How to Tell Whether PR Is Actually Working for Your Coaching or Therapy Practice

Most coaches and therapists do not simply want to be seen.

They want PR to achieve something useful.

They may want prospective clients to trust them before an introductory call.

They may want stronger credibility on their website, better proof on LinkedIn, greater recognition within a specialist area or more confidence when somebody compares them with another professional.

They may want referral partners, podcast hosts, journalists or corporate decision-makers to understand their expertise more quickly.

That is why judging PR only by asking, “How many articles did I get this month?” can be too simplistic.

Published media coverage matters.

However, for coaches and therapists, PR often works best as part of a wider authority system involving:

— Clear positioning

— A credible website

— Professional qualifications and experience

— Useful content

— Media coverage

— Podcast appearances

— Referral relationships

— Search visibility

— Client or professional proof

— A clear route to enquiry

The more useful question is not only:

“Did I get press coverage?”

It is:

“Is this helping the right people understand what I know, who I help and why I am credible?”

That is a better way to judge whether PR is working.

PR should make first conversations easier

For coaches and therapists, trust often begins developing before the first conversation.

A prospective client may:

— Hear about you through a referral

— Read one of your articles

— Find a media quote through Google

— Visit your website

— Review your qualifications

— Look at your LinkedIn profile

— Listen to a podcast interview

— Read your professional biography

— Check which subjects you regularly discuss

By the time they contact you, they may already have formed an impression of whether you appear credible, relevant and suitable for their needs.

Good PR can support that process.

A quote in a respected publication, an interview on a relevant podcast or a feature connected to your specialist area can provide independent evidence that your perspective has wider value.

That does not mean every article will generate immediate enquiries.

PR may work more quietly.

It may:

— Reassure somebody who is already considering contacting you

— Make a professional referral feel more confident

— Strengthen a corporate coaching proposal

— Give your website better proof

— Make an introductory conversation feel warmer

— Help people understand your approach before speaking to you

— Reinforce your professional positioning

— Make a podcast or speaking pitch stronger

A couples therapist quoted on recurring relationship conflict may not receive several enquiries on the day an article appears.

However, a prospective client may later search for the therapist, find credible commentary on attachment, communication and repeated conflict, and feel more comfortable making contact.

A leadership coach quoted on workplace burnout may not receive an immediate corporate contract.

However, a decision-maker who later reviews the coach’s website may see a consistent body of credible media commentary around burnout, leadership behaviour and team trust.

That is still PR working.

It is trust-building, not only lead generation.

Look at authority signals, not just website traffic

PR does not behave exactly like paid advertising.

A paid campaign may be assessed through clicks, conversions and cost per lead.

PR often contributes value across:

— Credibility

— Search presence

— Visibility

— Professional authority

— Social proof

— Referral confidence

— Long-term recognition

Useful signals for coaches and therapists may include:

— More people recognising your name or area of expertise

— Prospective clients mentioning articles during introductory calls

— Stronger Google results for your name

— Better proof for your website and professional biography

— Referrals that describe your specialism more accurately

— Greater confidence using media logos and quotations

— More useful content for LinkedIn or newsletters

— Journalists returning for further comments

— Podcast hosts understanding your subject more quickly

— Invitations to discuss the same specialist topics

— A clearer connection between your name and your professional focus

These signals should not be dismissed because they are not always visible as immediate, last-click conversions.

A media article may not create an enquiry on the day it is published.

It may still make a later enquiry easier to convert into a genuine conversation.

That is particularly important when people are choosing a coach or therapist.

They are not simply comparing a commodity.

They may be evaluating:

— Judgement

— Professional experience

— Communication style

— Qualifications

— Values

— Approach

— Trustworthiness

— Whether the person feels safe and credible

PR can support that evaluation.

Good PR should reinforce what you want to be known for

Not all coverage has the same value.

A random media mention may feel positive, but if it has little connection to your positioning, it may not build much meaningful authority.

Strong PR should help people remember the right thing about you.

