Making Your Brand Famous by Odette Barry
At the May 2024 Northern Rivers Business Connection event, Odette Barry, a seasoned publicist and PR mentor, shared her expert insights on how to make your brand famous. Her presentation provided a comprehensive overview of PR, practical steps for implementation, and emphasised the importance of storytelling in building a lasting reputation.
Making Your Brand Famous
Public relations (PR) can be a game-changer for your business, but it’s often misunderstood. Odette Barry, a seasoned publicist and PR mentor, recently shared her insights on how to effectively leverage PR to make your brand famous. Here are the key takeaways from her engaging presentation.
What is PR?
PR is all about managing your brand’s reputation and visibility. It’s not just about getting featured in the media; it’s about creating a positive perception among your target audience. Effective PR is a blend of increasing your visibility and managing your reputation, aiming to win the hearts and minds of your ideal audience.
"PR is about winning hearts and minds. It’s about creating a strategic presence in various media platforms and ensuring that your brand is consistently recognised and respected."
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling is at the heart of PR. Stories have the power to bring about social change and transform businesses. By sharing both personal and professional stories, you can create a strong, relatable connection with your audience. Embracing vulnerability in your storytelling makes your brand more authentic and trustworthy. Odette emphasizes the importance of sharing stories that resonate with your audience and reflect the values and mission of your business.
"Storytelling can transform the lives of the people around us and us as business owners through the powerful stories we share."
DIY PR Strategies
Odette Barry advocates for DIY PR strategies that can be implemented by anyone willing to put in the effort. Here are some practical steps:
-
Leverage Social Media: Start by regularly sharing your business stories and personal insights on social media. This increases your visibility and helps you get comfortable with sharing your stories.
-
Write Opinion Editorials: Sharing your expertise and advice in reputable publications can help build your credibility as an expert in your field. It’s a great way to get your name out there and establish yourself as a thought leader.
-
Build Relationships with Journalists: Connect with journalists and editors through social media to foster relationships before pitching your stories. This increases your chances of getting your stories picked up by the media.
-
Personalise Your Pitches: Each pitch should be tailored to the specific publication and journalist. This shows that you’ve done your homework and understand their audience and content.
-
Be Resilient: Follow up multiple times if necessary to get your story noticed. Persistence is key in PR.
"DIY in your PR is one of the best ways to do it because it is bloody expensive. And you want to know the craft you're going to outsource when you're ready."
Embrace Self-Promotion
One of the biggest hurdles in PR is overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion. Odette emphasises that promoting yourself is not gross; it’s necessary. If you don’t put yourself out there, opportunities will pass you by.
"It's not gross to promote myself. If you're not going to do it, it's not going to happen."
The Clout and Credibility Ladder
Odette introduces the concept of the clout and credibility ladder. Begin with your own channels (social media, website, newsletter) and gradually move to larger platforms. Aim for consistent, sustained visibility to build a strong reputation over time.
"Show up on social media and tell your stories. The rule of 10: Read, listen, or watch at least 10 stories from each publication before you pitch."
Odette’s PR Training Offer
For those looking to delve deeper into PR, Odette offers an on-demand PR training program for $500, which includes a $100 voucher if you send her a direct message. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to handle your own PR effectively, saving you the significant costs associated with hiring a publicist. By learning from Odette, you can master the art of PR and take control of your brand's narrative.
"I love teaching PR. If you're interested, jump into the healthcare NPR on-demand program. It’s a lot of fun and worth every penny."
Final Thoughts
Odette Barry’s presentation provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging PR to make your brand famous. By implementing her strategies, you can build your brand’s reputation, increase visibility, and create lasting connections with your audience. Remember, effective PR is about consistent, sustained effort and building authentic relationships. So, start sharing your stories, connect with journalists, and don’t be afraid to promote yourself.
By following Odette Barry’s advice, you can take your brand to new heights and become a household name in your industry.
Check out Odette's incredible programs here.