Public Relations (PR) can be a game-changer for your business, but only if done with clarity and intention. In this episode of Marketing with Impact, publicist and marketing strategist Linda Reed-Enever shares five of the most common mistakes business owners make when starting out in PR, and more importantly, how to avoid them.
From strategy to storytelling, Linda dives into the essentials of building lasting relationships with the media, pitching newsworthy stories, and tracking what actually works.
Whether you’re DIY-ing your PR or working with a team, this episode is packed with practical, actionable advice that will help you show up as a trusted source the media wants to work with again and again.
Key Takeaways
- No Clear PR Strategy
Jumping into PR without a plan is a common mistake. Your PR efforts need a clear goal, brand awareness, not sales, and a mapped-out strategy to match. Without this clarity, it’s easy to get lost and frustrated.
- Pitching Stories That Aren’t Newsworthy
Your pitch must be timely, relevant, and interesting to the audience of the journalist you’re contacting. Avoid generic announcements and focus on angles that provide value. Think industry insights, innovations, or disruptive actions your business is taking.
- Not Building Relationships with Journalists
PR is a long game. Follow journalists, understand their audience, and tailor your pitches accordingly. Relationship-building sets you apart from the flood of irrelevant media pitches.
- Failing to Follow Up
Once you’ve sent your media release, your job isn’t done. Check in. Ask for feedback. Respond promptly if journalists request more info; they work on tight deadlines and need quick turnarounds.
- Not Tracking Results
Measure the impact of your PR campaigns. Knowing what worked (and what didn’t) helps you refine future efforts and ensures you’re spending your time wisely.
Actions You Can Take
- Outline a PR strategy that focuses on brand awareness and relationship-building.
- Make sure each pitch has a clear newsworthy hook.
- Research and follow journalists who cover your niche, and get to know what they write.
- Always follow up with journalists and respond quickly to their requests.
- Track your PR efforts and outcomes to improve over time.
Your PR Challenge
Review your last PR effort, or plan your first one, with these five mistakes in mind. Where can you improve? What steps can you take today to build better media relationships and craft more compelling stories?
Want to dive deeper into PR?
The Book of PR Tips is your guide to refining your approach.
Explore Linda’s courses on media releases, creating newsworthy moments, and how to build an “available for interview” profile inside the Enever Group Business Academy.
For more ideas and support, join the Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle.
Ready to grow your business with intentional marketing? Book a discovery call with Linda.
Highlights
- 00:00 Introduction to Common PR Mistakes
- 01:03 Mistake 1: Lack of a Clear PR Strategy
- 02:36 Mistake 2: Pitching Non-Newsworthy Stories
- 05:41 Mistake 3: Failing to Build Relationships with Journalists
- 06:15 Mistake 4: Not Following Up with Journalists
- 06:48 Mistake 5: Not Tracking PR Results
- 07:19 Conclusion and Additional Resources
