The dos and donts of online PR

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:

1. 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
2. Include press releases and features on your current website.
3. Add testimonials from clients and suppliers.
4. Contact online magazines and blogs with news and ask them to link it back to your website.
5. Establish if there are opportunities to become a guest blogger on other sites for additional links.
6. Do check out your competitors and try and be a step ahead of what they are doing online.
7. Post your news free on PRFire.co.uk or PRLog.org for other additional exposure.
8. Reply to any messages, reviews or requests good or bad immediately, but always professionally.
9. Write as many releases as you like, but ensure the Headline is eye-catching and not too generic.
10. Brainstorm different ideas related to your business and get inspiration from other (non related) industries.
11. 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:

1. Write any negative reviews about your competitors.
2. Get a friend to write some 'bogus' testimonials, you are just cheating yourself.
3. Just copy competitor's ideas, create your own brand identity.
4. Email Spam messages to everybody, contact the PR contact directly to maximise your opportunity for a feature on their site.
5. Don't hound editors for inclusions, but ensure the information you are sending is relevant to their site.
6. Be afraid to try something new.