In today’s world, what a brand stands for means everything. One study found that up to 70% of consumers expect their favorite brands to have a clear social and environmental stance.

This shift toward social responsibility illustrates how important public relations can be, especially for a smaller business.

To better understand the significance of PR and how it can impact your company’s growth, we’ve put together a quick guide to the basics. So keep reading for a quick rundown on what exactly PR means, how it can help your business, and what you can expect to spend!

What is Public Relations?

The biggest thing to know about public relations is that it’s all about better understanding your brand and how you can use it to foster bonds with your customers.

Despite what many think, public relations and marketing are two sides of the same coin. While both will attract attention to your business, it’s important not to mistake one for the other.

Public relations for small businesses is all about connecting with local media outlets as well as the community at large to increase awareness and build your reputation.

Should Public Relations Be a DIY Effort?

‘Should’ is the keyword here. And the answer to that is…probably not.

Unless you have a thorough understanding of how the news cycle functions and harness an innate ability to establish and maintain dozens of connections with local businesses at the same time, you’ll have a hard time both running your business and learning the ropes of PR.

People in the PR industry spend years honing their craft. Many of them even have specialized degrees in the field.

It’s not just about time, either. If you attempt to take on a PR campaign yourself, you run the risk of overspending on tools and resources you aren’t prepared to maximize.

Estimating the Cost of Your Campaign

Speaking of overspending, the main concern business owners have when bringing in a PR team is often cost. After all, what business has extra money to throw around?

You might be wondering, ‘How much does PR cost?’ As the article linked points out, it varies from service to service.

Many firms offer bundles, like all-in-one media blast packages that can include emails, press releases, and the like.

Likewise, plenty of services also offer a la carte options so you can pick and choose what you’d like to pay for. This allows you to save money while still enjoying the benefits of a professional relationship-building service.

In return, you can expect greater general awareness of your business as well as media coverage.

Your Guide to Public Relations and Small Business

We hope you’ve found this quick glimpse into the world of public relations helpful.

If you’re thinking about hiring a PR agency, we suggest looking at what services you need and asking for customized bundles. You’ll save money in the long run and avoid confusion.

For more valuable tips on growing your small business, make sure to keep it posted to our blog!

About Author

Nick Jones

See author's posts