Using a PR firm can be an incredibly useful tool for enhancing your business. From handling company imagine to having a better understanding of customer and client interaction, the benefits most certainly outweigh the price in most cases.
In order for that to happen, however, you must first pick the correct PR firm. One of the best ways to ensure that you do is to ask the right questions beforehand. What exactly are the right questions, though? In the below guide, we will walk through five important things to ask before hiring a public relations firm.
1. What is Your Industry Experience?
As you can imagine, finding a PR agency that has a good amount of knowledge about your specific industry can really come in handy. While most firms will be able to sufficiently gather information and research about your specific needs rather quickly, that simply does not compare to true hands on experience. A PR firm that knows the ins and outs of your industry will definitely be able to offer more help to you than one that does not, therefore getting you better quality assistance for the price that you are met with.
2. How do You Measure Results?
Optimism is great. Blind optimism, however, can be pretty dishonest. If a firm automatically guarantees the best of results for your campaign, you should probably back off of that particular service. When it comes to social media and editorial placement campaigns, you simply cannot seriously promise the best of results to the unpredictability of the venture. A PR firm that gives you a realistic outlook and really sits down to talk to you about possible outcomes will most likely be far more trustworthy than one that promises the world with empty words.
3. What is the Timeline Situation?
These PR campaigns can actually take quite a while to sort out before they are launched. Months, in some cases, even. This is why it is a good idea to talk to the firm about progression so you can get a clearer idea of what amount of time will be needed for things to begin happening. Working together with the firm on this matter will help make the process a bit easier and allow you to keep a closer eye on how things are going. For many people, this is a better alternative to just sitting around and waiting for things to happen.
4. Which Team Will Handle My Campaign?
Naturally, you will want the very best that the firm can offer. While you will not be able to get the star team of the firm every single time, you should not accept that lightly and at least try to find some way to slip yourself into their schedule. You will also want to meet the team that you end up with so you can get a feel of their adequacy and overall demeanor. Ensure that the team meets your standards and have the best talent that the firm can possibly provide.
5. What are Your Strategies for My Campaigns?
Asking this question will help you get a better understanding of exactly what the firm will be doing for you. It will also allow you to see if they are capable enough to handle social media and digital marketing, as well if they are up to date on current PR trends. While the PR firm that you choose will typically know better on these matters, it never hurts to take a look to see if they at least seem to know what they are doing, right? Ask them to walk you through their methods and and examples of what they will be doing, then decide if you want to continue with their plans.
