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
move out cleaning service Glencoe ..Wherever the fundamental premise of public relations is practiced.Look at... Read More
Publicity will take your financial planning practice, your business, and... Read More
The most important thing to remember for any interview: stay... Read More
The power of public relations is its ability to alter... Read More
Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, your public relations... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More
Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More
Press releases are a useful tool for announcing news and... Read More
Well, autumn is upon us and with the onset of... Read More
Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top... Read More
Is your business looking for new and creative ways to... Read More
Imagine you're in the breakfast cereal business. You make the... Read More
Tracking your correspondence with reporters, via phone or email, is... Read More
THE TWO MINUTES UNDERDOGEdward Everett was one of the most... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you have a... Read More
This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because... Read More
If you leave a star player sitting on the bench,... Read More
Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More
No comment. These are probably the two most damaging words... Read More
Quality public relations does something positive for business, non-profit and... Read More
Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..HOW TO BE RELAXED AND EFFECTIVE ON-AIRHow does one stay... Read More
Always ask, "Is now a good time?"Deadlines in journalism are... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
How cool is this? You're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More
The annual detailing of the Kentucky Derby Train is an... Read More
Do editors of newspapers, magazines and online news sites really... Read More
So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More
This guide to "SEOing" your PR efforts can help you... Read More
OK, as a manager, your goal is to show a... Read More
Parties, videos, booklets and column plugs?Or public relations that does... Read More
A press kit is an essential press relations tool. While... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
Not a single reporter showed up at our news event.... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
UNDER FIREA friend whose organization is often in the media... Read More
If you're seeking to promote yourself or your new business... Read More
What do your customers say about your company?Would you let... Read More
? Don't wear all black. You'll look as though you're... Read More
It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their... Read More
Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More
If you own a franchise and have company vehicles, be... Read More
THE NATURE OF MEDIAThirty years ago, Marshall McCluhan, the father... Read More
When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More
Public Relations |