Public relations can represent valuable marketing opportunities for your startup, or it can cause you severe headaches. Widespread Internet access means that anyone can discover anything about your company, including the negative experiences and angry remarks dissatisfied customers talk about on social media. Your business must have a public relations strategy to help you spread awareness of your brand and maintain a good reputation. Use the following tips to get started.
Use Social Media
You might already use social media for marketing, but you can also use social sites as part of your PR campaigns. Make sure you promote all your company news via your social channels and publicize the achievements of your startup and staff. Whenever your firm hosts or sponsors a special event, get the news out on social media. Similarly, if a crisis or negative event occurs, address it head-on in a professional way. Let the world see how your company deals with such problems and you'll inspire confidence among the buying public.
Hire The Right Talent
You've spent a lot of time and money on your startup, so don't take chances trying to manage public relations on your own. A master’s degree in public relations will allow you to have the expertise needed to get your brand noticed and maintain its reputation.
Use Free Tools
Find a press release website that will distribute news about your company to outlets relevant to your industry and market. For free or a small charge, you can get news about your startup in front of influencers who can give authority to your brand and prospects who can become your customers.
Remember Traditional Methods
What did startups do for PR before the Internet? Join local business and industry associations and mingle with other business owners at their scheduled events. Networking with the people in your area who can publicize your company can pay off more than time spent on your online PR strategy.
Establish Your Expertise
Use your knowledge and experience to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Host free seminars for your community and make yourself available to media personalities who need expert input for local news and programming. As news about you and your startup spreads, you'll have a chance to share your expertise online. Make yourself available for interviews and guest blogging to continue making PR work for you.
Start building a solid PR strategy using the above tips. You'll notice that your company will steadily grow when you get the publicity you deserve.
