PR 101 for Small Businesses
You have your brand and business. You’re ready to get out there. Here’s how to get started with public relations if you’re a small business.
Public Relations isn't just for the big players in the corporate world with big budgets. Small businesses can also harness the power of PR to build brand awareness, engage with their target audience, and boost their bottom line. In this quick PR 101 guide, we'll take you through the basics of how to get started promoting your small business in a way that feels fluid and authentic to your business, while still using the PR strategies that the “big guys” score off of.
First, define your objective: What part of public relations is interesting to you for your business? Are you looking for media hits, community engagement, SEO? Maybe you want to connect with customers in real life through events and speaking opportunities. Spell out your goals and what parts of PR you want to turn on.
Paint a picture of your ideal consumer: Knowing your target audience is essential. Who are your ideal customers? What media outlets do they follow, and what online communities are they part of? Understanding your audience helps you tailor your PR efforts to reach them effectively.
Choose the media and avenues that will reach that target audience: If your ideal customer is a wellness junkie, maybe you host a yoga class in your brick and mortar store, or pitch a piece to the local paper in the lifestyles section. Subscribe to podcasts your ideal customer would listen to, and pick a couple to reach out to and offer yourself as a guest. Put yourself in the shoes of your consumer and plan how you are going to meet them where they are already consuming media and information. This is how strategic PR is born.
Position yourself as a leader: Demonstrate your expertise in your field by producing valuable content. Start a blog, create informative videos, or guest post on industry-related websites. Show off what you know, how you are impacting your community, and your brand will gain credibility.
Stay consistent, and consider professional help: PR is a long-term game. Consistency is key. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Over time, your efforts will build brand awareness and credibility. If all this seems very new to you, or you start to lag when you can’t seem to get over a hump, consider reaching out to a pro to get insight into your strategy or take on your PR work all together. At Meg Androsgilio PR we have Consulting Packages and Account Management to help you reach your goals.
Use this guide to help you kick off your PR strategy and see some incredible results when you put yourself and your brand out there. Remember to stay true to your brand values and ideal consumer, and in no time you’ll be reaching bigger audiences and creating conversations around your business.
