Why PR can’t fix a broken funnel

We’ve all been there. You pour energy into a smart, creative PR or marketing campaign and the messaging lands, the media coverage is great, engagement is solid, yet conversions flatline. It’s frustrating. But often, the problem isn’t the public relations. It’s something deeper.

The leaky bucket problem

PR and marketing are powerful tools for building awareness and interest. They get people to the door. But if the experience on the other side doesn’t hold up, for example, a clunky website, a confusing offer, slow response times, or unclear pricing, that interest evaporates fast.

In short, you can’t fix a broken user journey with more visibility. Public relations amplifies what’s already there. If the fundamentals are off, all you’re doing is shining a brighter light on the cracks.

Common hidden barriers

Some of the most common factors that quietly sabotage good public relations include:

• User experience (UX) issues: A slow or non-mobile-friendly website, unclear navigation, or complicated booking process.
  
• Service or product misalignment: The offering doesn’t quite fit what the audience actually needs or isn’t communicated clearly.
  
• Pricing and accessibility: Costs feel mismatched to value, or there are hidden steps before purchase.
  
• Inconsistent brand experience: Great storytelling at the top of the funnel, but disappointing follow-through once someone takes action.
  

How to raise it with your client

Bringing this up can feel delicate. After all, clients come to you for visibility, not a critique of their operations. But helping them see the bigger picture ultimately serves them better and makes your own work more effective.

Here’s how to approach it:

• Start with data, not opinion: Show the evidence: high site visits but low conversions, strong coverage but weak follow-up engagement. Let the numbers tell the story.

• Frame it as a partnership, not criticism: Use language like “We’re seeing strong interest generated from the campaign, but there are some friction points in the user journey we could help smooth out.”

• Focus on shared goals: Make it clear that your goal is the same as theirs, real results. You’re not pointing fingers; you’re identifying roadblocks to success.

• Offer practical next steps: Suggest they get a UX audit, a mystery shopper test, or a messaging workshop. Sometimes, just a small refinement to the offer or website can make a huge difference.

Great public relations can get people to notice you. But lasting success comes when every touchpoint, from website to customer service, reinforces that same positive story.

As communicators, at Briscoe PR our job isn’t just to make noise. It’s to make sure that when people listen, they like what they find.

Get in touch to find out how we can work together to achieve real results.