Being a public relations agency isn't merely working to better a company. The key is to form a lasting relationship with the client. Forbes believes that a business is only as good as the clients it serves. Although the work itself is very important in keeping a client, that bond to a client is the key to achieving the success of its goals. An agency must understand the client's current work, morals, audience and proximity to create the perfect message. In order for the agency to even begin researching the client, it must form a mutually beneficial connection. Allen Duet suggests five tips in forming strong relationships with clients that Thrive strives to emulate. It may seem simple, even obvious, to form that bond with a client; however, one should never underestimate what a difference strong relationships make in building a lasting business.
Stewardship is defined as "the activity or job of protecting and being responsible for something." In public relations, we are responsible for someone else's image. It is of the up most importance to have a full understanding of that image before setting out to represent a client. We, as public relations professionals, have a duty to protect that image once it is correctly created. Stewardship isn't something that can be practiced over a short period of time. Stewardship involves a lasting relationship with another that can grow as the years go by. According to Cutting Edge PR, good relationships can't be turned on and off like a tap.
So far in this short journey with Youth Oasis, Thrive has upheld the responsibility of protecting Youth Oasis's image. The relationship began with weekly meetings with the director, Rafael de Castro, and continues with the social media messages. It is difficult to form such a bonding relationship in a short period of time, but Thrive is dedicated to its formation. Most agencies work with a client for years and Thrive only has a few months. This is an issue Thrive is learning to overcome by actively engaging in Youth Oasis's social media discussions and continuous phone calls to de Castro.
Even though Thrive faces these challenges, it is willing to do whatever it takes to overcome them. Thrive understands the importance of this relationship and it knows the value its client brings to the community. We simply wish the entire city would see the potential in our client. As far as stewardship, we continue to implement the stewardship Youth Oasis provides for the public to enhance the relationship with its key public. We have learned a great deal of relationship and communications skills so far and can't wait for that relationship to grow.
For more information on Youth Oasis, visit its website, Facebook and Twitter.
This article was written by Abigail Miller, event director.
Sources:
Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2013/04/25/tips-for-building-long-term-client-relationships/>.
"Use Stewardship to Safeguard Relationships with Your Long-term Stakeholders." PR Plans ::. N.p., n.d.Web.<http://www.cuttingedgepr.com/articles/use-stewardship-to-safeguard-relationships.asp>.
"5 Tips for Building Strong Relationships With Clients." Entrepreneur. N.p., 17 June 2014. Web. <http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234773>.
Merriam-Webster.Merriam-Webster,n.d.Web.<http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/stewardship>.