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Applying PRISM Ascend to Personal Branding: A Solopreneur’s Transformation
When you think of a “brand,” it’s easy to picture big companies like Apple, Nike, or Coca-Cola. But in the modern business landscape, individuals are brands, too. For solopreneurs, coaches, consultants, and freelancers, building a distinct personal brand can be th differentiator that sets you apart in a crowded marketplace. The significance of personal branding goes beyond just having a pretty logo or an aesthetically pleasing social media feed; it’s about developing a cohesive, authentic, and memorable identity that aligns with your core values and attracts the right audience.
The Power of a Personal Brand
When you think of a “brand,” it’s easy to picture big companies like Apple, Nike, or Coca-Cola. But in the modern business landscape, individuals are brands, too. For solopreneurs, coaches, consultants, and freelancers, building a distinct personal brand can be th differentiator that sets you apart in a crowded marketplace. The significance of personal branding goes beyond just having a pretty logo or an aesthetically pleasing social media feed; it’s about developing a cohesive, authentic, and memorable identity that aligns with your core values and attracts the right audience.
Yet, despite all the talk about personal branding, many solopreneurs are overwhelmed and uncertain about where to begin. They might have a patchwork of social media profiles, an underwhelming website, and an inconsistent message that doesn’t quite resonate with their desired clientele. This confusion often leads to missed opportunities, stalled growth, and a sense of imposter syndrome.
That’s where a structured methodology can help. PRISM Ascend is a framework designed to guide individuals and businesses through the complexities of branding and public relations. Developed by Marquet Media, it offers a comprehensive roadmap that addresses both the strategic and tactical elements of positioning oneself in the marketplace. Rather than a scattershot approach, PRISM Ascend ensures every component of your brand—your messaging, online presence, and networking efforts—works in harmony.
In this long-form narrative, we’ll follow the journey of a fictional (name) solopreneur—Sarah Evans (real client)—who used PRISM Ascend to revitalize her floundering personal brand. Along the way, you’ll see how the framework’s pillars combine to address real-world challenges, guide pivotal decisions, and deliver tangible results.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Sarah’s Starting Point
Learn where Sarah was before embracing PRISM Ascend: the confusion, challenges, and wake-up calls that led her to seek a structured solution.
Breaking Down PRISM
Explore the core elements of PRISM—Position, Relevance, Influence, Strategy, and Measurement—plus how they set the stage for personal branding success.
Unpacking Ascend
Understand how the Ascend phase takes the PRISM foundation and propels it forward through aligning, strategizing, creating, engaging, nurturing, and Dominate.
Applying PRISM Ascend: Step-by-Step
Follow Sarah’s progress as she uses each component to transform her brand, from clarity in messaging to networking strategies that open doors.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
No journey is perfect. Discover the hiccups, doubts, and course corrections Sarah faced and how she overcame them.
The Final Reveal
See the results: what Sarah’s brand looked like after the framework was implemented and the new opportunities that blossomed.
Your Takeaway
Gain insights on how to apply PRISM Ascend to your solopreneur journey, with tips on staying authentic and consistent throughout the process.
Read on if you’re ready to see how a real-life (or, in this case, realistic fictional) transformation unfolds using PRISM Ascend. Sarah’s story may mirror your own experiences—the frustration with an unclear identity, inconsistent digital footprints, and the feeling that you’re on the verge of something big if only you had the right roadmap. Let’s dive into how that roadmap took shape.
Part I: Sarah’s Starting Point
Sarah Evans was a freelance consultant specializing in leadership development for small tech startups. She saw tremendous potential in this niche; after all, startups are always looking to scale effectively, and leadership is often their Achilles’ heel. But despite her expertise and passion, Sarah felt like she was shouting into the void.
The Early Struggles
Lack of Clear Messaging: On her LinkedIn profile, Sarah labeled herself a “Consultant, Coach, Strategist, Mentor,” switching terms almost randomly. While she posted occasional content on leadership, it lacked a cohesive narrative.
An Inconsistent Online Presence: Sarah had a personal website—sarahevansconsulting.com—where she detailed her services, but the site looked outdated. She also had social media accounts, but they did not have unified branding elements or a consistent posting schedule.
Difficulty Defining Her Target Audience: Although she aimed to serve tech startups, her language sometimes sounded too corporate. In other posts, she’d pivot to personal development for individuals. Prospective clients didn’t know if she was a B2B or a B2C coach.
Underpricing and Undervaluing: Because her brand didn’t exude a high-level professional image, Sarah was undercharging—afraid that she couldn’t justify premium rates.
Over time, Sarah’s frustration grew. She attended various networking events and even tried paid advertising, but the results were lukewarm. She knew she needed a more strategic approach that integrated messaging, positioning, and visibility into a cohesive plan.
The Wake-Up Call
The turning point came when Sarah lost a potential client to a competitor whose credentials weren’t necessarily stronger but whose online presence and brand narrative were far more polished. In a feedback call, the prospect admitted: “We really liked you, but the other consultant just looked more established. Their website and social media presence spoke to our needs.”
That was all Sarah needed to hear. She realized that talent and expertise alone don’t permanently seal the deal in today’s digitally-driven world. Public perception and brand messaging can be the deciding factor. Determined not to lose another client to a more “put-together” competitor, Sarah researched structured branding frameworks. Her search eventually led her to PRISM Ascend from Marquet Media, a method that promised to streamline and empower entrepreneurs’ brand-building efforts.
Sarah booked a discovery call with a consultant who specialized in PRISM Ascend. Even from that initial conversation, she sensed the framework’s potential to provide clarity and alignment—two things her brand sorely lacked. Eager to start, Sarah signed on, ready to do the work required for a full-scale rebrand.
The next section covers the basics of PRISM, the framework's core engine, setting the stage for Sarah’s transformation.
Part II: Breaking Down PRISM
This foundational part of PRISM Ascend shapes how entrepreneurs and businesses approach brand building, ensuring each step is comprehensive and aligned with long-term objectives. Let’s explore each element and see how it laid the groundwork for Sarah’s brand revamp.
1. Proprietary Tools and Position
Positioning is about defining how you want to be perceived in the marketplace. It’s not just about the services you offer but the unique angle or value proposition that sets you apart. Under the PRISM framework:
Market Segmentation: Identify which slice of the market aligns best with your expertise.
Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Clarify the one thing you do better than anyone else—or at least differently enough to stand out.
Competitive Analysis: Understand what your competitors offer and how to position yourself distinctly.
For Sarah, “Position” meant deciding she would serve tech startups looking to build leadership capacity. Instead of juggling corporate clients and individuals, she focused on the niche that resonated most with her interests and expertise.
2. Relationships and Relevance
Once you identify your position, you must ensure it’s relevant to your target audience’s needs. Relevance requires deep insight into the following:
Pain Points and Desires: What keeps your target clients up at night? What do they dream of achieving?
Tailored Messaging: What language resonates with them emotionally and pragmatically?
Industry Trends: How do broader trends shape your audience’s priorities?
For Sarah, diving into Relevance meant researching tech startups' leadership challenges—things like rapid growth, remote teams, and scaling company culture. She shaped her messaging around these concerns, ensuring her brand promised solutions that felt directly applicable to those challenges.
3. Insights and Influence
Influence is about how you establish credibility and authority in your field. Under PRISM, building influence can involve:
Thought Leadership Content: Articles, podcasts, webinars, and social media posts showcasing your expertise.
Strategic Networking: Attending events, joining online forums, and connecting with industry leaders who can amplify your message.
Media Relations: If applicable, pitching yourself to relevant media outlets or blogs can elevate your profile.
Recognizing she needed to stand out, Sarah embraced Influence by committing to writing monthly articles on leadership in tech startups and collaborating with a small but reputable industry blog. She also started engaging with startup founders’ communities on LinkedIn, offering quick, valuable insights to build trust and name recognition.
4. Simplified Workflow and Strategy
Strategy acts as the glue that binds your positioning, relevance, and influence together into a coherent action plan. It involves:
Goal Setting: Defining clear, measurable objectives (e.g., “Land five new high-value clients in six months”).
Roadmap Creation: Outlining specific tactics, timelines, and responsibilities.
Resource Allocation: Deciding how to use your time, budget, and partnerships for maximum brand impact.
For Sarah, Strategy meant mapping out exactly how she would produce content, update her website, and network consistently. Instead of random marketing acts, she followed a structured timeline for social media posts, blog publishing, and outreach.
5. Messaging Development and Measurement
Finally, Measurement is tracking your efforts to see if they deliver desired results. Within PRISM, this includes:
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Metrics like social media engagement, website traffic, lead conversions, and client acquisition rates.
Regular Reviews: Monthly or quarterly evaluations to see what’s working and what isn’t.
Agility and Adjustments: Using data to pivot when necessary, ensuring your efforts align with your goals.
Sarah decided to track:
LinkedIn engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) for her leadership tips.
Website visitor-to-lead conversion rates after revamping her homepage messaging.
Number of booked consultations that transitioned into paying clients.
Each PRISM element builds upon the previous one, creating a robust framework for brand strategy. But PRISM alone isn’t the entire story. The second half of PRISM Ascend—the “Ascend” process—turns these foundational concepts into a dynamic growth mechanism. Let’s look at how that came into play for Sarah.
Part III: Unpacking ASCEND
While PRISM helps solopreneurs like Sarah shape and strengthen their brand identity, Ascend is the action-oriented phase that propels that brand into the marketplace with momentum. Ascend is an acronym for:
Align
Strategize
Create
Engage
Nurture
Dominate
Let’s break each of these down.
1. Align
Alignment ensures that your brand—shaped by PRISM—matches your personal values, goals, and audience expectations. This involves refining your mission statement, clarifying your visual identity, and ensuring your messaging is consistent across all channels.
2. Strategize
While Strategy is part of PRISM, it becomes more granular in Ascend. After aligning your brand internally, you strategize specific tactical approaches to marketing, content creation, collaborations, and other growth avenues. Think of it as your brand’s detailed battle plan.
3. Create
This is the execution phase, where you develop the tangible elements of your brand:
Website redesign
Social media content
Lead magnets, e-books, or courses
Media kits or press releases (if relevant)
The emphasis is on high-quality deliverables that reflect your newly solidified brand position.
4. Engage
Even the best brand assets won’t go far if no one sees them. Engage is about sharing your message with the world:
Consistent posting on social media
Guest appearances (podcasts, blogs, webinars)
Networking events or online communities
In short, this step activates your brand in the public sphere to attract your ideal clients.
5. Nurture
Once you start attracting interest, Nurture involves building relationships with potential and existing clients:
Email marketing sequences to cultivate leads
Personalized follow-ups after events or introductions
Client appreciation to strengthen existing ties
By nurturing, you sustain the goodwill you’ve generated, turning interested parties into loyal advocates.
6. Dominate
Dominate is the final step where you aim to become a leading voice in your niche. This involves scaling your efforts:
Expanding your media presence
Launching signature programs
Establishing high-level partnerships or joint ventures
Becoming a go-to speaker or commentator in your field
With a clear brand and an engaged audience, you can now position yourself as a top authority and effectively dominate your corner of the market.
Now that we understand the conceptual framework of PRISM Ascend, let’s see how Sarah applied each step in her real-world transformation.
Part IV: Applying PRISM Ascend—Sarah’s Step-by-Step Journey
Step 1: Position (Within PRISM)
Sarah’s consultant from Marquet Media began by asking a simple but profound question: “Who do you serve, and why?” Sarah realized she had been casting a wide net—catering to large corporations, individual executives, and tech startups—out of fear of missing out on potential income.
