IN THIS EPISODE…
In an era where AI and social media dominate communications, brand storytelling has become artificial and indistinguishable in the market. How can you harness the basics of public relations to craft brand stories that resonate with your audience?
In this Matters of Creative episode, Bobbie Bailey and Jenny Ridenour sit down with Brandon Lee, the Founder and President of Sequence Strategies, to discuss PR and communication strategies for storytelling. Brandon talks about the difference between marketing and PR, the future of the PR industry, and his work with nonprofits and political campaigns.
According to a study discovered by PR specialist Brandon Lee, AI will generate 90-94% of online content in the coming years. Rather than having AI control and populate brand narratives, Brandon emphasizes the importance of human oversight and in-person communication techniques. Brands can leverage PR fundamentals like physical newsletters to convey authentic stories. This requires interacting with your audience and documenting your experiences with them to identify a mission or purpose that can drive your story. These interactions should occur in person or over the phone to build trust and strengthen connections.
To elevate your PR strategies with authentic storytelling, don’t miss this episode.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Brandon Lee is the Founder and President of Sequence Strategies, a communications and public relations consultancy. For nearly 15 years, he has partnered with leaders in nonprofits, business, and government, helping them develop and convey powerful stories. Brandon has worked with organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the CDC, and the Washington State Charter Schools Association.
Learn more about Brandon:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-lee-/
https://sequencestrategies.com/
Here’s a Glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [2:09] Brandon Lee’s accidental journey in PR and how he founded Sequence Strategies
- [4:42] AI as a developing trend in the PR space
- [7:04] Brandon shares his go-to messaging and storytelling medium
- [10:00] The future of the public relations industry — and the importance of in-person communication
- [18:58] What is the difference between marketing and PR?
- [24:07] Why Brandon works with nonprofits
- [29:24] Storytelling’s role in public relations
- [37:18] How to develop stories that resonate with audiences
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Quotable Moments:
- “The human aspect, the human connection, is going to be the most important.”
- “With AI, that execution is going to shrink. It’s going to be diminished.”
- “Without a mission, it’s like, what are you doing?”
- “We’re communicating all the time, and even if you’re doing work in a services sector, processes still require that communication.”
- “I like to write things down because I find that I’ll remember it better if I write it down.”
Action Steps:
- Embrace generative AI ethically: Utilize generative AI as a tool to enhance efficiency in content creation while ensuring human oversight remains central to maintain authenticity. This approach addresses the challenge of balancing technological advancement with ethical communication practices.
- Develop strong newsletters: Focus on creating high-quality newsletters with a consistent cadence to engage audiences directly and build a loyal subscriber base. This is effective as it counters the noise on social media and delivers information straight from the source.
- Strengthen human connections: Prioritize direct communication methods, such as phone calls and in-person meetings, to build genuine relationships and pitch stories effectively. This action counters the trend of over-relying on digital interactions.
- Craft compelling storytelling: Simplify and refine your storytelling by focusing on genuine narratives that highlight personal experiences and values. This technique resonates well with audiences and helps in crafting authentic stories.
- Plan long-term PR strategies: Dedicate time to develop a comprehensive PR plan that considers long-term goals and audience engagement. Successful PR is about building relationships over time, addressing the challenge of creating a sustained impact in public relations.
SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…
This episode is brought to you by M Agency, a full-service creative marketing agency in Tacoma, Washington.
We are a strategic partner for companies wanting to build memorable brands, websites, and marketing campaigns.
Our team of creative professionals leverages their unique talents and skills to provide various branding, design and development, marketing, and creative services.
If you’re ready to take action with your marketing, visit https://whatisyourm.com/.