“What is PR?” and “How can it help my small biz grow?”
Two questions I get asked all the time, when I tell people I am a PR coach.
Then I am met with a blank stare, and a second later, “So what the hell does PR stand for anyway?”
I am here to break it down for you and keep it really simple.
And let me assure you, PR isn’t just for celebs or dodgy politicians.
It’s a powerful growth strategy for anyone in small business and I am going to show you how you can start using it today to gain free exposure.
PR stands for Public Relations
I think of it like this: Public Relations = Relation-ships in the public
Public Relations can be paid or it can be free. Who doesn’t love free stuff?
I know what you are thinking. What is the catch?
There isn’t one, so let me explain what free brand exposure could look like for your small biz and how you can get some of that today.
Free exposure is available to every single one of you, who is READY to share their story or have their expert opinion heard as a thought leader.
There is no better time than the present, with publications all around the world pumping out thousands of pieces of content daily…and they cannot do this alone.
They need YOU.
Here are four ways you can start to PR yourself, your brand and your small biz.
- Traditional forms of media – Radio, TV, papers, mags etc
- Online publications
- New form media – podcasts, collaborations & social media lives
- Speaking opps & events
What is PR and why is it important?
So, PR is this…
It’s me writing this article for Inside Small Business.
It’s me speaking at an RU OK Day event about mental health.
It’s me getting interviewed by my local newspaper about my new small biz venture.
It’s me writing a personal column about my relationship in the number 1 online women’s publication Mamamia.
It’s me publishing my book and then going on numerous podcasts all around the world, sharing my battle with anxiety.
Notice the theme?
ME.
It’s all about me…or in this case, YOU.
You, using your voice to share your expertise or your story.
PR is relationships in the public, it’s you creating opportunities for yourself and your business to share your message within the public arena.
Simple when you think about it like that isn’t it?
Ok so let’s pitch.
Here are my top three things to remember when pitching.
- It’s all about the relationship. PR = Public Relation-ships. Know the audience, know the person’s name you are pitching to and keep it short & straight to the point. Stalk this person like you would an ex, so you know what kind of content they are producing.
- Hook them in with one sentence for your pitch angle. The human on the other end barely ever reads a press release. I know this because I have worked on both sides of the media. I was pitched hundreds of times a day working in capital city breakfast radio and I can tell you, no one ever got an interview from a press release. (They do sometimes still use them for community papers just FYI etc)
- It’s all about connection. Almost 90 per cent of the time, they don’t care about your product or offering or the thing you sell in a small biz.
They care about you. Are you willing to share, tell a story?
Can you connect with their audience?
In summary, keep it simple and remember PR is a free growth strategy that you can start today!
