Manage Your PR With On-Demand Software. Take A Free Demo Today!
www.vocus.com
Experienced, Reliable, Affordable Media Relations, Speakers Bureaus
www.MS-Publicrelations.com
Advertise or Find PR Job Openings Seattle Tacoma Eastside Puget Sound
www.cmjobline.org
Public affairs-PR-Issue advocacy 12 yrs. influencing opinion leaders
www.kdcgroup.com
Discover, Measure, Analyze, Protect Get an SM2 Freemium Account Now
www.Techrigy.com
$30,000 In Free Gov Grants Never Repay! Get Your Free Kit.
Business.GrantFundingSource.com
Get up to $500K. Won't show up on your personal credit. Start Today!
CorporateCredit.biz
High Profile and High Stakes PR Protect your Brand and Good Name
www.levick.com
Guide to Starting a Public Relations Firm
A small boutique PR firm doesn’t require a lot of start-up capital, but can provide a measurable return1. Have an existing client base or choose your target base by size, geography or industry.
2. Make media contacts by inviting local editors and producers to coffee or lunch and asking how they choose their stories.
3. Join industry groups that provide continued education opportunities and resources.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Make friends, influence people
The key to being a successful publicist is the quality of your media contact list. Build up local as well as national media contacts that cover the industries that you plan to service.
I recommend:
Bacon’s Information provides access to information on hundreds of thousands of journalists and editorial opportunities that will help you get targeted results for your clients.
Join public relations industry associations
Joining the right public relations association can put you in contact with other agencies that outsource work to partner agencies. Associations also keep you up-to-date with industry tradeshows, awards competitions and trends.
I recommend:
Look into which organization fits your needs; the Council of Public Relations Firms, the Public Relations Society of America and the League of American Communications Professionals.
Media service companies
Familiarize yourself with several news service organizations that allow you to reach large segments of your target media, from internet media organizations to television, radio, consumer magazines and newspapers.
I recommend:
PR Newswire allows you to post press releases that target thousands of journalists and trade media outlets. The Gift List provides targeted listings for media contacts including their editorial needs for each gift season. Find additional press release services at Business.com.
Set up your office systems
Before you get started as a flack, you’ll need to set up your software systems and set prices and services.
I recommend:
Learn how to price your services, prepare new customer proposals and set up your office systems in the FabJob’s Guide to Become a Public Relations Consultant. To set up your software systems, check out the Business.com list of public relations software providers. PR Tools bundles PR templates, “how-to” guides and resources on one CD. Tools are available in a variety of formats including Word, PDF, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.
Subscribe to trade magazines
Keep abreast of industry trends by subscribing to at least one PR trade magazine.
I recommend:
PRWeek is the primary trade magazine for the PR industry.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- Join your local Chamber of Commerce to get instant access to small business owners who know the importance of good public relations.
- While writing your business plan, decide how you will charge your clients—by monthly retainer, project-by-project or hourly.
- When finishing an assignment, make sure to provide a results report of what media were contacted and the placements that were achieved. Often times public relations is the first item that is cut on a budget. By providing measurable results, you increase your chances of being retained or rehired for the client’s next project.
