Want the lowdown on how you can get free PR? I have some insider tips you’re going to love…
As an entrepreneur or small business owner there are always going to be certain things you’ll need to outsource. For me, I’m more than happy to outsource my accounts (numbers, yuk!), web development (tooooo time-consuming), graphic design (Am I creative? Yes. Can I draw, paint, or do anything else ‘arty’? Um, not on your nelly).
But it makes sense that when it comes to working on your business, you’ll want to do certain aspects of this yourself. PR may well be one of those things. As well as wanting to keep control of certain aspects of your marketing, the cost of outsourcing your PR may be reason enough for you to choose to DIY it, rather than paying an expensive PR agency.
But is there such a thing as free PR? And if so, how do you get started?
Free PR
The good news is that yes, there are ways for you to achieve free PR.
Free PR is all about being savvy. Now, if you want a super-effective PR campaign, there may be some investment involved. But this is always going to be cheaper than outsourcing your PR completely.
Let’s take a look at the figures. A PR agency is going to charge you around £1500+ per month for PR work, and will probably need you to commit to a six-month or year-long retainer.
A freelance PR will be cheaper, because there are no expensive overheads involved, but you’re still looking at a figure in the region of £500+ a month, depending on your requirements. And again, this will usually be on a retainer basis, so you’ll need to commit to six or 12 months. Plus, this figure is likely to be higher in places like London, where PRs will generally charge more.
Doing your own PR offers you a low-cost alternative. There are a number of activities you can carry out for free, all you need is the time to do so, and a bit of guidance on what to do.
Some examples of things you can do that are free or low-cost are:
Sending a press release
It costs nothing to write a press release and send it out to journalists. You simply need to spend some time writing your press release, then research which journalists to approach. A well-written press release could see you getting coverage in newspapers, magazines or even being invited on to a TV or radio the show. The sky’s the limit!
Writing a guest blog post
This is a really effective way to generate some PR and get your name out there. Think about blogs in your industry area, but also consider some of the big-hitters, like Huffington Post, Mashable, etc. Again, this is something that is free to do, all it takes is a bit of time researching and writing your post, and sending it out.
Holding a press event
A press event or press launch can be a great source of free PR. Think of the kind of event that complements your business – an open day, a tour of your premises, etc – then get in touch with local journalists and/or journalists in your niche area who might be interested in finding out more about you and your business. The cost for this is low, maybe some refreshments, and the time it takes to organise, but that’s it.
Offering yourself as an expert
When it comes to your PR, appearing as an expert in the media is a top tactic. Being quoted as an expert helps you to publicise your business, as well as positioning you as an authority in your field. Think about ways that you can appear as an expert. Tell newspaper and magazine journalists that you are available to comment on certain subjects relating to your business, offer yourself as a radio panellist, and tell TV producers that you’re available as an expert in whatever your specialist subject is.
Now you know that PR doesn’t have to cost the earth, have a think about what things you can do that are free or low-cost to help publicise your business. Need some help or guidance? Try my DIY PR Products.
Got a comment or query? Leave me a message below…
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