For example, a leadership coach specialising in difficult conversations, team trust and first-time managers should ideally appear in coverage connected to those themes.

A couples therapist specialising in attachment and recurring conflict should build visibility around relationships, emotional safety, communication patterns and relationship repair.

A business coach working with founders under pressure might become associated with decision fatigue, boundaries, burnout and sustainable growth.

A therapist specialising in anxiety might provide commentary around avoidance, perfectionism, reassurance-seeking, workplace anxiety or emotional regulation.

The aim is not to comment on every topic.

The aim is to become associated with a small number of relevant subjects often enough that people begin to recognise your expertise.

Ask:

— Does this coverage support what I want to be known for?

— Does it make my expertise clearer?

— Would an appropriate prospective client understand why I was included?

— Could I use the article on my website or professional profile?

— Does it contribute to a wider pattern of authority?

When the answer is yes, the coverage is likely doing something useful.

Strong PR should make your thinking clearer

Thought leadership is not simply posting opinions online.

It means developing useful, credible and repeatable ideas that help people understand how you think.

PR can help test and sharpen those ideas.

When journalists repeatedly respond to certain comments, themes or angles, it can reveal which parts of your expertise have the greatest public relevance.

A coach may discover that journalists respond particularly well to their views on:

— Leadership pressure

— Difficult conversations

— Decision fatigue

— Workplace burnout

— Founder identity

— Team trust

— Client boundaries

— Sustainable business growth

— Career transitions

— Executive loneliness

A therapist may gain stronger interest around:

— Attachment patterns

— Recurring relationship conflict

— Emotional regulation

— Perfectionism

— Anxiety and avoidance

— Boundaries

— Parent-child communication

— Emotional intimacy

— Workplace stress

— Relationship transitions

These patterns provide useful information.

They can help shape:

— Future media angles

— LinkedIn content

— Podcast topics

— Website copy

— Workshops

— Talks

— Newsletters

— Professional positioning

PR should not sit in a separate box.

The strongest campaigns help clarify the wider themes a coach or therapist can credibly build around.

Reusing media coverage is part of the work

One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is treating publication as the finish line.

They are quoted in an article, share it once with a message such as “Delighted to be featured”, and then move on.

That leaves much of the value unused.

A strong article can support several parts of your wider communications.

You might:

— Add it to your website

— Include it in your LinkedIn featured section

— Add it to a media page

— Reference it in a corporate proposal

— Use it in a podcast pitch

— Include it in a professional biography

— Expand the subject into a longer article

— Discuss it in a newsletter

— Develop the idea into a workshop

— Use it as proof when approaching referral partners

PR creates independent proof.

Your own communications keep that proof visible.

Instead of simply posting:

“Honoured to be featured in…”

Explain the point you made.

For example:

“I recently spoke to a journalist about why couples can continue repeating the same argument even after resolving the practical issue. The part I think matters most is that the surface disagreement is often protecting a deeper concern about emotional safety or feeling valued.”

Or:

“I spoke to a publication about why workplace burnout is not always an individual resilience problem. In many organisations, the underlying issue is unclear priorities, unsustainable workload and leadership behaviour.”

That turns the coverage into useful thought leadership rather than a trophy post.

How to reuse one media article properly

One good article could become:

— One social-media post explaining the central insight

— One addition to your website media page

— One newsletter section

— One professional biography update

— One podcast-pitch credential

— One corporate proposal proof point

— One longer blog article

— One future media angle

— One internal note about which theme gained interest

— One conversation starter for referral partners

People rarely make an important decision after seeing one thing once.

They respond to repeated signals.

A media mention becomes more valuable when it is supported by your website, content, professional proof and wider positioning.

What good PR momentum can look like

PR does not always progress in a straight line.

Some campaigns secure coverage quickly.

Others take longer while positioning, media angles and journalist fit are tested.

