Will You Accept This Rose?
Published on July 19, 2021, at 10:38 a.m.
by Emma Britt.
Any millennial can attest to the fact that “The Bachelor” franchise has made quite the impact on this generation. Whether it is the weekly “Bachelor nights” with your closest friends or the social media following spree of the “hottest” cast members after an episode premiere, “The Bachelor” franchise has found a way to use public relations strategies and tactics to keep a very bold audience consistently engaged, addicted and always wanting more.
“The Bachelor” franchise has taught us many lessons, beyond how to flirt your way into another date or which long formal dress looks best on camera. It has taught us lessons about how communication, not just romance, is key in relationships; this remains true in the world of public relations.
Three specific reminders that “The Bachelor” franchise has taught us over the years are the importance of first impressions, making your client feel special and crisis communication.
First impressions are everything
Similar to stepping out of the limousine on the opening night and making your mark on the newest Bachelor or Bachelorette, public relations holds the same split-second determining factor when first engaging with a client. According to Houston Chronicles, “giving a bad first impression can lose you the confidence of prospective employers, customers and clients, and even cost you business. The first impressions you give a customer or client will set the tone for your future business relationship and show that you are professional and prepared.”
When meeting and communicating with clients firsthand, professionalism and personality are essential in gaining that client for your team, or in the Bachelor’s case, getting that first impression rose.
Make your client feel special
PR work is nothing like an air-balloon date or bungee-jumping off European mountains — but making your significant other, or in PR’s case, client, feel special is one and the same. When talking to and working with a client, it is important to make them feel like they are the only one in the room, which can be maintained by being engaged and present. As noted in a quote attributed to Maya Angelou and others, “They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” This is relevant in the public relations world and the romance world.
Crisis communication is inevitable
With over 20 women or men contained in a mansion with no phone and no means of communication to the outside world — oh, and not to mention all dating the same person — something is bound to go wrong. When it comes to a false accusation or crisis, a company must handle it with strategic responses, if any at all, appointing a response team, carefully crafting a message, addressing the affected parties, and monitoring the situation, according to Business News Daily.
It might not be the most obvious correlation, but “The Bachelor” franchise and public relations have many similarities that can be used to strengthen each other. There’s only one thing left to ask: Will you accept this rose?
