Is PR worth it for a small business?

PR can be a really crucial and important tool when it comes to marketing and brand management for any business no matter the size. 

Small businesses may often feel like they’re struggling to make their mark when going up against larger competitors.

One major myth surrounding PR is that it is only for large and established businesses but that’s not true.

PR is a great cost-effective tool for smaller businesses in comparison to traditional tactics like advertising and it helps gain visibility and build trust with a particular audience.

PR for small businesses can be a great way to compete with bigger competitors and successful campaigns help build a small business more credibility. 

SEO and link building tactics can help secure relevant media coverage which will in turn help businesses rank higher in Google searches, boosting their profile.

In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the ways PR can be beneficial to small businesses and how they can use it to increase their visibility and strengthen their overall brand. 

It’s cost-effective

PR is a really cost-effective way of marketing and one of the best things about it is its potential for organic growth and reach. One successful campaign can snowball and get picked up by several news publications, giving your business much more exposure than one paid advert which often costs a lot more and will only put you in front of one kind of audience.

Customers are also more likely to view your brand as being more trustworthy by seeing subtle brand mentions within the media as opposed to paid ads with 64% of UK consumers sharing that they do not trust advertising they see on social media platforms. *

Gives you credibility

If you’re a small business, you may be struggling to compete with bigger competitors. PR can help get your business name out there whether it’s in a credible newspaper or magazine or it’s mentioned by an influencer reviewing your products. Not only is this going to give you more credibility but seeing your name used by reliable sources is going to make you much more trustworthy. 

Building credibility is key to a successful business, especially smaller ones. This is what will help build trust with consumers and enhance your reputation as your business grows, supporting your long-term success.

Fuels growth

The growth of a small business can often feel like it’s plateaued soon after reaching its initial peak. Many small businesses struggle to kick start their growth again after this and PR can be a great way to introduce you to potential new customers, bring that spark back and generate sales and interest again. 

PR makes your business more visible and credible which can help drive more traffic to your website and increase sales. Consistent and positive media coverage can also attract the attention of potential partners and investors. 

Strengthens your SEO 

Digital PR will help strengthen the SEO of your website, meaning you’ll be more likely to rank on Google when people search for terms and phrases relevant to your business. In other words, the more other websites link to yours, the more reliable you appear to Google which will then rank you higher in searches. This is a great way to help compete with bigger competitors in your field. If you're unfamiliar with SEO, it can be tricky to wrap your head around but a good PR team will take that stress away from you.

Helps you adapt and keep up with changes

Today’s world is an ever changing landscape and having a PR team can help you keep your business up to date with trends and cultural moments. PR professionals constantly stay up to date with the media landscape, they know what people are interested in and what stories journalists are looking for. Your expert knowledge combined with their PR skills means you’ll be able to capitalise on opportunities and stay ahead of the curve. 

It will position you as experts in your field 

PR professionals will be able to spot and create opportunities to help position you as experts in your field and showcase your knowledge. If a news story breaks relating to your industry, an experienced PR team will be able to spot reactive opportunities which offer your business the chance to share their expert opinion on the topic. This is a great way to position a business as experts who are relevant and always up to date.

Humanises your brand

Storytelling is a massive part of PR and it helps people form real connections to your business and establish long-term relationships. This is really important in today’s landscape where consumers are looking more at the values of a business and what they stand for. 

Maybe your product or service has changed someone's life for the better, or maybe you’re standing up and calling for change against environmental or social issues. PR can help you tell these important stories in an engaging way that resonates and sticks with your audience. 

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