On Public Relations

September 17, 2009 - Leave a comment...

Photo by altemark

Photo by altemark

I hate the fact that every time I introduce myself as a Christian I have to immediately append “but no, I’m not that kind of Christian.” It’s a shame that a small number of idiots who think they’re doing the right thing can ruin something for so many people.

It’s all about the image you portray to the public. We all have two sides- every person, company, organization, even our pets. You have the public face and the private face. The reason we keep the two separate is not because it’s dirty or reprehensible, it’s because the private does not necessarily reflect the interests of the entire group.

Our military kills people, but the recruiter won’t tell you “join us so you can shoot people.” That’s not our military’s main purpose.

Our mothers and fathers spank their children, but they don’t announce it to people they meet for the first time. “Hi there! I whipped my boy’s butt last night!” That’s not what parenting is about.

Public relations is all about putting your best foot forward and making the right first impression. When you know your group or company is already fighting an uphill battle, everything you say and do speaks to the conduct of all involved. The fine line between private and public image must be made clear.

Don’t be ashamed of what you do in private, but don’t be ready to jump in front of the press corps and announce it either.

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  • http://richpalmer.com richpalmer

    Very well said, my friend.

  • http://twitter.com/DougH Doug Haslam

    Nice, Matthew– this adds to the conversation about personae that was start over at the Bad Pitch blog (http://badpitch.blogspot.com/2009/09/look-at-yo…). that was a more careers-oriented conversation, but it still applies– and I do believe there are divisions we make– not just to spin, but for clarity (or to prevent confusion such as in your “Christian” example)

  • http://richpalmer.com richpalmer

    Very well said, my friend.

  • mikemaney

    Very, very well put. Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/DougH Doug Haslam

    Nice, Matthew– this adds to the conversation about personae that was start over at the Bad Pitch blog (http://badpitch.blogspot.com/2009/09/look-at-your-personality-try-being-one.html). that was a more careers-oriented conversation, but it still applies– and I do believe there are divisions we make– not just to spin, but for clarity (or to prevent confusion such as in your “Christian” example)

  • Anonymous

    Very, very well put. Thanks!

  • http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

    I'll disagree with you on the military, sir. The purpose of the military is exactly that – to kill people and break things, and do it as swiftly, efficiently, and effectively as possible, so that other nations know if they engage the United States of America in armed combat, it will end badly for them. That's the idea – the military needs to function as the last resort so that our diplomats and officials have overwhelming, destructive force to lend credence to their non-violent efforts.

  • http://matthewebel.com Matthew Ebel

    I don't know… these days it seems like they're being used more as a utility than a deterrent. In any case, it's still not what they put on the posters for recruiting PR. Not because they want to lie or hide what they do, but because (at least domestically) the image they want to portray is not “trained killers”.

  • http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

    I’ll disagree with you on the military, sir. The purpose of the military is exactly that – to kill people and break things, and do it as swiftly, efficiently, and effectively as possible, so that other nations know if they engage the United States of America in armed combat, it will end badly for them. That’s the idea – the military needs to function as the last resort so that our diplomats and officials have overwhelming, destructive force to lend credence to their non-violent efforts.

  • http://matthewebel.com Matthew Ebel

    I don’t know… these days it seems like they’re being used more as a utility than a deterrent. In any case, it’s still not what they put on the posters for recruiting PR. Not because they want to lie or hide what they do, but because (at least domestically) the image they want to portray is not “trained killers”.

  • Dad

    Matt! Remember the venue in Spokane called 'The Shop' that didn't want you to come back if you were going to play Christian music? Well, they don't put 'Christians Not Welcome' in their ads and on their reader boards, do they. No. They put their best image forward, and save the other stuff for the non-public communications.

    I agree with Mr. Penn somewhat. The military IS supposed to be able to kill at a moment's notice, be feared for that ability, and hopefully not have to do it much. The challenge comes when your opponent has no fear of death, or even welcomes it. Bring on the virgins!

  • Dad

    Matt! Remember the venue in Spokane called ‘The Shop’ that didn’t want you to come back if you were going to play Christian music? Well, they don’t put ‘Christians Not Welcome’ in their ads and on their reader boards, do they. No. They put their best image forward, and save the other stuff for the non-public communications.

    I agree with Mr. Penn somewhat. The military IS supposed to be able to kill at a moment’s notice, be feared for that ability, and hopefully not have to do it much. The challenge comes when your opponent has no fear of death, or even welcomes it. Bring on the virgins!

  • Dad

    Matt! Remember the venue in Spokane called 'The Shop' that didn't want you to come back if you were going to play Christian music? Well, they don't put 'Christians Not Welcome' in their ads and on their reader boards, do they. No. They put their best image forward, and save the other stuff for the non-public communications.

    I agree with Mr. Penn somewhat. The military IS supposed to be able to kill at a moment's notice, be feared for that ability, and hopefully not have to do it much. The challenge comes when your opponent has no fear of death, or even welcomes it. Bring on the virgins!