Hiring a PR professional can be expensive so here are a few 'do's' and 'don't's' to get you started. In the world we live in, technology has a massive part to play in the majority of any business and it is important we manage our online reputation accordingly.
Do
- Use relevant social media and networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest etc. Regular posts, even just once a week, will strengthen your online presence and help you connect with your target audience
- Include press releases and features on your current website.
- Add testimonials from clients and suppliers.
- Contact online magazines and blogs with news and ask them to link it back to your website.
- Establish if there are opportunities to become a guest blogger on other sites for additional links.
- Do check out your competitors and try and be a step ahead of what they are doing online.
- Post your news free on PRFire.co.uk or PRLog.org for other additional exposure.
- Reply to any messages, reviews or requests good or bad immediately, but always professionally.
- Write as many releases as you like, but ensure the Headline is eye-catching and not too generic.
- Brainstorm different ideas related to your business and get inspiration from other (non related) industries.
- If you are not comfortable writing your own reviews, find a freelance to help you for a more cost effective and professional result.
Don't
- Write any negative reviews about your competitors.
- Get a friend to write some 'bogus' testimonials, you are just cheating yourself.
- Just copy competitor's ideas, create your own brand identity.
- Email Spam messages to everybody, contact the PR contact directly to maximise your opportunity for a feature on their site.
- Don't hound editors for inclusions, but ensure the information you are sending is relevant to their site.
- Be afraid to try something new.