Public relations agencies in Maryland provide creative, cost-effective solutions for businesses seeking to increase visibility and profitability. PR agencies in Maryland utilize the media to generate awareness about industry businesses, providing credible, third-party media endorsements.

In most industries, reputation is a company’s biggest asset. PR agencies in Maryland will provide the experience, skills and resources to increase awareness of your company’s public image, ultimately increasing your business revenue.

Before beginning the selection process, it is important for your business to determine the objectives the Maryland PR agency will be helping to achieve. Set actionable and measurable objectives to best direct and evaluate your public relations agency.

When selecting a public relations firm in Maryland, research each agency and evaluate the following:

1. What experience does the Maryland PR firm offer relevant to your industry?

2. What skills will the Maryland public relations agency provide your business?

3. What is a competitive price for a Maryland public relations firm?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select PR Agencies in Maryland that specialize in your industry

Select public relations firms in Maryland who understand your industry and have relationships with local and national media contacts relevant to your specific industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Image One PR Consulting, LLC, specializes in healthcare, associations and nonprofits, housing and community development and transportation. Miles Public Relations provides lists of clients on each page of their website. Bonnie Heneson Communications, Inc. offers testimonials from past and present clients.

Hire Maryland PR firms with proven writing, pitching and event planning skills

Review the writing and pitching skills of public relations and promotions agencies in MD. Ask for writing samples, including press releases and bylined articles in national magazines. Evaluate the Maryland PR agencies' ability to organize creative events and special promotions to engage the media.

I recommend: Aduro, one of the leading PR firms in Maryland, offers a range of public relations services like analyst relations, bylined articles, crisis communications, media tours and positioning. A provider of strategic PR, Maryland-based Crosby Marketing Communications showcases an online portfolio of its client work. RMR & Associates, Inc., provides an impressive list of secured press results, including national, regional and local media. Sawmill Marketing Public Relations is one of the top Baltimore PR firms, evident in the agency's successful case studies.

Hire Maryland public relations firms that meet your budget

The majority of public relations firms in MD operate on a monthly retainer with a minimum time commitment, which is usually three months. Your business cost depends on the project scope and manpower required. When evaluating Maryland public relations agencies' fees, factor in the return on investment for your business.

I recommend: Tobin Communications, Inc. is an agency specializing in radio media tours and provides rate cards by request. Boscobel Marketing Communications, Inc. works on either project-by-project or long-term contracts, whichever best fits their clients' needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Examine the current client list to see if your Maryland PR firms' clients might cause a conflict of interest. Make sure that it is written into your contract that the public relations Maryland firm will not provide services to any competing business during the course of your professional relationship.
• •  Do not invite more than eight public relations, marketing and advertising firms in Maryland to participate in your agency selection process. The more public relations companies in Maryland participating, the more challenging it is to compare firms in a meaningful, valuable and productive manner. Limit finalists to two or three agencies.