I’m pitched, almost daily with offers to get me publicity for my business or personal brand. Agencies such as Mogul Press and others solicit business from individuals they see as credible, or have a story to tell. Maybe you’re wondering are these scams? Should you say yes? And overall should you hire public relations (PR) agency to get you media attention?
Do you have a story to tell or are you highly experienced in something? Do you want to improve your branding or generate leads? If so, you may be wondering whether you should hire a PR agency to help you get the publicity you want. While PR agencies can be helpful in several ways, it’s important to determine whether it’s the right choice for you. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hiring a PR agency and help you decide whether it’s the right decision.
Are you good at communication? Listening and speaking?
If not, a PR agency can help you communicate effectively with journalists and publications. However, if you’re already a confident communicator, you may be able to handle your publicity efforts in-house. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to dedicate time and resources to this effort, so consider whether you have the capacity to do the work.
It’s not about you, it’s about the audience.
This means that your story must be interesting and relevant to your target audience in order to gain attention. PR agencies can help you craft your story and tailor your message to your audience, but it’s important to have a good idea of what you want to say and who you want to say it to before reaching out to an agency.
Agencies can’t guarantee media placement.
While many PR agencies will promise to get your story in front of journalists and publications, they can’t guarantee that your story will be picked up. This is because journalists and publications receive countless pitches every day, and they choose the stories that will be the most interesting and relevant to their readers.
PR is about a good story, relationships, and consistency.
A PR agency can help you build relationships with journalists and publications over time, which can ultimately lead to more media placements. However, it’s up to you to consistently provide interesting and relevant content that publishers and the media will want to share with their audiences. Your PR agency or consultant can help you formulate these ideas and pitch them to the media.
What will you do with the publicity once you get it?
It’s important to consider the additional steps you’ll need to take to capitalize on any coverage you receive. Will you be able to handle the increase in traffic and sales? Do you have a plan in place to convert that traffic into leads or customers? These are all important considerations, as publicity alone may not be enough to achieve your goals. Also once you get the TV interview or article, share it with your clients and employees and your social network. It builds further credibility for your brand.
Hiring a PR agency can be helpful in many ways, such as crafting your message, building relationships with journalists, and improving your communication. However, it’s important to consider whether you have the time, resources, and capacity to handle publicity efforts in-house. Ultimately, a good PR strategy is about telling a good story, building relationships, and providing consistency over time. If you’re willing and able to put in the effort, you may be able to achieve your publicity goals without the help of a PR agency.
Related:
How To Hire a PR Firm To Get Publicity for Your Business(Opens in a new browser tab)
She Blogged Her Way To Television. You Can Too.(Opens in a new browser tab)
Should You Pay for Media Placement(Opens in a new browser tab)
