Why I Turn Down Paying Clients (And What I've Built for Them Instead)
At RL Comms, I operate a very strict exclusivity policy: I only ever represent one consultant per medical specialism.
If I am retained by a leading Consultant Cardiologist or a pioneering Plastic Surgeon, I will not take on another expert in that same field. I will never pitch two competing doctors to the same health journalist. This policy costs me new business on a regular basis, but it is entirely non-negotiable. One of my core values is loyalty and that goes for my clients. It also guarantees zero conflicts of interest and allows me to act as a true, dedicated brand guardian.
As a result, I regularly receive enquiries from brilliant, ambitious private doctors/surgeons/medics particularly who I simply cannot take on for a monthly PR retainer for the reasons mentioned.
I also speak to many clinic founders who are desperate for national press coverage, but who haven't yet nailed down their clinical niche or gathered the high-resolution media assets that journalists demand.
Turning away eager, innovative medical professionals is frustrating. So, I created a solution.
Introducing the PR Foundations Power Hour
If we cannot work together on a monthly retainer - either due to a conflict of interest or because your clinic is simply not quite ready for a monthly commitment - I now offer a one-off PR Foundations Power Hour.
Many private doctors and clinics know they need visibility to stand out from their competitors, but they are completely in the dark about how the UK press actually works. This 60-minute, 1:1 strategy session is designed to cut through the confusion and give you absolute clarity.
During our highly focused call, we typically cover:
PR vs. Marketing: The fundamental difference between the two, and where you should actually be spending your time and budget to get private patients through the door.
Media Readiness: A live audit of your current digital footprint. We will look at exactly what assets (from 'Hero' biographies to case studies) journalists need from you before they will feature you.
Finding Your Niche: How to find your unique clinical "hook." You cannot pitch as a generalist; we will define the exact medical opinions that will make you irresistible to national health editors.
Ask Me Anything: I reserve the final portion of the call for you to pick my brain. You can ask any specific questions you have about your branding, your website's SEO, or the current media landscape. I will also share my little black book of contacts in this area and make relevant introductions.
The Investment
The PR Foundations Power Hour is £250 (+VAT).
It is a high-impact, no-fluff hour designed to point you in exactly the right direction, providing you with senior-level PR counsel without the commitment of an ongoing agency retainer. You will leave the call knowing exactly what you need to do to build a robust, trusted medical brand.
If you are ready to get your media strategy in order, click the button below to secure your session.