This is the first blog of our new website so I thought I would get straight to the point and give my thoughts on a question we often get asked – either directly or indirectly – why do I need PR?
We work with a lot of start-ups and SMEs across the health, wellness and lifestyle sectors and it’s important to us that companies understand the value they are getting from working with a PR agency.
Here are our top 5 reasons on why it’s important to invest in PR.
Credibility
The one thing that PR can offer you is a route to brand credibility. A sustained PR strategy and consistent media coverage will build your brand’s integrity over time. Editorial coverage, whether in print or online, is believable commentary that existing and potential customers will trust. It helps to drive word-of-mouth recommendation for your product, brand, company or service.
- Cost effectiveness
In good times and turbulent times, PR can be one of the most cost-effective tools in the marketing mix. I’m not devaluing it, but it’s true. PR will often deliver a higher return on investment and is the most effective way to build a product, brand or service’s profile and credibility.
- Longevity
Throw away the vinegar because that old saying ‘today’s newspapers; tomorrow’s fish and chip wrappers’ couldn’t be further from the truth. In our 24/7, online, digital age, media coverage has longevity. Online content is there to stay and with continued likes and shares, your coverage lasts longer than ever before.
- Own your own narrative
By committing to PR, you are committing to taking ownership of your own narrative. When people ask me why they should invest in PR, the answer that always pops into my head is ‘why wouldn’t you!’. Why would you let others fill in the blanks, jump to conclusions and steal that piece of coverage which would have been yours.
- Protect your reputation
Once you’ve built up credibility and a good reputation you don’t want to lose it. But with the best will in the world, things can go wrong. And those things can find their way to the press and because of social media, it’s out there faster than ever before. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you need to be in a safe pair of hands. A good PR agency will manage and protect your reputation in good times and if needed, times of crisis.
One final thought…
A fine wine leaves its legs in the glass. A good PR gives you legs to stand on.
