FAQ
By: Rebekah K. Iliff, M.A. | Co-founder & CEO
What is PR?
A widely argued question at this particular time, to us the term “PR” (short for public relations) means telling a story that will reach your targets and influence them toward decision making. Whether or not they “buy” what you are “selling,” a good PR campaign will create a shift in mindset, increase mindshare, and get people talking about you. Is it branding? Yes. Is it “generating buzz? Uh-huh. Is it making sure that you reach your sales forecasts? Well, not necessarily in the short-term, but the idea is that it will certainly be an integral part in that process.
Do I need PR?
Always one to err on the side of full transparency, much to the chagrin of my partners I would have to say the answer to this question is…..well, it depends. Not an emphatic YES! Not a definite NO. Instead, PR, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Instead of trying to convince you one way or the other, let’s take a little quiz:
1. When someone, anyone, “Googles,” or “Bings” your company name, does your website, blog, or company information come up in entries 1-10?
2. If I were to ask you to send me a boiler plate, a company fact sheet, or an electronic press kit, could you say: “Sure, I’ll blast it over in 5 minutes!”?
3. Do you understand where you “fit in” to the market and do people (media, analysts, consumers, channel partners) look to you for advice and opinions?
4. Have your products been reviewed on key technology sites, has your company been featured in any trade publications, or have your innovations won any notable awards?
5. Are you included in articles your competitors are in?
6. Has your company spokesperson presented at industry events or have articles that they’ve written in top trade publications?
7. Does your CEO have one million Twitter followers?
If you answered “No” to at least three of these questions (guess which one doesn’t REALLY matter) then you may certainly be INOPR: in need of public relations.
Are the any guarantees with PR?
This is another really fun question that clients like to ask. In fact, this is a question that used to make me cringe. But post the ’08 financial meltdown I have much less trepidation about my answer. So I will say it like this, as I always do, in the form of a rhetorical question: Are there any guarantees that when you store away your hard earned money into a mutual fund or 401k, or purchase that nice house with a white picket fence, you will without a doubt be guaranteed a stable, dependable, future?
Once you’ve answered that, I shall continue by saying this: PR is not a guarantee of anything – press coverage, company or product success, or even that people will want what you’re offering. But what it WILL do, much like the investments you make into your future, is give you a better opportunity to be ahead of the game in the long run. PR alone will not do the trick because there are so many outside factors that are beyond anyone’s control. But if you trust the person (or agency) that is guiding you, then you can rest assured that you are making a wise investment.
That being said, part of our job as professionals is to build your trust…and that takes investment, time, energy, consistency, and focus.
talkTECH FAQs
Are we right for you?
Are you a startup looking to officially launch your company, gain mindshare, generate buzz and attract investors?
Are you an established company that is launching a groundbreaking product or service and need to reach media, analysts, and influencers?
Are you a brand or organization that sees the future and wants to incorporate mobile applications as part of your digital marketing and public relations strategy?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you are in the right place. If not, then we’d love to give you a referral and point you in the right direction!
Why choose us?
Faster. Cheaper. Better. Period.
Simply put: we see the future and we get results. We run “lean and mean” (less emphasis on the “mean”) and pass those savings along to our clients because we understand the economic landscape.
We’ve spent over a decade observing key market drivers and making decisions for our clients based on that knowledge.
We also understand that PR no longer means just sending out press releases to editors, creating case studies, and nominating clients for awards; it is all of that plus more: communicating with investors, creating “mobile friendly” interactive content, building online brand equity, brand reputation and crisis management, social media engagement, digital content distribution, and ultimately connecting the dots between technology and the end user.
Sound like something you need? Get started here.
