By Grace Fuerte, senior account manager at Evolve PR and Marketing –
Partnering with a public relations professional or agency is an exciting step toward elevating your brand’s presence and achieving your goals. Whether you’re looking to build awareness, launch a product, or manage a challenge, the first PR meeting is where it all begins. If you’re wondering what to expect, here’s a breakdown to help you prepare.

Introductions
The meeting will typically begin with introductions. Your PR team will share their experience, expertise, and approach to managing campaigns, providing insights into their track record of success.
This is also your chance to explain what brought you to PR and your overarching goals. Be ready to share a brief overview of your brand, mission, and what you hope to achieve through public relations.
Discussing Goals and Objectives
The heart of the meeting will focus on your goals. The PR team will ask questions to understand what success looks like for you. Key questions might include:
- Are you launching a new product or service?
- Do you want to increase awareness surrounding an event?
- Are you looking to establish thought leadership in your industry?
Having clear goals allows the PR team to craft a strategy specific to your needs.
Uncovering Your Brand Story
Every brand has a story, and sharing yours is essential. Be prepared to talk about your journey, including how your company started, the challenges you’ve overcome, and what makes you unique.
The PR team may ask follow-up questions to uncover compelling angles that could resonate with your audience. This process often reveals overlooked narratives that can elevate your brand in the public eye.
Reviewing Your Current Presence
To create an effective strategy, your PR team will evaluate where your brand currently stands. They may review:
- Your social media platforms and content.
- Website design and messaging.
- Previous media coverage, if applicable.
- Existing marketing and branding materials.
This assessment helps identify strengths, areas for improvement, and untapped opportunities.
Initial Strategy Discussions
While a full PR plan will be established after this meeting, the team may share preliminary ideas. These could include media outreach, event planning, content creation, or ways to enhance your digital presence.
This discussion provides a glimpse into their strategic thinking and how they plan to help you achieve your objectives.
Defining Expectations
Transparency and communication is key in any PR partnership. The team will outline what you can expect in terms of deliverables, timelines, and communication. They may also explain what they will need from you, such as approvals, access to key personnel, photos and/or background information.
Setting clear expectations from the beginning ensures a smooth collaboration.
Your Questions Answered
As the meeting wraps up, there will be time for you to ask questions. Consider inquiring about the PR team’s media relationships, approach to challenges, or methods for measuring success.
Final Thoughts
The first PR meeting is a crucial step in building a strong partnership. It’s an opportunity to align goals, share your vision, and lay the foundation for a successful collaboration.
By coming prepared with clear objectives and an open mind, you’ll set the stage for a productive relationship that helps your brand shine.
Bringing people together through our relationships to promote and enhance their message to the world. Evolve PR and Marketing is a results-driven, full-service public relations firm that has been proudly ranked the number one public relations agency by Arizona Business Magazine for two years running. Located in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona, and expanding across the country, we’re here to elevate your brand, enhance your visibility, and create meaningful connections that make an impact.