Episode 71: How Small Businesses Can Use Press Releases to Build Trust, Visibility, and Sales

In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, to unpack the real value of press releases and why public relations should not be reserved for big brands with huge budgets.Mickie has spent more than 25 years helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups get visibility through strategic press releases that lead to media coverage, credibility, and business growth. And in this conversation, he shares exactly how it works behind the scenes.If you’ve ever assumed press releases were outdated, too expensive, or only useful for major company announcements, this episode will completely shift your perspective.Why being a small business is not a disadvantage in the mediaHow earned media builds trust and boosts credibility in a way ads cannotReal examples of small businesses seeing massive ROI from a single releaseHow to think strategically about what makes your business newsworthyOne of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that PR is not just a brand-building activity. When done strategically, it can create visibility, improve conversions, build trust with leads, and even open doors to major contracts and media opportunities.Mickie also explains why small business owners should think in terms of a press release campaign, not just one isolated announcement. He recommends brainstorming six to eight releases over time and testing different types of stories to see what resonates.Meet Our Guest: Mickie Kennedy is the founder of eReleases, a press release distribution service that has helped small businesses get their stories in front of journalists for more than 25 years. With a background in creative writing and a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed, Mickie teaches business owners how to create newsworthy stories that lead to real earned media coverage.Connect with Mickie: Website Free Masterclass: My name is Jennifer Kok, and I’m a profit and growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. I help women business owners make smarter, more strategic decisions so they can grow profitably, pay themselves consistently, and avoid burnout.Because the truth is, business owners make decisions all day long, but the ones that really matter are often the hardest ones. Should I hire? Raise my prices? Invest in marketing? Let go of a draining client? Expand, or simplify?Those decisions carry weight, and they can impact your time, your profit, your energy, and your long-term growth.That’s why I created the Focused Growth Collective, a virtual mastermind for women business owners who want support making the kinds of decisions that move a business forward. Yes, we talk strategy, but we also look at the bigger picture like mental load, health, profit, and long-term sustainability.My goal is to help women build businesses that pay them well, support their lives, and still feel worth leading 10 years from now.Connect with me:Website:Facebook:Instagram:LinkedIn:YouTube: