Spotlight
interview
Public Relations Maven
Teresa Laughlin
TC LAUGHLIN PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP, INC.
work: 646.484.TCPR / cell: 917.273.4669
www.TCLaughlin.com
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If you're like most small business owners generating publicity for your work is probably the last thing on your mind. However in today's ever changing ,fast paced media driven world it's more important than ever for a a business owner to successful get the word out. I recently sat down with PR rep Teresa laughlin or TC Laughlin PR to get some tips fro launching and maintaining a successful promotional campaign.
Q1. So tell me about your business. How did you get started and what services does your firm offer specifically?
My life, like many people, has taken numerous unexpected twists and turns along the way. Having worked at various points as a photographer, designer, and in show business, I find it fascinating how it all now finally dovetails together, arming me with skills and tools which enable me to go above and beyond for my clients.
I had my own very high-end clothing label for 10 years, during which I handled all of my own PR in house. Of course, at the time, it didn’t register to me as PR, but rather as yet another task on that endless list of to do’s that befall all small business owners. When a family situation forced a hiatus and eventual closure of my business, I relished the opportunity to spend time at home with my young children. Once they got a bit older, I began thinking about my next incarnation, and was approached by a friend of a friend about working as an independent contractor for her PR firm. Despite not having any “official” experience in PR, I quickly recognized it as everything I had been doing for myself for a decade, and I was instantly at home. Because I was an independent contractor, I began getting a surprisingly steady stream of client referrals from editors, which was a wonderful validation of the work I was doing. Soon, though, it just didn’t make economic sense to stay, despite my very real affection for my clients and co-workers, so, I opened up my own firm.I am an “all in” kind of person, and I tend to give myself 200 % to whatever I am engaged in. That’s one of the prime reasons that I am approaching my little jewel box of a firm from the point of view of a curator. I have turned down more clients than I have taken on, for several reasons. First, I need to have a visceral reaction to the work, because I want to be able to promote it from a very genuine place. I want the editors to know that I stand for a certain caliber and taste level, and because I dive in so completely, I want to have a sense of confidence about the success that I will be able to achieve for the client.