However, the synergy was strongest with tech startups. She thrived in fast-paced environments and loved the innovation mindset common in these companies. Hence, the first phase of her Positioning involved:
Defining Her Core Niche:
Primary Audience: Tech startups in early to mid-stage growth (20–200 employees).
Secondary Audience: VC firms seeking leadership advisors for their portfolio companies.
UVP (Unique Value Proposition):
“I help tech startup leaders implement agile leadership strategies to rapidly scale without losing their founding culture or burning out their teams.”
Once she committed to this focus, Sarah felt a jolt of clarity. No longer was she “just another consultant.” She had a specialized identity geared toward a specific segment with very particular pain points.
Step 2: Relevance (Within PRISM)
With her Position sorted, Sarah had to make sure it resonated with the real-world concerns of tech founders. She did some hands-on research:
Online Surveys: She created a quick Typeform survey distributed through her LinkedIn connections, asking tech founders about their top leadership challenges. The results highlighted issues like building trust in remote teams, retaining talent in competitive markets, and transitioning from a scrappy startup culture to a more structured company.
One-on-One Interviews: Sarah scheduled calls with five startup founders she knew personally, asking them open-ended questions. She listened to their stories about chaotic hiring processes, communication breakdowns, and struggling to keep everyone aligned on a shared vision.
With this data, Sarah refined her language to address these pain points directly. She started referencing specific startup scenarios rather than speaking in generic leadership lingo. For instance, she mentioned the challenge of bringing on new hires during hyper-growth while preserving the original “hacker” culture. This level of specificity made her brand more relevant to potential clients.
Step 3: Influence (Within PRISM)
Now that Sarah had a clearly defined brand position and relevant messaging, she had to establish credibility.
Monthly Leadership Columns: She secured a monthly column on a mid-tier tech publication’s blog through a connection. Her articles focused on actionable tips, such as “5 Steps to Retain Rockstar Developers in a Competitive Tech Environment.”
LinkedIn Thought Leadership: Sarah became more strategic on LinkedIn, posting twice a week. She started a “#LeadershipTipsTuesday” series, each post offering a short but impactful insight for tech startup founders.
Micro-Influencer Collaborations: She reached out to a well-known tech YouTuber who was exploring business leadership topics. Together, they recorded a 20-minute interview about avoiding burnout in early-stage startups. This cross-promotion put Sarah in front of a fresh audience interested in startup life.
The result? People began seeing Sarah as an authentic voice on leadership in tech, not just a consultant vaguely claiming expertise. Her voice carried weight because she consistently produced content that felt on-point and valuable.
Step 4: Strategy (Within PRISM)
Sarah’s next move was to unify everything into a cohesive strategy. She used a simple digital project management tool to break down tasks and goals for the next six months:
Website Overhaul:
She hired a freelance designer to revamp her site with a minimalist, tech-forward aesthetic.
The homepage highlight? A clear statement: “I Help Tech Startups Scale Their Teams and Culture—Without Burning Out.”
Lead Magnet and Email Marketing:
She wrote an e-book, "The Agile Leader’s Handbook for Tech Startups,” offering a condensed version of her core strategies.
Visitors to her site could download it in exchange for joining her email list.
Speaking Engagements:
Sarah set a goal to pitch herself for at least two tech-focused conferences or virtual summits within six months.
She prepared a signature talk on “Scaling Culture: How to Keep Your Startup Spirit Alive as You Grow.”
Quarterly Objectives:
Q1: Grow her email list to 1,000 active subscribers.
Q2: Secure three new high-value consulting clients.
Q2: Land a speaking slot at a recognized tech event.
By committing these objectives to writing, Sarah had a clear roadmap. It was no longer guesswork or piecemeal marketing; she knew exactly how her efforts connected to her end goals.
Step 5: Measurement (Within PRISM)
With the strategy in place, Sarah didn’t wait until the end of six months to gauge success. She set up simple but consistent measurement protocols:
LinkedIn Engagement: She tracked likes, comments, and shares on her posts, aiming for a 10% increase month over month.
Website Metrics: Using Google Analytics, she monitored unique visits, bounce rates, and download rates for her e-book.
Client Acquisition Funnel: She tracked the number of discovery calls she booked each month, the number of formal proposals she received, and the number of proposals she received that turned into paying gigs.
Whenever a metric fell short, Sarah regrouped to see what might need adjusting. For example, if e-book downloads lagged, she experimented with new calls-to-action or tested a different landing page layout. This data-driven approach kept her from wasting time on strategies that didn’t work.
Step 6: Align (Within ASCEND)
Shifting to the Ascend half of the framework, the first step was aligning everything Sarah had done with her personal values and life goals. This was an introspective process:
Mission Statement: She refined her mission: “Empower fast-moving tech startups with leadership principles that drive sustainable growth and foster inclusive, innovative cultures.”
Value Check: Sarah listed her top five values—integrity, innovation, empathy, growth, and collaboration—and ensured each piece of content, service offering, and public statement reflected those values.
Visual Cohesion: From her website color palette to her LinkedIn banner, Sarah’s new brand aesthetic aligned with a sleek, forward-thinking vibe that echoed tech culture.
Align was the stage where Sarah made sure every touchpoint—her Zoom background, her email signature, even her personal introduction at events—reflected the brand identity she had worked so hard to develop.
Step 7: Strategize (Within ASCEND)
This phase might sound repetitive because strategy is part of PRISM. But in Ascend, Strategize drills deeper into how you expand beyond your initial plan, building on the foundation you’ve created:
Collaborative Opportunities: Sarah identified potential partners, including HR tech companies, specialized productivity apps, and startup accelerators, that could benefit from her expertise. She created proposals for content collaborations, co-hosted webinars, and brand partnerships.
Scaling Content: She considered outsourcing some of her social media and blog writing to maintain consistency as her client workload grew.
Automation and Systems: As leads increased, Sarah used CRM tools to automate follow-ups and schedule consultation calls.
At this point, Sarah was leveling up. The brand was set, the messaging was strong, and she had some early wins to prove her approach worked. Now, she needed to scale those efforts systematically.
Step 8: Create (Within ASCEND)
In the Create phase, Sarah focused on building high-impact content and resources that showcased her expertise and expanded her reach:
Video Series: She launched a short video series called “Startup Leadership Minutes,” posted weekly on LinkedIn and YouTube. Each video was only three minutes long but addressed a common leadership challenge in tech.
Case Studies: She formalized case studies from two recent client successes. These ended up on her website as downloadable PDFs, reinforcing social proof for prospective clients.
Email Nurture Sequences: She developed a 7-part email series called “Leadership Accelerator,” which new subscribers received automatically. Each email offered a targeted tip or resource, building a relationship and gradually leading them to book a call.
Sarah’s brand wasn’t just theoretical—it was tangible and resource-rich, making it easy for prospective clients to see her value.
Step 9: Engage (Within ASCEND)
With robust content ready to share, Sarah ramped up her engagement efforts:
Speaking at Virtual Summits: She pitched her “Scaling Culture” talk to three online tech summits. Two accepted her proposal, giving her access to audiences of startup founders and investors.
Social Media Campaigns: Sarah used some ad spending to promote her new video series and expand her audience beyond her immediate network.
Community Building: She created a private LinkedIn group called “Leadership for High-Growth Startups,” inviting founders and HR leads to join. She posted discussion prompts weekly, fostering a sense of community around her expertise.
This stage was about amplifying her brand voice. Because she’d laid the groundwork, her content felt seamless and professional. Her messaging was clear and consistent—so the more she engaged, the more potential clients recognized her value.
Step 10: Nurture (Within ASCEND)
Engagement generated new leads, and the Nurture phase kept them warm and informed:
Personalized Follow-Ups: After the event, Sarah emailed each new contact to thank them and offer a free 30-minute call to discuss their unique leadership challenges.
Value-Added Emails: She frequently sent curated articles, tips, or webinar invitations to her email list, making sure every message felt relevant to a tech startup’s struggles.
Client Retention Programs: Sarah added monthly check-ins and a discounted group workshop rate for existing clients if they wanted her to train multiple departments.
As a result, Sarah’s pipeline stayed consistently active. Rather than letting leads go cold, she nurtured them with genuine interest and support, demonstrating her commitment to their success.
Step 11: Dominate (Within ASCEND)
By the time Sarah reached Dominate, she had established a sizable footprint in her niche. Her brand was recognized among tech founders, and referrals started streaming in. Dominate is where she moved from a credible option to the go-to authority:
Signature Program Launch: She unveiled a 12-week group coaching program, “The Tech Leader’s Blueprint,” which sold out in its inaugural run.
High-Level Partnerships: A major startup accelerator invited Sarah to be a resident leadership mentor, giving her monthly access to their new cohorts.
Media Recognition: She received invitations to appear on entrepreneurship podcasts and was quoted in a few online tech news outlets.
When a prospective client looked up “tech leadership coach,” Sarah’s name was increasingly mentioned, and her brand appeared polished and trustworthy at every digital touchpoint. This level of brand domination was not about ego but about ensuring her message and solutions were visible to the people who needed them most.
Part V: Challenges and Lessons Learned
No transformation is without bumps in the road. Sarah faced hurdles that tested her resolve—and her commitment to PRISM Ascend.
Time Constraints: Initially, Sarah struggled to balance client work with brand building. She had to learn to delegate or outsource tasks like basic social media scheduling.
Imposter Syndrome: When she first pitched summits and conference organizers, she felt anxious, questioning whether she belonged on stage. She pushed through thanks to a supportive peer network and her consultant’s guidance.
Overcomplication: At times, Sarah fell into “analysis paralysis,” trying to perfect every landing page or piece of content. She learned that consistent, good-enough content beats sporadic perfection.
Maintaining Authenticity: Sarah occasionally felt pressure to emulate other coaches she admired. Ultimately, she realized that her brand had to remain an authentic extension of her personality. Fake or forced branding rarely resonates in the long run.
Each challenge taught Sarah a valuable lesson about the importance of focus, resilience, collaboration, and authenticity in brand building. The PRISM Ascend framework provided guardrails, but Sarah still had to navigate her fears and habits.
Part VI: The Final Reveal—Sarah’s Transformed Brand
After nearly a year of dedicated effort, Sarah Evans emerged with a personal brand that reflected her genuine passion and expertise. Here’s a snapshot of what changed:
A Polished Online Presence:
Her website featured a clear brand statement, modern design, and client testimonials.
A unified color palette and logo gave her materials a signature look.
A Consistent Content Strategy:
Her LinkedIn was brimming with insightful content that tech founders eagerly engaged with.
A monthly column in a well-known industry blog further established her authority.
Robust Lead Generation and Conversion:
Her e-book was downloaded by 2,000+ startup leaders, funneling many into discovery calls.
She maintained a steady roster of high-value clients, 80% coming through organic referrals or content marketing.
Thought Leadership Recognition:
She was regularly invited as a panelist on webinars and virtual summits.
Her group coaching program, “The Tech Leader’s Blueprint,” became a sought-after crash course for new and aspiring startup CEOs.
The best part? Sarah no longer felt like she was chasing leads. Inbound requests became the norm, and word-of-mouth from satisfied clients expanded her influence. This newfound stability allowed her to be more selective, working on projects that excited her and aligned with her core values.
Part VII: Your Takeaway—How to Apply PRISM Ascend to Your Journey
Sarah’s story offers a blueprint for any solopreneur seeking to break through branding barriers. Here’s how you can adapt these lessons:
Dig Deep on Positioning
Be ruthless about defining your audience. Don’t try to appeal to everyone.
Ask: “What unique perspective or methodology do I bring?”
Ensure Relevance
Conduct audience research—surveys, interviews, or simple online polls—to discover real-world pain points.
Tailor your messaging to address those issues directly.
Build Influence Strategically
Pick 1–2 platforms where your audience is most active and create quality content there.
