Before You Leap: Understanding the Role of PR in Your Entrepreneurial Journey

The Case for Hiring a PR Firm Before You Launch Your Business

Value Prop

We recently met with a new Director of Development during a client meeting who was effusive in his praise. Not for Evocati PR in particular, but the fact that his company had a PR firm in place to, "share their message with the world." He noted that while everyone at the company had different titles, "everyone on their team" had to function as a fundraiser to support the nonprofit. And he immediately understood, having just met us, the value proposition of partnering with a PR firm based on his lived experience.

But not everyone understands the value of a PR firm, especially if you're just starting out as an entrepreneur. Turns out, there's a lot we can do to help you scale your business. PR is a powerful tool that can shape your company's perception, impact your growth, and play a crucial role in your overall success.

Here's what to understand about PR before you found a company and why you should have one at the beginning.

Core Power

Source: Cision PR Newswire (2023)

At its core, PR is about managing your business's reputation and creating positive perceptions among your target audience. Let's take any AI start-up as an example. We're fond of Jasper.AI as we've been using it since 2022 to create content.

Positive PR can turn this offering from just another product into a must-have solution that solves real problems for consumers. In this example, Jasper.AI used PR Newswire to announce a new API. Using PR can result in increased visibility, better customer engagement, and ultimately, higher sales. The resulting PR can help you gain market share from your competitors.

Investing Now Pays Off Later

You may be focused on cost discipline when you get started, and that's certainly understandable. But have you considered the possible payoffs by investing early in PR?

Investing in PR at the early stage of your company is not just an expense, but a strategic move that can yield significant returns in the long run.

PR will help shape your brand's narrative and image from the start. It allows you to tell your story in your own way and control how you're perceived by your target audience, the media, and the public. This is particularly important for a new business as first impressions can have a lasting impact.

By securing media coverage in relevant outlets, you can reach a wider audience, gain their trust, and establish your business as a reliable player in the market. This can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and position yourselves as a market innovator in your industry.

PR Will Drive Early Growth

Source: Giphy

PR can also drive business growth. Positive PR can increase awareness of your products or services, attract potential customers, and ultimately boost sales. Furthermore, it can also help you attract potential investors and partners who can contribute to your growth.

For example, we're conducting PR for a new nonprofit that will transform the way veterans are recruited into meaningful careers—and the business hasn't even launched. It's still incubating inside Evocati PR. But by starting early, we're able to strategically plan for the best way to capture media attention, market share, and help this new nonprofit start fast.

Finally, PR allows you to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders. This includes not just your customers, but also influencers, journalists, and other industry leaders who can help amplify your message and extend your reach. It's why we like to market our Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement as a service. We help you identify and take advantage of partnerships that yield results.

Start Now

As you work on your business plan or dream about making it BIG, be sure to consider the crucial role PR can play in your success.

You don't have to do this alone.

Contact us today to set up a free discovery call with our team so we can help your new business start fast. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter Squared Away so you can receive more tips and tricks in your inbox that will help you maximize your career and future business.

You may also enjoy reading …