Do You Really Need Small Business Public Relations?

PR can help you reach your entrepreneurial goals

If you are a small business owner, you probably think of press releases when you think of PR, or public relations. But, there is a lot more to it.

Public relations is a way to get noticed by your target market, the media and the search engines at a fraction of the cost of doing advertising. And if you are a new business, it’s an essential tool to help sales skyrocket.

5 Reasons to Use Small Business Public Relations

1. It only costs time.
If you have a tiny budget for marketing, you can use public relations to get the word out about your products and services for free.

Yes, you will spend a lot of time researching media members, creating story ideas, practicing your pitch, and communicating with reporters, but one major story can create unprecedented sales growth in the first, few months of starting your business.

2. You get third-party credibility you can’t get in any other way.
If you receive a feature story in a major media venue, readers look at this and give you some instant credibility.

Why? Since it’s not paid advertising, and a known writer or reporter is talking about your products and services, this gives you third-party credibility you simply cannot buy.

3. PR builds word-of-mouth.
Once a story about your business goes live, this can easily be shared online via social media. In a matter of hours, your story can be seen across the globe and create positive buzz… leading to new sales and site visits.

4. Get search engine attention.
With current and regular content, stories, press releases, and shares online about your business, the search engines will take notice.

This means that your site rankings will go up, and it will be easier for potential customers to find your products and services online.

5. Tell your story… your way.
When you pitch your unique story angles to the press and write about the specific benefits you offer customers, you can control your messaging.

This communication lets potential customers know why you provide value and are better than the competition.

Public relations is much more than a press release.

While press releases are part of public relations, that’s only a portion of a complete, PR program. If you create unique story angles for specific media members and offer current and valuable content on a regular basis, you can significantly increase awareness for your new business without spending a lot of money. Best of all, you can obtain third-party credibility you can’t get in any other way.

It takes planning, time and effort. But, if you are just starting out, it can give your small business the push it needs to start selling your products and services and build positive word-of-mouth!

For helpful insights on using cost-effective small business public relations for success, visit www.rembrandtwrites.com.

Author Melanie Rembrandt is known as THE small business PR expert. She helps boost sales, awareness and credibility fast with a unique combination of targeted, SEO content-marketing strategy and public relations. If you want to get results and save time and money, contact her and her team at Rembrandt Communications, www.rembrandtwrites.com.