| It really is a myth that you need big budgets to get | | | | to get PR |
| great PR results. I know many people who run and | | | | This is probably the cornerstone for many small |
| own small businesses who have persevered with their | | | | businesses. The focus here is on what you can |
| PR efforts and got fantastic results. Of course, using a | | | | contribute - information, opinion etc rather than just |
| PR consultant will help to get you profile much quicker, | | | | announcing something new that has happened. You |
| in many cases, bit there are also huge advantages to | | | | can get comment into publications using letters to |
| doing your own PR. So, how can you get great PR | | | | editors or contacting a journalist about a story they |
| without breaking the bank? | | | | have written. There are also many ways in which you |
| You need to have a plan | | | | can generate or create a news story when you do |
| It may sound quite simple but it is one of the most | | | | not think you have one. |
| important elements. How do you know if you have | | | | You need to understand what journalists want and |
| achieved what you set out to do unless you have | | | | how they think |
| defined it? Setting out a plan is one of the most | | | | Understanding what journalists want and how they |
| effective ways to keep focused and it gives you a | | | | want it is one of the key elements to successful PR. |
| much better chance of success. | | | | Carrying out research will put you in a good position |
| You need to know that you do not have to have a | | | | but there are basic rules to follow too - not calling a |
| news story to get great PR | | | | journalist when they are on a deadline, not sending |
| Often people think that PR is all about having a news | | | | them unsolicited email attachments. |
| story and getting that noticed by journalists. That is | | | | You need to learn from your mistakes |
| certainly part of it but is not the whole story. You can | | | | You can learn just as much from your PR efforts that |
| get a huge amount of coverage by positioning yourself | | | | do not get results as those that do. It is important not |
| as an expert, and building trusted relationships with | | | | to view unsuccessful efforts as failure - far from it - |
| journalists, aside from developing and issuing news | | | | they give you a great opportunity to refine your |
| stories. | | | | technique and approach to be more successful in the |
| You need to understand that there are different ways | | | | future. Persistence will get you results. |