It’s April Fools’ Day and if you’re like me, you’ve got your guard up; hoping to deflect any and every prank that may be coming your way. When working in public relations, deflecting–in one capacity or another–can sometimes become common practice. Many times, it boils down to knowing your worth as a PR professional and not allowing others to trample said worth. Here are some common issues PR pros run into on a regular and, by tackling them, helps us to be fool-proof. Not just today, but every day.

Show Me the Money
On the agency/consultancy side of PR, retainer fees and fee structures can be touchy subjects. It isn’t uncommon for projects to go beyond an agreed upon scope. However, when the additional work effort becomes excessive, it isn’t out of line to revisit the original agreement. That, and have a candid discussion about the associated costs of the extra work you are producing. If you find yourself going above and beyond, make sure you’re appropriately compensated for it.

Phone-a-Friend
Since becoming the rockstar PR pro that you are, how many times have friends or acquaintances tapped you for expert advice? And how many times did that advice then turn into actual work you’d typically get paid for? I’ve been there. Go ahead, help a friend, advise a friend, even do some light PR work for them. But, set boundaries and know your worth. If a pattern becomes evident, see “Show Me the Money” above.

Friends with Benefits
In my last post I talked about how some peoples’ limited view of PR consists of parties and paparazzi. With that comes the occasional need to deflect those looking for backdoor entry into events. Such benefits are not only sought by friends, but industry insiders and other professionals looking for handouts. Sounds harsh, but hey, it happens. Similarly, depending on the company you work for, you may be approached for discounted services or fees. Tread very lightly in these waters, being sure to protect the integrity of your company, client or service…and yourself!

If you work in PR (or any other field for that matter), watch out for these issues not just today, but every day. How do you stay fool-proof in PR? Tell me about it in the comments!

Andrea Carter is a Public Relations Specialist at AWeber, a certified news junkie and an aspiring world traveler. Check out Andrea’s back story here then follow her on Twitter @SheLuvsPR and connect on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carterandrea/.