Whether you’re launching a new brand, working on behalf of a new client, or thinking about new ways to build buzz around your existing brand, a combined, creative approach can generate tons of attention without spending a single dollar.
And while PR budgets shrank 13% in 2020, it’s still possible for teams to implement a successful strategy with minimal help and minimal spend. The end result: more public awareness and an expanded reach to new customers.
Below are 7 tips I compiled--ones that we, at OnePitch, have implemented--that are easy to start with and proven to yield results for your public relations campaigns.
Nearly everyone is on social media these days, literally. 3.6 million people use social media globally and that number is expected to grow to 4.5 billion by 2025, according to Sprout Social. Here are a few more social media stats from Sprout Social:
It shouldn't come as a surprise that social media’s wide reach, and low cost, make it one of the most popular vehicles for information sharing and community building. When you’re considering which networks are most important, make sure you think about your audience and where they spend their time on social media. And, remember, you don’t need to have a presence on EVERY social network.
Another great way to generate buzz about your brand, or client, and engage your audience is through contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways. As Outgrow puts it, “Giveaways and contests are the millennial versions of interactive content types.” Here are a few stats linked to the blog above:
Here at OnePitch, we have a referral program where our users can win up to $100 per month when they refer colleagues and friends to sign up for a free account. To date, we’ve had over 1900+ referrals to our site. Another great example from our team is our giveaway opportunity for leaving a review of Coffee with a Journalist on iTunes. Each person who leaves us a review and sends us an email receives a free swag pack full of stickers, a magnet, and a keychain. It’s our way of saying thank you and aiming to drive more awareness about our show! (PS: click the link above :) )
For most business professionals, tools are a standard part of the job. And, like most of us do ourselves, when evaluating new tools or replacement tools paying close attention to reviews helps us understand what fits our needs best. Don’t be fooled either, there are tons of review sites for every sort of thing from Yelp to Google, to Angie’s List and Tripadvisor.
Here are a few stats on reviews from this blog on G2:
While it seems easy on the surface, receiving reviews from customers can be difficult at times. Make sure you implement an effective review generation strategy and make it as easy as possible for your customers to share their feedback.
Many of us are familiar with the countless webinar e-invites in our inbox--at least I am--and there’s a reason for this. Virtual events have become part of the norm even a year after the pandemic started and there’s no sign of them going away.
Here are a few stats Markletic noted from their recent B2B market survey:
When considering what kind of virtual event to host, listen to your customers first and foremost. What pain points do they experience? What have they told your customer success team, or sales team, they have trouble with when it comes to your product/service? You can also look at what your competitors are doing in terms of events and pull ideas for how you can make yours unique.
You should also think about other companies with who you can partner with whether it be for events, contests, and event sponsorships. A few of the benefits include low cost, brand alignment, brand recognition, and ultimately an opportunity to showcase your brand, or client, in front of a larger audience.
A few stats on partnerships outlined in this post by HubSpot include:
If you’re thinking about which brands to partner with consider ones that are complementary to your product or service as well as their audience. Also, remember that some partnerships are free but typically sponsorships come with a price tag.
We’re all familiar with the term, “thought leadership,” and if you aren’t here is a definition (and article) courtesy of John Hall from Forbes:
“Thought leadership isn't about putting your personal needs first — the purpose is to educate your audience, question the status quo, and become a trusted source for information.”
In the post, John outlines 6 key business goals including public relations. They are:
There are tons of tools and opportunities to provide thought leadership on a given subject. Popular services like HARO, provide you with daily requests directly from journalists and bloggers. A lot of companies are taking note of thought leadership and implementing strategies for owned content as well, even we do at OnePitch! You can find more information about contributing to our blog, The TypeBar, on this page.
Just as social media should come as no surprise, hopefully, media relations does too. It’s no secret that consumers' trust in paid media has declined over the years. Consumers now demand more authenticity and honesty from the brands they follow.
At OnePitch, media relations is our bread and butter and we know a thing or two about how to pitch journalists and get press coverage for your brand or client. Here are a few helpful blogs we’ve produced for easy reference:
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It takes a combined approach to build buzz around your brand and by implementing at least one of these tips on the list above, we’re confident you will get more eyes on your brand and, in turn, build the case for PR is vital to the success of your brand, or client.
Don’t forget, we’re most active on Twitter and Instagram, and you can find us on all other platforms @onepitchsaas!
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