Month one: foundations and testing

The first month may involve:

— Clarifying your positioning

— Developing an expert profile

— Identifying commentary themes

— Preparing biographies and credentials

— Gathering professional photographs

— Defining topics you can discuss

— Identifying subjects you should avoid

— Developing proactive media ideas

— Responding to suitable journalist requests

— Establishing a process for quick approvals

Early coverage may appear, but the larger objective is to build the campaign properly.

For therapists, the initial stage should also establish:

— Professional scope

— Qualifications and registrations

— Ethical boundaries

— Confidentiality requirements

— Appropriate language around mental health

— Topics that require particular caution

Good first-month PR should create direction rather than random activity.

Months two and three: early momentum

By this stage, clearer signals may begin to emerge.

Certain subjects may receive more journalist interest.

Some types of commentary may prove easier to place.

The PR team should have a better understanding of:

— Which angles are gaining attention

— Which subjects are oversaturated

— Where your strongest credibility lies

— Which publications are realistic

— Whether your commentary needs to become sharper

— Which formats suit you best

Useful signs include:

— Journalists responding to comments

— One or two themes gaining traction

— Interview or podcast interest

— Early media coverage

— Better expert materials

— Clearer positioning

— More useful content ideas

— A stronger understanding of your media potential

Not every campaign will have published coverage by the same point.

However, there should be learning.

When nothing has appeared yet, your agency should still explain:

— What has been tried

— What response has been received

— What has been learned

— What will change next

Months three to six: stronger authority signals

This is often where PR becomes more valuable.

You may have:

— More proof to reuse

— Sharper media angles

— Stronger website credibility

— Better content ideas

— More confidence in your positioning

— Warmer initial conversations

— A clearer association with particular subjects

The goal is not simply to collect more articles.

It is to build a stronger authority footprint around the right topics.

By this stage, you should ideally have:

— Clearer positioning

— Recognisable thought leadership themes

— Useful coverage or journalist interest

— Better proof for your website

— A stronger understanding of what the media responds to

— More effective materials for future pitching

— Greater clarity about the direction of the campaign

PR should become more focused over time, not more random.

What weak PR looks like

Weak PR may still appear busy.

Pitches may be sent.

Reports may be produced.

An occasional mention may appear.

However, activity does not automatically create meaningful value.

Warning signs include:

— Coverage with little connection to your expertise

— Generic comments that could have come from anybody

— No clear commentary themes

— No connection between PR and your wider goals

— Vague updates

— A focus on volume rather than relevance

— No advice about reusing coverage

— Overly promotional pitches

— No visible improvement in your media positioning

— No honest discussion about what is failing

— Commentary outside your professional scope

— Pressure to make claims you cannot support

PR should not feel like random media activity.

It should feel like a structured effort to build credibility through useful and relevant opportunities.

What strong PR looks like

Strong PR usually feels purposeful.

That does not mean every pitch succeeds.

It means there is a clear direction behind the campaign.

Strong PR may include:

— Clear positioning

— Relevant authority themes

— Journalist-friendly angles

— Suitable media targets

— Coverage supporting your professional focus

— Honest feedback

— Regular pitching and follow-up

— A mix of proactive and reactive opportunities

— Responsible use of expert commentary

— Support with media materials

— Advice on using coverage afterwards

— A growing body of independent proof

For coaches and therapists, good PR should help people understand your perspective before speaking to you.

That is the point.

PR should support your wider authority system

PR works best when connected to the rest of your public presence.

Your website should explain your services clearly.

Your credentials should be easy to find.

Your LinkedIn or professional content should reinforce the subjects you discuss in the media.

Your media coverage should strengthen your biography and website.

Your podcast appearances should help people understand how you communicate.

Your enquiry process should be clear.

When PR happens in isolation, some of its value may be lost.

When media coverage, website copy, professional profiles, content and referral materials reinforce the same themes, the effect becomes stronger.

PR then becomes more than coverage.

It becomes part of your credibility infrastructure.

How to review whether your PR is working

Ask these questions each month:

— What coverage or media interest appeared?

— Was it relevant to what I want to be known for?

— Which commentary themes gained the strongest response?

— Are journalists responding to my most credible areas?

