Creating a publicity machine

[sm1]

Just open to everyone's thoughts here. Do you think it's possible to create a business that mainly runs on publicity and PR because it's a fresh and innovative idea that is newsworthy and constantly comes up with interesting information so it can be kept in the public eye?

Essentially what I'm getting at here is to see whether a publicity ran business can be as effective as a 'mechanically' marketed business such as those that use PPC, sales letters, cold calling (i.e. more standard ways of marketing).

Cheers :)

ADD: Ryanair could be an example I guess, but they don't rely just/mainly on PR and publicity.

[sm1]

Shameful bump :D

[publicityheaven]

Yes and no

A long-term approach to PR can lead to more coverage from less work

But good PR can't be automated in the same ways sales letters and internet marketing can be. A fresh and innovative product eventually stops being fresh and innovative, especially as it is copied. You need to keep putting fresh ideas in.

Don't forget you'll need some way to turn the attention (such as traffic to your website) into leads/sales. PR works well to drive interest, but you need systems in place to capture that interest and turn it into revenue

[directmarketingadvice]

I'd agree with Paul: it's possible to promote a business just with PR, but it'll involve time, thought and effort to come up with the publicity ideas.

Steve

[admagic]

One thing I am sure of..

When you reveal this concept stefan, you WILL get talked about!!

The problem you will have is not the publicity machine, but rather that of being treated as a serious solution to a problem. ie the credibility thing to turn curiosity into customers.

And that will needs some thought:

[sm1]

Thanks all -

Paul - Thanks, I see what you're saying. I think I made the title a little misleading, when I see machine, I didn't quite literally mean automate it. Generating great ideas will be key to making it newsworthy. A great point made about conversion - that will be key :)

Steve - Thanks for that :).

Mike - Thanks for that - the topic was created with a more general view in mind, not the idea we had discussed (obviously that was part of it, but I was just seeing generally). Working on the credibility idea as we speak, so that should be good :)

Thanks for everyone's help :D

[LowcostPR]

I don't think you could really have a realistically sustainable operation using only PR, and no "traditional" marketing. The two complement each other and any business that exclusively uses one or the other will find it harder going than a business that uses both.

In short, not realistically. Possible, but not realistic.

[sm1]

Thanks - I see what you're saying. I guess technically it will never be only PR as mentioned above, I would need to work on converting leads into customers.

Cheers :)