A public relations expert helps clients get news coverage.
Running a public relations business can be stressful, chaotic and interesting. You can meet interesting people and make use of any public speaking, networking or writing skills you have. Running a PR business requires as much knowledge about PR as it does about business in general.
Instructions
1. Consider your market. Some geographic areas might be able to handle a few PR agencies, while other areas might not have much need for PR professionals. If your geographic area doesn't look ideal, consider online work. There are many PR services you can offer virtually and run from your home.
When you research your area, consider what kinds of businesses are prevalent in your area, how many sports teams there are or if there are any local celebrities who might need PR help. If your area is a fast-growing one, you might find that you can specialize in helping businesses get their brand noticed and in the public eye. To that end, be flexible about what your niche area will be and be willing to tweak it and change it based on the needs you discover in your area.
2. Determine your funding needs. If you will operate from your home, do you have a dedicated office space you can use? You don't necessarily need to have a space at which you can meet with clients, but it's helpful. If you decide to open an office, consider the location and how the office presents itself. PR is all about appearance, so it's important that you present a good look for your business.
Once you determine where you will locate, decide if you need funding. Create a business plan and include all your initial expenses. If you can't easily cover them (without depleting your savings or putting yourself in debt, you might need to obtain outside funding.
It's not expensive to get a PR agency off the ground. Your primary expenses will be for office furniture and office equipment and supplies. You might consider starting a website.
3. Take inventory of your phone book. How many people do you know who you can use as resources? It's good to tap into your network of friends, relatives and business contacts. Tell them you have started a PR business and explain how you can help them or others promote their brand, their product, their business or their passion. Create and give out your business cards, and ask others to help promote your business by passing along your business card and contact information.
4. Offer to take some pro bono work. To get your name out there when you first start, consider taking one or two jobs for free. These unpaid jobs might be for non-profit agencies, and you can help them by saving the non-profit money and they will help you by promoting your services in program documents. This can help to get your business in the public eye without much expense to you.
