Building a PR Strategy for Launching Your New Business

While you are building your business plan preparing to launch your new business, it is worth sparing some time to think about a PR strategy for your start up.

If you get PR right it can be a great way to get a bit of 'free' advertising for your enterprise at a start up phase. Ok free is never free as time is money, but it can certainly offer a great saving while cashflow is minimal.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

• Put together a press release - One of the best times to put together a press release is when your business reaches any kind of milestone as journalists want to know the what, where, when and how of a story.  Day to day running of your business is difficult to make newsworthy, however 'New Business Opens in the Local Area Creating Jobs' is great news, particularly for local press. Do a bit of google research to find out the details of journalists in media outlets you want to target.  Put together the key elements of your story: when your business launched, where, why you wanted to start that type of business, what makes you unique and build them into a story to send to those key contacts.  Ensure you include a high resolution photograph as this will make their life easier when putting the story together. 

• Create a build up on social media - Before you business launches engage followers in the process.  "Look at our new office, we can't wait to show you what we've been working on" type of posts are a great way to make people feel a part of your start up experience.  Try to connect with social media influencers who talk about brands like yours to perhaps send them samples of your product, or invite them to try your service. A 'countdown to launch' reminds people when they can start buying from you, so don't be shy in reminding people '5 days to go!'. Etc. 

• Hold a launch event - This may take a bit of budget to put on some drinks and nibbles, but having an event is a great way to create a buzz about your new business.  If you have premises you could literally do an opening event with a ribbon cutting and the whole nine yards.  If you invite local dignitaries such as your local mayor, key influencers within your industry, local MP etc. and even local press contacts you can massively increase your chance of getting press coverage.  Even if not it is something to shout about online and encourage those attending to tag in your social media accounts to get them noticed. 

If you are in the process of planning a business, but needing help with elements of getting the business off the ground such as marketing strategy, finance etc. then contact our team who can offer free advice and guidance through the European Regional Development Fund supported Enterprise Hub programme.  Call us on 0151 706 8113 or contact enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk