Hamsters are just rats with positive PR
by Startacus Admin
"Hamsters are just rats with positive PR” or so says President Putin
Spin, PR, hype or just the old concept of the emperor’s new clothes, business positioning is and always has been massively important to a 
successful enterprise.
From the start of any venture and throughout its existence, maintaining a positive image is all important but it's also essential to recognise the fragility of such promotion.
Positive image can be destroyed so much more easily than it is created. One bad restaurant review, one negative theatre critique can more often than not destroy the enterprise despite the numerous contrary opinions.
Service and product buyers can be fickle and in this economy price is often still a deciding factor when faced with a like for like choice.
When I started my business I was told that I would only ever be as good as my last deal, that advice still resonates today. For me this has meant I am constantly striving for improvements and aware I need to shout about such successes.
The British mentality is one of the most reserved in the world when it comes to shouting about our success; by and large we are naturally self-deprecating. Frankly if this is you, you just need to change your mind set. It’s tough out there and if you are great at something then start to shout about it, it’s not a sin to be successful.
My word of caution is to stay grounded because if you have a fall from favour, be it for a justified reason or not, it’s always a long way to fall.
Positive PR is not hard to garnish, engage with the local press, they are always desperate for column inches. Social media is free and brilliant when used correctly for spinning out messages but be careful though about over hyping it all up and then not delivering. It is always best to under promise and then get the PR on the over delivery.
The key to promotion is always a hook that looks not like self-promotion but information and education. Make it look less like a direct complement and more like a bask in reflected glory. It's worked for me for many years.
I don't think I have ever paid for any PR and have had 1000’s of pages of it over the years. Although I would add it’s not free in every sense, you may not need actual cash to secure a good media presence but you do need to devote personal time and energy into the creation of the information.
Jo Haigh is a Partner at fds Corporate Finance and Cracking Boards
Email: Jo.haigh@fdscfs.com
Telephone: 01924 376784 / 01484 860501
She is the winner of the Sunday Times NED of the year award, Claridge’s 14th March 2013. Her latest book: The Keys to the Boardroom, how to get there and how to stay there, due for release October 2013.
If you like what you see here on Startacus, why not become a member of our growing community? It's free! And you'll get all this - exclusive access to our Business Toolkit, discounts and offers galore for your business via our member only business deals, the chance to network and connect with loads of fellow self-starters, and maybe even become our celebrated 'Self-Starter of the Week' and tell the world your startup tale! Join right here for free
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
A short guide to hiring the best service providers for your organisation so that you don’t waste your time and money.
.jpeg)
These tips for startups And entrepreneurs could transform your video output and have a dramatic impact on your marketing results.
What is the long-term vision for our education system? In 2020, let’s focus on releasing EdTech from its shackles, says Ricky Doyle, co-founder of Practice Labs.
Zen Educate is an innovative digital staffing platform enabling supply teachers to be connected with schools more efficiently
Aisha secures seven-figure investment from the Foresight Group to help its marketing, development and international expansion plans
ShapeDo from the 2018/2019 RELab cohort has secured investment from Goldacre in its innovative construction project management software
The Cool To Be Kind Project started after Naomi Lambert's devastating journey with infertility culminated in a full hysterectomy at 32.
Harper James Solicitors highlight the often hidden mistakes and dangers that may impact on your startup's success.
Bryony Wylie, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Prescriber and founder of FooDoo Snacks share's her predictions for employee health and well-being trends for 2020!
The third-party platform that enables you to anonymously tag, measure, and resolve incidents of bias and harassment in your organisation
Published on: 9th September 2013
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Investment announced in Aisha, the award-winning halal baby food manufacturer 13th Nov 2019 Aisha secures seven-figure investment from the Foresight Group to help its marketing, development and international expansion plans
- Construction tech startup ShapeDo secures investment from VC firm Goldacre 13th Nov 2019 ShapeDo from the 2018/2019 RELab cohort has secured investment from Goldacre in its innovative construction project management software
- Culture Amp launch Diversity and Inclusion Starter Kit to bring best practices to UK businesses 8th Nov 2019 The latest ways in which leading people and culture platform Culture Amp aim to help organisations manage their diversity and inclusion practices and policies
- Manchester fintech GoodBox hits £2m donated to UK charities 21st Oct 2019 Manchester fintech GoodBox, which helps charities embrace the rise of fintech through digital and contactless payments, have raised over £2m for UK charities.
