time out. I agree though, in general, the PR person’s role is to be silent.

By: Adam Zand

Adam Zand — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:47:15 +0000

That’s fine as long as you understand PR people and clients use IM all the time .

I like the matchmaking role you describe.

By: Kristin F

Kristin F — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:34:39 +0000

Agreed. I work in PR- once I set up the meeting, I let the spokesperson go. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I let him go on and I didn’t think he was prepared.

By: Tip #32, continued « Pro PR Tips

Tip #32, continued « Pro PR Tips — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:16:46 +0000

[...] About Tip #32: Hush, now [...]

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:11:23 +0000

Sometimes, you just have to chime in. I’ve had plenty of instances where the presenter has either had langauge issues, or just forgotten some important item that they really should mention.

Would you rather I chime in, or pass the presenter a note, which would at first blush look like we were trying to be sneaky?

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:59:46 +0000

On the other hand. If you are presenting to someone who is trying to let you know they want to focus on the product/service, then why interrupt that flow?
The PR person’s function is to get to the place where the reviewer will agree to actively learn about the product/service. Once you are there, most of your job is over. If the reviewer has questions, or doesn’t understand something, you might offer to explain, but at that point the reviewer gets to decide.