PR Checklist for Women-Owned Brands
As an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to navigate the world of public relations on your own. That’s why we’ve developed this PR checklist for women-owned brands, a detailed guide to set yourself up for success with PR. Because the truth is, there is no magic formula or one-size-fits-all solution to garner press for your brand; it's all about creating a solid strategy and developing an engaging brand message.
With the right tools, preparation and clear brand differentiators, any entrepreneur can be successful with PR. Keep reading to learn what you need in order to have a successful PR strategy, whether you decide to pitch press yourself or hire a PR agency.
1. Clear brand messaging
What do you want potential customers to know about your brand/ Perhaps you have a personal story that led you to launch your company. Maybe you use a proprietary formula for your products. Or maybe you saw a gap in your market and decided to fill it. Whatever your reason, make sure you have a clearly defined “why” and are able to communicate it to others.
2. Measurable goals & objectives
Think about your overall goals for PR and the results you want to achieve. Are you trying to establish credibility in your industry? Win customer loyalty? Increase brand awareness among a specific demographic? Develop clear, realistic key performance indicators (KPIs) that you can measure at the end of your campaign.
3. Defined target audience
This might seem like a no-brainer, but if you don’t know who you’re trying to reach, then your PR strategy will be meaningless. Figure out who it is you're trying to influence: potential customers, others in your industry, the general public, etc. From there, you can research the specific media outlets that speak to your target audience and learn what kind of PR moments will truly engage them.
4. Beautiful product images
Product photography is one of the most important investments that your brand will make. Product images are the first visual touchpoint that an editor, influencer or potential customer will have for your brand. Make sure you find a photographer who can effectively communicate your brand vision and create products shots that are polished, represent your brand well and leave a lasting impression on your target audience.
5. Active social media channels
Your digital footprint is crucial. From a marketing and sales standpoint, social media is one of the most effective ways to build buzz around your brand. But it's also incredibly important for PR. Editors do their due diligence before writing about a brand, so if they can't see engaging and informative content on your channels and get a sense of what your brand is about, then you have some work to do.
6. Polished, shoppable Website
Picture the best case scenario: you've pitched your new product to an editor and they decide to write about it immediately. But wait: that product isn't up on your website yet! Do you think that editor will still include your product in the article? Not a chance. An editor is not going to write about a product that isn't easily available to their readers -- what would be the point? So make sure your website is functional, accessible and, most importantly, SHOPPABLE before you reach out to the media.
Our final thoughts
Public relations doesn't need to be some elusive art. With the right tools, preparation and clear brand differentiators, any entrepreneur can be successful with PR. Do you have additional questions about public relations or communications strategy? We’re here for you! Shoot us an email at info@ranipublicrelations.com.
About Rani Public Relations
We are Rani Public Relations, a strategic PR and marketing agency that helps female-led businesses reach their ideal audience. Our mission is to empower, elevate and advocate for underrepresented brands in the ever-changing media landscape. With our creative expertise and passion for brand storytelling, we will help your business get the recognition it deserves.
