Meet Steve Turner

We recently connected with Steve Turner and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?

I was always outgoing and talkative, but my overall communication skills were a bit raw. I attended the University of Missouri and its School of Journalism. There, I improved my skills as an interviewer and communicator. Later, I transitioned from broadcasting into the business side of public relations and marketing. I had to learn how to improve my ability to communicate with staff and clients. I read books and studied those whom I considered excellent communicators. Over time, I found that listening, body language, and empathy are key elements of both communication and relationship building. I put those lessons into practice and strive to embrace them in both business and personal life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the Principal and Owner of Solomon Turner PR in St. Louis. We have been creating and executing public relations campaigns for clients for over three decades. Our firm was founded by my partner, Shelly Solomon, one of the first women in St. Louis to own her own advertising agency, and I, who at the time owned a small PR firm, The Turner Group. We merged companies in 1990 and have been operating as Solomon Turner for 35 years. Over time, we have collaborated with well-known celebrities, including Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, and Steve Forbes, and created campaigns for companies in automotive, construction, financial services, healthcare, retail, sports, and technology. Authors and speakers have also been a point of focus. Our firm offers clients a customized approach to solve their branding and trust issues. We do not offer a one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter solution, as each business has its own unique goal or objective. I am proud that Solomon Turner has been named one of the top PR firms in St. Louis for 17 consecutive years by Small Business Monthly. An award we do not take lightly, indicating our impact in helping client businesses grow and build their brand. I was also named a rockstar publicist by Authority/Medium magazine. Right now, I am most excited about my new book, PR THAT WORKS-Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results. It has been extremely well received. The book is a great source for any business owner, PR professional, or student who wants to up their marketing game and get better results from their public relations campaign. It offers 28 strategies to use now, 14 case studies of actual campaigns we worked on, and the results generated, plus interviews with four top PR professionals who have achieved great success in the industry. The book is available on Amazon and other booksellers.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One necessary skill is the ability to adapt and change. We started our business before the internet, cell phones, or online retailers. Our firm pivoted to grasp the new technologies and educate our clients on their value. Many PR agencies refused to learn and adjust. They either closed shop or moved on to other things. We took classes and did what was necessary to succeed as the industry switched from traditional methods to a new digital approach.
A second skill is the ability to sell. I learned selling skills early in my career and continue to hone them. In public relations, you are either selling ideas to clients, touting the benefits of your agency to prospective clients, or selling journalists on a story idea. As someone once said, if you can’t sell, you will always work for someone who can.
Third is the ability to write. Top-notch writing skills are in demand, and those who can creatively use words to tell stories and communicate ideas are highly regarded.
I would advise young people to improve their selling skills. They can take courses, webinars, and in-house training, of course, but enrolling in a Dale Carnegie course or even honing their speaking skills at Toastmasters will raise that skill set to the next level. Mastering the written word is also highly valued. I would recommend improving one’s writing skills to communicate in short, concise sentences so their ideas are succinct and easily understood. Third is to fail forward. In business, if you try hard enough, you’re going to fail. Make sure you learn from those failures, adjust, and move on to more workable solutions.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I was able to complete my book, PR THAT WORKS. It was an intense effort that required the help of an editor, a graphic designer, and a production person. They were able to assist me in creating the proper writing style, look, and feel I desired. The process helped me improve my writing skills and increased my appreciation for the work of other authors. It has taken my personal brand as a public relations thought leader to the next level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://solomonturner.com, https://getprthatworks.com
• Instagram: @rockstarpublicist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveturnerpr/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveturnerpr/
• Twitter: https://x.com/steveturnerpr

Image Credits

Photo credit: Steve Turner/Solomon Turner PR