1) Do you NEED solid, consistant media exposure...week after week, or are you satisfied with "occasional" exposure? Now, this question alone is important... but not enough. The main component of this question is the IMPORTANCE of PR.
2) Do you have the internal staff and expertise to commit the internal resources to your PR efforts?
If you have the internal staff, and they understand Guerrilla PR principles, then there may be no reason to hire an outside agency.
Paradoxically, the busier you get, the easier it is to parlay, or "set aside" consistant, important PR activities. Don't get caught in that trap!
3) Finally, Public Relations is a craft that requires PASSION. You may need PR, and you may even have the people to conduct your PR campaigns, however, that's not enough.
In order to be truly effective, it's important that your PR campaigns are conducted with PASSIONATE CONSISTENCY.
Here's a quick "checklist" you can use to "size up" any PR firm you are considering to hire:
? Do you get along with the members of the firm? Hiring a PR agency is a collaboration that you can benefit from, month after month, year after year. Quality rapport is an essential ingredient.
? Are they realistic, in terms of managing your expectations, or do they promise you "pie in the sky"? It's one thing for a PR firm to promise you results. It's another thing for them to promise you "specific" results. Maybe you'd like to get on Oprah Winfrey from the start...so would everyone else.
Be prepared to take advantage of several secondary media opportunities before you get to the top tier.
Several base hits can score you more runs than going for grand slams every time.
? Is the PR firm creative? Creative PR people will be more likely to come up with more "angles" to test.
? Do they understand how to pitch your story? A progressive PR firm will be effective AND efficient at telling your story...thus, yielding you more media coverage.
? Do they listen to what you say? Let's face it...your PR needs are constantly evolving. Your PR firm should listen...and respond to your unique, evolving needs.
? Are they using a "hard sell" to get you to sign? A good PR firm is a busy PR firm. They don't need to sell you. Their track record will allow you to decide based on the evidence.
? Do they have local AND regional AND national media contacts? When you go to a great PR firm, they have cultivated several strategic media relationships, over many years of time. Are you confident that they have the necessary Rolodex? to place your story in front of the appropriate media?
? Did they outline a campaign game plan for you? You can predict the effectiveness of a PR firm by the soundness of their overall strategic approach.
? Have you seen samples of their work? Track record comes in the form of QUALITY of exposure, in addition to the QUANTITY of exposure.
? Do you believe they undersand your needs and goals?
? Do you feel that they will carry out your PR campaign with consistant PASSION?
Finally, ? Do you should feel comfortable with the fee and the contract? Getting good PR is a process. It requires well thought out plans, implemented with passion, and a focus on results in the form of getting your story told to the world.
So, whether you conduct your PR efforts from within your company, or whether you hire an outside PR firm...
If media exposure is valuable to you, then you will commit to PR as an ongoing, systematic part of your overall marketing mix.
Joe Nicassio designs marketing campaigns, and coaches entrepreneurs to improve their bottom-line profits. His website is http://rapidresultsmarketing.com.
To get your free CD "Joe Nicassio Reveals Marketing Philosophies And Secrets That Advertiser Don't Want You To Know" Send your snail mail address to http://rapidresultsmarketing.com
trusted cleaning company Bannockburn ..In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, any tool that... Read More
"We are in the communications business, the business of conveying... Read More
Imagine that you are a radio producer. You have to... Read More
While scoring anice story in BusinessWeek or USA Today is... Read More
Without a solid, well-designed foundation, few buildings successfully withstand the... Read More
Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
A common complaint you'll hear is that the media is... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, your public relations... Read More
As if making sure your company runs smoothly on an... Read More
The reason might be this simple: as a business, non-profit... Read More
Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More
"I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest... Read More
Press releases are one of the most cost-effective ways to... Read More
THE NATURE OF MEDIAThirty years ago, Marshall McCluhan, the father... Read More
Today's issue of Lean Marketing Champions features tips on doing... Read More
As the comedian Steve Martin once said, "some people have... Read More
I'm what we in the business (the "business" being journalism)... Read More
There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More
So, you've had your book published or you've gone the... Read More
When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More
When developing a publicity campaign for their business many owners... Read More
It could, but what if it doesn't?Will you be prepared?Will... Read More
The words are pop culture heroes.Movies such as "The Insider,"... Read More
luxury cleaning services Lake Forest ..Non-news professionals often have a hard time understanding why their... Read More
Ever get the feeling that your public relations program isn't... Read More
There are all kinds of smart moves professionals can make... Read More
Is your business looking for new and creative ways to... Read More
Everyone knows the value of free publicity. And given the... Read More
Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
You bet!Especially for business, non-profit and association managers who REALLY... Read More
When, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you are... Read More
When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More
When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More
Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More
Most small businesses do little to no public relations (PR)... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
"Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you... Read More
If a reporter was writing a story about you and... Read More
"Cindy, where's that story? I need it yesterday!""Coming right up,... Read More
We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More
The message is determined by analyzing the brand being marketed,... Read More
It's not unusual for clients of service providers to insist... Read More
Does it really make sense to bet your PR budget... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
Effective Media Relations Tips - What To Do After The... Read More
Publicity will take your financial planning practice, your business, and... Read More
Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More
Public Relations |