Share This

We began our Halloween-themed scary series with how to create a content strategy.

Then we moved to keyword research.

We continue today with the top challenges small- and medium-sized PR agencies face.

While the challenges are many, so are the opportunities.

For the longest time, I told myself that if this whole entrepreneurship thing failed, I could always go interview with other PR agencies.

Today, I would rather cut off my right arm than go back to work for someone.

No offense to someone; it’s simply that I’ve become accustomed to controlling my own destiny.

In some cases, that means I go an entire year (or more) without a paycheck.

And in other cases, it means the entire team is taking a corporate retreat to Spain and everyone is getting Apple X phones.

It’s certainly not a lifestyle for the birds—and it doesn’t come without its challenges—but I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

In the last 12 years, I’ve figured out a thing or two about running an organization.

There are at least seven challenges PR agencies face as they start out, add clients, grow their team, and build.

They are:

  1. Staying ahead of trends
  2. Staying competitive
  3. Balancing new business with client service
  4. Hiring the right people
  5. Overdependence on one client
  6. Establishing processes and systems
  7. Demonstrating results

Let’s explore them each, and find solutions so you don’t get stuck.

Staying Ahead of Trends

We talk about this one a lot, but staying ahead of trends is something today’s PR agencies must do.

There are plenty of ways to do that.

I really love (and still need to implement in my company) what Danny Iny does with his team.

The first Tuesday of every month is designated a professional development day.

Every person in his organization is to learn something new.

Some take online courses, others participate in groups they’re in, others get caught up on podcasts, and others work on their writing.

If your organization doesn’t allow a professional development day, it’s up to you.

  • Figure out what skills you’re missing or need to enhance.
  • Read K.D. Paine’s article on what the PR pro of the future looks like.
  • Find the online course, event, mastermind group, or school course you can take.
  • Create the business reason for the professional development.
  • Ask your boss (or, if you’re the boss, make yourself do it).
  • Get started.

Read the full blog post here!