PR for Startups - 12 PR tips to help startups get profile and get noticed. http://www.prcoach.co.uk/pr-for-startups/

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PR for Startups – 12 Tips
by Debbie Leven
PR Coach

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1. PR is just one part
Never forget that PR is just one part of
your marketing. It needs to support, and
be supported by, your other marketing
efforts.

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2. Define your objectives
You must define what you want your PR to
do. Otherwise, how can you put
evaluation in place and assess whether
you have been successful?

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3. Know your audiences
Research your audiences – where do they
go for their news and information? Who
influences them?

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4. Define your key messages
Your key messages set out the key points
you want to get across. You need these to
ensure consistency in communication.

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5. What’s your story?
Set down the ‘back story’ to your business –
why you set it up, your own experience.
This is all information that will help to
provide background for journalists and will
be of interest.

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6. Do your research
You need to know who the influencers are in
your industry, the key press and media, the
bloggers, the important events that take
place, relevant forums.

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7. Do your preparation
Prepare for speaking to the media. Produce
materials, such as your press kit, in advance.

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8. Push me, pull me
Push me - be proactive and approach
journalists and bloggers.
Pull me - make it easy for them to find you
when they want information and comment,
get into their contacts books.

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9. Develop a calendar
Maintain your profile with activity over the
long-term – proactive and reactive.

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10. Understand news
If news announcements will play a part in
your PR then you must understand what
journalists want – human
interest, impact, change, the benefits
something will bring. A sales pitch won’t get
you anywhere.

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11. More than press releases
Contributing articles, guest blogging, speaker
opportunities, attending and hosting events,
exhibitions, social media – they, and more,
have a role to play in raising profile, don’t
forget them.

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Don’t get down-hearted if your press and
media efforts don’t get instant results. It can
take time. Journalists receive many
hundreds of emails and approaches. So,
stick with it.
12. Kiss the frogs

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Summary
1. PR is just one part
2. Define your objectives
3. Know your audiences
4. Define your key messages
5. What’s your story
6. Do your research
7. Do your preparation
8. Push me, pull me
9. Develop a calendar
10. Understand news
11. More than press releases
12. Kiss the frogs

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For more information and help, see:
• PR for startups: 12 top tips to make your business famous
(blog covering points in this presentation in more detail)
http://www.prcoach.co.uk/pr-for-startups-12-tips-for-making-your-business-
famous/
• Press release template in word
http://www.slideshare.net/debbieleven/press-release-template-word
• PR audit – find out why your PR isn’t working
http://www.prcoach.co.uk/pr-help/
• 5 top tips for press release success
http://www.prcoach.co.uk/5-top-pr-tips-to-get-press-release-success/
Connect with me on Twitter: @debbieleven
Connect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieleven