Five ways PR can help you grow your business
Are you looking for ways to spread the word about what you do and help people get to know you better? Here are five ways PR can help you grow your business.
There is no doubt that a one-size-fits-all formula for success does not exist in the business world, but one thing that can propel female entrepreneurs forward is the implementation of Public Relations (PR) into their comms mix.
While many women feel like being in the press isn’t for ‘someone like them’, especially during the early stages of a new venture, PR can actually be the secret sauce to boosting their success and elevating their expertise.
Here are five reasons why PR could be the magic you have been looking for.
1) Gain visibility and recognition
In a competitive and noisy marketplace, standing out is crucial and PR can really help you to showcase your unique stories, share your perspectives and comment on your experience.
Interviews, features, and thought leadership articles are all great ways to get in the spotlight and not only do these pieces help boost confidence but also build awareness among current and potential customers and investors. PR can totally help position you as a recognised industry leader and set the stage for success.
2) Tell your story and show your authenticity
So very often, female founders have stories about how they left employment and went to work for themselves, and these tales resonate with target audiences. By working on your story, and talking about your journey, struggles, and triumphs you can humanise your brand and make it relatable and authentic.
Retraining as a yoga teacher after being an accountant, setting up a law practice for women, and hiring space in a shop to sell the artwork you create on the side of a corporate role are stories which are loved by the press and ones that can also be used across your own social media efforts.
3) Get more access to funding
We all know that female founders face challenges when it comes to funding, but PR can help bridge this gap by attracting the attention of investors who are looking for opportunities from those who are willing to go the extra mile.
As above, PR campaigns and stories are a great way to highlight your vision, achievements, and market potential and this illustrates something extra in your bid for success that potential investors will take note of.
4) Build your ‘know, like and trust’ factor
We hear this all the time, but PR is a powerful tool for building and sustaining trust and loyalty among customers, partners, and stakeholders. Media coverage showcases your expertise, commitment, and values and if you consistently deliver valuable content in the press the perception will be that you are a credible and trustworthy source to follow and engage with.
Trust not only leads to increased customer loyalty but can help build strong relationships with suppliers, investors, and collaborators and excel growth and self-belief.
5) Grow your relationships
PR isn’t just about securing media coverage; it’s also about building relationships. Through PR efforts, you can connect with industry influencers, potential collaborators, and mentors and of course grow your journalist contacts who will learn they can trust you to deliver good content and images, on time. This is an art you can learn and fine-tune over time and one that will make you very popular with the press.
The reality is, not everyone is up for taking part in PR activities but if you really want to grow your business and build your brand, the opportunities are there for the taking. By harnessing the power of PR, you can break the barriers around visibility for all and inspire others to use publicity to build legacies and achieve entrepreneurial dreams.
Natalie Trice is a PR and media expert, author, and career coach and is hosting PR Live on 10 November.
She will be joined, virtually by three top journalists who will share the secrets to their success and how to write a great pitch that is opened and one which leads to exposure and long-term press relationships. You can get tickets HERE.