— Do I have new proof for my website or professional profiles?

— Are prospective clients mentioning media coverage?

— Are referrals becoming clearer or more confident?

— Is my Google presence improving?

— Am I becoming associated with more specific topics?

— What has the campaign taught us?

— What will we test next?

Article volume matters, but relevance matters more.

What to check before deciding the PR is failing

Sometimes PR is underperforming because the agency is weak.

Sometimes the campaign foundations need improvement.

Before deciding which applies, review the following areas honestly.

Is your positioning clear enough?

Broad positioning can be difficult for journalists and prospective clients to understand.

“Life coach” is broad.

“A coach helping founders make better decisions under pressure without allowing the business to consume their lives” is clearer.

“Therapist” is broad.

“A couples therapist helping partners understand the attachment patterns behind recurring conflict” is more specific.

“Leadership coach” is broad.

“A leadership coach helping first-time managers handle difficult conversations and build team trust” provides a clearer media route.

PR amplifies clarity.

It struggles when the message is vague.

Are your commentary themes specific enough?

General subjects such as “confidence”, “mindset”, “relationships” and “mental health” may be too broad on their own.

Stronger themes might include:

— Decision fatigue among founders

— Difficult conversations for new managers

— Avoidance within relationships

— Perfectionism and anxiety

— Emotional safety during conflict

— Setting and maintaining boundaries

— Reassurance-seeking

— Leadership behaviour and burnout

— Workplace trust

— Emotional regulation

— Parent-child communication

— Relationship transitions

The more specific the idea, the easier it becomes to develop useful commentary.

Are you responding quickly enough?

Media deadlines can be short.

A strong comment submitted too late may not be considered.

You do not need to remain available constantly, but you do need a workable system.

That may include:

— Checking PR messages at agreed times

— Allowing your agency to draft from approved themes

— Keeping accurate biographies ready

— Storing headshots and credentials in one place

— Providing voice notes instead of long written answers

— Approving factual comments promptly

Speed can create a meaningful advantage.

Are your comments genuinely useful?

Journalists need:

— Clear explanations

— Responsible opinions

— Practical observations

— Memorable quotations

— Relevant professional insight

Weak comment:

“Communication is important in relationships.”

Stronger comment:

“Couples often believe they are arguing about the practical issue in front of them, but the conflict may continue because neither person feels understood or emotionally safe.”

Weak comment:

“Managers need to communicate better.”

Stronger comment:

“Many managers assume silence means agreement. In practice, silence may mean employees are confused, cautious or waiting for somebody else to raise the difficult issue.”

The stronger comments contain an identifiable perspective.

Are you reusing the coverage properly?

When coverage appears but is not used on your website, professional profiles or wider communications, much of its value remains hidden.

PR gives you proof.

You still need to make that proof easy to find.

Is your website ready to receive interest?

When somebody sees an article and searches for you, your website should quickly explain:

— Who you help

— Which issues you work with

— Your approach

— Your credentials

— Your location or online availability

— How somebody can contact you

— What happens next

A vague or outdated website can weaken the authority created by PR.

Ethical considerations for therapists

Therapists have additional professional responsibilities when participating in media activity.

PR should never depend on:

— Breaching client confidentiality

— Sharing identifiable client stories

— Making unsupported diagnostic claims

— Promising treatment outcomes

— Commenting beyond professional competence

— Presenting general commentary as individual clinical advice

— Sensationalising serious mental-health issues

Good therapist PR can be developed through:

— General psychoeducation

— Common misconceptions

— Broad professional observations

— Evidence-informed explanations

— Responsible public guidance

— Clear signposting

— Appropriate boundaries

A PR agency working with therapists should understand that restraint can strengthen credibility.

You do not need to comment on every mental-health story.

You should contribute where your qualifications and professional experience genuinely support the subject.

A simple three-month PR review

Coverage quality

Ask:

— Is the coverage relevant?

— Does it reinforce my positioning?

— Are the publications or podcasts suitable?

— Are the comments strong enough to reuse?

