Practice Management Member Conversations

I have worked with a publicist for the last four years who has encouraged me to step outside of the typical architect envelope to increase my social media presence as well as build my professional brand. I would be interested to hear from other small firm architects who have worked with a publicist and how that experience has been. Larger firms are lucky to have either the staff or budget to accommodate this. I am curious as to how smaller firms are handling this or if they are at all.

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Larry Paschall AIA
Spotted Dog Architecture
Dallas TX
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I'm a small firm - 5 people. I work closely with an almost full time marketing guy. He helps me with social media, pleasing the google machine, getting our name in print media, and helping with taking care of clients and keeping them on drip marketing (and many other tasks). he's expensive, but I can see the results with getting more calls on bigger projects, and winning some of them. It took me years to get to the point where I thought I had the budget for it. Time will tell if it works, but I can tell that we are getting our name out there better because of it. Some of the staff also contributes to social media, but it's mainly Mr. Marketing guy. He's also an amazing photographer, which I recommend spending some $$ on proper arch photography. 

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David Sisson AIA
David Sisson Architecture PC
East Providence RI
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We are a small firm and put resources into to a marketing and PR company. We think it has been a great value and worth every penny.

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Jason Hagopian AIA
Neuvio Architects
Fort Lauderdale FL
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So many firms--small and mid-sized--discount the value of PR and marketing professionals and believe in going it alone. Good for everyone whose responded here for putting their skills to work. This is a whole field of expertise that is different from that of the architectural professional. Check out Sarah Hernandez's article on Marketing & BD from last month's PM Digest: https://bit.ly/3uVP4Mj 

Sarah has grown from working on the client side to becoming CMO of Ci. She's written a great summation of the role of Marketing staff, which can include outside hires. 

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Rebecca W.E. Edmunds AIA
Editor, AIA PM Digest
President, r4llc
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