I have a confession to make: I HATE PR.
To be more specific, I hate being a PR practitioner.
Why? Because of the unusually difficult expectations I place on myself and the inevitable disappointment; because I hate being pushy, especially with strangers; because in its traditional form, it's dying; and most importantly, because it doesn't feel authentic to me any more.
Which doesn't mean it's not the right profession for others, or that there aren't others practicing PR in new and exciting and pitch-perfect ways. Because there are. But I don't want to be one of them.
When I initially started freelancing, I wanted to be a writer. But PR opportunities kept falling into my lap. And I kept taking them, because, let's face it, in the beginning stages of entrepreneurship, any money is good money.
And while my business philosophy has evolved into a more holistic approach to communications, I'm still known as the "PR girl." And I still feel compelled to take on business that doesn't excite me, just because I can and it pays the bills.
At least I did until two weeks ago, when my oldest paying client and I parted ways. It was an amicable parting (they are moving on to bigger and better things), and while disappointing, it was ultimately freeing.
I don’t HAVE to be a publicist. I don’t HAVE to take on work that doesn’t excite me. I don’t HAVE to do or be anything I don’t want to do or be.
Which doesn't mean my current clients won't benefit from my expertise in traditional PR and media relations, or that PR won't pay a role in future communications campaigns. But it's only one piece of a much more comprehensive strategy. I want to teach my clients how to create their own content and opportunities, to find their unique voices, to become their own best advocates. I want to be more than just their publicist.
And that is something I’m passionate, excited and honest about, something I would be proud to market and sell to others. Because it’s MY truth.
