You Need PR? Here's How to Do It Yourself

Have you ever heard yourself saying, "I need PR"? As a PR professional for many years, I hear this all the time, especially from founders of young companies. They know they need brand awareness, but they might not have the budget to hire a PR agency.

The truth is, that PR is about more than just flashy press mentions. It's about building trust and credibility with your target audience. It's the difference between someone seeing your company name and remembering it, or it just blending into the noise.

But unlike marketing, where you pay for ads, PR is about earned media. It's about getting journalists and influencers to talk about you because your story is newsworthy and interesting. This can lead to a long list of benefits, from increased brand awareness and customer trust to attracting new investment.

The problem? Many startups think PR is out of reach. They might be surprised to learn that with the right approach, they can manage their own PR efforts and achieve great results.

This is exactly where my book “You Need PR,” comes in.

Startup success is tough! Statistics show that around 90% of startups fail within the first five years. One major factor contributing to this is a lack of strong marketing, which includes a well-developed PR strategy.

In "You Need PR", I share the tools and strategies you need to launch and manage your own successful PR campaign, even on a limited budget. Whether your company is brand new or a few years old, if you have the potential to grow and solve problems, then you're a startup according to this book.

Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find inside:

• Part I: Building Your Brand Foundation – Learn how to develop a strong brand identity and identify all the channels you can use to communicate your message.
• Part II: Crafting Your Story – Discover how to create compelling press materials and understand your competitive landscape.
• Part III: Launching Your PR Strategy – Learn how to develop a winning PR strategy and target the right media outlets.
• Part IV: Mastering Media Relations – Get tips on delivering successful media interviews and following up with journalists.

I wrote "You Need PR" from the perspective of a founder who understands the challenges startups face. During the pandemic, I used the extra time to turn all my PR knowledge into actionable steps you can take to get noticed.

Think of it as a shortcut to success – a way to build your PR muscle and get results, until you're ready to bring on a PR agency to take things to the next level.

So, are you ready to take control of your PR and watch your startup thrive? Grab a copy of "You Need PR" today and let's get started!

Jenna Guarneri - JMG Public Relations