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
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
What makes a good media release and how do you... Read More
If you own a franchise and have company vehicles, be... Read More
Tracking your correspondence with reporters, via phone or email, is... Read More
There are all kinds of smart moves professionals can make... Read More
New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because... Read More
Done right, it delivers the key, target audience behaviors you... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
The easiest way to meet city council members is to... Read More
Sure, as tactics usually presented to business, non-profit and association... Read More
Most business, non-profit and association managers live to tell about... Read More
UNDER FIREA friend whose organization is often in the media... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More
It can bite you and waste your public relations budget... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
Many people are intimidated by radio interviews, whether live or... Read More
As the year starts to wind down, many businesses and... Read More
It's safe to say that we live in interesting times.... Read More
You bet! And in three ways vital to you as... Read More
The message is determined by analyzing the brand being marketed,... Read More
And the best way to mind your own business is... Read More
There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More
You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More
Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out... Read More
Is that what we are? Fanatic, over-the-top disciples of some... Read More
Excerpted from "Selling Goodness- The Guerrilla PR Guide To Promoting... Read More
Business, non-profit and association managers committing their public relations resources... Read More
Public Relations (or P.R.) is a wonderful, yet often overlooked... Read More
To get someone's name in the newspaper or a product... Read More
School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More
Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More
When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether... Read More
You've probably noticed, if you live on this planet, that... Read More
Could be, when unit managers in businesses, non-profits and associations... Read More
You can if, as a business, non-profit or association manager,... Read More
The public relations goal and strategy make sense; the message... Read More
It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More
Managers, please take a minute and read two sentences: People... Read More
Better check out the public relations fundamental premise, then take... Read More
You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More
In public relations, "junk" is more about attitude and lack... Read More
Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More
Think of a triangle. On the left, imagine the story... Read More
Everyone has an opinion on something, and you can leverage... Read More
While scoring anice story in BusinessWeek or USA Today is... Read More
Every organization has issues that could affect its operation. The... Read More
Public Relations |