Seek out small wins (guest posts, podcasts) before aiming for major media placements.
Develop a Clear Strategy and System for Measurement
Set measurable goals (e.g., email subscribers, client bookings) and track your performance.
Stay flexible: if something isn’t working, don’t cling to it. Pivot based on data.
Align Your Brand with Your Values
If you’re not personally comfortable with how you’re presenting yourself, your audience will sense the inauthenticity.
Ensure your visual identity and tone reflect who you truly are.
Create Content and Resources That Solve Problems
Offer free tools, templates, or insights that showcase your expertise.
Make sure each piece of content ties back to your core value proposition.
Engage and Nurture
Don’t just broadcast—interact. Respond to comments, engage with your audience’s posts, and build genuine connections.
For new leads, follow up thoughtfully and offer them further value.
Dominate Your Niche Without Fear
Once you have a strong foundation, scale up your efforts.
Look for strategic partnerships, publish more in-depth content, and aim to become a key opinion leader in your specialty.
Above all, remember that brand transformation is a journey, not a single event. You’ll evolve, refine, and grow over time, and that’s perfectly natural. PRISM Ascend is designed to help you do so in a structured, purposeful way.
Embracing the Framework, Embracing Your Potential
Building a powerful personal brand as a solopreneur can feel like a balancing act—juggling the need for authenticity with market expectations, learning to communicate your value while staying humble, and pushing yourself into the spotlight without losing your sense of self. In Sarah’s case, the PRISM Ascend framework offered more than just a branding formula; it provided a holistic transformation that touched her mindset, business strategies, and client relationships.
Each letter in PRISM represents a critical pillar: Position, Relevance, Influence, Strategy, and Measurement. These pillars ensure you lay a rock-solid foundation for your brand. Then, the “Ascend” portion—align, Strategize, Create, Engage, Nurture, and Dominate—brings that foundation to life, guiding you through iterative steps of creation, interaction, and expansion in the marketplace.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your branding journey, take heart in Sarah's example. Begin by defining who you truly serve and what unique value you bring. Talk to your market, refine your message, and be prepared to demonstrate your credibility through consistent, high-quality content and relationship-building. Create a clear blueprint with goals, and never forget to iterate as you learn what resonates.
By applying PRISM Ascend, you can sidestep the guesswork and chaos that often plague solopreneurs, replacing them with clarity, purpose and a roadmap for sustainable growth. It won’t happen overnight and won’t come without effort, but the payoff—a cohesive, compelling brand that draws the right clients to you—is well worth the journey.
A strong personal brand isn’t just about higher revenue or industry recognition; it’s about alignment—between who you are, what you offer, and the people you want to help. When you find that alignment, everything else becomes more straightforward. You’ll move through the business world with greater confidence, attract clients who genuinely appreciate what you do, and find that growth feels natural and scalable.
So, are you ready to embark on your own transformation? Take the first step: audit your current brand, pinpoint your niche, and ask yourself if your messaging truly resonates with those you want to serve. If not, it might be time to explore a structured approach like PRISM Ascend—an approach that doesn’t just raise your profile but ensures you become the best version of yourself in the process.
5 Quick Wins: Getting Press in Your First Month
Securing press coverage in the dynamic business world can significantly elevate your brand’s visibility, credibility, and growth trajectory. For female entrepreneurs stepping into the entrepreneurial arena, gaining media attention within the first month can set a strong foundation for sustained success.
At Marquet Media, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of building a brand from the ground up. Leveraging our extensive experience and proprietary PRISM Ascend framework, we’ve identified five quick wins to help you secure press coverage swiftly and effectively in your first month. These strategies are designed to be actionable, efficient, and tailored to the needs of women-led businesses aiming to make a significant impact.
Securing press coverage in the dynamic business world can significantly elevate your brand’s visibility, credibility, and growth trajectory. For female entrepreneurs stepping into the entrepreneurial arena, gaining media attention within the first month can set a strong foundation for sustained success.
At Marquet Media, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of building a brand from the ground up. Leveraging our extensive experience and proprietary PRISM Ascend framework, we’ve identified five quick wins to help you secure press coverage swiftly and effectively in your first month. These strategies are designed to be actionable, efficient, and tailored to the needs of women-led businesses aiming to make a significant impact.
Launching a new business is an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities and challenges. Among the myriad tasks, securing press coverage is often a pivotal element that can propel your brand into the spotlight. Press enhances your brand’s credibility, drives traffic, generates leads, and fosters trust among your target audience. However, for startups and female entrepreneurs, navigating the media landscape can be daunting, especially when resources are limited and time is of the essence.
Marquet Media specializes in empowering female entrepreneurs through strategic PR and branding solutions. Our mission is to demystify the complexities of public relations, providing you with the tools and strategies needed to secure meaningful media coverage. By implementing these five quick wins, you can effectively position your brand, engage with the media, and achieve substantial press coverage within your first month of operation.
Quick Win 1: Craft a Compelling Press Release
A well-crafted press release is your first step toward gaining media attention. It serves as a formal announcement of your business, product launch, or significant milestone. Here’s how to create a press release that grabs attention:
1.1 Define Your News Angle
Identify what makes your business or announcement newsworthy. This could be a unique product, an innovative service, a significant achievement, or a social impact initiative. Your news angle should resonate with your target media outlets and align with their audience’s interests.
Example: If you’re launching a sustainable fashion line, highlight the eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes, and the positive environmental impact of your products.
1.2 Write a Clear and Engaging Headline
Your headline should be concise, informative, and compelling. It’s the first thing journalists see, so make it count. A strong headline encourages media outlets to read further.
Example: “EcoChic Launches Revolutionary Sustainable Fashion Line to Combat Fast Fashion”
1.3 Structure Your Press Release Effectively
A press release should follow the standard inverted pyramid format:
Headline: Captures the essence of your announcement.
Dateline: Includes the city and date when the announcement will be released.
Introduction: Summarizes the key points—who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Body: Provides detailed information, quotes from key stakeholders, and supporting data.
Boilerplate: A brief overview of your company, including contact information.
1.4 Include Quotes and Data
Adding quotes from founders, industry experts, or satisfied customers adds credibility and a personal touch to your press release. You can also add interesting, relevant data, quotes, and statistics to back up your claims and demonstrate your business's impact.
Example: “"Our mission is to transform the fashion landscape by placing sustainability and eco-friendly materials at the forefront, all while maintaining a keen eye for style,” explains Jane Doe, the visionary Founder of EcoFashion. “Using 100% organic cotton and collaborating with fair-trade manufacturers, we guarantee that our collections embody elegance and uphold ethical practices at every step of the production process.”
1.5 Distribute Your Press Release Strategically
Target and send your press releases and pitches to media outlets that cover your industry. Use distribution services like PR Newswire or Business Wire for broader reach, but also consider sending personalized pitches to specific journalists and bloggers who are likely to be interested in your story.
Pro Tip: Tailor each press release to the publication’s style and audience. Personalization increases the likelihood of your release being picked up.
Quick Win 2: Leverage Social Media for Media Outreach
Social media is a great way to connect with editors, journalists, and influencers who can amplify your press coverage. Here’s how to effectively use social platforms to secure media attention:
2.1 Identify and Follow Relevant Journalists and Influencers
Research and create a list of journalists, bloggers, and influencers who cover your area of expertise. Follow them on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Example: If you’re in the wellness industry, identify wellness bloggers, health journalists, and fitness influencers who resonate with your brand values.
2.2 Share Valuable Content Regularly
Regularly posting valuable content on your social media channels establishes your brand as an authority in your field. Share insights, behind-the-scenes looks, success stories, and industry trends to engage your audience and attract media attention.
Example: Post about your sustainable practices, share customer testimonials, or highlight the artisans who help create your products.
2.3 Use Hashtags and Mentions Strategically
Use relevant hashtags to increase the organic visibility and reach of your posts. When sharing content that aligns with their interests, mention journalists or influencers. This can prompt them to engage with your brand and potentially cover your story.
Example: When posting about your new product line, use hashtags like #SustainableFashion, #WomenEntrepreneurs, or #EcoFriendly. Mention a wellness influencer who might be interested in your brand’s mission.
2.4 Engage in Conversations and Build Relationships
Participate in industry-related social media conversations. Join Twitter chats, LinkedIn groups, and Instagram Live sessions to connect with like-minded individuals and media professionals. Building genuine relationships can lead to media opportunities and collaborations.
Pro Tip: Don’t just promote your brand—provide value by sharing knowledge, answering questions, and supporting others in your network.
Quick Win 3: Optimize Your Website for Media Requests
Your website should serve as a hub for all media-related information. Optimizing it for media requests ensures journalists can easily find the information they need to cover your story.
3.1 Create a Dedicated Press Page
Develop a dedicated press page on your website that includes all essential information for journalists. This page should be accessible from your homepage and contain the following elements:
About Your Company: A brief business overview, mission, and values.
Press Releases: An archive of your latest press releases and media coverage.
Media Kit: A downloadable media kit containing high-resolution logos, product images, company facts, and key executive bios.
Contact Information: Clear contact details for your PR representative, including email and phone number.
3.2 Ensure Mobile-Friendliness and Fast Loading Times
Many journalists access information on the go, so ensure your mobile-friendly press page loads quickly. A seamless user experience encourages media professionals to engage with your content.
3.3 Incorporate SEO Best Practices
Optimize your press page with relevant keywords to improve its search engine ranking. Use SEO-friendly titles, meta descriptions, and alt text for images to enhance discoverability.
Example: Use keywords like “sustainable fashion press kit,” “female entrepreneur media contact,” or “EcoChic press releases” to attract relevant media searches.
3.4 Provide Clear and Concise Information
Journalists often have limited time, so present information clearly and concisely. Use images, videos, bullet points, headings, and short paragraphs to make your press page easy to scan and navigate.
Pro Tip: Include a FAQ section addressing common questions about your business, products, and mission to assist journalists in their coverage further.
Quick Win 4: Host a Media Event or Webinar
Hosting a media event or webinar provides a platform to showcase your expertise, products, and brand story directly to journalists and influencers. This interactive approach can generate substantial media interest and coverage.
4.1 Plan a Compelling Event Theme
Pick a theme that aligns with your business and brand’s mission and interests your target media audience. Whether it’s a product launch, industry panel, or educational webinar, ensure the theme is relevant and engaging.
Example: An eco-friendly beauty brand might host a webinar on “Sustainable Beauty Practices for the Modern Woman,” featuring industry experts and demonstrating their products’ eco-friendly benefits.
4.2 Invite Targeted Media Professionals
Curate a guest list of journalists, bloggers, and influencers likely to be interested in your event. Personalize invitations to make them feel valued and encourage attendance.
Example: Send personalized email invitations to beauty editors, lifestyle bloggers, and eco-conscious influencers, highlighting why the event is relevant to their audience.
4.3 Provide Value and Engage Your Audience
Ensure that your event offers valuable insights, actionable takeaways, and opportunities for interaction. Incorporate Q&A sessions, live demonstrations, and panel discussions to keep attendees engaged.
Example: During a product launch webinar, demonstrate your products' unique features, share behind-the-scenes stories, and answer questions from the audience to create a dynamic and interactive experience.
4.4 Follow-Up with Attendees and Media
After the event is over, send personalized follow-up emails to attendees and media professionals. Thank them for participating, providing additional resources, and offering exclusive content or interviews to encourage further coverage.
Pro Tip: Include a link to the event recording, high-resolution images, and key takeaways to make it easy for journalists to reference and publish their stories.
Quick Win 5: Utilize Testimonials and Case Studies
Testimonials, quotes, and case studies are social proof that can persuade media professionals to cover your story. They demonstrate the real-world impact of your products or services and build trust and credibility for your brand.
