Why You SHOULD Welcome Bad Press: The Truth Behind “Sickfluencer” PR

If you’ve ever worried about the downside of being “too visible” then this episode is for you. What Maddie Alexander Grout shares is raw, real and the exact antidote we ALL need to see past the glossy, filtered version of PR you see everywhere online…

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE PRESS LABELS YOU THE “SICKFLUENCER”?

Visibility can change your business. Being seen, heard, hired and paid as The Authority is the pinnacle of being Niche Famous. Investing in PR is the fastest way to achieve this - whether that’s being interviewed on podcasts, featured in the press or speaking on stage.

What you'll hear in this conversation between Laura Perkes and Maddie Alexander Grout, is that there is alwaysanother side from the glossy posts you see from people sharing their media wins. For Maddie, more press didn’t just mean more clients. It meant more attention, more criticism… even full-blown public drama.

Whether it’s viral videos being torn apart or editors spinning a story (hello, “Maddie Alexander Grout gloats over £56k in disability grants”), the truth is: when you’re visible enough to attract press coverage, you’re visible enough to attract haters.

Here’s what we learned from Maddie Alexander Grout’s story:

• Use negative headlines to create your content. Screenshot, green-screen and OWN the narrative.
• Let the press drama attract your ideal audience. “Sickfluencer” brought Maddie more followers, income and opportunities than ever before.
• Laugh at the trolls (seriously: would you send them a Christmas card? If not, don’t let them in your mental space).
• Don’t jump at any press: know your boundaries and only share stories that align with your mission, your audience and your values.
• Not all press is good press, but all press can be leveraged – strategically, intentionally, with resilience.

THE REAL SECRET TO PRESS & PUBLICITY

Visibility alone will NOT get you clients, fame, or create impact. Whether you’re dealing with the Daily Mail, The Sun or the BBC, what matters is:

For Maddie Alexander Grout, controversy didn’t keep her from business growth. Instead, she leveraged every “sickfluencer” headline to educate, empower and grow her community. She advises fellow entrepreneurs: don’t be scared of being disliked, but do stay intentional about what you share, how you respond and which opportunities to say yes to.

Want more?

🔗 Follow Maddie Alexander Grout on Instagram @‌Maddietalksmoney

🔗 Connect with Laura Perkes at @‌prwithperkes

🔗 Buy Maddie’s book “Mad About Money” on Amazon (don’t worry, it has colouring pages!)

🔗 DM your own press horror stories – let’s keep the conversation going.

Still scared of being “visible”? Hit play. Your reputation will thank you.

Let’s Get Real About Strategic Visibility: The Unfiltered Truth About PR

If you’ve spent even ten minutes in the online business world, you’ll have heard the rallying cry: “Get featured! Be visible! Step into the spotlight!” Visibility is touted as the fast-track ticket to everything you want, bigger opportunities, dream clients, more income, all wrapped up in a shiny PR bow.

But is that really the whole story? In this jam-packed episode of “What Is Public Relations?”, Laura Perkes throws out the rose-tinted glasses and gets brutally honest about the realities of visibility, the highs (yes, you get to be ‘niche famous’), and the very real lows (no, this is not all rainbows and unicorns).

Let’s break it down…

BEING SEEN VS. BEING SEEN STRATEGICALLY

Visibility for the sake of being visible is not where the magic happens. What Laura Perkes voices loud and clear is that PR isn’t just about getting your face in front of more people. It’s about WHAT you say, WHERE you say it, and most importantly, how you use it once you’ve got it.

Because here’s the truth: There’s a dark side to being featured. The more you put yourself out there, the more you open the door to criticism, trolls, and the infamous internet “comment section”. That fear of negativity? It keeps far too many entrepreneurs, especially those with massive missions and world-shifting visions, playing small.

So, what can you do with this?

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT ON NEGATIVITY

You don’t need to hide. Actually, you can take whatever the internet throws at you and turn it into fuel for growth.

• When the comments get ugly, don’t spiral. (Spoiler: Laura Perkes admits nothing good happens in the comments, and the real impact? Shows up in your DMs.)
• Lean into your mission and your message because, when you’re truly visible, you’ll attract the clients who get it, and repel the ones who don’t.
• Learn how to protect your energy and integrity, so you don’t waste time rage-replying to trolls. Instead, leverage that attention, and steer the narrative so you come out as a stronger authority, not a victim of online cruelty.

THE VISIBILITY ENGINE: IT’S TIME TO WORK SMARTER

Getting the coverage isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. Laura Perkes introduces the concept of “the visibility engine”, where your PR wins aren’t just trophies gathering dust, but active assets that propel your business to the next level.

Visibility + Marketing + Social Media = Authority. But you must be strategic:

• Marry your expertise with platforms where your dream clients are, and position yourself as the only choice.
• Understand that being “niche famous” is about impact, not pleasing everyone, and your message is what makes you magnetic (or polarizing. Both are good!).
• The goal is to become in demand, to be invited, and to open doors you never thought possible.

IT ALL COMES BACK TO PURPOSE

• Why do you do what you do?
• Who do you want to help?
• How will you use your story to move your business—and your industry—forward?

If you’re curious about PR, scared of the fallout, or have a story of your own, Laura Perks wants to hear from you. Slide into her DMs (@prwithperkes) and join a conversation that’s as honest as it gets. Because real credibility isn’t built through silence.

So, are you ready to get magnetic as f*ck and let the world see what you’re made of, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way?

Stay open. See what happens. And don’t ever let fear stop you from becoming the industry icon you’re meant to be.

Welcome to the 12 Days of PR mini-series.

Bitesize nuggets of PR gold to get you thinking about What Is Public Relations?.

Hosted by Laura Perkes.