PR help with new business

[chalkwovens]

We have just opened 'chalkwovens.com' with a website and have done a trade show. After a good response we now think we need to up the profile . Would a PR company be the best for this ? Neither of us are that good at writing up and making us sound interesting !
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[Carpet Bags]

Hi,
I have found my PAY-BY-RESULT PR agent here on this forum couple of months ago. She is very open-minded, not expensive and realistic. Also what I like about her - she is not a liar! Believe me - I am 3 years into this - some of PR people are horrible.

With "normal" agents there are all that "rules" that you have to sign a contract for minimum amount of months and then pay certain amount of money regardless a result. And above of it there is NO control whatsoever! They can take your money and do literally nothing. And this is exactly what they do if they think you are not valuable enough.

I can give you my PR agent if you wish, please write to me privately.

 

[euromec]

To have successful promotional activity you must have tangible objectives for that activity. PR is no different, a good PR person will want to know why you want press releases published, what will happen as a result? More phone calls? More web traffic? More requests for samples? etc.

The more information you provide about target markets, growth products, product USPs and buying motivators the better job your contractor will do.

Signing any contract with any supplier that does not include specifics about what they are supplying is foolish. A PR contractor is no different.

 

[ethical PR]

Carpet bags good to hear you are getting the celebrity contacts and the national consumer coverage you are looking for through your PR person...why not just provide her details on here in case she might be of interest to others.

 

[chalkwovens]

Thanks very much for all the help, it seems this is an excellent forum

 

[jplevene]

A PR company will just outsource to a copy writer. We us Melanie Silver for copy writing (melaniesilver co.uk)

 

[ethical PR]

Well I've never outsourced PR to a copywriter in twenty odd years can't imagine why a PR would?

 

[LaurenPR]

I agree with ethicalprgirl. We don't use copywriters, if you're a good PR person you understand the business area of your clients. Also I would steer away from the 'pay per press release' agencies unless they really understand your business and sector. Looking at your website I'd recommend finding either a local PR agency in Brighton that specialises in interiors and design or a freelance PR person with this background. They will have the media contacts necessary to gain media coverage for your product and build your brand. If you're looking to build your profile as an entrepreneur / UK SME I'd also look for someone who has a general business PR background.