Whether you’re determined to drive enquiries through your digital presence or are trying to gain traction with your target audience, PR has the potential to boost brand awareness, credibility and growth for your business. However, a successful PR strategy requires planning and expertise, otherwise you won’t get a return on your time or investment. That’s where a PR agency can deliver real value and pay dividends. So, if you’re asking yourself “why hire a PR agency?”, here are 8 signs you need one…
1. You’re struggling to boost your brand
Boosting your brand to build trust and recognition starts with consistent messaging. If you have inconsistent or unclear messaging, you are already doing your brand a disservice. Hiring a PR agency will help you develop a clear direction when it comes to your brand’s messaging, which will serve as the foundation for all your communications – both internal and external. With a cohesive and concise narrative that reflects your vision, a PR agency will not only boost your brand but reinforce it, defining and creating a consistent brand image which is memorable and impactful.
2. You’re having trouble getting media attention
Getting high-profile media coverage can be a game-changer for your business. As well as building authority and validating your brand, most prospective customers will Google your business. Therefore, having online publications covering your stories means you’ll be easier to find and customers may be more likely to engage. This relies on effective media outreach, which PR agencies are known for. These agencies have long-standing relationships with journalists and media outlets – therefore they know the types of stories that will work, and which publications are best in terms of targeting your target audiences.
3. You’re stressing out about crisis communications
Negative media attention can be stressful and can also threaten your brand’s reputation among customers, employees, and investors. Moreover, these situations often arise unexpectedly or at the last minute and are unavoidable. That’s why having on-hand expertise and additional support is invaluable. Working with a PR agency to manage a crisis reactively or proactively plan for such an occasion can remove a lot of the associated stress. It can help you to get ahead of or control the story and ensures that the right messages are delivered in the right way to the right audiences.
4. You’re finding it difficult to manage your digital presence
“Why hire a PR agency?” isn’t a new question but what is new for many businesses is having and managing a digital presence. As well as producing website content (including blogs) and supporting social media efforts, PR agencies can help to drive traffic to your website with backlinks in media coverage. In turn, this can increase your chances of getting inbound enquiries. Again, it comes down to having a consistent approach and developing impactful campaigns which deliver your message, showcase your services, and drive engagement.
5. You’re too busy to focus on PR
As a business owner or leader, your time is already stretched thin. Managing operations can often leave little room for PR efforts and not every organisation has a dedicated in-house team. So, if you’re neglecting public relations because you’re too busy, it’s a surefire sign you need to hire a PR agency. Acting as an extension of your team, these agencies can take care of the heavy lifting when it comes to communications and content, not only enabling you to focus on – but also supporting other – business objectives including recruitment and sales.
6. You’re expanding operations and need extra exposure
If you’re expanding operations, your brand will need extra exposure and support from a PR perspective. That might mean reaching new markets or targeting specific verticals. It could also mean standing out from the crowd in a competitive marketplace or becoming a thought leader in a specific area. Whatever you’re hoping to achieve, a PR agency can help elevate your profile and generate the additional visibility you need with the types of stories that demonstrate both your scale and expertise.
7. You’re keen to build stronger relationships with key stakeholders
Be it employees or investors, hiring a PR agency can help you build stronger relationships with your key stakeholders. From enhancing your employer brand to attracting and retaining the right talent to showcasing your business growth among potential investors, a PR agency can develop tailored communication strategies to achieve specific goals. As well as strengthening relationships with those who matter most, these efforts can also support your wider business objectives.
8. You’re looking to maximise the sale value of your company
When it comes to selling your company, maximising its sale value is crucial. By enhancing your company’s public image and reputation through top-quality content and coverage, a PR agency can make your business more attractive to more buyers. Effective PR highlights your company’s strengths, market position, and growth potential through positive media coverage in the publications that your likely buyers read. This strategic storytelling not only builds credibility but also creates a sense of urgency and desirability among buyers. In essence, good PR can elevate your company’s perceived value, leading to a higher sale price and a more successful transaction. We have examples of clients that quadrupled their sale value by being seen as the most attractive brand in their market through great PR.
So, why hire a PR Agency?
Public relations can be a game-changer for your business, but it requires expertise if you really want to make an impact. There are many reasons as to why you should hire a PR agency, from digital content support to effective media engagement. The key thing to remember when asking yourself “why hire a PR agency?” is that you’re not just investing in PR services, you’re investing in your business’s long-term reputation and success.