How much does a PR agency generally charge?

[Azam.net]

Just wondering how much traditional PR agencies charge small businesses (the kind of companies based in the West End of London)? Obviously the rates will vary, but does anybody have ballpark figures?

Thanks.

 

[Chelltune]

You'll find prices on www.acpr.co.uk

 

[eddieriby]

Try and find an agency with some guarantee....we used a company in Leeds when I first started my venture, agreed a £3,000 fee with them but part of their terms and conditons stated that the fee only became payable if they achieved 4 times that amount in PR coverage......they didnt so they didnt get a penny!!

 

[10Yetis]

Eddie, were you the chap off Dragon's Den?

 

[eddieriby]

nooooo.........?

 

[scope]

It totally depends what you're after and what your expectations are. PR gets very difficult if it's purely results driven, on some accounts i would have been ecstatic at such a deal, but mortified at others. It does depend on the market, the passion for a product at the time and the newsworthyness of it.

To give you an idea, an old company of mine charged a very well known Scooter company 5K a month. We gave Jamie Oliver one, and the company sold out for the next 2 summers. We got paid no more than the agreed amount.

However some fees can be as minimal as 600 a month, for a press release, follow up calls and a newsletter.

What are you after?

 

[MarkPearson]

Do you need to ask that question when we have our own resident King and Queen of PR and all things media - Andy & Jilly of www.10yetis.co.uk

 

[10Yetis]

ah, you see... we are not West London based so I felt we could not comment... that being said, we just beat off a larger london PR agency to a recent client so I guess we are doing something right.

Long live the South West... and all who sail through her...

 

[MarkPearson]

Tell me if im wrong but surely where you are based does not realy affect your PR / media skills?

From what I have read the Yeti clan have had just as many column inches as any 'west London based company!

 

[Andy Hyland]

If it's a press release you're after you might want to try pressdispensary.co.uk. They've got great service and appear to be very good value (from what I've seen elsewhere).

Andy.

 

[robertm]

Am not sure that locations plays any part in their suitability (other than being able to make the drinks party), but their network does. A good PR company will be industry specific and have really good network unavailable to you, its often that which you are paying for - anyone can prepare a PR its getting it read thats important - and if your chosen PR agency have those contacts then they are worth their weight in...well some form of mineral.

 

[kentish]

I run a football website, that devotes itself to non-league football in Kent.

I would like to assit you in getting your message across to over 50,000 readers every month, which will include banner advertisement (including link to your website) as well as regular articles and press-releases.

If you feel that I can help, please get in touch via the Contact us buttton on the website.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

[barney1]

just to add - there are never guarantees with pr and a previous poster was correct in saying that it very much depends on the market and whether or not there is a real story to be sold. I wouldn't choose an agency based on where they are located, only on what coverage they have gained for clients to date.

 

[10Yetis]

just to add - there are never guarantees with pr and a previous poster was correct in saying that it very much depends on the market and whether or not there is a real story to be sold. I wouldn't choose an agency based on where they are located, only on what coverage they have gained for clients to date.

For he's a jolly good fellow!
Very wise words indeed...

 

[AGoodwin]

I agree with Yetis - choosing a PR agency is about relationships - who will you be working with - not the Account Director but the person on the ground that will be writing and selling your story in. How much knowledge do they have? How many contacts in your market do they have?

As a Marketing professional in industry in the past I have used large London agencies and provincial agencies - I can honestly say that the provincial agencies were not lacking and in many cases were more dedicated. If you are after an agency to help with a floatation then you probably need a London agency - but for anything else it really depends on their contacts. A smaller agency will probably have the hands-on support of the owner which may be useful.

We have recently merged with a PR agency and can now offer a complete service and have developed some great contacts in a number of industries - our rates vary from £650 - £3,500 per month. If you need any help please give me a call.

Regards
Ann Goodwin

 

[ChrisMono]

Just a tip: If the pr agency your working with gives off a negative vibe about your business, its worth looking around to find one that gives off a positive vibe before you sign any contracts.

When I work in online PR I find If i'm given a job to do where i can't see potential for the business or find it hard to think positive, I will not produce the results I have done for projects i felt more positively about.

If the pr company doesnt seem very enthusiastic you will wasting your money

 

[adamcjames]

Hi all,

Joining this conversation rather late, I know. But as for the original question. PR agencies charge anything from £250 to £1,000 + per day.

Not many, though, guarantee media coverage.

Best wishes,

Adam