So, PR. Does anyone even know what it is? Yes. Yes, we do.
Public Relations is all about getting your business, or personal brand (including musicians, artists, influencers) out there and making sure people know about you.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking "PR, isn't that just for big companies with loads of money?", but that's not the case at all.
There are loads of ways you can get your small business out there without breaking the bank.
Here are my top 10 PR activities that can help your small business or personal brand. You can easily have a go at most of these yourself (give me a shout if you need some guidance on anna@fiercepr.co.uk)
Media relations: Building relationships with journalists and pitching story ideas can help increase visibility for your small business in the media. Drop a local journalist a line - you will find email addreses on news websites, often on the articles they have written- they love positive news stories about a business doing well, or doing something a bit different!
Press releases: Issuing press releases to announce news or events related to your business can help generate media coverage and build brand awareness.
Event planning and coordination: Hosting events such as product launches or networking opportunities can help generate buzz and attract new customers.
Social media management: Using the platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to engage with customers and promote your business can help build a loyal following and increase sales. Ideally, start talking about your business from your personal profile, to build engagement - people like people more than they like logos straplines!
Influencer marketing: Partnering with popular influencers in your industry can help reach new audiences and increase brand credibility. An influencer could be someone local who is well known to dress well; or an infamous bar owner that is in 'meme-territory' they don't need to be famous or costly. Try slinging a free t-shirt their way and ask if they could wear it behind the bar/style it and post on social media... you get the jist.
Content marketing: Creating valuable content such as blog posts, white papers, and infographics can help establish your website as the go-to place for information on a certain subject. This is called thought leadership. Blogs also help Google direct users to your site!
Networking: Attend networking events, join local business groups and meet other business owners in your area to build relationships and potentially attract new customers.
Customer testimonials: Ask your satisfied customers to leave reviews or testimonials on your website or social media platforms. Positive reviews are fundemental in attracting new customers and improving your reputation.
Community involvement: Participating in local events and supporting community organizations can help build positive relationships with potential customers and improve your business's reputation.
Word-of-mouth marketing: Encourage satisfied customers to tell their friends and family about your business. This is one of the most powerful and effective forms of advertising.
So there you have it, my top 10 PR activities that can help your small business - and that you can do yourself.
And remember, there are loads of PR agencies out there that can help you, but , obviously, being the owner, I invite you to get in touch with the Fierce PR, team. We love working with creatives, small business and grassroots organisations that share our strong values. Our whole company is built around supporting accessibility and breaking down barriers, by not using jargon and catering for unpredictable and lower budgets, such as for artists and creatives.
See what you think - regardless I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about PR.
My email address is anna@fiercepr.co.uk