The Seven Deadly Sins in a PR Strategy

The seven deadly sins are serious mistakes that, when committed, can have severe consequences—and PR is no exception. Be careful, or you might pay the price.

Guss Rome

The seven deadly sins represent immoral desires or behaviors that can derail an individual’s path. A successful PR strategy is built on a series of well-executed actions, but there are also critical missteps—deadly sins—that can lead to failure.

Deadly Sin: Pride

(Overconfidence) Of all the deadly sins, pride is the most uncomfortable. Don’t get cocky—if you think inviting 30 media outlets to a press conference guarantees good attendance, you’re mistaken. The rule is: to get 20 attendees, invite 80 and confirm 40. Otherwise, you might end up with just 10.

Sin #2: Greed

(Choosing only the media you like) It’s not your birthday—you don’t get to pick the guests. Remember, the company and the agency share a common goal. To achieve it, you must select the right media outlets that will help you reach the appropriate audience based on the message you want to convey.

Sin #7: Sloth

(Lack of follow-up) Persuading the press is crucial. Often, a single email or call isn’t enough. You need to know them, understand their editorial interests, and convince them your information is valuable. Don’t skip the follow-up—secure that great interview that could be a game-changer.

Deadly Sin #3: Lust

(Harassing the media) The opposite of sloth—some reporters or editors feel harassed by agencies or PR professionals, not sexually, but through inappropriate persuasion tactics. Use the best techniques without being intrusive. And no, contacting them via Facebook isn’t the way.

Respectful treatment of media professionals is essential for building strong relationships and securing future support. Treat others as you’d like to be treated—the golden rule of Public Relations.

Sin #4: Wrath

(Losing control) Wrath is one of the most dangerous sins. No matter the situation, never lose your composure. You represent the client and the event—your face instantly reflects when something’s wrong.

Always smile, and don’t forget to work on a crisis management plan to help you respond appropriately in complex situations.

Sin #5: Gluttony

(Mismanaging your budget) Don’t overindulge—you don’t need to spend millions on ad space or an extravagant event if your message isn’t compelling. Focus on delivering the right information and making the right invitations. Budget becomes secondary when your strategy makes an impact.

Deadly Sin #6: Envy

(Copying successful strategies) One of the most common sins among agencies. Proposals often become predictable or too similar, which clients don’t appreciate. Make sure your team is creative, capable of innovating, and developing fresh strategies tailored to each prospect.

This Easter, turn to Agencia Digital ZC—we’ll help you avoid these deadly sins in your PR strategy. Write to us at contacto@agenciadigitalzc.com to schedule a consultation, and don’t forget to visit our blog, updated weekly, to discover 5 PR Myths You Should Know.