Advisers and consultants specializing in public relations management.
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Public Relations Consultants
How to find the right PR agency or consultant for your businessBy Frances Sharpe, freelance writer/editor There's no doubt that publicity and public relations are powerful marketing tools for your small business. If you've decided to step up your PR efforts, or you want help publicizing a new business, you may want assistance from an expert. Choosing the right PR consultant or agency can help your company achieve star status, but selecting the wrong one can be a costly mistake.
Knowing what to look for in a consultant or agency will help ensure that your PR campaign is a success. Outsourcing this task will also cost more than doing your own PR, so be prepared to set aside money for an effective and ongoing public relations effort.
A PR consultant can:
- Build awareness about your company
- Promote the launch of a new product
- Handle media relations
- Provide media training and coaching
- Conduct market research
- Arrange and coordinate speaking engagements
- Create and coordinate contests and promotions
- Create press releases, press kits and other publicity materials
Define your objectives
Are you seeking PR for a one-time product launch, to increase awareness or for an ongoing campaign? Your specific needs will narrow the field.
Try:
Defining objectives is easier with Goal Setting Guide's tips on SMART goals or with its GoalPro software. Find strategies for setting realistic goals at MindTools.com. Publicity Builder, from Jian software, can help you define PR goals.
Choose between a full-service, boutique or local agency
Large PR firms handle a broad spectrum of public relations activities; boutiques specialize in either an industry, such as the tech industry, or in a specific activity, such as online PR. Unless you're launching a major ongoing campaign, most small business PR needs can be served by a specialty boutique.
Try:
Find listings of PR agencies by specialty or geographic location at O'DwyerPR.com. Additional directories can be found at Yahoo! Directory or PR.com.
Set your budget
Many PR firms require a monthly retainer for ongoing PR efforts; others bill hourly; some request a flat fee for a one-time event or project. Find out what's included in that fee and if you will also be charged for expenses.
Try:
Get help planning how your PR efforts fit into your overall budget with financial software, such as QuickBooks or Prophix.
Judge experience
Choose a consultant with experience in the type of PR efforts you need, whether it's publicizing a grand opening, creating and administering a contest or writing press releases.
Try:
If you aren't sure what to look for when judging press releases, Press-Release-Writing.com reveals the basic elements every press release needs to include and offers a sample press release.
Track activities and measure results
Your PR firm should provide you with detailed updates of the activities performed on your behalf – calls to the media, press releases written and sent, email blasts and more.
Try:
Microsoft offers a simple PR return-on-investment chart for download. It can help you measure the effectiveness of your PR efforts compared to what you would have spent for similar exposure via advertising.
- Some agencies will send out their head honchos to pitch their services to you but will hand off your account to a junior agent once they land your account.
- When meeting with PR agencies, always determine who within the agency will be handling your account and be sure to include them in your meetings.
- Many PR firms will ask for a three-month or a six-month contract.
- Designate someone in your office – it could be yourself – to be the main contact for the PR firm and to coordinate efforts and provide support.
- Look for a firm that has experience with small businesses.
- If you're the smallest client at a major agency, you may not get as much attention as you deserve. You may get more bang for your buck if you're a big fish in a small pond.
Find Public Relations Consultants For Projects, Phone Consults, Q&A
Providing campaign strategies and communication plans since 1998.
Grab these 3 proven lead generation power tactics absolutely free
Corporate communications counseling firm, specializing in media training and crisis communications management.
http://www.ammermanexperience.com/
High-tech public relations agency, specializing in the information and telecommunication industries.
An independent communications consultancy providing financial communications and media, public and investor relations. Based in London.
Company provides communications training tow work with the media, deliver presentations, present legislative and regulatory testimony and offer webcasts.
Agency that provides services in speech writing, media relations, government relations, special events promotion, strategic communications consulting, crisis consulting and reputation management, content creation for web sites, newsletter and brochures.
Consulting resource for emerging companies, corporate enterprises and leading public relations agencies. Services range from corporate positioning, ideation, and brand development strategies to tactical PR execution.
http://www.brandoncommunications.com/
An international corporate and capital markets communication firm with offices in offices in New York City, Los Angles and affiliates in Washington DC, Sweden and London.
Canadian Public Relations Society
Services include information on careers, accreditation, ethics, membership, services, upcoming events. Based in Canada.
A public relations, public affairs and marketing communications firm located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Communications specialist that researches, creates, publishes and distributes programs and materials to help organizations communicate with employees and customers.
Speech writer, coach and creative consultant. Also provides presentation skills workshops.
http://www.comercommunications.com/
Services in public relations, crisis management, political consultancy and event organizing located in Rutherglen, Glasgow.
Company provides strategic communications and marketing consulting services. Also a full service advertising agency.
Creative Communications Consultants Inc
Company specializing in industrial and technical marketing communications, advertising and public relations agency. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Consulting company specializing in media training, media contacts, video news release and press kits.
Resource development and public relations consultancy, provides a full range of services for educational, cultural, social service, trade, and professional organizations worldwide.
International political and business consulting firm with particular expertise in crisis management, strategic communications counseling, political risk analysis and public affairs counsel.
Offer expert public affairs advice; competitive intelligence assessments and research; strategic positioning; speech, debate and media training. Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
http://www.getusconsulting.com/
Consultants in communications strategy, issues management, training and coaching, crisis prevention and consequence management, risk communication and public involvement.
Government Relations, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
A worldwide consulting firm in consumer marketing, financial institutions, government relations, technology and natural resources.
http://www.gpcinternational.com/
Grand New Media Public Relations
Creator of customized public relations campaigns including events, executive speaking opportunities, trade show support, media tours and investor relations strategy.
Corporate communications consultant providing financial and corporate media relations, investor relations, ebusiness marketing and public relations.
