Using a PR company versus learning how to get your own publicity

Have you thought of hiring a PR company to help raise the profile of your pet business?Maybe you've thought about how you'd like to get publicity, so for your product or service to be featured in newspapers, magazines, on the radio or TV but felt unsure of how to go about it.If that's the case, then you may have considered hiring a PR company or consultant to help you achieve this.But there are lots of things you can do as a small business owner to get publicity on your own.You don't need to hire anyone to do it for you. It just takes a little research and strategy and you can learn how to approach journalists and give them what they want.In this episode I cover the differences between using a PR company to promote your business versus learning how to get publicity for yourself.Plus the pros and cons of both options so you can make a decision that's right for you.Key topics and timings in this episode:0.30 - Introduction to the episode and why I'm talking about the two options2.15 - Remember - getting publicity doesn't have to cost you a penny!2.26 - My background - in case you’ve stumbled across the episode and aren’t a regular listener!4.06 - How it works with hiring a PR firm or doing it yourself5.45 - The cost involved for both options6.52 - Examples of pet businesses who have secured publicity for free - Joe Collings and Rachel Rodgers 7.58 - My DIY programme and when the next launch is (may 2021)8.36 - Time and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 9.51 - Generating ideas for stories and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 14.30 - Finding publicity opportunities and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 19.32 - Dealing with journalists and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 22.50 - What happens in a crisis and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 26.26 - Developing skills to promote your business and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 29.19 - Your PR goals and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 31.31 - Social media and the difference between hiring someone to do your PR and doing it yourself 32.57 - Pros and cons of both options36.19 - Why it’s important to find a PR company with a proven track record of dealing with pet businesses39.40 - Book recommendationsLinks mentioned in this episode:Pay per result firm Sanity Marketing - find out more here.Write On Time is run by former journalists Christian and Michelle Ewan where you pay them to write a press release and put it out for you to suitable publications.The cost for this is £549 and you can find out more here.Books on publicity - I would recommend the following:Your Press Release is breaking my heart by Janet Murray - buy here on Amazon*.Hype Yourself by Lucy Werner - buy here on Amazon*.PR School by Natalie Trice - buy here on Amazon*.Publicity Tips for Pet Businesses by ME! - buy here on Amazon*.Listen or read the interview with Jill Foster, co-founder of FeatureMe here.How to win press coverage from Facebook Groups with Jill FosterHow Karen secured more than 30 pieces of publicity in a year.You can book in for a Power Hour here.If you’d like recommendations on PR companies who have a track record in helping pet businesses get coverage, do feel free to message me.And if you’d like to discuss whether the membership programme is right for you, you can book a free 15 minute discovery call here.