Getting Approval for

Your ProjectTen Mistakes Organizations

Make and How You Can Avoid Them to Achieve Success

The Ten Mistakes

1. They don’t fight back2. They don’t respond3. They don’t listen4. They don’t ask for help5. They think everyone else is going to play fair

6. They don’t take advice from their consultants7. They don’t use gimmicks8. They don’t emote9. They don’t utilize alternative media10. They don’t invest where it counts

1. They don’t fight back

You must use every resource at your disposal to get

approval for your project

S-keep quiet

2. They think everyone is going to play fair

They won’t, and you’d better be ready!

• Don’t be surprised when opponents tell lies, make up information wholesale, and create hysteria.

• Don’t take it personally.• Remember the 51% Rule -

you need approval from the decision-makers, not your opponents.

3. They don’t respond

Respond to rumors, allegations, and outright lies Respond everyday Respond even when you’re sick of it!

Communicate, communicate, communicate

4. They don’t listen

Pay attention Monitor the opposition Meet with the opposition Read everything that’s written

about your project and prepare responses that will resonate with the decision makers

5. They don’t ask for help

Reach out to likely audiences Meet with individuals, small groups,

and large groups Make presentations to business and

civic groups Become a valued member of your

community, as an individual and as an organization – provide service and resources to deserving non-profits

6. They don’t take advice from their consultants

Use the advice

you’ve paid for

7. They don’t use gimmicksUse memorable

moments and actions

Make sure the gimmick is:•Appropriate•Well-timed•Makes sense for the situation•Be willing to scrap the idea on the spot if it doesn’t feel right

8. They don’t emote Emotional appeals always

work more effectively than facts

No one cares about the factsThis is why your fact sheet does not get as

much attention as the headline that screams:

“[Name of Your Project] Will Kill the Dolphins!”

(insert instead: Bankrupt the City, Cause Cancer, or other spurious claim)

9. They don’t utilize alternative media (enough or at all) Don’t count on getting your story out through

traditional media channels Blog and use social media – Facebook, forums

such as NextDoor, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Find out where your audience is online and

provide information there

Remember that NO MEDIA COVERAGE is sometimes a sign of a successful

communications campaign

10. They don’t invest where it counts The fight is not usually over the

technology, the money, or the actual project

The fight is in the arena of public opinion, and often involves a red herring issue – lack of control, people wanting no more development OF ANY KIND, locking the gate behind them, etc.

Bring people to your website (from social media) to tell YOUR story; you’re the authority on your project

1. They don’t fight back2. They don’t respond3. They don’t listen4. They don’t ask for help5. They think everyone else is going to play fair

6. They don’t take advice from their consultants7. They don’t use gimmicks8. They don’t emote9. They don’t utilize alternative media10. They don’t invest where it counts

2 final Q?

The Ten MistakesThe Ten Mistakes

YES - SUCCESS!Because you are going to:1. Fight Back2. Be Prepared3. Respond & Communicate4. Listen & Pay Attention5. Ask & Close the deal6. Hire the Best Consultant You Can Find & Listen

7. Be memorable (keep in mind: appropriateness, timing, makes sense)8. Use emotional appeal9. Utilize alternative media10. Invest where it Counts & be the Authority

N reg form

PR Projects Capabilities Crisis Communication Strategic Planning Consulting

ContactKatie Coates, APR

President, PR Projects877-881-2027 x102kca@prprojects.com

PR ProjectsCrisis communication, message

development and strategic planning