Your firm has worked hard to pitch, win, and finally complete the project. Now that it’s done, you want the world to know that the design, construction or installation was yours. How should you do it? Follow these pointers to think like a public relations professional and use media relations tools like press releases and editorial opportunities to publicize your project.
Why media relations?
Media relations offers more bang for your buck than advertising, and provides credibility and third-party validation from objective editors. Before you get started though, outline your goals and objectives for media outreach and be both general and specific. A clear goal is to garner coverage for your firm and your project, but decide where you will focus your energies. A favorite monthly vertical? The national business press? You’ll find it helpful in developing your media strategy and tactical activities, as well as evaluating success later on.
Who are you targeting?
With public relations, it’s important to know whom you’re trying to reach (i.e., your target audience). Define your target audience and understand what motivates them. Your target audience may include clients, prospects and their constituents; potential hires; and other influencers in your target sectors and vertical markets. Make a list of target publications by category, including the local business press (e.g., The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, Banker & Tradesman), regional publications (e.g., New England Real Estate Journal), and national publications (e.g., The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times) if your firm’s business prospects are national. Vertical publications within your firm’s target markets may also feature new projects, especially those with a public profile or interesting design construction aspects like historical restorations or urban redevelopments.
What’s your message?
Know what you want to say, and more importantly, what you want readers to learn and know about your firm and project. Draft three or four key messages or positioning statements and be consistent about using these messages across all mediums (press releases, proactive editorial opportunities, social media.) The more consistent and repetitive you are in spreading your message, the more likely your target audience will hear it and remember it.
Michele Spiewak is an account director at Rhino Public Relations in Boston, Massachusetts.