We were lucky to catch up with Bonnie Hayflick recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bonnie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I am a professional communications consultant since 1978 specializing in public relations and media relations, strategic alliance networking, events, and TV and radio news coverage for individuals, businesses, and non-profits. I have also worked for advertising agencies, marketing, and PR firms, plus social media teams, TV and radio stations, and newspapers.
The main pain point that I solve for my clients is gaining earned media, editorial, and content coverage about themselves and their businesses in print, online and broadcast news outlets. I am working more closely with social media teams to further promote editorial and news coverage obtained for my clients.
A key focus is to be sure that clients post their press releases, photos, and news stories on all of their social media channels and websites for SEO, marketing, and new business purposes.
I refer all advertising buys, marketing, and sales opportunities to my clients for their direct contact. I don’t charge commissions on advertising or marketing as I serve specifically as a publicity rep and news writer.
As a PR specialist, my press contact selection is imperative and I have the utmost respect for news contacts. I cherry-pick media professionals pertaining to specific story angles in the U.S. and Canada.
I highly advise clients to work with digital media professionals on a programmatic advertising platform that enables marketers and advertisers to automate the purchase and management of their digital ad campaigns. This includes media buying, ad placements, performance tracking, analytics, and campaign optimization.
Clients must seek professional guidance in advertising, PR, and communications to help them with brand awareness, diversity, equity, and inclusion, correct market media buys, and digital advertising, among others.
Bonnie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started in broadcasting production, on-air commentating, and promotions in TV and radio while in college at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Fla. The Media Relations Department at USF provided me with tremendous opportunities to promote professors, visiting artists, and educators. From there, upon graduation with a Mass Comm degree, I produced and hosted a weekly talk show, Series 16, on WUSF-TV, an educational PBS station on campus. At the age of twenty-three, my show guest list included international educators, renowned artists, visiting celebrities, and more in a 30-minute format. I then went to New York City as a Broadway show publicist and booking agent and lived in the West Village during the 1980s, a wonderful experience for a young worker.
My broadcast and publicity experience in New York served as a perfect fit to continue my professional public relations work in Florida while employed by advertising and PR firms, marketing agencies, and on my own with direct clients.
I am immensely proud to be a professional communications consultant for so many years, while continuing to write, edit, and proofread stories for clients and news outlets in the U.S. and Canada. I help share many compelling personal and business successes with keen guidance.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation is built on honesty with my clients and the news media. Clients and press contacts know that I work with integrity and complete assignments on deadline.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
My business has always grown organically with referrals from clients and businesses among the for-profit and nonprofit community and industry leaders.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhayflick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnie.hayflick
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniehayflick
- Twitter: @HayflickS
Image Credits
Bonnie Hayflick