As you would expect of someone passionate about the power of PR, my eye was instantly drawn to a recent headline entitled ‘8 Reasons Not to Hire a PR Firm’. I read on with some trepidation and whilst I obviously did not agree with the overriding principle, some of what the author had to say did actually make sense to me. So here are my 8 reasons to hire a PR agency …
1. An investment
As with all things in life, there is good and bad in the PR world. Before investing time and money you must do your research and select an agency based upon their experience and knowledge of your industry. A good PR agency is about more than good media contacts and generation of column centimetres. They must understand your market, speak your language and offer advice that enhances your brand.
2. An extension of your business
A good PR agency is more than simply a service provider but a true partner invested, as you are, in the long-term success of your business.
3. Measurable return on investment
PR is all too often considered woolly and un-measurable. This could not be more wrong! A top PR agency will work with you to set realistic targets, objectives and goals and work in tandem with you to achieve them. A good PR agency is money well spent, delivering measurable ROI and ensuring that every penny you spend with them achieves results.
4. Push the boundaries
PR professionals are a talented bunch with specialist knowledge of your market and their finger firmly on the pulse of latest developments. They know the key thought leaders and how to reach them with your message. They are enthusiastic, energetic, entrepreneurial and willing to push both their own boundaries as well as yours to achieve results
5. More than just press releases
Top PR agencies deliver much more than traditional PR. Press releases, bi-lines and face-to-face communications are all still highly valid skills but agencies also have digital and social media capabilities and can advise you as to the best way to harness these tools to increase your visibility and achieve your objectives
6. Future-proof your business
A top PR agency is focussed on the company you will become and not the company you are today. They will work hard to constantly move you forward and keep you front-of-mind with key influencers. They can help you define where you are, where you want to be and how to get there.
7. An asset to journalists
A good PR agency is one that time-challenged journalists value when looking for a unique angle or an entirely new and exclusive story. They can get quick answers to questions and by working with them those answers, angles and stories will come from you.
8. Affordable
Dedicated communications professionals provided by a top PR agency can come at a far lower cost than an internal hire of the same level. Additionally, they can be scaled up and down as requirement and budget ebbs and flows. They also have access to resources that would be costly for you to provide to your employees.
If you’re looking for a PR agency that can tick all the above, then why not contact the team at Spotlight Communications to find out more about the services we can provide at pr@spotlightcomms.co.uk , call us on +44 (0)1252 781636.