A Client’s Perspective: In Conversation with Kate Davis, Leadership Coach & Founder of Meraki People.
If you think you know what PR is all about, think again. In this episode, we’re flipping the script on the typical public relations narrative. Today, I’m joined by my very own client (full transparency!), Kate Davis, an outstanding leadership coach and founder of Meraki People, to get a real-world, unfiltered account of what working with a PR specialist does for your business.
You might be wondering…
Is PR all just noise, or can it really shift the dial in your business and your confidence?
Where does it fit in alongside all those “be more visible” and “shout about yourself” mantras you see plastered over social media?
Let’s break it down.
REALITY CHECK: PR ISN’T WHAT YOU’VE BEEN SOLD
Kate admits she used to groan at the mention of PR agencies, and honestly, who could blame her? Her experience in the event industry left her convinced that traditional PR was a box-ticking exercise led by people with a different agenda. Later, as her own business grew, she noticed many PRs obsessed with “getting coverage for coverage’s sake”, but what value does a random photo in the local paper have if your client isn’t reading it?
Spoiler: None.
So what changed? Covid, and then… working with me 😉. Suddenly, PR wasn’t about being everywhere. It was about being strategic, relevant, and intentional.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CREDIBILITY & CONNECTION
PR, done strategically, is about so much more than “visibility.” It’s about message, presence, and purpose.
Kate shares how mapping out a proper strategy, from pinning down your ideal client to targeting the right publications, helps you step into a bigger arena (think The Guardian and Stylist) and actually say something that matters. Seeing her byline in Fortune or being invited onto the right podcasts? That became a real confidence boost, cementing her expertise and delivering her message where it counts.
(And let’s talk about that feeling when Forbes comes knocking — absolute magic.)
THE PODCAST EFFECT: WHY RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
“PR isn’t a whiz-bang, overnight thing.” Kate credits a single podcast episode pitched years ago as the catalyst for an extraordinary ripple effect:
Industry introductions
In-person event invitations
Speaking gigs alongside household names
Paid roles facilitating rooms full of CEOs
Translation? PR builds a living network, not just momentary exposure.
PR VS. PERSONAL BRAND — WHERE’S THE OVERLAP?
When you are your business, it isn’t only about what you say, it’s your energy, your story, and how you show up. Unlike product-based brands, service providers can’t hide. Podcasts, panels, and awards, they become vital touch points. Kate sums it up perfectly: “You stand out by showing up, by showing your character, your competency, and your credibility.”
BE VISIBLE… BUT BE INTENTIONAL
If you’re chasing PR just to rack up as many features as possible, you’re doing it wrong.
It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about getting in front of the right people, in the right way, with a message that’stailored for them. Kate’s advice is pure gold: don’t spray and pray, and don’t waste energy answering every media call-out just because you can. Learn the ropes, get comfortable with your own narrative, and be selective.
LET’S BE HONEST
Everyone has imposter syndrome sometimes (yep, even coaches!), but the right PR guidance helps you “borrow” a bit of confidence, own your expertise, and keep momentum going, even if your audience, message, or services evolve over the years.
PR, when treated as a long-term investment (not a one-off fireworks show), just keeps paying dividends.
SO, WHAT IS PUBLIC RELATIONS RE