— Does the coverage add credible proof?

A smaller but highly relevant article may be more useful than a larger, unrelated mention.

Campaign activity

Ask:

— Which pitches and comments have been developed?

— Is there a mixture of proactive and reactive work?

— Are ideas being tested and refined?

— Are journalists responding?

— Are there clear next steps?

PR should involve learning.

Positioning

Ask:

— Is the agency helping clarify what I should become known for?

— Are stronger angles emerging?

— Is it challenging ideas that are too broad or promotional?

— Are recognisable authority themes developing?

Good PR may improve your wider messaging as well as your media presence.

Your own input

Ask:

— Am I approving material promptly?

— Am I providing useful insight?

— Am I sharing credentials and proof?

— Am I available when relevant opportunities arise?

— Am I using the coverage afterwards?

PR is collaborative.

The agency should complete the majority of the campaign work, but it still needs genuine expertise from the client.

How to speak to your agency when results are slow

Avoid sending only:

“Any updates?”

That often produces an equally vague response.

Ask more specific questions:

— Which angles have received the strongest journalist response?

— Which angles are not working?

— What have you learned so far?

— Is my positioning too broad or too narrow?

— Are my comments distinctive enough?

— Are my response times affecting opportunities?

— Do you need better credentials, proof or images?

— Should we target different publications or media formats?

— What will you change over the next month?

— What can I do to strengthen the campaign?

A good PR agency should welcome these questions.

PR involves testing, learning, refining and building momentum.

Slower results should lead to analysis rather than defensiveness.

A message you can send to your PR agency

Thanks for the work so far. I would like to review where the campaign currently stands and make sure we are learning from the activity.

Could you explain which angles have received the strongest journalist response, which themes are not landing and what you recommend adjusting over the next month?

I would also like to understand whether you need anything further from me, such as faster approvals, stronger opinions, clearer credentials, better images or more specific commentary.

This is a fair request.

The quality of the answer will reveal a great deal about how actively the campaign is being managed.

What your agency should do next

A useful response should include several elements.

A clear activity summary

The agency should explain:

— What has been pitched

— Which themes have been tested

— Which journalist requests have been answered

— What interest has appeared

— What coverage has been published

You do not necessarily need every email.

You should understand the shape of the work.

An honest assessment

A good agency should be able to say:

— “This theme is gaining interest.”

— “This angle appears too narrow.”

— “We need a stronger perspective.”

— “This subject is oversaturated.”

— “The media are responding more strongly to your relationship commentary than your general wellbeing content.”

— “Your leadership insight is stronger than the broader business-coaching angle.”

That is useful editorial judgement.

A revised plan

When results are slow, the agency may recommend:

— Testing broader or narrower angles

— Sharpening your positioning

— Developing stronger commentary

— Improving your expert profile

— Gathering better proof

— Pitching different media formats

— Increasing podcast outreach

— Focusing on more timely subjects

— Changing the balance between proactive and reactive PR

A slow start is not always a serious problem.

A slow start with no plan is more concerning.

Clear requests from you

The agency may need:

— Faster approvals

— Better imagery

— Clearer credentials

— Stronger opinions

— More examples

— Additional professional background

— Greater interview availability

— Better website information

This is not necessarily blame.

It is collaboration.

A follow-up point

The revised activity should have a review point.

For example:

“Over the next four weeks, we will test these three themes and review journalist response during the next account call.”

That creates direction.

Red flags when your PR agency responds poorly

Be cautious when the agency:

— Cannot explain what has been pitched

— Provides only vague updates

— Refuses to review weak angles

— Blames journalists without examining the campaign

— Never asks for your expertise

— Sends comments that do not sound accurate or authentic

— Focuses only on activity volume

— Cannot explain the purpose of an angle

— Reports activity without learning

— Becomes defensive when asked reasonable questions

— Repeatedly says coverage is coming soon without evidence

— Provides no advice on using coverage

— Encourages therapists to comment outside their professional scope

The issue is not that every pitch must succeed.

