It’s already 13th January and many of us are straight back to meetings, strategy development and an overflowing inbox. If you have an overwhelming feeling about your PR and marketing activities, outsourcing your public relations could help set you up for a year of success. A large majority of journalists (94%) agree that a press…
By Ruby Edwards4 min read
It’s already 13th January and many of us are straight back to meetings, strategy development and an overflowing inbox. If you have an overwhelming feeling about your PR and marketing activities, outsourcing your public relations could help set you up for a year of success.
A large majority of journalists (94%) agree that a press release is a recognised source for stories, and perhaps you’re wondering how you’ll make time to share the good news about a recent win while writing a release that will appeal to the writer? It’s this self-doubt and lack of time that can be some of the biggest obstacle’s businesses face when they’re looking to increase their exposure and brand awareness.
But when your financial year comes to an end, you’ll want to know that you made every effort to hit your growth targets and get your brand name out there. So, if you can’t find the time to do it yourself, then it may be time to outsource.
Time is money
If you’re working with a small team who have limited resources, time spent writing press releases can take away from all important tasks such as business development and managing internal and operational opportunities.
You’re not a superhero. No one person can do everything, and your team won’t be able to manage every facet of your business to optimal effect if they’re juggling multiple functions. It’s because of this reason that outsourcing is growing: it’s delegation without the additional overheads.
PR experts know how to generate focus
One thing a business cannot afford is a lack of focus with their press releases. An editor will read a press release and expect to see information clearly presented in a way that is articulate and concise. Any press release that lacks focus will not offer the kind of presentation readers are looking for.
By using an agency, you’ll benefit from their diverse expertise, often leading them to approach a press release with a unique angle or a different perspective. Those working in public relations will come with a wealth of knowledge and a broad set of skills that enable them to generate focus with the right words, proper sentence structure and a logical flow of thought, creating an effective release.
Services go beyond writing
In the online era, press releases serve a secondary purpose in helping to improve a business’s search engine performance. But, for that purpose to be achieved, press releases have to be structured with SEO requirements in mind. These are standards that PR professionals are already familiar with, while an in-house writer may not be.
Increased reliability
When you work with in-house writers, your projects can easily be stalled by other work commitments, pushing PR activity to the bottom of the pile as it isn’t required to keep the business functioning day today. And, when there are a few minutes spare, the content being created is often rushed and not to the high standard of many of your competitors.
When you outsource, you’re guaranteed to receive an outstanding piece of content in a timely manner. Many PR professionals are also well aware of the best way to format and structure a press release, including the fact that the ideal length should be around 18 paragraphs long. You’ll therefore enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing it’ll be a job well done, every time.
Fresh perspective
One of the most invaluable benefits of outsourcing press releases and other PR activity is the fresh perspective offered by a team that isn’t in-house. If you live and breathe your brand, you could be too close to it to see it objectively. An outsider’s perspective can improve and strengthen current and future content.
Lower costs
If you’re thinking of taking your services in-house, you need to weigh up the costs involved. It’s not simply a matter of finding and hiring qualified team members. This figure also includes finding office space, paying for extra tools and equipment and allocating additional budget.
Outsourcing instead gives you the ability to reduce your overheads and focus on what matters the most: talented, professional assistance.
Content is essential for all great businesses, and in 2020 it will remain just as relevant. In addition to establishing your expertise, it also exposes your business to new potential customers and drives them to act.
As such, it’s essential not to let your PR activity become a second thought. When you outsource your press releases, you equip yourself with a robust, professional team that is able to help increase your exposure and promote your key messages. It is a smart use of your resources and is a functional business move that can set you up for a year of success.
