Public Relations is an extremely effective promotional tool, however, hiring a PR professional is often not immediately feasible for new business owners. Consider me your PR Fairy Godmother as I provide a few DIY (Do-It-Yourself) PR tips! Please note: Public Relations is a specialty profession, so definitely consider hiring a PR expert if/when your budget permits. Having PR representation by a credible & experienced professional is priceless!
1. Create a Measurable PR Plan:
As with any facet of your business, you have to clearly define your PR goals, objectives, target demographic, messages and timelines. What exactly do you want to get out of these efforts? More awareness or credibility? How will you measure the success of your campaign? What strategies or tactics will you use? When does the campaign begin & end?
2. Find The Goldmine:
Find exactly where your target demographic is, so that you can assure your messages and efforts reach them directly. What sites do they visit regularly online? Which social media outlets do they spend the most time on? What are they doing offline? What phone apps do they use the most? What social activities do they enjoy? How do they generally find out about services or businesses similar to yours?
3. Be Creative:
A creative approach to DIY PR is two-fold. First be creative with how you are presenting your business. It isn’t enough to simply make great cupcakes…but what makes your cupcakes more memorable and different than the hundreds of other bakeries? Secondly be creative in your strategies to gain the attention of potential consumers & media. For example you could perhaps sponsor your cupcakes for a local non-profit event and invite a news outlet to cover it. (GivingIsGlam.com is an awesome choice!)
4. Always Announce:
Anytime there is something newsworthy happening with your company – announce it through all of your channels. Did Fox News cover the nonprofit event you sponsored cupcakes for? Repost the link and perhaps even include a link to the Fox coverage in your email signature! Did Kontrol Magazine select you as the official dessert partner for their release event? Announce this and post a link to the photo-recap of the event with key images of your cupcakes. This creates repeat impressions among your demographic and helps solidify your brand as the go-to entity.
5. Use the Hook:
Holidays or trending news topics can provide host to a number of creative hooks to incorporate with your PR plans. Is Valentines Day approaching? Perhaps make an anti-Vday cupcake flavor for singles and pitch your new creation!
To coordinate a complimentary PR consultation email: PR@LillieMaePR.com
Lillie Mae PR is an Atlanta-based Agency specializing in PR, Event, Media and Branding initiatives of all facets. Previous clients and efforts include Xbox Kinect Sports Ultimate Tour, Microsoft PR Power Up Series, UPTOWN Magazine’s PROJECT13, Powerpreneur Spotlight Series, Celebrity Choreographer CiCi Kelley, Celebrity Chef Rob Gayle, American Idol’s Anoop Desai, Grammy-nominated producer Miykal Snoddy & more. www.LillieMaePR.com
