By Alexis Huerter, Account Manager at Evolve PR and Marketing –
Launching a new business is a thrilling journey, but it also comes with many challenges. While startups often focus on sales at the early stages, it’s just as important to focus on how to reach your target audience and build a strong, memorable brand that can outshine competitors. When starting a concept from scratch, you juggle a multitude of tasks, but public relations shouldn’t be overlooked.
PR can be a game-changer and play a pivotal role when it comes to connecting with potential customers and meeting their needs through the business. Here are five reasons why startups should invest in PR:
Get Your Name Out
Public relations will help introduce a startup and put it in the limelight when it enters their industry’s current market. When readers or viewers learn about the company through a trusted publication or news outlet, it can immediately build credibility between the public and the brand. This can help turn a potential customer into a paying customer when reputable outlets mention your business’ name.
Find Your Audience
As you get your name out to the public, public relations can help find and reach your specific customer base that will most likely invest in your product or service. PR doesn’t just help you get attention; it also helps foster a deeper connection with your target audience. Through storytelling and consistent media coverage, your brand can communicate its values, mission and unique selling points that can resonate with your primary customers. This can also build loyalty with your audience and make them an advocate for your business.
Cost-Effective Buzz
As you start to build your company, it can be tempting to pour money into advertisements and other paid placements. Earned media placements from well-known publications, interviews and press mentions can be more impactful for your audience. PR also has the potential to deliver long-term value, reaching the interest of a potential customer where paid ads are only pushed for a limited time. Publications also utilize social media and can post articles or TV interviews on their platforms, giving more exposure to the startup.
Attract Investors and Partners
As a startup, you might be looking into potential partners and investors, and PR can get you noticed. Placing positive messages in press coverage and positioning yourself as an industry leader to the public can help bring attention to your business, especially for investors who are looking for a new opportunity. PR can help craft tailored messaging to spotlight the startup’s expertise within its field, making your business more attractive for potential partnerships.
Crisis Management
Things might not go to plan when launching a startup. Whether it’s a product recall or negative reviews, public relations can help navigate these challenges and be transparent with your audience about the situation to protect your brand and its reputation. A clear, honest and timely message can maintain trust with your audience.
Need help figuring out how PR can work for your brand? Let’s talk.
Bringing people together through our relationships to promote and enhance their message to the world. Evolve PR and Marketing is a results-driven, full-service public relations firm that has been proudly ranked the number one public relations agency by Arizona Business Magazine for two years running. Located in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona, and expanding across the country, we’re here to elevate your brand, enhance your visibility, and create meaningful connections that make an impact.
