A successful business is made up of lots of different segments. Each piece is an integral part of how it grows so if one is missed out, or isn’t working properly, that affects the whole business.
A business’s reputation is what people talk about. If it’s good, it will help the business grow. If it’s bad, it’s very difficult to overcome.
Public Relations (PR) is a vital segment of any business. It’s the relationship between a business and its customers. It will help you build a strong and lasting relationship with those who want to buy what you’re selling.
Good PR will help you build your brand and get the right people talking about you. But how do you find the right PR agency for your business? Just as good PR helps a business to flourish and grow, if it’s done badly, it could damage it beyond repair.
When you’re looking for a product or service, most people will ask the people whose opinions they value, for their recommendations. It’s the same when you are looking for a PR agency. Talk to colleagues in your area of business, or people in network groups you are part of and find out who they use.
Don’t be afraid to ask which firm people use. If the firm is good, they’ll want to shout about them. If they’re not, they probably won’t which will tell you all you need to know.
Alternatively, do some online research. A quick online search will help bring up PR agencies working in your sector, or local area.
Before you start looking for an agency, you need to work out what it is you want them to do. Are you looking to raise your business’s profile as an industry thought leader? Or are you looking for media placements to help get the word out about what you do? If so, where? Are you looking for national coverage, trade publications, or digital?
Not all agencies cover every aspect of PR. Therefore, if you’re looking for help with event management, you need to make sure the firm you contact offers this as a service.
So, narrowing down your PR goals will help you target the right agencies.
Research is a golden rule when you’re looking to buy a new product or service. There’s so much information available online in today’s world, so a few hours of research is time well spent.
Once you’ve found some PR agencies you’re considering, have a look at their website and find out what results they’ve delivered for clients. Do they have testimonials? If so, read them carefully. You could even get in touch with those who shared the testimonial and ask about the quality of service they’ve received.
Look at the agency’s social media accounts as well. What kind of content do they create? Is it inspiring? Does it resonate with you and your business? Whilst social media can never be a substitute for meeting someone face-to-face or speaking to them, it will give you a feel for what they’re about and whether they may be someone you want to do business with.
Finding an agency that specialises in your field will mean they know it inside and out. So, if you’re in the catering industry, look for Food and Drink PR agencies. Or if you’re a holistic therapist, look for Health and Beauty PR agencies that know how to connect you with your ideal clients.
There’s no substitute for speaking to someone in real life to find out if you want to work with them. First impressions count for a lot, and you’ll likely know quite quickly whether you want the person you’re speaking to, to help you build your brand and reputation.
Make a list of things you’d like to ask them before your call. You might not need to use them all, but having some things prepared in advance will help you ask the right questions.
Cost is an obvious topic you’ll want to talk about. But other things like the types of people and businesses they work with, what kind of campaigns they’ve run, how big the team is, and how communication works are all things that will help you decide if you want to work with the agency.
Before you sign anything, make sure the agency you are going to work with truly understand what you are trying to achieve.
A proposal isn’t written in stone so it can be tweaked and changed as necessary, but it should give you a clear idea of what you can expect.
If you are on the hunt for a PR agency in Essex, look no further as Orange is located in the city of Colchester.
Get in touch to find out how we can support your business and take it to the next level.
Come and see us...
Orange PR and Marketing
The Nursery
Layer Marney Tower
Roundbush Road
Layer Marney
CO5 9US
Orange PR and Marketing
The Nursery
Layer Marney Tower
Roundbush Road
Layer Marney
CO5 9US
Orange PR and Marketing
The Nursery
Layer Marney Tower
Roundbush Road
Layer Marney
CO5 9US