You are well on your way to creating the foundation of a great PR program. In Step 7, we outline additional ways for you to get the word out!
In addition to sending out monthly press releases, there are other things you need to be doing to increase business awareness and sales through public relations efforts. Some of these include the following:
Offer Current Information
Add current information about your business products, services and leaders to your website on a regular basis. Review it often and make sure it lists your company’s newest information.
You want site visitors, and the media, to know that you are aware of current industry trends and news and that your company is active. Plus, you want to convey a feeling of credibility and expertise to new visitors and regular customers.
Network
Attend pertinent club meetings, events and presentations in your local area. Tell people about your products and services and share your passion for your business.
Volunteer to speak about your industry at various organizational functions. Not only will you get in front of your target audience, but you may be quoted as a speaker in a local paper.
Reporters usually cover important community events so if you are a part of the activities, you significantly increase your chances of getting some free publicity. And even if press members do not attend, you will build some valuable business relationships in this networking process.
Offer News
Send out press releases and announcements on a monthly basis with your current contact information. This will help to remind key audiences and media members that you are still doing business and have great news, information and success stories to tell.
Be Available
Make it as easy as possible for media members to know the products, services and expertise you have to offer. And provide current contact information so that they know how to get in touch with you at deadline time.
Keep Your Eyes Open
As your business grows, regularly look for good customer case studies, innovations, financial and employee growth stories, and unique information that you can turn into a new story, event or announcement.
If you follow these guidelines, you will start hearing from the press. Be sure to respond to their requests quickly and provide appropriate photos, documents and information when requested.
Then, you’ll need to wait. And please don’t get discouraged if your quote or business mention is cut from a story. Due to late-breaking news, length, editorial changes, or other situations out of your control, this is just part of the publicity process. But if your story is published, be sure to send a thank you to the reporter to help build your relationship.