No agency controls independent editorial decisions.

The issue is whether thoughtful work, adaptation and communication are taking place.

How coaches and therapists can help PR work harder

Keep an opinion bank

Record:

— Common misconceptions

— Advice you disagree with

— Patterns you repeatedly observe

— Issues people overcomplicate

— Issues people oversimplify

— Emerging trends

— Questions you repeatedly answer

— Distinctions people struggle to understand

These observations can become media comments, podcast topics and proactive PR ideas.

Share recurring themes

When several clients or professional contacts raise the same subject, it may indicate wider relevance.

Examples might include:

— Couples repeatedly arguing about the same practical issue

— Professionals struggling with perfectionism

— New managers avoiding difficult conversations

— Founders experiencing decision fatigue

— Parents asking about adolescent anxiety

— People finding boundaries harder to maintain than to communicate

For therapists, these observations should always remain general and non-identifiable.

Respond promptly

A short voice note can be more useful than a polished answer arriving after the deadline.

Your PR team can often shape rough insight into a clear media comment.

Say something specific

Generic advice rarely builds authority.

Distinctive, responsible insight is more memorable.

Share proof early

Your agency should know:

— Your credentials

— Your registrations

— Your experience

— Your specialisms

— Your speaking history

— Your published work

— Your relevant professional background

— The subjects you can discuss safely

— The subjects that should remain outside the campaign

Reuse every meaningful result

Each article, podcast or interview should contribute to your wider credibility.

Share what happens in enquiries

Tell your agency when:

— A prospective client mentions an article

— A referral partner comments on your coverage

— A particular topic produces better enquiries

— A podcast helps somebody understand your approach

— A media comment leads to a speaking invitation

This helps connect editorial activity with commercial and professional relevance.

When to remain patient

Patience may be sensible when:

— Communication is clear

— Activity is consistent

— Angles are being tested

— Early journalist interest is appearing

— Your positioning is improving

— Your media materials are becoming stronger

— The campaign is still at an early stage

— There is a clear plan

PR often compounds over time.

When to push for changes

A stronger review may be necessary when:

— Updates are vague

— Nobody can explain the strategy

— Coverage is consistently irrelevant

— Comments feel generic

— Positioning remains unclear

— Your agency is not requesting expertise

— The same weak angles continue

— There is no review process

— You do not understand the direction

Good PR should feel collaborative.

When it may be time to change agency

Changing agency is not always the answer.

A direct review may resolve the problem.

However, moving on may be appropriate when:

— The agency cannot explain its strategy

— There is little evidence of meaningful activity

— The team does not understand your expertise

— Irrelevant angles are repeatedly pitched

— Expectations were misrepresented

— Reasonable questions are resisted

— The campaign does not adapt

— The agency cannot explain what it needs from you

— Professional or ethical boundaries are ignored

A good PR agency cannot guarantee results.

It should be able to demonstrate judgement, activity, learning and direction.

How Fair Public Relations approaches PR for coaches and therapists

Fair Public Relations provides journalist-led, account-managed PR for coaches, therapists and other credible experts.

Our work may include:

— Media positioning

— Expert-profile development

— Thought leadership themes

— Expert commentary

— Proactive media pitching

— Reactive journalist opportunities

— Interviews and podcasts where suitable

— Content development

— Coverage monitoring

— Regular campaign updates

We assess campaigns through more than article count alone.

We consider:

— Relevance

— Credibility

— Journalist response

— Strength of positioning

— Quality of media opportunities

— Authority themes gaining traction

— The body of proof being created

— How coverage can support the client’s wider visibility

We do not guarantee:

— A fixed number of articles

— Named publications

— Backlinks

— Immediate enquiries

— Sales or bookings

— A particular publication date

Journalists and editors make the final decisions.

Our role is to identify credible media opportunities, prepare useful material, manage outreach and adapt campaigns as we learn what is gaining interest.

For therapists, we also recognise the importance of professional competence, careful claims, ethical communication and client confidentiality.

