Managing client expectations that conflict with your PR strategy requires transparency and flexibility. A notable example is Patagonia, which resisted pressure to push Black Friday sales, instead promoting sustainability by encouraging customers to buy less. This approach strengthened brand loyalty and highlighted their commitment to integrity over short-term profit. In similar situations, focus on clear communication. Use data-driven insights to align strategies with client goals, ensuring a balance between brand values and expectations.

Navigating client expectations that clash with your PR strategy requires a balance of transparency and adaptability. One successful example comes from Patagonia, which faced pressure to promote its Black Friday sales aggressively. Instead, the brand maintained its commitment to sustainability, urging customers to buy less. This bold move resonated with their audience and reinforced brand loyalty, showcasing integrity over short-term gains. To manage similar situations, prioritize open communication. Present data-driven insights to align your strategies with client goals, ensuring that both brand values and client expectations are met. (Sources: Harvard Business Review, Forbes).

There are two types of clients. There are clients that trust you and understand the value of your expertise and then there are clients who believe that they are correct and that they will know better. Your role as the service provider in this circumstance is to always educate and coach your client into the right decision that makes sense for them and their business. Personally before I work with any client I establish what the key objectives and messaging needs to be for the campaign and for their personal brand. This way when we begin working on executing the tasks that we mentioned we would complete, we are on the same page of what is meant to be achieved. However, if there is problem we can always just have a chat.

Have an open talk with your client, explain your strategy, listen to their concerns, and find a compromise that works for both sides.

Stick to the facts. When presenting information that is going to part from (or deliberately challenge) client expectations, it's critical to frame the reasons you've taken the strategy proposed. Then, it's your job to built trust with the new direction of travel - often, finding compromise where it will help keep everything moving towards an overarching, shared goal.