In the time I have been at Communiqué PR, I have realized that I can apply many of the lessons I have learned from golf to public relations. Both golf and PR have landscapes that are constantly changing, however, are full of opportunities. Opportunities that through precise execution and careful planning (or practice), can achieve great results.
I am new to PR, but having played golf for 15 years, I am finding that my experience with the sport is helping me navigate the world of PR. Whether you are standing on the tee box or sending out a pitch, there are similarities in the approach. Although the equipment might be different, both benefit from these four approaches:
Break down your goals
The most obvious goal in golf is to lower your score; however, this is easier said than done. Rather than looking at it as 18 holes, it is more effective to break down your goals into achievable specific goals, like getting your approach shots within 15 feet of the flagstick or taking fewer shots on all the greens. In PR, one way that you can break down a goal is to focus on building a relationship with certain reporters or outlets over time. When working in PR, you always want amazing results for your clients and it is helpful to indentify smaller achievable goals that will lead to the overall success and great results that you are working toward.
One hole at a time
When you play a round of golf, remember to play one hole at a time. Do not mourn your previous hole or warily anticipate the next hole; you must simply focus on the hole that you are playing as if it is the only hole on the course. This mindset is helpful in PR. Rather than thinking about previous wins or losses, it is best to focus on the current pitch. Do not be discouraged if a journalist was not interested in the last pitch you sent them. Take a step back, analyze the elements of your new pitch, and focus on the new story or information you are sharing. Keeping a fresh focus and positive outlook will benefit your work and the outcome.
Keep score (in the back of your head)
In golf, focusing on your score can be a bad thing. It is often best just to focus on playing your best golf rather than focusing on the numbers. When you focus too much on your score, suddenly you are miss-hitting your shots and positioning yourself to play worse than you would have if you had not been keeping a constant minute-to-minute tally.
Similarly in PR, you can keep score of how many articles have been published or how many media or analysts briefings your client has had, but overall you need to just focus on the quality of the work you are doing and how it helps them reach their business goals. It may not mean securing 40 articles; it may mean building one really strong media relationship. Keeping tally just for the sake of having good numbers is not nearly as important as having meaningful results.
Know proper etiquette
Whether you are playing golf for a university or playing with your buddies on a Saturday morning, you are not the only player on the course. There is important golf etiquette to follow. It is important to know the rules. Including not talking while others are hitting or not walking through someone’s putting line. Golf is more enjoyable for all the players on the course when everyone knows the common courtesies and golf etiquette. When you practice PR, there are common courtesies, as well, including respecting journalist’s feedback and schedule, and respecting client’s objectives. And PR etiquette is something we learn from being part of a top-notch PR firm like Communiqué PR.