7 easy ways to generate PR for your small business

Generating PR for your business is a great way to get your name out there. It can feel quite daunting at first, but once you know where to start, you'll begin to wish you had begun years ago. Check out these easy top tips to help get you started.

1. Getting coverage for your business

Getting your name out to the public through local or national coverage is a great way to get people talking about your business. When a well-known, reputable source has featured you in their publication, it can generate some excellent, trustworthy PR, meaning potential clients or customers are more likely to use your service or buy your product. Maybe you're starting an initiative that you think could benefit your local community, well, get in touch with news publications in your area as they're always keen to showcase great local businesses.

2. Press releases

Get in the swing of sending your press releases to journalists, after all, there's nothing to lose. You could write about something important your business is doing, maybe you're making special efforts to go greener or partnering with a charity. It doesn't have to be a lengthy document, just something short and sweet to tell people what your business is up to.

3. Social media

Social media is an integral cog in your PR machine. This is where the customer gets to know you and your business. It's your chance to control the narrative of your story and these days, authenticity sells. So show your audience who you are and why they should buy from you. Social media is also a great way to respond to customers and make those key sales quickly. Start posting relevant content to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This not only helps with engaging with your customers but allows you to stay on top of what's going on in your industry at the moment.

4. Networking

The word networking probably sends shivers down your spine. All that small talk and endless competition to see who can talk about their business the most. However, networking is changing because business is changing. There are so many new networking groups who've taken a different approach, much more relaxed and collaborative spin on networking. So seek out one which suits the needs of you and your business and ultimately, one you'll want to go to. When you network, you open yourself up to form new relationships, and when that happens, you become the go-to guy/gal for that service or product.

5. Check your calendar

You'll want to make sure that you're aware of all the relevant calendar dates in your industry and highlight them on your social media. If you're a bakery, maybe you'll promote 'world doughnut day' and create an offer for that day. It's a great way to create some relevant content for your social media and help people remember who you are and what you offer.

6. Viral marketing

When a campaign or video goes viral, it spreads, which is great for PR. The best viral campaigns are the ones that weren't meant to go viral, so it's best not to try too hard here. Try and create something authentic, funny and 'tag-able'. By getting people to tag other people, your post will become viral in no time.

7. Create your own events

If you feel you're getting lost in a sea of competitors at other events, just create your own! It's a great way to showcase to the industry that you mean business, and by creating your own events you're silently telling others that you're an expert in your field. Create an easy hashtag for your event so attendees can do the hard work and promote and showcase it for you. You'll meet lots of new people meaning you can create new industry relationships and hopefully gain more clients and customers. Holding your own event also gives you plenty of content for social media channels and those all-important press releases.