5.1 Collect and Curate Authentic Testimonials
Gather testimonials from satisfied customers, partners, and industry experts. Ensure that each testimonial highlights specific benefits and positive experiences.
5.2 Develop Comprehensive Case Studies
Draft and offer detailed case studies that show how your products or services have solved certain client problems. Include measurable results, quotes, and before-and-after scenarios to provide a compelling narrative.
Example: A case study for a female entrepreneur using your PR services to secure media coverage and achieve a 200% increase in online sales can illustrate the effectiveness of your strategies.
5.3 Promote Testimonials and Case Studies to Media
Feature testimonials and case studies on your press page, website, and social media channels. Share them with journalists and bloggers as part of your media outreach to provide credible evidence of your brand’s success.
Pro Tip: Use visually appealing formats, such as video testimonials and interactive case studies, to enhance engagement and make your stories more memorable.
Implementing the Quick Wins: A Strategic Approach
Following this strategic approach is essential to implement these five quick wins effectively. Here’s how Marquet Media can help you integrate these strategies seamlessly into your first month’s PR efforts:
Leverage the PRISM Ascend Framework
Our proprietary PRISM Ascend framework is designed to guide you through each step of the PR process, ensuring that your strategies are well-planned, integrated, and scalable. From crafting compelling press releases to optimizing your media outreach, PRISM Ascend provides a structured approach that maximizes your chances of securing press coverage.
Automate and Streamline with AI Tools
Utilize AI and automation tools to streamline your PR tasks, saving you time and enhancing efficiency. Tools like Canva for design, HubSpot for CRM and email marketing, and Hootsuite for social media scheduling can automate repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives.
Monitor and Measure Success
Monitor your PR efforts regularly using analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of your strategies. Track metrics such as media placements, website traffic numbers, social media growth and engagement, and lead generation to assess your progress and make data-driven adjustments.
Engage with Your Community
Foster a supportive community around your brand by talking to your audience and followers through social media, webinars, and interactive content. Building strong relationships with your followers enhances brand loyalty and increases the chances of your audience sharing your story with the media.
Securing press coverage in your first month is an ambitious, achievable goal with the right strategies and support. By implementing these five quick wins—crafting compelling press releases, leveraging social media, optimizing your website for media requests, hosting media events, and utilizing testimonials and case studies—you can effectively position your brand for media success. At Marquet Media, we are committed to empowering female entrepreneurs with the tools and expertise to navigate the PR landscape confidently.
Remember, building a strong media presence is not an overnight process. It requires consistency, strategic planning, and a willingness to authentically engage with the media and your audience. By following these actionable steps and leveraging our PRISM Ascend framework, you can overcome the initial challenges of securing press coverage and set your brand on a path to growth and visibility.
Take the next step in increasing your brand’s PR efforts. Contact Marquet Media today to discover how our tailored PR services can help you achieve your media goals and empower your business to thrive.
My Journey to Developing the PRISM Ascend PR Framework—and How We Use It to Transform Client Campaigns
I’ve often been asked: “How did you develop the PRISM PR framework? What sparked the idea to build a streamlined yet powerful system for handling everything from relationship-building with journalists to crafting unforgettable brand messaging?” My answer usually begins with a knowing smile because the truth is, I never set out to invent a new framework. PRISM PR evolved from years of trial, error, and adaptation—layered with a drive to simplify the process of delivering impactful public relations (PR) campaigns for my agency and our clients.
I’ve often been asked: “How did you develop the PRISM Ascend PR framework? What sparked the idea to build a streamlined yet powerful system for handling everything from relationship-building with journalists to crafting unforgettable brand messaging?” My answer usually begins with a knowing smile because the truth is, I never set out to invent a new framework. PRISM Ascend PR evolved from years of trial, error, and adaptation—layered with a drive to simplify the process of delivering impactful public relations (PR) campaigns for my agency and our clients.
In this article, I will walk you through the genesis of PRISM Ascend PR, how it transformed from a loose collection of techniques into a cohesive system, and why we believe it’s the missing piece for many brands struggling to gain traction in the digital age. By the end, you’ll see how each component of PRISM—Proprietary Tools, Relationship Building, Insights & Reporting, Simplified Workflow, and Messaging Development—works together to help businesses cut through the noise and truly connect with their audiences.
This journey isn’t just about me or a “lightbulb moment.” It’s about a series of pivotal experiences—wins and failures—shaping my belief that PR does not need to be convoluted. Over the years, I noticed the same frustrations for small startups and established companies: disorganized outreach, unclear messaging, complex internal processes, and a lack of actionable data. PRISM Ascend PR emerged as my answer to these common pain points.
So, settle in for a personal deep-dive into how the framework came to be, the bumps we hit along the way, and how we apply it in practice. If you’re a brand, entrepreneur, or marketer looking to rethink how you approach PR, my story might spark the inspiration you need to recalibrate your efforts.
1. Early Struggles: My Foundation in PR
When I launched my career in public relations, I was enthusiastic but, frankly, a bit clueless about the operational pitfalls that lurked beneath every “just wing it” approach. Like many new entrants in the field, I figured that strong pitches and a decent media list would be enough to secure coverage for clients. And while there were early successes—scattering press mentions across niche blogs, local newspapers, or even a TV spot—there were also days I would spend hours cold-calling journalists who had zero interest in my clients’ stories.
On top of that, as I grew busier, I started juggling multiple campaigns simultaneously. Each project had its spreadsheets, email threads, timelines, and media contacts, and it was chaos trying to maintain consistency across them all. Some of the biggest obstacles I faced included:
1. Fragmented Approaches: Client A wanted a formal PR plan, Client B had an ad hoc approach, asking for coverage “wherever possible,” and Client C only wanted big-name outlets. It felt like every new project required me to reinvent the wheel.
2. Inconsistent Messaging: In the rush to land coverage, it was easy to churn out pitches without ensuring they aligned with the brand's larger narrative. I’d see contradictory phrases or disconnected brand stories across different media materials.
3. Lack of Data Visibility: I’d collect coverage logs in a spreadsheet, note website traffic, and keep social media stats in yet another. There was no single place to gather and analyze all these insights meaningfully.
4. Communication Overload: I’d send a pitch, forget to follow up, or track which journalists expressed interest. My inbox became an endless scroll of missed opportunities or duplicated efforts.
Through sheer will, I managed to push forward. However, I quickly realized that my ad hoc methods weren’t sustainable, especially if I wanted to scale or serve clients consistently. I also noticed that many small businesses faced similar stumbling blocks—they might have a great product, a charismatic founder, or an important cause. Still, they floundered because they couldn’t coordinate their outreach effectively.
I remember one particularly hectic week. I was representing three clients: a sustainable fashion startup, a tech platform for freelancers, and a boutique fitness studio. Each demanded short-notice coverage in different verticals—fashion, technology, and lifestyle media. My notes, email inbox, and sticky notes told a story of near-panic. It was the perfect storm. I nearly missed a significant opportunity for the tech platform because I lost track of an editor’s response in my cluttered inbox. Thankfully, I found it in time to salvage the chance. But that close call hammered the need for something more systematic, robust, and streamlined.
Little did I know, I was stepping onto the path toward creating what would become PRISM Ascend PR.
2. The Spark: Realizing a Gap and the Need for Innovation
I’ve always been a problem-solver at heart. When an old process starts to strain under new demands, I can’t help but try to piece together a better way. The impetus for PRISM PR came when I began noticing recurring themes with clients:
• They wanted not just coverage but coverage aligned to specific brand values.
• They needed real-time data on how PR affected brand visibility, website traffic, and lead generation.
• They were frustrated by the duplication of efforts—like repeating the same brand pitch across channels or having to restate their key messages to different team members or agencies.
I began scribbling notes on “The Perfect PR System,” where each step would logically flow into the next, and data would be accessible at every stage. My initial scribbles revolved around:
1. Creating consistent messaging frameworks that could be adapted for different outlets.
2. Building an easy-to-follow workflow so that even if you swapped out one team member, the process wouldn’t suffer.
3. Ensured every pitch was based on real data (past coverage, social media engagement, brand sentiment).
4. Emphasizing relationship-building over volume-based pitching—quality over quantity.
Between client calls and late-night brainstorming sessions, I started drafting a skeleton. It was a cycle rather than a linear path that would allow continuous refinement. The more I fleshed it out, the more I realized a significant piece was missing—proprietary tools and resources. With so many generic PR software solutions on the market, I needed to identify or build tools to give me and my clients a competitive edge.
At this point, the seeds of PRISM Ascend PR were planted. I just hadn’t given it a name. However, I recognized that I was onto something more concrete than a random list of best practices. This was shaping up to be a framework that could standardize my approach with every client while still allowing personalization.
3. Birth of PRISM Ascend PR: Defining the Acronym
One night, while refining a pitch for a client, I realized my process was starting to break down into straightforward categories. I made a note in my journal: “It’s a bit like a prism—light goes in one end (the brand’s story), and out the other end, we get all these different colors (angles, coverage, insights).” That metaphor stuck with me. A prism doesn’t just bend light; it reveals its hidden elements visually stunningly.
Suddenly, “PRISM” felt like the perfect encapsulation of what I was building. I made “PRISM,” an acronym representing the framework’s key pillars. At first, I jotted down random associations, but gradually, I settled on:
• P: Proprietary Tools
• R: Relationship Building
• I: Insights & Reporting
• S: Simplified Workflow
• M: Messaging Development
I still remember the thrill of seeing that acronym come together. Each letter represented the cornerstones of a PR strategy that was both agile and methodical, creative and data-driven. Let’s be honest—there’s no shortage of marketing acronyms out there, but PRISM Ascend was gratifying because it encapsulated everything I found missing in existing off-the-shelf PR processes. This was my blueprint for a more holistic PR approach.
The next step was to flesh out each letter, define it clearly, and tie it back to real-world client needs. That step would be the true test: could I apply PRISM to an ongoing campaign and see tangible, improved results?
4. Leveraging Proprietary Tools: The “P” in PRISM
The P in PRISM stands for Proprietary Tools, a crucial foundation for the entire framework. This pillar emerged from my frustration with juggling multiple generic tools that didn’t talk to each other: one for media lists, another for pitch tracking, another for analytics, and so on. It was inefficient, expensive, and prone to data errors. My vision was to unify or tailor these tools to make the PR process frictionless.
Innovative Resources
• Media Database Customization: Rather than relying on broad, universal media databases, I began creating custom spreadsheets or advanced contact management systems fine-tuned for each client’s industry. This meant we weren’t blindly pitching random journalists but leveraging curated relationships.
• Project Management Platforms: I experimented with Trello, Asana, and Monday.com, searching for a base that I could customize with PR-specific boards and templates. We embedded pitch schedules, editorial calendars, and “follow-up needed” tasks. It might not sound revolutionary, but standardizing how we track tasks saved hours each week and drastically reduced overlooked follow-ups.
• Email and CRM Integration: I wanted a system that would allow automated follow-up triggers if a journalist didn’t respond within a set timeframe. Moreover, if a journalist opened or replied, we’d log that data automatically. Some CRMs offered this feature, but I often found them lacking the nuance PR professionals need. So, I began integrating or building add-ons that would display a journalist’s beat, last contact date, and personal preferences.
Exclusive Strategies
As part of the “proprietary tools” ecosystem, I also documented our intangible strategies—like how to craft a personal and data-backed pitch or identify the “right moment” to approach a journalist. Over time, we created a repository of templates, whitepapers, and checklists:
1. The “Perfect Pitch” Checklist: This quick reference ensures that each outreach includes a strong subject line, a concise brand story, a compelling stat or anecdote, and a clear call to action.