Graphic Designers and Public Relations Consultants
A full-service agency providing consultation and planning, communications audits, message development, copywriting and editorial, graphic identity and design. Based in New Haven, Connecticut.
Heneghan Public Relations Consultants
A full service company offering public relations consultancy and strategic advice. Based in Ireland.
A consulting firm, located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, specializing in marketing, public relations and advertising.
http://members.aol.com/j1f1miller/jmkt1.htm
Freelance writing firm provides Web content creation, PR and marketing communications services to the high technology, travel/tourism, finance and other industries.
http://www.jmbcommunications.com/
Kingfisher Public Relations Consultants - PR & Marketing services ...
A United Kingdom based public relations and marketing consultancy specialising in technology.
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/kprc/
Agency providing public relations and marketing services to technology and office products companies throughout the United Kingdom.
http://www.kingfisherpr.co.uk/
Consulting firm providing strategic communications services. Publisher of corporate communications, public relations and leadership development newsletters. Also, produces communications conferences, workshops and senior-level forums.
Strategic community relations consulting and research firm with particular expertise in designing, implementing and managing strategic community relations and corporate social investing programs.
http://www.lbg-associates.com/
Public relations counseling firm providing public relations services, crisis planning, issues management and opinion research.
Full-service strategic campaign, research and communications group for unions in the US. LRA Consulting's economists, policy analysts, labor specialists, media and PR experts, researchers, and campaign coordinators are available to unions at all levels.
Management consultants in communication provides three types of services; strategic guidance for senior management, hands-on direct action to resolve specific issues, problems, or conflicts on management's behalf, and coaching for individual success and o
Strategic communications consultancy providing services in television and video production, simulation exercises, media and presentation skills training, editorial services and Internet communications.
Executive search and management consulting firm specializing in corporate communications and public relations. Based in New York.
http://www.marshallconsultants.com/
Strategic communications and media consulting company, providing political and corporate clients with comprehensive strategies. Services include strategic planning, message development, communications strategies, creative advertising, media production and
Full service advertising, media buying and public relations consulting services. Provides techniques in marketing, sales training, sales seminars and workshops.
http://themediamentorgroup.com/
Independent communications consultant, specializing in high-tech public relations.
http://www.michellegarrett.com/
Company provides consulting services, communications planning, issues management, change and conflict, internal communications, crisis services and specialized training.
Morris Capital Markets Communications
Consultancy providing investor relations consulting services.
http://www.morriscapmarkets.com/
Provides publicity service for publicists, internal public relations specialists, and local public relation firms. Based in Maxwell House News/Media division of McGallen & Bolden.
Consultancy providing services in marketing communications, internal and corporate communications, crisis management, media relations and public affairs. Associates of Hill and Knowlton.
Information on agility, change proficiency, knowledge management, continuing education, collaborative learning and change management.
Offers public relations, public affairs, advertising, market research, media training and crisis management consulting services. Based in Ireland.
http://www.parkcommunications.com/
Do-it-yourself public relations firm with online tools, training, templates, guides and materials to generate press coverage and manage crises.
Consultancy provides services including media relations, internal communication, Internet communication, crisis communications and media monitoring.
Professional Communications Exchange (PCE)
Network of Orange County public relations consultants, freelance writers, graphic designers and other marketing communications professionals. Biographies and contact information provided.
http://www.thecommunicators.org/
Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA)
Features include an online referral system, PRJobSeek, recruitment services, public relations industry and member consultancies directory, public relations related publications, and information on training, education and overseas public relations.
http://www.martex.co.uk/prca/index.htm
Company provides services in public and media relations, writing, marketing, and project management.
http://www.marketingandpr.com/
Marketing consultancy offering exhibit, trade show and event marketing services to corporations and exhibit producers.
Provider of speechwriting and business communications solutions.
Consultancy specializing in strategic marketing, advertising, public relations and multimedia.
http://www.strategixadvertising.com/
Specializes in the management of PR agency reviews and searches, communications audits, program evaluation and the optimization of agency/client relationships.
http://swerlingassociates.com/
Provides communications consulting and training, including media training, message development, speech coaching and crisis response.
Consulting company specialized in behavior-oriented planning and communications for health, nutrition, family planning and environmental programs.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/manoffgroup
Townsend Raimundo Besler & Usher
A public relations, public affairs, and political consulting firm located in Sacramento, California.
A network of women consultants based in Washington D.C., who provide services from book promoting to fund raising to proposal writing.
http://www.consultingwomen.com/
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Public Relations Consultants
Having the right public image for your business is more important in today's information age than ever before. With customers well versed in the impact of word-of-mouth advertising, their impression of your business can make or break you. Hiring public relations consultants is one way to make sure the image your business projects is the image you want.
Public relations consultants can help you design the attitude and image your want your business to have. Are you a young and hip entrepreneurship? Or perhaps you can offer an older clientele just the right amount of elegance and maturity in the services you offer. Either way, you probably don't have enough hours in the day to ... more
Having the right public image for your business is more important in today's information age than ever before. With customers well versed in the impact of word-of-mouth advertising, their impression of your business can make or break you. Hiring public relations consultants is one way to make sure the image your business projects is the image you want.
Public relations consultants can help you design the attitude and image your want your business to have. Are you a young and hip entrepreneurship? Or perhaps you can offer an older clientele just the right amount of elegance and maturity in the services you offer. Either way, you probably don't have enough hours in the day to spend working the crowds and pressing the flesh of every potential customer who comes along. That's where a good PR consultant can truly help you succeed. In fact, some even offer services to monitor your social networking page for your business, keeping the juices flowing and the contact list growing.
There are many styles of public relations experts. The important thing is to find one that fits you, and your business, in a manner that is going to be mutually beneficial to both of you.