It really is true that good PR takes time. We often find that small businesses can be impatient for PR to produce instant results, rather than thinking of a campaign as part of a long-term marketing strategy.
We always say to clients that you need to give it at least three to six months to see the benefit, and this benefit might not always be in the form of instant sales!
Getting credibility for your company is definitely a long-term investment that builds brand recognition, making you look more reliable and creating trust. Although it can be a slow burner, it will pay off in increased sales eventually.
So, when is the right time to start engaging in a PR campaign?
The answer is probably… right now! You might not think you have any newsworthy news, but as PR’s we are good at extracting the details and identifying stories in almost everything.
Perhaps that recent investment you have made in staff? We see the bigger picture of how that might make clients want to work with you.
Or maybe winning a new contract and shouting about it? It might seem like ‘bragging’ to you, but we see the benefit in shouting it. This helps to put you in the limelight and show that other customers trust you enough to work with you.
Your customers may actually be investors, suppliers or internal audiences. You want to catch their interest and encourage them to invest their time, money and resources – this needs communicating to them.
As long as we can answer the important questions of ‘Why are you doing what you are doing?’, ‘Why do people care?’ and ‘What do I want them to do?’, then we have a story to tell.
You might have already taken the step and engaged with a PR agency, but are holding out for a big news story to hit, in order to get started. But, there is no better time than the present.
PR can take time to build up, and we know the most effective profile building pieces to work on, in and amongst ‘big news stories’. It takes patience to build those relationships with key journalists, and for customers to really take notice of you.
Consistency is really important, especially for small businesses that often lack the name recognition of larger companies. PR helps to keep things consistent, creating a positive image of your company that you can share with the public.
So, what are you waiting for? There’s no better time than the present to get started with a PR campaign to get your stories and name out there! Contact us today to see how we can help you.