2. Industry-Tailored Scorecards: Using these, we rated the potential newsworthiness of different angles for a press release. This allowed us to prioritize stories that were more likely to be covered.
3. Time-Saving Email Scripts: While personalization is key, certain portions of an email—like the brand background—could be adapted from a well-crafted template and edited to suit each journalist’s preference.
Essentially, the “P” pillar ensures we’re not constantly reinventing the wheel. We build upon tried-and-tested resources, refined over years of experience, to give clients a head start. Standardizing these resources accelerates our workflow and delivers consistent, high-quality outputs.
5. Relationship Building: The “R” in PRISM
Ask any publicist or PR strategist, and they’ll tell you that relationships are everything. But how often do agencies rely on mass-blasted pitches without a personal greeting? The “R” in PRISM stands for Relationship Building, underscoring the human element that differentiates effective PR from spammy outreach.
Personalized Outreach
In my early days, I sent generic emails: “Dear Editor, I have a client who might interest you…”—you get the picture. The response rate was dismal. Journalists receive hundreds of such pitches daily. The game-changer? Personalized outreach. By digging into a journalist’s recent articles, social media posts, or professional interests, I could tailor the pitch to show genuine appreciation for their work. For example:
• Addressing Past Work: “I loved your piece on sustainable packaging in last month’s issue. The angle about consumer psychology was so insightful!”
• Sharing Mutual Interests: “I noticed you mentioned your love for artisanal coffee. My client is hosting a coffee-themed event next month—perfect for that angle you’ve written about.”
It’s incredible how a sentence or two of genuine personalization can open doors. Today, our approach emphasizes forging authentic connections with media contacts—no more copy-paste generic intros. We see journalists as people with distinct tastes and passions, not just “contacts” to exploit.
Tailored Pitches
Tailored pitching goes beyond personalization. It involves structuring the pitch's content to fit each journalist’s style, beat, and editorial calendar. For instance, if I’m pitching a technology writer who focuses on AI, I’ll highlight the client’s innovations in that realm, possibly including a data point or interesting anecdote that speaks to AI’s real-world applications.
We’ve developed an internal guide to tailor pitches effectively:
1. Identify the Journalist’s Beat: Are they a general tech writer or a niche AI specialist?
2. Hook Them Early: A compelling or provocative statement, e.g., “80% of small businesses plan to adopt AI-driven tools by 2025—are we ready?”
3. Connect to Their Audience: Outline how your client’s story or product fits into the journalist’s typical coverage.
4. Offer Value-Add: Provide an additional resource, such as an embargoed study, unique infographic, or introduction to a relevant expert.
You have fewer pitches but a far better response rate when done right. We track these relationships over time, ensuring that if a journalist shows interest but can’t fit the story immediately, we circle back with updates or fresh angles later. This cyclical approach builds trust—and, yes, more media features.
6. Insights & Reporting: The “I” in PRISM
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen PR agencies celebrate “brand mentions” without any context: Where did the mention appear? Did it drive traffic? How did the audience react? Merely obtaining coverage can be a vanity metric. That’s why the “I” in PRISM is Insights & Reporting.
Data Collection
Gone are the days when we rely solely on “We got you three hits!” as the measure of success. In my framework, we collect data on multiple fronts:
• Media Mentions: The publications or platforms featuring our client, including links, screenshots, and a summary of the piece’s angle.
• Website Traffic: We track any spikes related to the coverage date using Google Analytics or similar tools. This helps attribute how many visitors came from the published article or mention.
• Social Media Engagement: Monitoring likes, shares, comments, and new follower counts after a PR push. For instance, if a tweet from a major influencer triggers a wave of retweets, that’s relevant data.
• Lead Generation: We implement trackable links or landing pages for specific clients, especially those selling high-ticket services, to see if a media feature translates into sign-ups or appointments.
The gist is that every PR coverage should ideally yield measurable outcomes, such as brand awareness, direct leads, or an uptick in brand sentiment. Even intangible boosts, like brand authority or trust, can be gauged through surveys or social listening if we’re meticulous about data collection.
Actionable Insights
Collecting data is meaningless unless we turn it into insights. We generate PR dashboards every week or month (depending on the client’s preference). These typically show which outlets performed best, which messaging angles resonated the most, and how our coverage correlated with web or sales metrics.
From these dashboards, we might discover that “TechCrunch coverage didn’t drive as many site visits as anticipated, but the LinkedIn posts discussing that coverage generated an unexpectedly high engagement rate.” These insights inform our strategy: next time, we might integrate LinkedIn-based promotion more deeply or craft a follow-up story that better suits TechCrunch’s audience.
Insights & Reporting is also where we might spot the need to pivot messaging, especially if certain narratives fall flat or an emerging industry trend begs for a new angle. If journalists repeatedly pick up one specific part of the client’s story—their sustainability practices—that might prompt us to build an entire campaign around eco-friendly angles. This data-led agility ensures we’re not just “spraying and praying” but systematically refining our approach.
7. Simplified Workflow: The “S” in PRISM
Nothing frustrates me more than seeing team members or clients bogged down in endless approval loops, complicated file-sharing systems, or redundant tasks that kill momentum. Hence, the “S” in PRISM stands for Simplified Workflow. It ensures our PR machinery runs smoothly and efficiently, with minimal friction and maximum clarity.
Efficiency
Over the years, I’ve tried complex Gantt charts, detailed spreadsheets with hundreds of tabs, and full-blown enterprise software meant to “manage everything.” Often, these systems were so cumbersome that people spent more time updating the tool than doing real PR work. The answer, I discovered, was to keep it lean. For instance, I might have a single “master doc” that outlines the key milestones, deadlines, and ownership. Then, we supplement it with a short daily or weekly check-in, ensuring tasks move along.
• Automated Reminders: We rely on auto-alerts for follow-ups to ensure that no pitch or lead slips through the cracks.
• Checklists & Templates: A templated approach ensures nothing gets overlooked—like double-checking brand guidelines before sending a pitch or verifying that a press release includes relevant quotes and stats.
• Version Control: If multiple stakeholders need to review or edit a press release, we store it on a cloud-based system with version control, so no one overrides or loses essential changes.
Control
A major perk of a simplified workflow is maintaining a high level of control without micromanaging. Because tasks are clearly outlined, team members understand the process from pitch drafting to final sign-off. If a client needs last-minute changes, we know exactly where to implement them and can trace the impact on the timeline.
I’ve found that clarity is empowering. Team members know exactly what’s expected of them, and clients can see progress without rummaging through countless email chains. This transparency fosters trust.
Flexibility
No matter how well you plan, PR is rife with unexpected twists—breaking news, competitor announcements, or sudden editorial calendar changes. A simplified workflow leaves enough room for quick pivots. Maybe we expedite a press release if a time-sensitive news hook emerges or swap out an angle at the eleventh hour if the market shifts. Because the entire system is straightforward, changes don’t cause a domino effect of confusion.
For me, flexibility also means customizing the process for each client. While the skeleton remains the same (pitch creation, approval, outreach, follow-up, etc.), the specifics—like how many rounds of editing or the frequency of check-ins—can be adjusted based on each brand’s needs. Some clients want daily updates; others prefer weekly reports. Our system accommodates both without losing coherence.
8. Messaging Development: The “M” in PRISM
Finally, we arrive at the “M” in PRISM—messaging Development. This might be my favorite part, as it speaks to a brand's heart and soul. Messaging turns a product or service from a commodity into a story, a belief system, or a movement that people want to be part of.
Key Messaging
In my experience, many brands confuse features with messaging. They’ll say, “We have the fastest software in the market,” or “Our product uses organic materials.” That’s a feature, but it doesn’t necessarily spark an emotional response or create a narrative. Key messaging translates features into benefits, values, or missions that resonate with an audience’s deeper needs or desires.
• Uncover Core Values: I ask, “Why does your brand exist beyond making profits? What deeper value do you offer?” For instance, maybe the brand championing organic materials is actually about sustainability and stewardship of the earth.
• Develop Brand Narratives: A brand might have multiple storylines—for instance, a female founder narrative, a technological innovation angle, or a philanthropic dimension. The trick is weaving these together to align under one cohesive “North Star.”
• Audience Relevance: We also focus on the audience. What do they care about? If you’re marketing to busy parents, your messaging about “saving time and reducing stress” might trump your product's technical specs.
Consistency
Inconsistency can undo a brand’s greatest messaging. One day, they talk about “innovative solutions,” and the next day, they’re pushing “affordability,” with no link between the two. PRISM’s final step is ensuring that everything—press releases, social media updates, email campaigns—reflects the same brand voice and values.
I often create a “Messaging Playbook” for clients, which outlines:
• Brand Voice: The tone (professional, witty, warm, authoritative, etc.).
• Core Value Statements: One-liners or short paragraphs that anchor the brand’s stance on key issues.
• Story Arcs: Short outlines of the top 2–3 narratives, each with bullet points for how they might be pitched or shared across different media.
• Do’s and Don’ts: Words or phrasing to avoid if they conflict with the brand voice, plus guidelines for how to handle hot-button topics.
Consistency doesn’t mean repeating the same lines verbatim. It means staying rooted in the same values, offering the same emotional resonance, and delivering a unified experience across channels. This synergy cements a brand’s position in people’s minds and fosters loyalty.
9. Putting It All Together: How PRISM Ascend PR Flows in Practice
Imagine you’re one of my clients launching a new eco-friendly skincare line. Here’s how PRISM Ascend PR might play out:
1. Proprietary Tools (P): We begin by onboarding you to our curated media database focusing on beauty and sustainability. We then set up your brand in our project management software, complete with checklists for product launch PR.
2. Relationship Building (R): We identify top journalists in the natural beauty space and craft personalized outreach. One writer at Allure might appreciate data on the environmental impact of conventional skincare, while a local paper might love your brand’s origin story.
3. Insights & Reporting (I): As coverage starts rolling in, we track each mention, website click-through, and social media uptick. We produce a weekly dashboard showing how different angles perform, quickly revealing that “clean beauty for busy millennials” resonates most.
4. Simplified Workflow (S): Each step—pitch drafting, client approval, outreach, and follow—up—is mapped out. If a journalist replies with interview questions, we know exactly who handles them and how soon we’ll respond. There is no frantic emailing or missed deadlines.
5. Messaging Development (M): We refine your brand narrative around “sustainable self-care,” ensuring that your website copy, press releases, and influencer collaborations reflect this central theme. No matter the platform, your brand’s voice exudes warmth, authenticity, and an environmental commitment.
After a few weeks, we noticed a significant surge in traffic when we shared short educational videos about eco-friendly skincare routines on social media. So, we adjusted our strategy to pitch more media outlets that can highlight these videos—maybe a TV morning show with a lifestyle segment. That’s the real-time adaptability PRISM fosters.
10. Looking Ahead: The Evolution of PRISM Ascend PR
Even though PRISM PR feels robust, I never view it as a finished product. The PR landscape shifts constantly—new social platforms emerge, journalists move to different publications, and consumer expectations evolve. My vow is to keep refining each letter of the framework:
• P (Proprietary Tools): I always seek cutting-edge software or new database integrations. We might experiment with AI-driven pitch personalization or advanced analytics to predict coverage success.
• R (Relationship Building): Building stronger, long-term ties with journalists might mean hosting meetups or participating in press networking events. Digital communication is convenient, but there’s no substitute for face-to-face contact.
• I (Insights & Reporting): Data science has much untapped potential. Predictive analytics and machine learning for sentiment analysis are areas I’m keen to integrate more deeply.
• S (Simplified Workflow): As remote work and distributed teams become the norm, streamlining collaboration will remain a top priority. Tools that unify real-time chat, file sharing, and approval processes might be our next big leap.
