Does your small business or brand need PR? Yes! And this is why...

6 Reasons Why Small Businesses and Brands Need Public Relations

For those of you that I haven't formally met, I'm Tonya McKenzie, your PR Priestess. I preach the public relations and communications gospel. The truth about PR rests in the understanding that it is the art of third-party endorsements. Getting media, customers, and experts to endorse you, your business or your brand in a way that increases your brand awareness is more valuable than an advertisement. There is an art to this. It does not “just happen”. It requires certain actions from you, the business, or the brand owner. Especially now, coming out of Covid and possibly facing a recession, you must do everything that you can to keep your business top-of-mind with consumers and decision-makers. More businesses fail because the public doesn’t know about them as opposed to having bad products or services. Marketing and advertising are about selling. ?PR is about getting the public to know, like, and trust your brand which leads to sales or referrals. If you are still on the fence about PR for your business or brand, here are 6 reasons to consider activating a public relations strategy;

1.???PR is cost-effective.

·?????You do not need to spend a large amount of money with an agency. You can do much of the work yourself, have some of the outreach and activities be a part of what your marketing department is charged with doing, or hire a freelancer. Whatever you decide, it is cheaper with more of a return on investment (ROI).

2.???Permanence

• The media coverage that you earn does not go away like marketing and advertising. It is permanent. An internet search with certain keywords will keep your brand or business showing up and relevant.

3.???Media loves small business.

• The stories are unique and relevant which is what most media outlets are looking for. Businesses that invest in their brand story and the people in their organization will see more media coverage.

4.???PR enhances your marketing and advertising.

• When you get earned media coverage, those pick-ups can be used to market your company. Instead of you telling the world how amazing you are, there is a verifiable outlet expressing that sentiment.

5.???PR builds relationships

• Once you have identified your target audience, you have the opportunity to connect with those that write about and influence that target market. Writers, influencers, and other experts that speak to that audience are with whom you will build relationships with to infuse your organization with trust from the consumer. Good relationships build a better reputation for your business and brand.

?6.???Public relations is the best form of referral.

• When people read about you or see your brand in an outlet or on TV, your earned media generates new leads. It builds curiosity and engages new consumers. The visibility to new prospects increases your brand awareness. Instead of you telling people how amazing you are (marketing), this media outlet is telling people how amazing you are (PR) as a credible source.

Think about it. Take the time to put together and launch a PR campaign that builds credibility, increases brand awareness, and gets earned media coverage that will last longer than any marketing or advertising campaign. ?Hire somebody to do it or learn to do it on your own. Like Nike says, “Just Do It”!

Because hiring an agency can cost a lot, Sand & Shores is now offering PR and Leadership Coaching for business owners that really want to take their business to the next level or have a personal brand that they want to elevate. Get what you need to make great things happen for you and your brand.

Below is a video of a chat about PR scams, expectations, and techniques with one of my favorite #PR Pros and #SEO strategists, Tamara Sykes. Check it out.

Looking for PR and Leadership Coaching? Let me know. I got you covered.

Email [email protected]

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• Author of?A Child’s Memories of Cartoons & Murder