Warm Up to Public Relations
By Michael Perini, ABC
Perini & Associates
In sports, if one is smart, warming up is the right course of action. A lot of stretching, strides, jumping up and down. Adding pushups and sit ups keeps the routine fresh. All this physical activity with the goal of reducing injury during aerobic activity. Makes sense, right?
Warming up is also critical when beginning public relations activities. One should start small and work up to a level where the unity of effort really brings a return on investment.
Here are several quick PR warm up activities — 3,2, and 1 — to get you into winning shape:
3. Seek out a “trainer†or public relations expert: You don’t have time to learn all the drills so have someone guide you; take you to that new level. A professional counselor will be able to access your current public relations “health†and help build a schedule that meets your goals. Your “trainer” will also be able to introduce a variety of successful activities to keep drills both effective and not boring.
2. Establish a warm up routine: Most exercise experts will advise a  — 30 minute three  or four day a week minimum — routine to enhance performance. In public relations your initial warm up activity begins with asking yourself, honestly: “What’s my goal and why do I need public relations strategies to help me achieve it?â€Â If you can’t answer this question, then you will have difficultly climbing up that hill of success no matter what the frequency or types of public relation activities.
1. Chart performance: Serious sport teams and athletes place a lot of emphasis on charting success. Just check out ESPN or any sports channel to view all the numbers that are kept by statisticians to determine success. It should be the same when tracking public relations performance. Establish a good warmup followed by an effective routine that drives to a goal of unity of effort.  Measured success will follow.  Again, back to that trainer or public relations expert for science vs. trial and error when it comes to tracking results.
Let me know what your favorite workout is, Ok?
Now, get to it! Â Warm up to public relations fitness!!