• M (Messaging Development): With social responsibility and brand activism rising, we may expand our messaging frameworks to tackle how brands communicate stances on societal or environmental issues, ensuring they remain genuine and not performative.
I foresee PRISM PR evolving alongside these trends, which always reflect my core philosophy: PR shouldn’t be an afterthought or a chaotic scramble for attention. It should be a methodical yet creative process that fosters genuine relationships, harnesses data-driven insights, cuts through complexity and tells stories that truly connect.
Closing Thoughts: Why PRISM Ascend PR Matters to Me—and Potentially to You
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve followed me through years of trial, triumph, and the eventual crystallization of the PRISM Ascend PR framework. For me, PRISM is more than a catchy acronym—it reflects a deeply held belief that PR can transform a brand’s relationship with its audience when done right. I’ve seen it empower small businesses to stand toe-to-toe with industry giants. I’ve watched it open doors for female entrepreneurs who once struggled to have their voices heard in saturated markets. I’ve witnessed it ignite entire communities around a brand’s mission.
While I’d love to say that PRISM is the “secret sauce” only I possess, the truth is that the underlying principles—custom tools, authentic relationships, data insight, simplified processes, and compelling messaging—are universal. Anyone can adopt them. However, what sets PRISM apart is the careful, systematic integration of these pillars into one fluid framework. It’s a blueprint I continue to refine in collaboration with clients, journalists, and marketing colleagues who share my passion for meaningful communication.
If you’re a brand considering a new approach to PR, or if you’re simply a marketing enthusiast eager to understand how PR can align with real business outcomes, then I hope my journey resonates. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to refine your internal methods or design a system that suits your niche. Or maybe you’ll explore how our team can apply PRISM to your unique challenges.
Either way, I stand by the notion that in an age awash with digital noise, quality relationships, and authentic storytelling will always prevail. Data might help us steer the ship, but the synergy of strategy, creativity, and good old-fashioned human connection keeps it afloat.
Thank you for joining me on this dive into my journey with PRISM Ascend PR. If nothing else, I hope it reminds you that every challenge you face in PR—every missed email, every confusing workflow, every messaging hiccup—can lead to innovation. It led to a framework that simplified my life and transformed how I serve clients. And that’s a win that goes far beyond any single media placement.
The PRISM PR Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide to Elevating Your Brand Visibility
In today's competitive landscape, a solid public relations (PR) strategy is not just about getting your brand in front of the media—it's about building lasting relationships, delivering meaningful insights, and crafting messages that resonate. This is where the PRISM PR Framework comes in.
In today's competitive landscape, a solid public relations (PR) strategy is not just about getting your brand in front of the media—it's about building lasting relationships, delivering meaningful insights, and crafting messages that resonate. This is where the PRISM PR Framework comes in.
Developed by Kristin Marquet, the PRISM approach has become vital for entrepreneurs, startups, and established brands looking to enhance visibility and connect more impactfully with their audience.
The PRISM framework comprises five core components: Proprietary Tools, Relationship Building, Insights, Simplified Workflow, and Message Development. Each plays an important role in crafting a comprehensive PR strategy that ensures your brand stands out and achieves its desired results. Let's explore each component in more detail and see how it can help transform your brand's visibility.
Proprietary Tools: Building a Strong Foundation for Your Brand
One of the most valuable aspects of the PRISM PR framework is the use of proprietary tools that allow businesses to streamline their PR efforts. These tools are designed to provide a structured yet flexible approach to managing and executing PR campaigns.
At this component's heart is a specialized resource suite that enables brands to efficiently create media lists, develop press materials, and monitor media coverage. Proprietary tools can also include templates for media outreach, press releases, and media kits, which save time and ensure consistency across communications.
Client Case Study: A great example of the power of proprietary tools is a client needing help to gain media traction despite having a strong product. By leveraging the PRISM framework's media kit templates and strategic media outreach tools, we featured their product in several well-known publications within three months. This resulted in increased media mentions and a direct uptick in sales.
Relationship Building: Cultivating Meaningful Connections
Building relationships with journalists, influencers, and industry leaders is crucial for sustained PR success. However, relationship building is not about transactional interactions—it's about cultivating trust, understanding the needs of your audience, and positioning yourself as a thought leader in your space.
The PRISM framework encourages founders to focus on long-term relationship building by creating authentic connections with key media players and industry influencers. This process involves personalized outreach, regular communication, and providing value through expert insights and relevant content.
Client Case Study: For a wellness client, we used PRISM's relationship-building component to establish connections with top-tier health and wellness influencers. By taking the time to understand the influencers' interests and creating a tailored approach for each relationship, we helped our client gain consistent, high-quality exposure. This approach increased their media mentions and led to partnerships with major brands in the industry, further boosting their visibility.
Insights: Using Data to Drive Decisions
Understanding your audience and staying apprised of emerging news and trends is critical to a successful PR strategy. The Insights component of the PRISM framework emphasizes using data to help guide strategic decisions and shape PR campaigns. By analyzing key metrics like audience demographics, media coverage, engagement rates, and competitor strategies, brands can make data-driven decisions to ensure their PR efforts hit the mark.
The PRISM framework emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation based on insights gathered from analytics. This approach allows businesses to pivot their strategies and tactics, ensuring their PR campaigns always align with their goals and objectives.
Client Case Study: One fashion industry client needed help connecting with its target audience. Using PRISM's insights component, we analyzed their social media performance, competitor content, and customer behavior. This led us to adjust their messaging to focus on sustainability, a hot topic for their target demographic. As a result, their engagement rates on social media soared, and they gained media coverage in several sustainability-focused fashion outlets.
Simplified Workflow: Streamlining PR Processes for Maximum Efficiency
PR campaigns can quickly become overwhelming, especially for small teams or entrepreneurs handling multiple tasks. The PRISM framework addresses this challenge by creating a simplified workflow for executing PR campaigns. This workflow is designed to eliminate the guesswork, reduce time spent on administrative and mundane tasks, and ensure that all steps are clearly outlined.
By using a streamlined process that combines planning, execution, and follow-up, businesses can manage their PR efforts without feeling bogged down. The PRISM framework ensures that all key steps—from media outreach to reporting—are mapped out easily so founders can focus on what truly matters: building their brand.
Client Case Study: For a startup in the tech industry, the PRISM workflow proved invaluable in helping them efficiently manage their PR campaigns. With a small team, they needed a clear, actionable plan. Following PRISM's simplified process, they could pitch the product to relevant media outlets and influencers, increasing coverage and investor interest. The streamlined workflow allowed them to focus on what worked and track their progress.
Message Development: Crafting a Strong and Consistent Brand Voice
Crafting a straightforward messaging platform is the backbone of any PR strategy. The Message Development component of PRISM emphasizes the importance of creating a consistent brand narrative. A strong message should reflect the core values and mission of your brand while also speaking to the needs of your clients and customers.
PRISM helps businesses develop engaging messages that align with the company's long-term vision. By ensuring that all communications—whether a press release, social media post, or media pitch—share a unified message, brands can build stronger relationships with their audience and increase brand recognition.
Client Case Study: We used the PRISM framework's message development component for a real estate industry client to refine their core message. By focusing on their commitment to sustainable development and community engagement, we crafted a message that resonated with their target audience and the media. This resulted in positive press coverage, increased brand loyalty, and increased client inquiries.
Conclusion: How PRISM Transforms Brand Visibility
The PRISM PR framework is a comprehensive approach to developing a strong and sustainable brand presence in the market. By leveraging Proprietary Tools, focusing on Relationship Building, using Insights for data-driven decisions, streamlining processes through a Simplified Workflow, and crafting a compelling Message, businesses can significantly enhance their visibility and achieve sustainable growth.
As the case studies demonstrate, this step-by-step approach can lead to successful business outcomes across various industries, from fashion and wellness to real estate and tech. By following the PRISM framework, entrepreneurs can create a PR strategy that amplifies their brand and strengthens their relationships with key stakeholders, ultimately driving long-term success.
10 Common PR Mistakes Startups Make (And How PRISM Can Help You Avoid Them)
For startups, PR is often the secret sauce that builds brand awareness, drives growth, and establishes credibility. However, in the race to gain traction, many startups make critical mistakes that can reduce their PR efforts or harm their brand. Understanding these pitfalls—and knowing how to avoid them—can make a significant difference in how effectively a startup tells its story.
For startups, PR is often the secret sauce that builds brand awareness, drives growth, and establishes credibility. However, in the race to gain traction, many startups make critical mistakes that can reduce their PR efforts or harm their brand. Understanding these pitfalls—and knowing how to avoid them—can make a significant difference in how effectively a startup tells its story.
PRISM, Marquet Media's proprietary PR framework, is designed to guide businesses through the complexities of public relations with a structured, actionable approach. Here's a closer look at startups' ten common PR mistakes and how the PRISM methodology can help avoid them.
1. Neglecting to Define Clear Objectives
The Mistake: Many startups start PR campaigns without a clear purpose, treating it as a catch-all for "getting noticed" rather than a targeted approach. PR campaigns often need more direction and clear objectives, leading to scattered results that align with business goals.
How PRISM Helps: The PRISM framework begins with "Purpose," emphasizing the importance of defining precise goals. Are you looking to drive brand awareness, position yourself as an industry thought leader, or attract potential investors? By clarifying these goals early on, PRISM ensures your PR efforts are purposeful and aligned with your startup's broader mission.
2. Failing to Understand Your Target Audience
The Mistake: Startups frequently approach PR with a "one-size-fits-all" mentality, assuming that their message will resonate with everyone. But this can lead to generic messaging that fails to connect.
How PRISM Helps: The "Research" phase in PRISM emphasizes identifying and understanding your target audience. Through thorough research, PRISM helps startups pinpoint who they're talking to, what matters most to this audience, and where they spend their time. This insight allows for messaging that resonates deeply and reaches the right people.
3. Inconsistent Messaging Across Channels
The Mistake: Startups often need more fragmented messaging across social media, press releases, and customer interactions, which can create confusion around their brand identity.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM emphasizes consistency in the "Identity" phase, focusing on crafting a cohesive brand voice and messaging that aligns across all channels. This consistency strengthens brand recognition and trust, ensuring that each piece of communication supports a unified image.
4. Overlooking Media Relationships
The Mistake: Some startups see PR as a purely transactional process—send out a press release and get published. This short-sighted approach overlooks the importance of building relationships with journalists and media outlets.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM's "Media" phase is dedicated to relationship-building, encouraging startups to view PR as a long-term strategy rather than a quick fix. By focusing on authentic engagement with media contacts and offering valuable insights, PRISM helps startups establish credibility and foster lasting connections.
5. Focusing Solely on Product Launches
The Mistake: Many startups only engage in PR around product launches, missing out on opportunities to keep their brand in the spotlight year-round. This sporadic approach can limit visibility and create gaps in brand awareness.
How PRISM Helps: The PRISM framework encourages startups to maintain an ongoing PR presence rather than limiting it to launch events. By continuously generating news, sharing insights, and promoting thought leadership, startups can keep their brand relevant and top-of-mind for customers and investors alike.
6. Using Jargon and Buzzwords
The Mistake: Startups sometimes assume that industry jargon and buzzwords make them sound more credible. However, this language often confuses readers or comes across as insincere.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM's "Identity" phase emphasizes clear, authentic communication. By focusing on approachable language that conveys value without unnecessary complexity, startups can build a more trustworthy and relatable brand image. PRISM encourages simplicity and clarity in messaging to make a genuine impact.
