Friday, October 1, 2010

Fast Company: Lessons from Mr. Rogers

Sam Ford wrote an interesting "lesson plan," if you will, on what those in marketing can learn from the hit TV show Mr. Rogers. Yes, I realize I'm not studying marketing (and never will!) but there is a bit of an antidote that can apply to us PR kids. Ford says "Don't Promise More Intimacy than You can Deliver." He was talking about a line said in the show where Fred wished that he could know all of his viewers personally.

Ford remarked that when you are working with a massive amount of costumers, you can't have relationships with each. Although, in PR it's important and a part of who we are, to build relationships.

Someday, it is my dream to work as a wedding planner. I don't want to have my own firm since I basically have no managing skills. But, I want to work with brides, grooms, and moms. I want them to reach me whenever they want. This can be via email, facebook, or phone. Now I know that wedding planning isn't the same as working with thousands or even millions of customers, but it's still a worry for brides to not have a coordinator that they can be personal with. I want to be personal with each one and develop relationships throughout the whole planning process. I can't promise 100% of my time since I sleep and will be married, but I can give them 90%.

(Sam Ford: 5 Marketing Lessons Learned from Mr. Rogers)




1 comment:

  1. Hi Audrey,

    I'm glad you found my Fast Company piece of interest. I'm actually in public relations myself and consider this industry part of the marketing world. I work for Peppercom Strategic Communications up in New York City, but I actually live in Bowling Green, Kentucky, so not that far north from you. In fact, I fly out of Nashville, as it's the closest airport. In any case, just wanted to say that I appreciated your post, am glad it resonated with you, and agree that these lessons apply deeply to PR.

    Sam

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