Final thoughts

PR for coaches and therapists should not be judged as vanity publicity.

It should be judged by whether it helps build trust, authority and professional credibility around genuine expertise.

The right PR should:

— Make your positioning clearer

— Give you credible proof

— Help people understand your expertise

— Strengthen your website and professional profiles

— Support referrals and introductory conversations

— Connect your name with relevant subjects

— Build a stronger body of independent recognition

PR is not only about whether somebody sees your name once.

It is about whether repeated and credible signals make you easier to understand and trust over time.

That is when PR begins working properly.

Not only as media coverage, but as part of a wider authority system that helps the right people find, remember and feel confident contacting you.

Frequently asked questions

How can coaches and therapists tell whether PR is working?

PR may be working when it improves credibility, authority and trust around your expertise.

Relevant signs include media coverage, warmer introductory conversations, stronger search results, better website proof, prospective clients mentioning articles, clearer professional positioning and journalists returning for further commentary.

It should not be assessed only through immediate enquiries.

How long does PR take to work for coaches and therapists?

Some opportunities may develop during the first few weeks.

However, the initial stage often involves positioning, expert-profile development, commentary themes and initial pitching.

Clearer momentum frequently develops over several months as the agency learns which topics and formats generate the strongest response.

Should PR generate clients immediately?

PR can contribute to enquiries, but it is not the same as paid advertising.

It often supports trust before somebody contacts you, strengthens referral confidence and provides independent proof.

These effects may influence future enquiries without appearing as immediate conversions.

What are good PR results for a coach or therapist?

Good results may include:

— Relevant media articles

— Expert quotations

— Interviews

— Podcast appearances

— Stronger search results

— More useful website proof

— Better professional positioning

— Journalists returning for further comments

— Prospective clients understanding your expertise more quickly

A smaller, highly relevant article may be more useful than a large but unrelated mention.

What should I ask my agency when results are slow?

Ask:

— Which angles are gaining interest?

— Which angles are not working?

— What has the agency learned?

— Does your positioning need to change?

— Are your comments strong enough?

— Does the agency need faster responses or better proof?

— What will be tested next?

The response should contain specific analysis and recommendations.

What should a good agency do when results are slow?

It should provide a clear activity summary, explain what is and is not working, recommend changes and identify anything needed from the client.

It may suggest sharper positioning, different media formats, stronger commentary, better assets or a revised balance between proactive and reactive pitching.

What are the main warning signs?

Warning signs include:

— Vague updates

— Irrelevant coverage

— Generic commentary

— No clear strategy

— No evidence of learning

— Defensive responses

— Repeated promises without substance

— No guidance on using coverage

— Pressure to make unsupported or inappropriate claims

Why is positioning important?

PR amplifies what is already clear.

When your audience, specialism and perspective are vague, journalists may struggle to understand why you are relevant.

Clear positioning helps the media, prospective clients and referral partners understand what you should become known for.

How can I help my agency secure better opportunities?

Respond promptly, share genuine insight, provide accurate credentials, approve comments quickly and explain the recurring issues you observe through your work.

You should also reuse media coverage and tell your agency when particular topics influence enquiries or referrals.

Is PR worthwhile for coaches and therapists?

PR can be worthwhile when there is genuine expertise, clear positioning and useful insight behind the campaign.

It can help build trust, public credibility, search visibility and independent proof.

It is less useful when the service is unclear, the professional is unwilling to contribute or the main expectation is guaranteed and immediate enquiries.

Can Fair Public Relations help?

Fair Public Relations provides journalist-led PR for coaches, therapists, founders and credible experts across the UK, US and Canada.

Our Standard PR service can include positioning, content development, expert commentary, proactive media pitching, reactive journalist opportunities, monitoring and dedicated account support.

Earned media outcomes cannot be guaranteed, but campaigns are designed to build credible and relevant media momentum over time.

Looking for PR support for your coaching business or therapy practice?

Fair Public Relations helps credible coaches and therapists turn their knowledge, experience and professional perspective into useful media opportunities.

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