Rhubarb is a slightly misunderstood plant; its stalks are colorful, alien and kind of hard to eat. Since you have to cook it and add sugar or other fruits to mask the tart taste, many cooks steer clear from it in the kitchen. I recently harvested a bunch of rhubarb for jam, and was surprised at how similar it was to running a public relations campaign. Here are three PR lessons from an unlikely source: rhubarb.
What does rhubarb have in common with PR?
3 PR Lessons from Rhubarb
1. Be Sure to Do Thorough Research
Harvesting rhubarb is serious business. Although the plant is quite a treat when cooked into pies or made into jam, it can be risky to pick it. This is because it contains toxic chemical compounds in the leaves that can be deadly in large quantities.
Before embarking on a harvest, make sure you are well versed in the edible parts of the plant and take caution to cut the leaves fully off.
Although hopefully not a life or death situation, public relations requires lots of research to execute properly. Never send an email, publish an article or shoot off a pitch before you’re sure it’s well researched, well targeted and represents your best self.
2. Work to Overcome a Negative History
Since rhubarb leaves can be poisonous, the plant has a tricky history. Tragically, rhubarb leaves were prescribed as an edible food source to World War I soldiers, who quickly succumbed to its toxins. In the 21st century, rhubarb is prized as a high-end dessert addition, used by chefs around the world. A strategic public relations campaign is essential to overcoming a difficult history or a crisis.
3. Diversify
Did you know not all rhubarb has the classic red color? After doing some research to find out if green colored stalks were edible, I learned that there is in fact more than one type of rhubarb; varieties include red, green and a mixture of the two.
Instead of leaving out the green rhubarb because it wasn’t as visually pleasing, I decided to branch out and include it in my next batch of jam. Try new things you haven’t before, like a social media platform, marketing approach or blog topic; you never know when you might find your new niche.
When harvesting rhubarb, it’s important to do thorough research, remember you may have to overcome a difficult history and diversify your approach. Can you think of any other PR lessons from the delicious summer vegetable?
Photo Credit: Beth Adan
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