A Beginner's Guide to PR for Small Business Owners

PR—maybe you've heard this word before but you honestly have no idea what it means. Let us break it down for you here. We're Bridget and Lydia, the cofounders of Visibility on Purpose and we've been in the PR and publicity world together for near a decade.

Here's the nitty gritty of PR and why it matters for your business.

1. What is Public Relations?

Public relations (PR)  is the strategic strategy behind a company’s public image. The role is multifaceted, involving a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and meticulous planning. Here’s a closer look at the key responsibilities:

Crafting the Narrative: PR helps to develop and maintain the company’s brand story. This could be in the form of creating compelling content for press releases, social media, blogs, and other channels to shape public perception positively, we love adding podcasts to this mix!

Media Relations: Establishing and maintaining relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers is crucial. PR managers pitch stories, arrange interviews, and ensure media coverage that aligns with the company’s goals.

 Event Planning: Organizing and promoting events, from product launches to press conferences, is a vital part of PRs role. These events help generate buzz and foster positive media attention.

 2. How Does Public Relations Help a Business?

Public relations is an essential component of a successful business strategy, yet most personal brands and online businesses know nothing about it.

Here's a sneak peak podcast episode to learn more.

Here’s how it helps:

Building Brand Credibility: Through consistent and positive media coverage, PR helps establish a company as a credible and trustworthy entity. Third-party endorsements from the media can significantly enhance a brand’s reputation. You know when you see on a company's website, "As seen in", those three simple words do a lot to the consumer's subconscious mind. We can help you get you featured without paying a publicist, learn more here.

Enhancing Visibility: PR campaigns boost a company’s visibility among its target audience. This heightened awareness can lead to increased customer engagement, brand recognition, and ultimately....our favorite, sales.

Managing Reputation: A well-executed PR strategy can safeguard a company’s reputation during challenging times. By managing the narrative and addressing issues proactively, PR can help maintain public trust.

Supporting Marketing Efforts: PR amplifies marketing campaigns by generating additional media coverage and public interest. This synergy between PR and marketing maximizes the impact of promotional efforts.

Attracting Investment: Positive media coverage and a strong public image can attract potential investors. PR helps convey the company’s strengths, growth potential, and market position, making it an attractive prospect for investment!!

3. Which Best Describes the Relationship Between Public Relations and Marketing?

Public relations and marketing are distinct yet interconnected disciplines that work together to achieve common business goals. We call them cousins here at Visibility on Purpose. Here’s how they relate:

Shared Objectives: Both PR and marketing aim to promote the company and enhance its brand image. While marketing focuses on driving sales and generating revenue, PR aims to build and maintain a positive reputation and is usually done so through media mentions, features, interviews and press coverage!

Complementary Functions: Marketing typically uses paid media, such as advertising, to reach its audience. PR, on the other hand, leverages earned media, such as press coverage and social media buzz. Together, they provide a comprehensive approach to communication.

Synergy in Action: A successful PR campaign can support marketing efforts by creating a favorable environment for advertising messages. Conversely, marketing campaigns can offer PR opportunities by providing newsworthy content.

Audience Engagement: While marketing targets specific customer segments to drive sales, PR engages with a broader audience, including stakeholders, media, employees, and the public. This broader engagement helps build a solid foundation of trust and loyalty.

Strategic Alignment: For maximum impact, PR and marketing strategies must be aligned. This alignment ensures consistent messaging, cohesive branding, and a unified approach to achieving business objectives.

Public relations is a vital element of any business strategy, working hand-in-hand with marketing to build a strong, credible, and engaging brand. By understanding the roles and benefits of PR, businesses can harness its power to drive success and achieve their goals.

Have you implemented a PR strategy for your brand?

If you are looking to get press coverage for your brand without a huge following or hiring a publicist, learn more about the Pitch Party course and community here.