Move The Crowd Part 4 : PR, NEEDS, & Closing Out
Susan Lindner from Emerging Media PR put us through what she called PR Boot Camp.In part 2 of this series about the Move The Crowd mastermind I attended, I mentioned that my brain was full. Yeah, this was the place where the “wafer thin” bit of food was put on my tongue that was just too much – but instead of being wafer thin, it was a burrito. A tasty, super-nutritious burrito that I really wanted to eat. But that doesn’t help. It just made me not want to stop.Curious about what I had already been up to that had filled me up? Well, you can find parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series by clicking on the links provided. It will give you an idea of why I was already full.Actually, I think if I had only taken PR Boot Camp, it would have kicked my butt.In one hour we dove into:--- What PR really is (the business of generating good will for your brand)--- What PR can do (inform audiences/public, share uniqueness, shape the market/public opinion, create credibility/validation, tailor your message to specific audiences each time you speak, influence key decision makers)--- That PR does not fix bad products, or a receptionist who poorly represents your brand--- Creating media messages and making sure to pre-test for what journalists will smell as BS--- Speed-creation of core statements of brand identity (key messages, clarifying differentiators, what is the value, why should we care)--- Backgrounders, one-pagers, press releases, industry fact sheets--- Bios, media pages, PR kits--- Actually keeping in touch with journalists--- Becoming an industry expert who keeps getting called for quotes, even if the article is not about you.--- Being part of news, making news, making yourself relevant--- And a whole lot more.Know what I realized? Well, LOTS of stuff… but I realized that it would be really meaningful to me if I could get YOUR help.I have been incredibly blessed over the years to receive a number of “your class helped me to…” from y’all. However, for my website and press releases I’ve been told that what I really need are 3rd person quotes. Stuff like “Lee Harrington’s work has helped me…”So, if you are game, it would rock to receive personal statements that I could use to that effect. Whether it is about a book of mine (I enjoyed Sacred Kink because…), a class of mine (Lee’s Pain Processing class gave me an opportunity to…) or me/my work in general, that would be AMAZING. Please include your name and city/state/country afterwards, and send it lee@passionandsoul.com or reply here.There is also stuff that I need to do:--- I need to update my website/bios/media kit (and am working on it right now)--- I need to develop a stronger PR schedule where I announce my classes when registration opens, 2 weeks in advance, 1 week in advance, 2 days in advance, day of… or similar.--- My SEO search engine shit – yeah, that.--- I should reach out and be a quote-giver for articles on my topics of expertise in mainstream press, as well as in niche news like Leatherati.--- I need new university-appropriate headshots--- I need to figure out who to get this press release I am finishing up for my book release to when the book release, well, releases.If y’all have leads/can help, that would be amazing. This is all especially important as I get ready to launch my crowd-funding for the printing of More Shibari You Can Use and Shibari You Can Use 2nd Edition.By the end of the PR Boot Camp, I felt physically ill. All of that was in 40 minutes or so. It was… a lot. Yeah, a lot.I almost left after Boot Camp. No one was keeping me there. Maybe I should have. I was very full, and large parts of me had stopped being able to engage. But with only an hour or so left, I stuck I out. A woman shared about the tour she was producing with the amazingly iconic Carmen DeLavallade. Onome Djere shared about her project Lush Tongue helping people express their voice, stating that the greatest fear is not public speaking – it is public singing. That learning to sing helps us open up our ability to share our voice… physically and conceptually.And as we drew to a close, Jlove and Rha Goddess each took the stage again and had us do journaling and reflecting on what we learned and what our actions would be. We were encouraged to be embodied, to start with letting go, and that isolation is overrated. We were encouraged to breathe.At the end, Emily Blythe Tepper took the stage for a closing ritual. She designs rituals and experiences, training people into being receptive and having capacity to receive. To become aware of the rituals in our lives, and then choosing to engage in the ones we want.I fought against the closing ritual.I left the event saying goodbye to Zahava, but only going through the motions with others. I was full. I was full. I was full.So I walked. And I walked. And I failed to acquire a Cronut. And, through pure coincidence (though I do not believe in coincidence), I found myself outside the Le Poisson Rouge which was having the opening night for the NY Burlesque Festival opening night. I grabbed a bite, and watched the show. And, I processed. I chewed.I keep chewing.I am glad I went. It was important.--- Stay True--- Get Paid--- Do GoodIt’s that simple. It really is.If nothing else, I came away with a better awareness of who I am right now. People often ask me what I do for a living. I stumble over words, over excuses, over shame around saying I teach about sex. But with a core power I can honestly say:I am an author and educator that focuses on erotic and spiritual authenticity.That is pretty powerful for me to know.I recommend the intensive. It kicked my butt, brought new awareness, left me uncomfortable, was inspiring, gave me the lens of the experiences of others, reminded me that PowerPoint doesn’t have to be evil and that I have privilege to examine, and gave me lots to reflect on.A hearty thank you to the staff and crew of Move The Crowd. You all did an amazing job, and the event would not have been the same without any one of you – from sound to registration, speaking to mailing, food wrangling to venue organizing. Keep up the good work.Let’s all keep up the good work.