Small Business PR: 5 Quick Tips to Get You Started

More than 99.7% of businesses in the US are small businesses. They are vital to our local and national economies and to countless communities. 

We want to see small businesses of all kinds succeed. If you own a small business, you understand the importance of getting the most return for your marketing dollars on a limited budget. 

Yet, necessity breeds ingenuity. Like in other areas of small business operations, you might need to find creative solutions to increase awareness in your community and to your audiences. Or perhaps you’re exploring what types of marketing activities will achieve the most ROI for your business so that you can decide where to allocate resources. 

Here are some quick and easy ways to get started promoting your small business through PR. 

1. Make Sure You're Involved in Your Local Community

Community involvement is a great way to get your business noticed. Offer to sponsor a local charity event or volunteer your time and services to a worthy cause. This will not only make your business more visible in the community, but it will also help you build goodwill with potential customers.

Does your business sponsor local events in schools or for local charities? Congratulations! You’re already winning at PR. 

Do you belong to your local chamber of commerce? Winning, again. 

If you aren’t doing these things, start today. And set aside budget for next year. 

Local chambers of commerce and other business networking groups are a  great way to make connections with other business owners and to promote your business. Find partners for joint bidding on projects. Exchange referrals for work with other similar businesses. And even brainstorm with like-minded audiences. 

Even if your business audience is not local, it’s important to invest in your own community, which can create goodwill, improve recruiting and encourage positive word-of-mouth PR for your business. 

2. Offer Freebies or Discounts

Who doesn't love free stuff? And what's better than getting something for free that also happens to promote your business? Offering freebies or discounts is a great way to attract new customers and get your business noticed.

For example, you could offer a free consultation to new customers or a discount on your services for customers who refer a friend. You can also hold special promotions and contests on your website or through social media. Just make sure you have a plan to follow up with interested customers.

When you offer freebies or discounts, make sure you promote them heavily. Let your potential customers know what they can get for free or how much they can save by doing business with you.

3. Have a Strong Online Presence

In order to get the most out of your small business, you need to have a strong online presence. This means having a website that's well-designed and easy to navigate, as well as an active social media profile.

Make sure your website is updated regularly with fresh content, including blog posts, news items and product or service descriptions. You should also use social media to connect with potential and current customers. Search engine optimization is also an important part of strengthening your online presence as it leads to more traffic to your website. You may also invite customers to post feedback on your services through dedicated review sites, social media, and Google reviews. 

When you have a strong online presence, you'll be able to reach more people and promote your business in a cost-effective way. For example, you can use online directories and forums that cater to your industry and share your expertise there. This is especially important on LinkedIn where thought leaders post essays and long-form articles that colleagues and peers in the same industry can access.

4. Write Press Releases

Press releases are a great way to get the word out about your small business. They can be used to announce new products or services, promote special events or simply share newsworthy items about your company.

When you write a press release, make sure it's well-written and formatted correctly. You should also target the right media outlets to distribute it to. If you write effective press releases, you'll be able to generate publicity for your small business and reach a wider audience.

5. Get Involved in Industry Events

Industry events are a great way to connect with potential customers and promote your business. They offer a unique opportunity to network with other professionals, learn about new trends and products, and get exposure to your company.

When you attend industry events, make sure you have plenty of business cards and promotional materials to hand out. You should also be prepared to give a short presentation about your company and what it offers.

By getting involved in industry events, you'll be able to reach more people and promote your business in a professional setting.

These are just a few of the things you can do to promote your small business. When you're proactive in marketing your company, you'll be able to reach more people and generate more business opportunities. Think outside the box and be creative in your marketing efforts, and you'll be successful in promoting your small business.