The Real ROI of Being Real

Your inbox check-in for modern PR reflections, career growth, and community intel

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PR Girl Manifesto
June 27, 2025

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This edition of The PRGM Post focuses on authenticity, not the fluffy kind, but the kind that actually moves the needle. From the real ROI of leading with honesty to why personality-driven comms are the future of connection, we’re diving into what it means to stay rooted while everything else changes.

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🎯 In This Edition:

  • The real ROI of authenticity in comms and why realness still wins

  • How personality-led messaging is redefining brand voice

  • What Anna Wintour’s Vogue move reveals about persona-driven platforms

  • Strategic comms lessons from our latest Mailchimp collabs + fresh job links

💡 The Real ROI of Being Real

“Be authentic” is a phrase we’ve heard a million times. But what does that actually mean in practice, and more importantly, what’s the impact?

We’re seeing more brands opt out of polish in favor of presence. More campaigns that lead with lived experience, not copywriting fluff. And more consumers who don’t just want the truth, they can feel when it’s missing.

Key reflections:

Want proof?
Look at the rise of confessional-style posts, founder voiceovers, and creators building entire brands off their transparency. Authenticity works when it’s rooted in something real.

HOW TO APPLY IT:

✦ Gut check your copy: Does it sound like you or like “pr/marketing speak”?

✦ Lead with real stories from real people

✦ Be honest about the journey, not just the wins.

✦ Use comms to build trust, not just to inform.

From internal Slack updates to viral TikToks, the comms that are cutting through the noise are the ones that sound like real people.

Gone are the days of robotic brand statements and stiff internal memos. Now, it’s about:

  • Leading with tone, not just info

  • Letting your people (and their personalities) shine

  • Using comms to connect and not just inform

Why it matters:
In a world where everything is automated, voice is how we remember you. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a comms lead, or building a team brand, how you sound is part of your strategy.

Bonus tip: Want to test your brand voice? Read it out loud. If it sounds like a person you’d actually want to text, you’re on the right track.

HOW TO APPLY IT:

✦ Encourage your team to use voice memos or internal blogs.

✦ Add a “voice lens” when reviewing your content calendar.

✦ Let comms reflect culture, not just policy.

✦ Prioritize clarity and character in every touchpoint.

🪞 Food For Thought

With Anna Wintour stepping back in her role as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, it raises a timely comms question: what happens when a brand becomes synonymous with one person?

In PR, personal branding can be a superpower. But it’s a double-edged sword, and when that person exits the spotlight, the platform can lose its compass unless there’s a plan.

Strategic takeaways:

  • If a brand is person-led, build shared storytelling frameworks early.

  • Communicate role changes as evolution, not loss.

  • Create visibility succession plans that allow others to step up and shape the narrative.

When “the face” steps back, comms should step forward with clarity, continuity, and care.

We’ve been working with Intuit Mailchimp to explore how PR + Marketing Comms pros can streamline their workflows and build stronger media relationships without sacrificing the strategy or the soul.

From PR-meets-marketing workflows to modernizing media outreach, here’s what we’ve been yapping about:

→ Why unified content strategies and automation tools save more than just time
→ How to manage multi-channel campaigns without losing the personal touch
→ What dynamic contact profiles and segmentation mean for smarter pitching
→ And how real-time engagement data can sharpen your storytelling instincts

Whether you’re flying solo or leading a team, these tools can help turn your good comms into great strategy.

Explore the series:

💭 Community TalkBack:

— Feeling Foggy

💡 Let’s Levelset

Feeling uncertain isn’t a sign of failure, it’s a signal that you’re growing. Most comms careers don’t follow a straight line. Pivoting isn’t failure. School isn’t the only option. What you need is clarity, not perfection.

🗒️ The Advice:

  • Reflect on what’s been energizing vs. draining lately.

  • Talk to people in adjacent fields, you might be closer to your next chapter than you think.

  • Map out your needs: stability, creativity, mentorship, flexibility.

  • Let your values be the filter, not the title.

Careers in PR evolve fast. The best thing you can do is stay curious, stay connected, and stay honest about what feels right for you.

🏢 Who’s Hiring?

If you’re searching for a new role, be sure to follow these folks on LinkedIn — they share weekly roundups of PR, communications, and marketing opportunities!

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