Public Relations For Your Small Business
**Please note: This is a replay of a previously recorded 3-part workshop.**
Acclaimed PR expert Ellyn Winters-Robinson of Ignition Communications will lead you through interactive sessions that will help you understand the ins and outs of PR and why PR should be part of every small businesses’ marketing mix.
Session 1 - Why Consider PR as Part of Your Marketing Mix?
In this session we’ll revisit the basics of marketing and PR and explore some compelling reasons why PR should be part of your marketing plan.
The Basics of Marketing and PR
1. Who are your primary, secondary audiences?
2. What do you know about them (demographic, psychographic) and how do they want to engage? What do they read? Where do they gather online?
3. What are your competitors doing?
4. What makes you different, unique, weird or quirky (yes that works)
5. What action are you looking to drive? Sales (online? Bricks and mortar?), foot traffic, brand awareness, WOM?
Six Reasons to Consider Adding PR to Your Marketing Mix
1. It stretches your budget
2. It’s more effective than advertising
3. PR adds value to traditional marketing
4. Good PR strategies can prevent problems
5. PR boosts brand visibility
6. Creates long-lasting relationships
PR versus advertising: which is for you?
The PR workflow
PR pitfalls
Session 2: PR is NOT (just) media relations
Is PR just about getting a story in your local paper? In this second workshop session we’ll talk about the true power of PR in reaching a variety of external stakeholders and how it is so much more than simply talking with a reporter.
Definition of PR
Who are your stakeholders?
What are your communications channels?
What skill set do you need?
How do you measure your performance?
You as the influencer..
Building relationships is a long game
Session 3: Media Relations 101
In this final session we’ll take a deep dive into media relations exploring earned and owned media, the types of media audiences out there, what defines a “good” news story, and the “art” of reaching out and working with reporters, bloggers and influencers.
Blogger outreach
Content marketing
Social media news release
Crisis communications
Types of media and why that matters
Publishers, editors, reporters, freelancers, bloggers, influencers - what’s the difference?
What defines news? What is a good story?
Is a press release your only tool?
How to approach an editor/journalist
What to do if a journalist calls you
Amplifying your news and capitalizing on coverage
Wrap Up - Making it happen
* Set SMART goals
* staffing - align skills with the plan and the target audience
* Budget
* Research
* Build a plan
* Monitor and measure