Ready to find your perfect PR match? Read this first.
Whether you’re considering hiring an agency, freelancer, or in-house staff for your PR efforts, it is essential to allocate the time and budget required to collaborate effectively with your PR program.
Think of finding your perfect PR match like dating. Are you ready to commit? How much time and resources can you dedicate to PR? Do you have a set budget? Are you looking to hire someone internally, externally, go solo, or partner with an agency?
In today’s media landscape, expert commentary is key, making it essential to cultivate a deep relationship with your PR team. Allocate time to collaborate with your PR partner(s), providing quotes, articulating your thoughts clearly, and nurturing your relationship. Building a PR strategy is a long-term symbiotic commitment that requires consistent effort and communication.
Additionally, it's crucial to ensure you have the budget to sustain your PR efforts. Consider factors such as the experience of the freelancer, the size of the agency, or the individual you’re seeking to hire within your organization. Having adequate financial resources ensures continuity and effectiveness in your PR initiatives over the long run.
By the end of this article, our goal is to ensure you have a strong grasp on the options available to you so you can make an informed decision.
Let’s dive in!
1. Working with a PR Agency
Depending on the agency you work with, you’ll get to tap into a broader team of PR professionals working with you from various backgrounds and expertise.
Choosing a PR agency with a broader team enables you to tap into a network of diverse skill sets, industry contacts, and experiences which can enrich your PR efforts.
Maximizing your relationship with an agency is key to getting the most out of your partnership.
If you’re considering hiring a PR agency that only focuses on one niche, keep in mind the risk of overexposure within that particular market and potential oversaturation in the media. Another important consideration is if you hire an agency that solely focuses on one niche, they may also be representing your competitors.
Here at TaleSplash, we specialize in a variety of industries, including technology, health, and lifestyle. We identify compelling stories and work with a strong network of journalists who actively seek sources for their stories.
2. Hiring PR Professionals Internally
When you hire a PR professional internally, you’ll have the benefit of working long-term with someone who will understand your business’s culture, values, and product on an intimate level.
Hiring a PR professional internally is particularly beneficial if you’re looking for someone to shape your company’s employee branding. An internal PR professional can develop strategies to effectively communicate with employees in person to strengthen the company's brand identity among its workforce.
If you’re only hiring one person internally to lead your business’s PR efforts, consider how long it would take to complete tasks such as press releases, managing media relations, pitching, and so forth.
If you’re seeking a more hand-ons approach for your PR efforts, hiring a team of PR specialists that directly report to you will enable you to have full control of the PR vision for your organization.
If you do decide to go the internal hiring route, it's essential to factor in the costs of salaries and benefits, such as health insurance. Additionally, ensure you have the time to manage a team.
3. Working with a Freelancer
Working with freelance PR professionals can be beneficial if you’re looking to bring on extra support to an existing team. However, working with freelancers can come with time constraints and limited resources.
Compared to PR professionals who work in-house or in an agency, freelancers may not have access to certain tools, networks, or support systems that help enhance PR efforts.
Relying on an individual contributor may not be efficient in tackling your PR goals, especially if your company is experiencing growth or may scale in the future.
In conclusion, before embarking on a journey to find your PR match, it’s crucial to ensure you have allocated both time and budget resources, regardless of whether you decide to hire a PR professional in-house, a freelancer, or an agency.
Additionally, consider the scope of work required and whether you need someone to come onboard long-term or if a short-term solution would suffice. Taking these factors into account will help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your PR goals and business needs.
