What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Statistically, we look at increased page views and media exposure. But, what we’re really measuring is the number of press releases that we’re issuing and the amount of coverage earned. Looking at volume alone, the story ideas that Food Shelter generates now versus what we had before is night and day. It’s an incredible improvement.
The content itself is great. Of course, we still have to go through everything with a fine-tooth comb to check for grammatical corrections, but that’s the same with any other agency. Food Shelter has adapted the way we speak, which means the tone is consistently on point.
How did Food Shelter perform from a project management standpoint?
They handle our projects well. Every other week, we have a status call to check up on all of our projects, the bulk of which is often a brainstorming session around what’s going on internally and the recent trends they’ve learned about our industry. They’re always on the ball, coming to us with new ideas.
Sometimes, we can’t respond to them due to our other business priorities taking precedent. In those cases, they look into what our competitors are doing and research the industry as a starting point. It’s an adaptive approach that still allows us to build a story together.
They’re very accommodating, too. They give us as much time as we need, take calls at any hour of the day, and will move things around when necessary. The turnaround is very quick, and they never miss a beat.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Lorraine and Joanne are relentless. I’ve worked with them in three completely different industries, and it’s clear that they’re willing to do everything it takes to learn and speak as an expert in our field. They want to know everyone — to be a part of our team and really become a strong representative of our company.
Dealing with the owners of the company also makes us feel like we’re in the best hands. The team operates with the strength of a big agency, but it’s really a boutique operation. I often feel like we’re their only client, when I know that’s not the case. That feeling of being prioritized is not the norm with other PR firms.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I can’t say there’s anything they need to improve. I appreciate that they’re always bringing us new opportunities. They offer other services like video scripting, social media, and reputation management, but we haven’t needed them yet.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
To make the most out of the relationship, you should flood them with as much information as you can. Treat them as an internal employee — you can even have them sign an NDA. The more knowledge they have, the more creative they’ll be because they’ll know enough of the ins-and-outs to really sink their teeth into everything.
Compared to before, Food Shelter has vastly increased the amount of new story ideas and earned coverage. They can adapt to their client’s tone regardless of the industry they’re in thanks to the team’s exceptional research skills. They offer big agency execution while keeping a boutique experience.