Public Relations Techniques for Small Businesses

Oct. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Developing a relationship with the local media outlets is not easy to do in large cities, but media in smaller towns and cities are typically more apt to work with businesses in their area. No matter what size the city is that one is doing business in, it is important to research local media outlets such as television news channels, radio stations and newspapers. Before approaching them, either in person at a media covered event, or by phone or e-mail,

Getting ones business into the local media can be an effective way to increase awareness of their products or services. Before approaching the appropriate members of news stations or newspapers one must make sure that the story regarding their business is indeed “newsworthy.” It must contain something that very obviously shows “what is in it” for the stations viewers or readers.

Stay In Tune With the Current Market

Public relations is changing so quickly today to keep up with new technologies. Many businesses need to know exactly what is happening with new technologies and rapidly shifting pop culture trends to survive in todays economy. For maximum public relations efficiency, one should utilize multiple media outlets to stay aware of vital current news. Podcasts from larger newspapers via iTunes, blogs from experts in a particular niche, poking around in social networks, even looking at what is “trending” on Yahoo or Yelp are just a few ways to stay in touch. Foursquare and Yelp are a good source for learning what local customers are looking for in a particular service or product because it allows them to post comments about local businesses. Creating a Yelp profile for ones business is a new and constructive means of building integrity and customer awareness.

Leverage New Technologies to Manage Business Relations

The way that the internet affects business across the world is actually much different in some regions than in others. This is not in reference to businesses that range across different economic climates, it refers instead to how people in different regions spend their time online. Each year that has passed since the advent of the modern internet, the amount of time people spend online and the range of services they trust on the internet increases. The internet was once an information driven tool but has quickly become a vehicle for not just storing and sharing information, but for learning and leisure as well.

The number of internet users across the world continues to increase annually as well. The only numbers that seems to decrease in relation to internet use is the age of its operators. Today we start our babies off with digital toys and our toddlers with computers. In the U.S., Americans spend 22.7% of the time they are online on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. So a businesses public relations campaign in the U.S., can benefit greatly from a good presence on these sites.

The Future of Social Media Networks For Public Relations

Facebook has proven to be an immensely powerful communications system. It connects its users in various ways for business and personal gain. In September 2010, rumors surfaced of Facebook possibly doing some business with communications giant Skype. Skype allows users to visually see each other on their computers screens as they talk, meet and send information back and forth in real time. New technologies like this that “may” be on the horizon can and have changed business very quickly. Social media giants like Digg and Youtube are also being used often by PR agencies for their clients.

Many public relations activities start with a press release.  Press releases are very effective and can now be posted online and shared through Social Media as well. Video campaigns, viral marketing and mobile marketing are also closely related to and intertwined with Social Media reaching a wide audience in an efficient and cost effective manner for many businesses.

Please watch the Auetus Video on Public Relations Small Business: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDCCP0Co7zg



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Christopher M. Castillo has over 17 years experience in Marketing, Internet, Public Relations & Communications. He holds his MBA & BBA & is the partner/CEO of Auetus Marketing of Phoenix, AZ and owner of Castillo Consulting Services in Milwaukee, WI.