When you hear the words pitching, hit and home run, the first thing that probably comes to mind is baseball. But after working for a PR firm and spending many of my summer nights and weekends at the ballpark, I have come to realize baseball and PR have many parallels.
Teamwork – Both Baseball and PR are team efforts. Whether you are bouncing ideas off each other during a brainstorming session, pooling talents to develop a winning PR strategy, or making a double play, baseball and PR heavily rely on good communication, camaraderie and collaboration.
Pitching – An experienced pitcher in baseball can determine the best pitch to strike the batter out or walk him to first. Similarly, effective media pitching can either make or break an effective PR program. Landing great media hits is a way to increase your client’s exposure and ensures their message is heard or seen by a broader audience. If you do not effectively pitch, the lack of media coverage gives competitors the opportunity to hit a “home run” by landing coverage and getting ahead in the game.
Home runs – A home run in the PR world can mean a number of things – securing a big media hit, winning an award or organizing a successful event. Just like a home run in baseball, home runs in PR take patience, skill and a bit of luck.
Every hit counts – In baseball, every hit matters, and that is also the case when it comes to media hits. Earning a media hit, no matter the size of the publication, gets your client’s name out to create awareness and inform target audiences. Having a strong foundation of media coverage builds credibility and leads to those big “home run” hits, too.
Pause and “stretch”– When you work on a PR project, pitch or proposal for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to pause before submitting the final version. Just like the “seventh inning stretch” in baseball, getting up from your desk to stretch your legs, going outside for some fresh air, and pausing to get a new perspective on your PR game all lead to better results. You will be amazed to see what a fresh pair of eyes and break from your screen can unveil in something you were staring at for hours.
Whether your home run takes place on a baseball field or in the PR world, one thing is certain: a good baseball player or PR pro can always knock it out of the park if they employ teamwork, patience, skill, and recognize a lucky break when they see it, too.
This blog was contributed by Clearpoint Agency Social Media and Digital Media Coordinator, Nikki Sachman.