Today is National Power Rangers Day, an observance recognizing America’s favorite teenagers with attitude: the multi-colored, spandex-wearing, monster-fighting superheroes that burst onto TV screens (and toy stores) in 1993. Believe it or not, when it comes to effective communication, entrepreneurs can glean quite a bit of knowledge from these butt-kicking do-gooders that have transcended several generations. I mean, seriously, can you believe the Power Rangers franchise is celebrating 30 years? Wow.
Looking to make a positive public relations (PR) impact on your business? Here are four quotes from the Power Rangers that can be used to inspire communication strategies for entrepreneurs.
- “Taking care of business!” – Aisha Campbell, the Yellow Ninja Power Ranger
- It takes grit to be an entrepreneur. When running your own business, always consider your brand. What does it say about you specifically? What is it that distinguishes you from your competitors? What’s your story? Key messaging plays a major role here. You’re a business owner, so behave as such. Think about what defines your brand and values. Once you figure it out, include it in your messaging. According to the Harvard Business Review, storytelling is excellent for business. All messaging used to share your story should spotlight the values of your business. Tell stories and not just facts. Always be authentic. Keep your messaging concise and make sure it resonates with your target audience.
- “I have completed a narrow beam transmission module that will allow wave function over an extended interval!” – Billy Cranston, the Blue Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger
- What Billy created was a communication device to share with the other Power Rangers. As cliché as it may sound, communication is key. To that end, talk to your clients in order to know what it is that they want specifically. There are a variety of ways to do this. Take social media for example. According to the Pew Research Center, about seven in ten U.S. adults use Facebook. Never be afraid to interact with your clients on social media by asking questions and getting to know their interests. It will help inform your PR efforts and can be utilized in a strategy because you’ll know what they want and expect. Consider newsletters, email, and even snail mail, too.
- “Earth’s defenders never surrender!” – Jake Holling, the Black Megaforce Power Ranger
- Any entrepreneur knows that it pays to never give up. Hard work pays off when starting a business and maintaining it. To continue attracting customers or gaining positive attention, public relations can help. Challenge yourself to be both creative and persistent with PR strategies. Are you a subject matter expert on something? Try hosting a webinar. Reach out to reporters if you have a good story to share. Put together a quarterly communication plan that specifically outlines goals, objectives, strategies and tactics. Some tactics may work and others may not, but you’ll never know if you give up. By having a plan in place, you can ensure that you are always actively doing something to cultivate an audience and remain top of mind. Additionally, a plan can aid you in keeping communication a top priority with your business. Be sure to have measurable objectives and evaluate how well your PR tactics performed at the end of every quarter to determine which strategies you can use in the subsequent quarter. Never surrender; persistence pays off.
- “Hey, I’m always prepared … if there’s trouble.” — Devon Daniels, the Red Beast Morphers Power Ranger
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. When working with reporters, there are a few things to remember. Timeliness is very important. Reporters aren’t going to write about old news, so as soon as something happens or you have something you want to share, make plans to do so. Stories that garner attention and are shared on different platforms are ones that showcase significant milestones, facts, numbers, local elements, and superlatives. Have a story you want to share? Excellent! However, before pitching your story, ask yourself if the story is newsworthy. Has your company had a substantial increase in revenue? Did you lend a helping hand to a nonprofit organization to help them achieve a specific goal? Did you have a successful rebrand? Are you able to latch onto a trend? Can you localize your story? These are examples of things that make for a fantastic story to share.
Entrepreneurship can be challenging. However, with the right PR tactics and communication strategies, you can set yourself up for success. Be bold and savvy! Or as Kimberly Hart, the Pink Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger once said – be morphinominal! While inspired by the Power Rangers, these tips are evergreen and can help you grow your brand all year long.
