20: Elevate Your Brand with Meaghan Shanley's PR Tips for Designers

Meaghan Shanley, Design Publicist and PR Consultant

Meaghan Shanley is the founder of Evergreen PR, a boutique agency driven by her desire for a more personalized approach to client relationships. Her goal is to ensure clients feel seen, heard, and celebrated while providing invaluable support in achieving their business goals. With over a decade of public relations expertise, Meaghan is a highly experienced PR consultant specializing in interior design. Her impressive track record demonstrates her ability to connect designers with the right audiences and showcase their work in the best possible light.

Throughout her extensive PR career, Meaghan has collaborated with iconic design luminaries, including Sasha Bikoff, Plain English, de Gournay, and Hollywood's go-to interior designer, Brigette Romanek, for her vintage-inspired furniture line with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Founding Evergreen PR in 2022, Meaghan drew from her experience in both boutique and large-scale PR agencies, recognizing the importance of a genuine connection with clients. Working one-on-one with interior designers, her approach is collaborative, educational, and sustainable for long-term success.

Get inspired as Meaghan shares her expertise in interior design PR, her strategies for connecting designers with high-net-worth clients, and her passion for elevating brands through creative storytelling and strategic public relations.

[6:46] BUILDING A STRONG CLIENT-PR RELATIONSHIP

When it comes to PR, it's not just about the numbers or the media coverage; it's about the people behind the brand. Meaghan points out that your ideal client should be someone with whom you share a connection, mutual trust, and respect. These qualities form the foundation of a successful partnership.

A virtual connection can be as impactful as an in-person meeting. Being responsive and proactive is essential. The client should feel confident that their PR representative will assist them.

• One of the key insights Meaghan shares is the power of authentic storytelling. Your experiences can become valuable content for media pitches. Sharing these unique experiences can humanize your brand or persona, making it more relatable to your target audience.
• While PR professionals are experts in navigating the changing media landscape, clients should always feel comfortable expressing their preferences. Meaghan believes in the importance of having conversations about what the client wants, more or less specific publications they're keen on, and their overall goals.

[9:27] UNDERSTANDING WHAT PR IS AND ISN'T

PR is not a guaranteed outcome; it involves organically pitching stories to editors and hoping they'll be shared with readers. Unlike marketing, which focuses on promoting your service directly, PR relies on earned media – the result of successful storytelling. Meaghan acknowledges that while it may not always yield immediate returns, successful PR has numerous benefits:

• Word of Mouth: Over time, it increases positive word-of-mouth referrals.
• Targeted Clientele: It helps attract the right clients for your business.
• Trade Relationships: PR can lead to new trade partnerships.
• Online Presence: It drives traffic to your website and boosts social media engagement.
• Increased Fees: Successful PR allows you to charge higher fees due to your credibility.
• Marketing Material: PR results can be used in newsletters, blogs, and social media.
• Long-Term Value: It enhances your brand's reputation, aiding future business endeavors.

PR is all about how people perceive, experience, and interact with your brand. It's that elusive "buzz" that captures the attention of your target audienc