Do it Yourself Public Relations: To DIY or not to DIY your PR
Whether you run a large organization or you’re self-employed, you’ll find that a little public relations goes a long way in getting your name out there. Thanks to the Internet, do-it-yourself PR is easier than ever, so here are some ways you can self-publicize.
Learn the PR Basics
Although it seems easy, PR has a lot of small details that you’ll want to pay attention to. For example, if you plan on contacting any news organizations, from the local paper to an international news corporation, an editor or reporter is going to expect a standard format press release. You’ll want to learn how to properly reach out to media outlets by email, too.
Create a Social Media Account
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to promote yourself or your business is to create a social media account. There are plenty of social networks out there, and a lot of people using them, so you’re sure to find an audience that could be interested in what you have to say. Careful not to spend too much time online, though, or you might lose sight of whatever it is you’re promoting.
Buy Advertisements
Ads are still good promotional opportunities, and there are tons of different ways you can get started. You might choose to focus on one medium, such as television or print, or go for a wider-ranging approach. Just be mindful of budgets. You don’t want to blow all your finances on ineffective promotions.
Get a Professional PR Rep
Sounds like a lot of work, right? That’s because it is. If you’re probably unfamiliar with the ins and outs of public relations and try to go about things your own way, you might be setting yourself up for some PR backfire. Good PR representatives and agencies are educated in the art, and they know more than just the basics of promotions. Because they’re trained for all types of situations, they know how and when to handle them most effectively.
If you aren’t a plumber, would you trust yourself to fix your pipes? Maybe you would, but you’d run the risk of flooding your home. The same concept applies to doing your own PR work. Yes, you might be able to get some things done yourself, but at the end of the day, you’ll be putting yourself at risk of doing things the wrong way. PR professionals might cost you a little money, but in the end, they’ll get the job done the way it should be done.
