Ah, public relations. It’s the secret sauce behind many of the world’s most successful small businesses and startups. But what is it, exactly? In its simplest form, public relations (or PR) is all about building relationships with various groups of people—from reporters to influencers to everyday consumers—and using those relationships to spread your message far and wide. Here are some tips and tricks for getting started with PR for your small business or startup.
Get a good pitch together
The first step in any good PR campaign is a great pitch. You need something that’s attention-grabbing and succinct but also informative enough that potential customers will know what you’re offering. Writing a great pitch takes time, so don’t rush it—make sure you get feedback from others before sending it out into the world.
Be strategic about who you reach out to
Once you have your pitch ready to go, it’s time to start reaching out. But don’t just send your message to anyone who will listen. You should be strategic about who you target; for example, if you run a restaurant in Dubai, you might want to reach out specifically to food writers in the area rather than generic lifestyle bloggers across the country. Doing research ahead of time can help ensure that your pitch lands in front of an audience that actually wants to hear about what you have to say.
Engage with your audience
No good PR campaign ends after an initial press release or email blast—it’s important to engage with your audience once they start responding. Social media is a great way to do this; if someone has a question or comment on Twitter or Facebook, make sure they get an answer as quickly as possible. This shows them that their opinion matters and can go a long way toward building trust between you and your customers.
As a small business owner or startup founder, mastering public relations can seem daunting at first. But by following these simple tips—writing a compelling pitch, targeting key influencers, and engaging with customers online—your business can be well on its way to becoming one of the most talked-about companies around. Give these strategies a try today and see what kind of results they bring for your business.