In a previous blog post about five movie quotes that can offer advice or jump-start your PR campaign, I discussed that inspiration can come from various platforms. In addition to movie quotes, song titles can also offer advice for PR professionals to kick off their campaign process. These five song titles may spark inspiration for the development of your next campaign.
1) “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s song about people separating from each other can provide insight on public relations because it emphasizes the power of working on something individually, rather than relying on others to take over. In addition to this, “going your own way” can also stand for the value of being unique in the industry of public relations. Professionals should remember the importance of separating your brand from others. It’s necessary for brands to develop a plan that hasn’t been done before.
2) “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones
It is necessary in public relations for people to work together in order for a project to get completed. However, working in groups can lead to issues depending on everyone’s mindsets. Some may believe it is their way or the highway when it comes to developing a campaign, yet examples have shown that this is not a good way to work. This being said, if you get upset if your idea isn’t chosen over someone else’s, the classic song by The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” can be considered in public relations when something does not work out the way you intended.
As mentioned above, public relations incorporates a large amount of collaboration. Because of this, it is vital that those involved in collaboration are team members with excellent skills. “No Scrubs” by TLC is all about getting rid of the people in your life that don’t contribute enough and use others to get ahead, which is not acceptable in public relations. While people can develop these skills through experience, it is important that people recognize when change in behavior has been made and when it hasn’t.
Eminem’s song “Not Afraid” from 2010 is an anthem to describe the attitude professionals should have when beginning a campaign. People may feel pressure or stressed after meeting with a client; a lot of information is provided at one time and tons of planning and organizing needs to be done before the campaign can even begin. Having confidence in yourself and your team and not being afraid of the outcome is the foundation for a successful campaign.
5) “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore
The pop hit “Thrift Shop” is a good example for public relations professionals looking for advice. Prior to starting a campaign, or during and following, it’s important to do research on other cases to see how specific things should be handled. This is especially seen in crisis communication or influencer marketing. The song “Thrift Shop” acts as a way for professionals to “shop” around for previous techniques or practices and use the ones that are best fitting for their brand.
These five songs, along with many others, can act as inspiration to jump-start your campaign.