Do Small Businesses Need PR?

In short, yes. It’s an outdated misconception that PR is this expensive, superfluous service geared for large companies to get their names into the media. But it really isn’t just about media presence, the clue is in the name - Public Relations: It’s about building relationships. We live in a world where credibility and trust are the highest currency and PR helps you build this in a cost-effective way. Getting noticed isn’t enough anymore; you need to establish your brand. Customers don’t just click on the first option at the top of their search engine anymore - they do their research and look for your name in other valid sources. So don’t wait till the next quarter, act on this now and use PR to help your small business grow.

You need to be seen and heard!

You could have the best product in the world but, if nobody knows about it, it won’t sell. You have to shout about your business because if you don’t, nobody will.

But it’s a crowded market. Customers are constantly hit with ads, social media posts, blogs, articles, emails and referral programs…it’s enough to give someone a headache. So you have to be strategic about which paths you take and what forms of marketing you want to invest your time and money in. That’s where PR comes in, it can help you get noticed in crowded markets and tailor messages to best serve your product.

Trust is earned

It’s not enough to have a good-looking website, today’s buyers are sceptical. They do their homework - they research what others are saying about you. When they find evidence that people outside your business trust you, your company looks a lot more reputable. When you are featured in a credible magazine or quoted by a trusted journalist, not only does it influence how people perceive you but it also tells algorithms how trustworthy you are. This helps you reach new audiences and helps word spread.

Tell Your Story

Being a small business, you have a personal story to tell which is what gives you the edge over large, faceless corporations. People buy from people and PR puts a face to the company. Sharing your story of how your business came to be allows people to connect and entices them to want to see where you go next. Sharing your achievements and milestones not only gives your business credibility but also encourages people to invest in your progress and development. PR helps you tell your story and makes sure the right people see it.

It’s not just about SEO

Traditional SEO doesn’t work like it used to. AI is changing the way people search for information, over 60% of Google searches now end without a user clicking to a website (according to a 2024 study by SparkToro and Datos) - Google AI Overviews now does it for you. Being mentioned in external articles, websites, reviews etc significantly increases the prospect of you being featured in AI-generated answers, summaries and recommendations. 

Calm in a crisis

In business, problems can arise; it’s your PR company’s job to protect your brand's image. PR experts can provide crisis management by developing crisis plans, monitoring social media monitoring and maintaining relationships and trust during critical events. This is all help that small businesses shouldn’t be without.

Never think your business is too small for PR. You can begin with an affordable level of support and build as your business and budget grows. The cost of not doing PR can be significant and you could be missing out on opportunities. While your competitors build their reputation and visibility,  don’t get left behind. Get in touch with us today: 07590 591140.