I’m not clairvoyant, and I don’t own a crystal ball, but I do believe that the consumer and enterprise tech markets are going to recover in the not too distant future. And when they do, the tech PR firms and their clients that have successfully weathered this storm will emerge that much stronger.
As a tech PR agency, operating successfully while many of your clients are doing poorly is no easy feat. It means continuing to focus on generating measurable results even when there’s tremendous pressure to focus on process and reporting, and while budgets are more than likely shrinking. It means being more creative than ever at a time when some clients are being force to limit product innovation and simply refresh or extend existing lines. And it means maintaining positive morale at a time when raises and promotions are scarce, clients are stressed and there’s a good chance that many your employees have friends and family who’ve recently lost their jobs.
On the positive side, there remains an enormous need for agencies to help many of their clients successfully navigate between the waning traditional media universe and the brave new world of social media. This shift underscores the power and value of social media-driven PR programs. It also takes time.
And, bottom line, it means doing more – sometimes far more – for less. Now is the time that every good agency should be letting all of its client’s know that they’re willing to do everything they can to ensure that there will be a next year.
Yes, times are tough, but there is light on the horizon. Apple and Intel, both tech market bellwethers, just blew past Wall Street’s quarterly recommendations. And, back to school buying, followed by the holiday buying season, can help get this train back on track.
Stay tuned. I know I am.
Bob
Tags: consumer technology, enterprise technology, social media, tech PR