7. Neglecting Crisis Management Preparation
The Mistake: Startups rarely anticipate the need for crisis management. However, in today's fast-paced media environment, issues can escalate quickly, and a lack of preparedness can turn small problems into PR disasters.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM includes crisis management strategies that help startups prepare for potential issues. By proactively planning responses to common crisis scenarios, startups can mitigate damage and handle crises in a way that reinforces their credibility. PRISM equips startups with tools to respond confidently and transparently, minimizing reputational harm.
8. Ignoring the Importance of Social Proof
The Mistake: Startups often need to remember the power of testimonials, case studies, reviews, and customer success stories in PR. Without social proof, potential customers may view the startup as unproven or unreliable.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM's focus on building credibility extends to encouraging startups to gather and share social proof actively. By incorporating customer stories and testimonials into PR efforts, startups can create a compelling narrative highlighting real-world impact, making it easier to gain trust and traction.
9. Failing to Track and Measure Results
The Mistake: Many startups need to measure the outcomes of their PR efforts, making it difficult to understand what's working and what isn't. With data, strategies can be refined and better results achieved.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM's "Metrics" phase prioritizes tracking and evaluation, helping startups implement systems to measure the impact of their PR initiatives. By analyzing metrics such as media coverage, social engagement, and website traffic, PRISM provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of campaigns, allowing startups to make data-driven adjustments.
10. Setting Unrealistic Expectations
The Mistake: Startups sometimes expect immediate results from PR, viewing it as a shortcut to success rather than a long-term investment. This mindset can lead to disappointment.
How PRISM Helps: PRISM sets realistic expectations from the outset, emphasizing that PR is a marathon, not a sprint. The framework encourages startups to adopt a steady, consistent approach that builds credibility and visibility over time. By setting achievable goals and focusing on sustainable growth, PRISM helps startups maintain motivation and see the value of PR as an ongoing strategy.
Navigating the PR world can be challenging for startups, but understanding these common pitfalls is the first step in developing and implementing a successful PR strategy. The PRISM framework provides a roadmap to avoid these mistakes and maximize PR impact. By focusing on purpose, research, identity, media, and metrics, startups can build a strong PR foundation that supports growth and longevity.
PR isn't just about getting attention—it's about building a brand that resonates, endures, and leads. With the guidance of PRISM, startups can achieve their PR goals and create meaningful, lasting connections with their audience and industry influencers.
Why Data-Driven PR Is the Future: How Our PRISM Framework Leverages Analytics
In today’s digital era, public relations (PR) is no longer just about pitching stories or maintaining media relationships. It’s about leveraging data to shape strategies, measure impact, and refine messaging in real time. Data-driven PR allows brands to craft more targeted campaigns, better understand their audience, and achieve tangible results.
In today’s digital era, public relations (PR) is no longer just about pitching stories or maintaining media relationships. It’s about leveraging data to shape strategies, measure impact, and refine messaging in real time. Data-driven PR allows brands to craft more targeted campaigns, better understand their audience, and achieve tangible results.
At Marquet Media, we’ve built our PRISM framework to harness the power of analytics, helping our clients stand out in the competitive landscape. In this post, we will share why data is crucial for PR success and how the PRISM framework uses analytics to drive exceptional client outcomes, with FemFounder as a prime example.
The Shift Toward Data-Driven PR
The PR industry has transformed over the past decade. What used to be an industry reliant on intuition and media relationships has evolved into one that values measurable outcomes and precision targeting. Today, PR professionals must be able to show the impact of their work using concrete data. The increasing popularity of digital channels, social media, and advanced data analytics tools has made it easier to quantify the effectiveness of PR strategies. Data-driven PR isn’t just a trend—it’s become an essential practice for those looking to thrive in a constantly evolving media landscape.
The Role of Data in Modern PR
Enhanced Audience Understanding: With analytics tools, PR professionals can delve into audience demographics, behaviors, and interests. Understanding your audience and what they care about allows for more effective message crafting and channel selection, ensuring your stories resonate with the right people.
Precise Targeting: Data allows PR teams to create campaigns that reach the right people at the right time. This precision is crucial for brands with niche audiences, like FemFounder, which caters to female entrepreneurs. Data ensures that resources are used efficiently, with messaging customized to the needs and preferences of each audience segment.
Measuring ROI: Traditional PR often struggled to quantify success. Today, data helps PR teams track media mentions, website traffic, engagement rates, and even conversions directly tied to PR efforts. These metrics prove the value of PR in a way that was previously difficult to achieve, helping clients know the return on investment.
Real-Time Adaptation: Data enables PR professionals to track the effectiveness of campaigns as they unfold. This means strategies can be adjusted quickly, ensuring that messaging remains relevant and impactful throughout the campaign’s lifecycle. It allows brands to pivot quickly when needed, maintaining momentum and adapting to the latest trends.
Introducing the PRISM Framework
The PRISM framework was born from recognizing that successful PR must be rooted in data and driven by insights. The PRISM model stands for Proprietary Tools, Relationship Building, Insights, Simplified Workflow, and Message Development. Each framework component uses analytics to ensure our PR strategies are effective, efficient, and aligned with our clients’ goals.
Proprietary Tools: Harnessing the Power of Data
Data is only as useful as the tools that capture it. At Marquet Media, we leverage proprietary tools that help us track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across all channels. These tools allow us to monitor social media trends, track media coverage, analyze website performance, and gather sentiment analysis from various digital platforms.
Example from FemFounder: When FemFounder launched a new blog series aimed at female entrepreneurs, our tools allowed us to track engagement rates and click-throughs from social media channels. These insights showed that posts about work-life balance resonated most with the audience, leading us to create more content around this theme. As a result, FemFounder saw a 25% increase in time spent on its website.
Relationship Building: Data-Enhanced Connections
While data is essential, the human element remains a cornerstone of effective PR. However, data enhances our ability to build and maintain media relationships. Using data analytics, we can identify which journalists and bloggers are writing about topics relevant to our clients, track engagement with past stories, and craft pitches that align with their interests.
Example from FemFounder: Our data-driven approach identified key journalists in the startup and wellness spaces who frequently covered female entrepreneurship. By targeting these journalists with tailored pitches, we secured media placements for FemFounder in leading publications like Inc. and SheKnows, resulting in a 25% increase in media mentions.
Insights: Transforming Data into Strategy
Insights are the fuel that powers effective PR strategies. Our team uses data to uncover trends, understand audience preferences, and identify emerging opportunities in the media landscape. With the PRISM framework, we turn raw data into actionable insights that guide our messaging and outreach efforts.
Example from FemFounder: We discovered that conversations around “female founders” and “work-from-home challenges” were trending among FemFounder’s target audience through a social listening exercise. This insight led us to launch a blog series and webinar addressing these topics, which quickly became some of the most popular content on the site. This data-driven pivot increased FemFounder’s blog traffic by 30% within two months.
Simplified Workflow: Efficiency through Automation
Data and analytics can be complex, but our PRISM framework simplifies the process, ensuring that our team spends less on manual tasks and more on strategic initiatives. By automating data collection and reporting, we create a streamlined workflow that allows us to focus on crafting compelling narratives and building relationships.
Example from FemFounder: By automating our monthly media monitoring reports, we saved significant time, which allowed us to focus more on strategic partnerships and content creation. This efficiency helped us secure an exclusive interview series with high-profile female entrepreneurs, further boosting FemFounder’s credibility.
Message Development: Data-Driven Storytelling
Data isn’t just about numbers; it’s about storytelling. The PRISM framework uses data to refine messaging, ensuring that every press release, social media post, and email campaign speaks directly to the audience’s needs and desires. By A/B testing headlines and analyzing engagement data, we can continuously refine our approach for better results.
Example from FemFounder: By analyzing the open and click-through rates of FemFounder’s email campaigns, we discovered that subject lines featuring phrases like “exclusive access” and “founder tips” performed the best. We used this insight to adjust our messaging across channels, resulting in a 22% increase in email engagement.
The Future of PR is Data-Driven
The PR industry is at a turning point, with data and analytics playing an increasingly central role in shaping strategies. Brands embracing a data-driven PR approach are better positioned to navigate today’s media landscape. Here’s why data-driven PR is not just a trend but the future of the industry:
AI and Predictive Analytics in PR: AI tools can analyze large datasets to identify patterns, predict media trends, and suggest optimal times for press releases and social media posts. Predictive analytics can forecast audience reactions to different messages, allowing PR teams to fine-tune their campaigns before they go live.
Personalized PR Campaigns: Data allows brands to craft highly customized PR campaigns that speak directly to individual interests and preferences. By analyzing customer data, PR teams can segment audiences and tailor their messaging, leading to higher engagement and more meaningful connections.
The Integration of PR and Digital Marketing: Data has blurred the lines between PR and digital marketing. Today’s most successful PR campaigns integrate with SEO strategies, social media marketing, and content creation. This ensures consistent messaging across all channels and allows brands to leverage PR coverage to drive website traffic, improve search rankings, and generate leads.
Real-World Results: FemFounder’s Data-Driven Success
The PRISM framework has transformed how FemFounder approaches PR, allowing the brand to leverage data for better results. Here are some of the key successes achieved through our data-driven approach:
Increased Website Traffic by 35%: By analyzing which topics resonated most with FemFounder’s audience, we optimized the content strategy to focus on high-performing themes. This led to a 35% increase in organic website traffic over 10 months.
Growth in Email Subscribers: Through A/B testing of subject lines and content, we refined FemFounder’s email marketing strategy, growing the subscriber list by 100,000 members in less than a year. This new audience directly contributed to a 27% boost in inquiries for Marquet Media’s PR services.
Secured High-Profile Media Placements: Using data to target journalists covering the startup and wellness spaces, we secured features in top-tier publications like Forbes, Allure, and FastCompany. These placements significantly increased FemFounder’s visibility and credibility, attracting more collaborators and partnerships.
Conclusion: Embrace the Future with Data-Driven PR
Data-driven PR is not just about numbers; it’s about making informed decisions that amplify your brand’s story and drive meaningful results. At Marquet Media, our PRISM framework leverages data to craft PR strategies that are both strategic and agile, allowing us to adjust and refine our approach in real-time. For brands like FemFounder, data-driven PR has been a game-changer, helping us connect with the right audiences, build lasting media relationships, and achieve measurable success.
If you’re ready to take your PR efforts to the next level with a data-driven approach, contact us at Marquet Media. Let’s explore how our PRISM framework can help you achieve your PR goals, amplify your brand’s message, and build a more engaged and loyal audience. Together, we’ll transform data into insights and insights into success.
Unlocking Growth: How Our PRISM PR Framework Empowers Clients to Thrive
In today's rapidly evolving and fiercely competitive marketplace, businesses must adapt. PR plays a significant role in landscape, bridging organizations and their target audiences. The PRISM PR Framework is at the core of our success in delivering the best possible PR services—a strategic, comprehensive approach designed to propel our clients toward their growth aspirations. This article dives into how the PRISM PR Framework aids our target audiences and clients in achieving remarkable growth, all while maintaining the confidentiality of its proprietary methodologies.
In today's rapidly evolving and fiercely competitive marketplace, businesses must adapt. PR plays a significant role in landscape, bridging organizations and their target audiences. The PRISM PR Framework is at the core of our success in delivering the best possible PR services—a strategic, comprehensive approach designed to propel our clients toward their growth aspirations. This article dives into how the PRISM PR Framework aids our target audiences and clients in achieving remarkable growth, all while maintaining the confidentiality of its proprietary methodologies.
Understanding the PRISM PR Framework
The PRISM PR Framework is a model that encapsulates the essential elements of effective public relations. PRISM stands for Proprietary tools, Relationship building, Insights, Simplified Workflow, and Message Development and Measurement. Each piece is vital to ensuring that our PR efforts are impactful and aligned with our clients' goals and market dynamics.
