Below is a list of common questions and answers to help you better understand the definition, tactics and outcome of a PR campaign with Ivy Public Relations:
What exactly is PR?
PR stands for Public Relations, which is defined as raising awareness of a product, person or service. Ivy Public Relations focuses on the media relations aspect of PR. To put it simply, Ivy PR helps product-based companies get noticed by the public using the media as an outlet. We help garner top quality press coverage for clients in all sectors of the media including consumer and trade print (magazines and newspapers), online (Web sites and blogs) as well as broadcast (television and radio).
How do I know if my business is right for PR?
Too often, marketing and public relations take a back seat to other business priorities and companies are rarely publicized to consumers at their full potential. Good PR is the most crucial aspect of developing a new or growing business and investing in a quality public relations campaign can reap benefits for years to come. For example, PR can help businesses raise product awareness, build name recognition and valuable company credibility. Does your company offer anything new, unique or high quality? Do you sell products online and have the ability to ship your products? Do you want to drive more consumers or retailers to your Web site? Are you trying to get your products in more retail stores? Do you want your company name to be more recognizable to the public? Do you want your company’s products reviewed in magazines, newspapers, gift guides, online or on television? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your business is likely a good fit for a public relations campaign. Call and find out what Ivy Public Relations can do for you!
What is the difference between PR and Advertising?
Public Relations focuses on getting within free editorial content of media outlets, while Advertising is guaranteed, yet paid for. Have you ever browsed through a magazine and automatically skipped over advertisements? So does everybody else! Although advertising gives you the power to choose what is printed, it is often extremely expensive and overlooked by consumers. A one-page advertisement in a June issue of People magazine costs roughly $40,000. However, through PR efforts, my client’s product received rave reviews in the same issue reaching more than one million people. Unlike ads, editorial placements garnered through PR have the ability to earn the credibility and attention of today’s savvy consumers at a fraction of the cost of advertising.
Do I have to send out free product samples?
Yes! If you offer a product and want the press to recommend it to their readers, you have to let them test it out. The cost to ship out free samples is well worth the possible results and getting in the hands of influential editors is a highly coveted and rare opportunity. The press never pays for samples and they are rarely returned. In special circumstances, if the value of a product is several hundred dollars or more, you can request to have it returned. If you are considering a PR campaign, be prepared to willingly send out dozens of press samples at your cost and relax, sending out press samples is a sign your publicist is hard at work!
Does PR guarantee sales?
The purpose of PR is to raise awareness, build brand recognition and company credibility – NOT drive sales. Although an increase in sales is often a result of PR, it is never guaranteed nor should be the focus or goal of a PR campaign.
What kind of press should I expect to get?
The level of press coverage varies greatly depending on product quality, availability, timing, trends and several other factors. With PR, it is impossible to determine the size, content or placement of your product in any media outlet. Unless otherwise agreed upon, Ivy PR will go after all sectors of media including Print, Online and Broadcast. Due to its popularity, it is likely the majority of press coverage garnered for our clients will be in print outlets such as national magazines, regional magazines and newspapers as well as their online equivalents.
When will I notice results?
PR is a lengthy process that takes at least six months to see noticeable results. Online press coverage is often the first to appear, followed by newspaper and broadcast coverage. Because top-tier magazine editors plan their content far in advance, it is likely that the majority of magazine press coverage will not hit newsstands until several months after initial contact is made. Once the press coverage begins to hit the public, it can still take some time to see noticeable results. Often times, the first thing you’ll notice is an increase in Web site traffic. Top quality press coverage has the ability to reap benefits for years to come. You’d be surprised how many consumers will clip and save an article for the Holidays or a specific birthday before deciding to visit a Web site and place an actual order.
Didn't find the answers you were looking for? Feel free to contact Ivy PR at (559) 917-4476.
