What does bug have to do with it?

While working outside on a beautiful sunny day, ladybugs suddenly surrounded me and one landed on my fingernail. The superstitious creature I am, I made a wish and let it fly away. Well, I tried to get it to fly away. He wouldn’t budge.

The ladybug became kind of annoying because I was trying to type. I’m sure he had things to do and so did I. But he was cute, and, to be honest, a sweet distraction.

The maddeningly stubborn ladybug finally made me laugh because his persistence reminded me of someone I knew. That and the bug’s inevitable return after flying off for a minute, resembled something we practice in public relations.

Just like that, a ladybug hit a purposeful publicity nail on the head: 🗣️repeat, repeat, repeat your message to make your message stick.

For instance …

Have you ever seen a TV commercial so many times that its music becomes an earworm you want to scratch out of your skull? When you turn on the TV, there it is. You’re listening to a podcast or visit a website, and that damn jingle pops up. Its messaging is everywhere you turn. Then, one day, you need something, and … yeah, you’re scanning its website, perusing customer reviews and punching its number into your phone.

Repetition ranks among the most powerful publicity and public relations practices. Not to an annoying point – it can backfire (e.g. political posts), so you have to be strategic – but enough that your business comes to mind when your audience needs or wants what you sell.

Sometimes being a noodge is OK

Like a ladybug, be present, but not so much that you become a publicity pest. Consistently, concisely and creatively leave an impression so people on the fringe become fans and repeat and refer to your message. 

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Wait, what? – Sources told me after seeing my photo that the critter in the picture is not a ladybug but one of its cousins. It’s reportedly an Asian ladybeetle. I’m calling it this week’s muse. All I know is he better get to work on my wish.  

Sh** I’m thinking about – Young voters in the United States are receiving threatening messages … In Texas, you can show a hunter’s license to vote, but a student ID doesn’t fly (creatives are calling it out). Don’t be suppressed or depressed. Don’t be intimidated. VOTE. It’s your right.

© 2024 Gail Sideman, gpublicity.com

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