Proprietary Tools
At the heart of our process are the proprietary tools that power our PRISM Framework. These tools allow us to streamline the planning, research, and execution phases of PR while providing our clients with data-driven insights that enhance strategy and performance. From media tracking platforms to custom analytics dashboards, we use advanced technology to measure the reach and impact of every campaign. Our tools also provide real-time feedback, enabling us to adjust strategies quickly and efficiently to align with client goals.
Key Activities:
Analytics and Media Monitoring: Real-time tracking of media coverage, audience sentiment, and engagement across all channels.
KPI Dashboards: Proprietary dashboards that provide clients with an overview of campaign performance and results against key objectives.
PR Workflow Automation: Tools that automate outreach, reporting, and follow-ups, allowing us to focus on high-value strategy and relationship building.
Relationship Building
Successful PR is built on strong relationships with media professionals, influencers, and key stakeholders. Relationship building is the cornerstone of our approach. We cultivate meaningful connections with journalists, bloggers, and industry influencers to ensure our clients' stories are heard and amplified through the right channels. We also build trust and collaborate with our clients, ensuring that we seamlessly extend their internal teams. The relationships we develop ensure sustained visibility and credibility over time.
Key Activities:
Media Relations: Building relationships with reporters, editors, and influencers to secure meaningful coverage.
Client Collaboration: Partnering closely with clients to ensure alignment between their brand vision and our PR efforts.
Industry Networking: Attending key events, conferences, and forums to strengthen industry connections and gain insights into media trends.
Insights and Data-Driven Strategy
Our data-driven insights form the foundation of every strategy we develop. We gain an understanding of industry trends, competitor activity, and audience behavior using research and analytics tools. These insights guide us in crafting strategies that are not only creative but also effective in achieving measurable outcomes. Our data-driven approach allows us to tailor every message and campaign to resonate with the specific audience segments that matter most.
Key Activities:
Competitor Benchmarking: Analyzing competitors' strengths and weaknesses to uncover opportunities for differentiation.
Market and Audience Research: Gathering data on audience preferences, industry trends, and media consumption habits to develop targeted campaigns.
Sentiment Analysis: Monitoring public perception, sentiment, and tone around our clients' brands to identify areas of improvement and opportunities for positive storytelling.
Simplified Workflow
We understand that PR and branding can be complex, so we've developed a simplified workflow that ensures seamless execution of every campaign from start to finish. Our streamlined processes reduce friction, ensuring campaigns are timely and within budget. By automating routine tasks such as outreach tracking and reporting, we enable our teams to focus on what matters most—strategy, creativity, and building relationships. This workflow enhances client collaboration by providing clear timelines, transparent communication, and real-time reporting throughout the campaign lifecycle.
Key Activities:
Automated Outreach and Follow-Ups: Using proprietary tools to track media interactions and automate communications for efficiency.
Timeline Management: Establishing clear timelines and milestones to ensure campaigns stay on schedule.
Collaborative Platforms: Providing clients access to our platforms for real-time campaign progress and results updates.
Message Development and Measurement
Effective messaging is central to every campaign we run. We strategically craft vital messages and narratives that align with our clients' brand values and resonate with their audiences. These messages are carefully developed through research, brainstorming, and collaboration, ensuring they reflect the brand's authentic voice and align with business objectives. Measurement is equally important, allowing us to assess how well these messages are received and where adjustments are needed to maximize impact.
Key Activities:
Message Crafting and Storytelling: Developing consistent, compelling narratives highlighting the client's unique value proposition and strengths.
Channel Selection and Adaptation: Tailoring messages for each channel, whether social media, traditional media, or direct outreach, to ensure maximum relevance and engagement.
KPI-Driven Measurement: Tracking key metrics—such as media mentions, audience engagement, and sentiment—against campaign goals to evaluate success.
Reporting and Continuous Optimization: Providing detailed reports to clients and refining strategies based on data insights to optimize future campaigns.
Together, these five pillars—proprietary Tools, Relationship Building, Insights, Simplified Workflow, and Message Development and Measurement—create a holistic PR and branding strategy that delivers measurable, sustainable results. They ensure that our work is not only efficient and impactful but also aligned with our clients' long-term goals. By combining cutting-edge technology with meaningful relationships, data-driven insights, streamlined processes, and effective messaging, we provide comprehensive PR solutions that help our clients grow.
How PRISM Drives Client Growth
The PRISM PR Framework is not just a theoretical model but a practical, results-driven approach that has consistently delivered growth for our clients. Here's how each component contributes to their success:
Enhancing Brand Visibility
Planning and implementing targeted PR campaigns, we significantly increase our clients' visibility in their respective markets. This heightened presence ensures potential customers become aware of their offerings, increasing brand recognition and trust.
Building Strong Relationships
Research and strategy are pivotal in understanding and connecting with the right audiences. Building meaningful relationships with media outlets, industry influencers, and key stakeholders, we create a robust network that supports our clients' growth objectives.
Driving Engagement and Interaction
Effective implementation ensures that our PR activities are engaging and interactive. Whether through compelling content, interactive events, or dynamic social media campaigns, we create opportunities for our clients to interact meaningfully with their audiences.
Example: A retail fashion brand wanted to boost its social media presence. We developed a series of interactive campaigns, including live Q&A sessions, user-generated content contests, and exclusive online events. These initiatives resulted in a 40% increase in social media followers and a significant rise in customer engagement.
Measuring and Optimizing Performance
Continuous measurement and optimization are at the core of the PRISM Framework. Analyzing performance data and feedback ensures that our strategies remain aligned with our clients' needs.
The PRISM Advantage: Why Choose Our Framework?
Tailored Approach
Every business is unique, and so are their PR needs. The PRISM Framework is flexible and adaptable, allowing us to tailor our strategies to align with each client's goals and market conditions.
Proven Results
Our track record speaks for itself. The PRISM Framework has consistently delivered measurable results, driving growth and enhancing the reputation of our clients across various industries.
Strategic Insight
Our deep industry knowledge and strategic insight enable us to anticipate market trends and position our clients ahead. This proactive approach ensures sustained growth and long-term success.
Client Case Study: Serenity Mind & Wellness – Scaling Mental Health with PRISM PR Framework
Client Overview
Serenity Mind & Wellness is a mental health-focused online shop and media brand founded by a licensed therapist. It offers products such as guided journals, self-care kits, digital workbooks, and a content hub featuring mental health resources, expert-led workshops, and articles on well-being. Since its launch, Serenity has become a trusted platform for individuals seeking mental wellness solutions. With our PRISM PR Framework, Serenity set out to boost media visibility, grow its online audience, and increase product sales.
The brand has now been featured in Forbes.com, FastCompany, Inc., SheKnows, Luxe Living, Oprah Magazine, Allure.com, Newsweek.com, Healthline, Psych Central, and countless others, building credibility and trust in the mental health space. Serenity also expanded its email list to several thousand subscribers and now attracts thousands of monthly readers to its media property.
Challenges
Limited Market Visibility: Despite high-quality offerings, serenity is needed to help build brand recognition in a competitive wellness space.
Crowded Market Landscape: With mental health becoming a growing focus, Serenity needed to differentiate itself from other wellness brands.
Lack of Media Connections: The team must establish relationships with journalists and influencers to garner meaningful media coverage.
Managing Growth Efficiently: With a small team, Serenity needed streamlined workflows to manage PR campaigns while focusing on product development and community engagement.
How the PRISM PR Framework Fueled Growth
Proprietary Tools: Precision-Driven PR Campaigns
We tracked Serenity's coverage, audience engagement, and campaign performance using proprietary analytics tools and media monitoring platforms. Our custom KPI dashboards allowed the team to monitor which campaigns drove the most traffic and sales, making optimizing efforts in real-time easy.
Analytics & Media Monitoring: Identified high-impact platforms and tracked referral traffic from media placements.
KPI Dashboards: Provided Serenity with real-time updates on campaign performance, including media mentions, social media engagement, and email list growth.
PR Workflow Automation: Automated follow-ups and outreach, helping the team manage media relationships efficiently.
Relationship Building: Connecting with Key Media and Influencers
Our success in building meaningful relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers was critical to Serenity's visibility boost. We focused on targeting mental health, lifestyle, and wellness media outlets to position the brand as both a product line and a trusted source of mental health content.
Media Outreach: Secured product features and founder interviews in FastCompany, Inc., SheKnows, Oprah Magazine, Newsweek, and Allure.
Influencer Collaborations: Partnered with influencers in the wellness space to promote Serenity's products through organic social media campaigns.
Client Collaboration: Worked closely with Serenity's founder to align PR strategies with the brand's values and mission.
Insights: Data-Driven Campaign Strategy
With our data-driven insights, we segmented Serenity's audience into distinct groups—mental health professionals, self-care advocates, and digital content consumers—and tailored messaging accordingly. Competitor analysis revealed gaps we could exploit, helping Serenity position itself as an e-commerce platform and a media brand.
Audience Segmentation: Identified messaging that resonated with Serenity's primary customer groups, including those seeking practical mental wellness tools.
Competitor Benchmarking: Analyzed competitors' media strategies to identify opportunities for differentiation.
Sentiment Analysis: Monitored audience feedback and public sentiment to ensure messaging aligned with mental health conversations.
Simplified Workflow: Streamlining Campaign Execution
With Serenity's small team focused on product development, we implemented a streamlined workflow to manage PR campaigns smoothly. We handled outreach tracking, reporting, and follow-ups using automated tools, ensuring campaigns stayed on schedule without overburdening the Serenity team.
Timeline Management: Developed a detailed campaign timeline with milestones for product launches and media outreach.
Collaborative Platform: Provided Serenity access to real-time reports and campaign progress, keeping communication seamless.
Automated Follow-Ups: Ensured timely engagement with journalists and influencers, increasing the chances of media coverage.
Message Development & Measurement: Crafting Compelling Stories
We worked closely with Serenity to develop key messaging that reflected the brand's commitment to mental health and self-care. This narrative positioned Serenity as an online shop and a trusted media platform offering educational content.
Storytelling & Messaging: Crafted narratives highlighting Serenity's mission and product value.
Channel-Specific Adaptation: Tailored messaging for social media, digital publications, and influencer campaigns to increase relevance and engagement.
KPI Measurement: Monitored referral traffic, sales, and email subscriptions from each media placement and campaign.
Continuous Optimization: Adjusted messaging and outreach strategies in response to performance data.
Results and Impact
Significant Media Visibility: Serenity was featured in top-tier publications, including FastCompany, Inc., SheKnows, Luxe Living, Oprah Magazine, Allure.com, and Newsweek.com.
Email List Growth: The brand expanded to several thousand subscribers, creating a strong base for direct marketing efforts.
Increased Web Traffic and Engagement: Serenity now attracts thousands of monthly readers to its media property, significantly boosting its audience reach.
Social Media Growth: Engagement on Serenity's social media platforms increased by 50%, with a surge in new followers from organic campaigns.
Sustainable Growth: The combination of PR, influencer outreach, and optimized messaging positioned Serenity as a trusted mental health resource and a growing e-commerce brand.
How PRISM Elevated Serenity's Success
The PRISM PR Framework was pivotal in Serenity Mind & Wellness's transformation from a small online initiative to a leading mental health brand and media platform. By leveraging proprietary tools, building strong media relationships, applying data-driven insights, streamlining workflows, and crafting compelling messaging, we helped Serenity achieve remarkable growth and visibility.
Today, Serenity continues to thrive, offering meaningful products and content to its expanding audience. With ongoing features in top-tier media, a growing email list, and increased product demand, Serenity has established itself as a go-to brand in the mental health space. The PRISM Framework fueled Serenity's rise and set the foundation for sustained, long-term success.
*Client name has been changed.