By Paarull JS Bakshi

A lot of you may still remember me from my popular Relationship column – ASK PAARULL!

Well, I’ve certainly taken a long break from it but I’m now back working and focusing more on my Business. And what is my Business – you ask? Well it has all to do with people as this is what Marketing and PR Consultants do. I call this a FUN Business as I get to meet different people day in and day out (last week I was with Bollywood legend and BADMAN Gulshan Grover) and it keeps life interesting. But in the South Asian community, people still don’t know what PR really is so I get asked funny questions or weird requests in this regard.

Some ask…  I want some PR work done but can I pay you after I get published in a magazine? 

Me thinking in my head: umm well let me think about it… NO;

My actual response: I think you may not be ready yet

Others Ask: I paid so much already for Advertising and everyone knows me, what will PR do differently? Me thinking in my head: I shouldn’t even bother explaining…

My actual response: well, advertising and PR are two different things and can go hand in hand , its great you have an advertising budget, let me create a plan for you.

Some Say:Paarull, I want a great website made for me, it should be at an International level, I took an IT course and I know how it works, how much will it cost? I have a quote for $400  

Me Thinking in my head: Firstly, I’m not a web-designer, second of all please make it yourself if you know it all and I won’t refer anyone for $400 worth of a LOT of work… 

My actual Response…  I will get back to you

Others Say: Oh I’m really good at Social Media, I do my own PR and I have 400 likes on all my posts

Me thinking in my Head: who are you? I’ve never heard of you… What do you do anyways?….

My Actual Response: Good, I’m not good at social media, I usually hire contractors for my contracts, maybe you can teach me a thing or two?

Then I hear: Oh I know all the media people, I can call them myself , I don’t need to pay them , they are my friends…

I think in my head: hmm Okay, well then do it yourself, Media people can be your friends but that doesn’t mean that they can publish free things for you, you can’t take advantage of your friends, this is their bread and butter so PAY UP!!!!

My actual response:hmm that’s great, maybe you can introduce me to your friends then

Hmm such is this life I tell ya, you meet all kinds of people and clients but they are the ones who keep this life interesting…

For any PR or Marketing help, you may contact me at paarullb@gmail.com

You can also contact Brand D Media (www.branddmedia.ca) at info@branddmedia.ca