You’re not here for a haircut: how to be a good PR consultant to clients

A little follow up post to my “how to be the perfect PR client” post from earlier this month, here’s a list of my top 10 tips for being a good PR consultant…love to hear your additions as always:

  1. Read. A lot.
  2. Consult them. A lot. Don’t *ever* just “yes” your clients (imagine pitching a release to Charles Arthur for example and then check it still sounds like a good release/angle/story?!) Be honest, follow your gut feeling.  If it sounds like marketing puff, don’t just keep quiet – speak up
  3. Contribute. Ideas, thoughts, advice, research, analysis
  4. Remember.  Names, faces, authors, briefings, actions – the list is endless but don’t let stuff slip
  5. Remember the smaller stuff too – birthdays, anniversaries, holiday destinations – ask questions and be interested
  6. Be visible. Hot desk at client’s offices, walk around and get to know everyone
  7. Be a “so what” test. Question things. Is it right? Will it work? What’s the objective? Why are you using that phrase? Is it different? Is it fresh? Because a client thinks it’s news, can you sell it? If not, why not? What *will* make it work? Offer solutions as well as questions….
  8. Be accepting. If you have advised a client about something and they ignore it- don’t take it personally – move on. Get over it
  9. Be positive and FULL of energy.  Guess what? You’re paid to be here so for God’s sake smile and engage properly – look for the positive in situations, don’t dismiss ideas without offering alternatives
  10. Over deliver…consistently. Always. Set targets and then blow them away

Any more for any more?