Finding the best PR firm is up there with finding the perfect partner. In a digital sea of innumerable opportunities, it can be difficult to find the best SEO agency, the best PR firm, or the best web designer.
But, we're about to make the search much easier for you. If you start with your goals, get specific, and then move on to your budget, you'll have a strong foundation as you go out there and interview firms.
Not every PR agency is the same. So, be on the lookout for that, too. But, with your questions in hand and a specific goal in mind, you'll pair up with the right firm at the right time. Let's start formulating your game plan.
Your goals are actually more important than your budget. It's important to understand what you want to achieve with your PR firm before conducting any interviews.
Get specific here. Figure out what you want to accomplish. Do you want your company to grow as a whole? Do you want to market a specific product? Or, do you want to highlight an important event?
Questions like this are important because, once you have specific goals in mind, it will help you align with the right firm. You'll find there are many different types of firms. Some specialize in general communication; others work in crisis management; others deal in community management.
So, the more you hone in on what you need to achieve, the faster you can get to the one that will help your business succeed.
Here's another place you have to be firm. Although you're speaking to professionals who will help you succeed in a certain area, they are salespeople.
They'll pitch you what you need and more. And it's going to sound nice! But, remember to stay in line with your budget. Otherwise, you may be hurting your business, not helping it.
Pinpoint where the money is coming from and what percentage you're willing to dedicate. Decide if this will be a one-time investment or a recurring investment. With your goals in mind, once you start conversing with account managers, you'll be in a much better position to select the best PR agency.
Once you know what you want, find out what they can do for you. Start a search for a reputable firm. The best news here is, you're not locked into any one area. This is something that can be done with a remote firm.
Start with their web page. See if it's up to date. Check their blog; see if they publish current content. Do they have any strategic announcements in the pipeline?
Then, head over to the reviews. Check Trust Pilot, Glassdoor, Google, and all the other heavy-hitters. While there are always a few curmudgeons that sneak into every mix, by and large, the reviews are going to speak volumes.
Almost every site has an easy to find "Contact Us Today" section. Start setting up consultations with about three firms at a time. Whether they start with an email or a phone call, this is your entry point to see how they'll align with your goals.
You'll quickly understand if they're equipped to help you with your specific business needs. During these talks, be sure to get a clear understanding about pricing, previous experience, their proposed strategy for you, and their level of availability for you.
Don't get too caught up in the whole big firm vs. small firm debate. There are of course pros and cons to each side of the coin.
You need to assess large firms to make sure you won't get lost in the shuffle. Likewise, you need to assess small firms to make sure they have all the tools you need to succeed. Oftentimes, they do.
"We believe that every business deserves a world-class media relations agency by their side, providing personalized strategies and exceptional support. It's not about the size of the firm, it's about their dedication to your success." - Founder of Channel V Media
By this, we mean examine their digital marketing expertise. In truth, the distinctions between public relations and digital marketing are slight. The finest industry experts are those who are well-versed in public relations, social media, and search engine optimization (SEO).
As for SEO, there are ways to optimize each press release so it gets picked up by search engines. Certain keywords can be optimized along with other white hat techniques. So, this is definitely something you'll want to understand.
The folks at eReleases.com, for example, know that every good press release must not only be picked up by important news sites, but also by search engines. Before you know it, your written content can be dispersed throughout the nation, picked up over and over again.
While you're investigating their digital intelligence, you'll also be able to find out if you need to present the written content to them or if they'll produce and distribute it. Some firms will do the writing and distribution. Others are just there to help you distribute the content you already have.
Choosing a public relations agency with a strong communication foundation is essential. An excellent PR firm offers versatile communication channels. Customers can get in touch with them via a variety of methods, including phone calls, emails, and online chats. As a result, businesses can respond to consumer inquiries more quickly and improve their overall experience.
Aside from excellent customer service, the agency must be qualified and experienced to deliver your brand marketing message across all digital channels, including your website, social media, and business listings. Even if you have a strong brand message, lacking exposure leads to sales and marketing failure. Therefore, you should collaborate with a public relations agency that has a track record of developing effective communication strategies.
For instance, dealing with a communication & sustainability PR agency is one way to get closer to your target audience. It translates technical data and scientific terminology into easy-to-understand language for your target audience to relate to your brand’s sustainability message.
Expert PR agencies can excellently deliver brand messages using multimedia-ready visuals for digital press releases, client websites, sales presentations, digital brochures, and more. In addition, they offer full-service digital marketing, such as podcasting services and influencer relations, to help businesses express their voice and provide greater value to their customers.
The answer to this question will quickly be revealed through your research and talks. With your specific goals in hand, a stern budget, and a few interviews, you'll find yourself matched with the best PR firm in no time at all.
Remember to stick to your guns and look out for agencies that can produce killer content, write the best press release, and achieve your desired outcome.
As you continue to grow your business, we invite you to keep coming back to visit our blog. It's continually being updated, with your business success in mind.
