Why PR Is Essential And Your Secret SEO Weapon

How important is PR in your marketing mix? I know this is a loaded question for many depending on which of these categories you fall under: 

1. You don’t think PR is helpful for your business.
2. You think getting press would be nice but you just can’t fit it in.
3. You dabble in PR but don’t have a consistent and long-term plan.
4. You prioritize PR, work it actively, and get regular media coverage.

If you are in category #1, you probably want to stop reading my posts.  It’s okay - I wish you good luck. Or better, keep reading and you may just change your mind!

If you fall under category #2,  I understand, but the good news is, it may not be as hard as you think. Most people start working with me during this “Novice” stage and move up quickly. Please read all the way to the end of this post.

For anyone in category #3, you are a “Doer” and oh-so-close to real media rock star success! You just need a little bit of help to move on to category #4.

Congrats to all category #4 PR stars - keep up the good work, and enjoy the results!

Wherever you land on the spectrum, there are undeniable reasons for taking PR seriously and integrating it into your business even during a time when social media seems to be stealing the spotlight from all other tactics. Here is why you should make PR a fixture in your marketing efforts:

1. Third-party credibility: Nothing else legitimizes your brand and business like a magazine or website feature - or even just a mention - in a recognized media outlet. Instinctively, we all know this, but remember that usually when people consume media, they are completely unaware that the majority of news stories use information that was provided - and often proactively pitched - by brands and businesses. That’s PR.
2. SEO: Google and other search engines rank pages with media coverage higher than other pages, which means the more press coverage you get that link back to your website, the more people will find it. As this insightful article from Spin Sucks explains: “PR is the most effective, and least spammy, SEO strategy of all.”

1. Getting published can have a profound impact on your business: from building your brand to getting more clients, being able to raise your rates to notable peer and industry recognition. These are just some of the reasons why traditional PR still ranks at the top of the list of must-have marketing tactics for successful interior designers, as this article in Business of Home outlines.

From what I’ve understood over the last almost two decades of working with designers, the value of PR is not contested. The questions and doubts are usually much more centered around HOW to get it. And the answer to that is simple.

If you’d like to find out if your business is at a point where you “should” be doing PR and, if so, how you can do it without spending thousands a month on a  publicist, set up a complimentary 30-minute call with me. I promise to give you my honest opinion and candid advice on what makes sense for your individual situation.