The Public Relations Blog

Work smarter, not harder, to let prospective customers know about your company

News media coverage is important for companies, especially for franchises.

Franchises rely on the local community in which they reside to see success, and positive news media coverage helps to build a franchisor’s brand and improve the specific franchisee’s reputation. News media coverage also places your business at the forefront of prospective customers’ minds. Media coverage that includes the parent franchise also helps to bring awareness to the brand for those looking for franchise opportunities, especially in local areas where your franchise doesn’t have a footprint.

If you are a franchisor or franchisee, you may now be asking yourself how you get your franchise in the news.

Over the years, I’ve heard many businesspeople say, “I’m not sure what PR is, but I know our company needs it.”

When people think of public relations, they tend to associate it with news coverage. This is what PR pros call “earned media.” The dictionary defines earned media as “publicity gained through promotional efforts other than paid media advertising.”

Use three points to make a pitch that a media professional would love

Pitching stories is one of the key parts to a successful public relations plan. Those that want their stories pitched have the story. However, they need one other key ingredient for success: what the reporters are interested in.

Let’s get SMARTER about PR

By now, you’ve probably heard about S.M.A.R.T. objectives (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) and using them for PR. We blogged about SMART objectives and how to be a SMART communications pro frequently.

There’s a movement to add ER to SMART objectives and push for SMARTER objectives, and we love it! 

Recently, I attended a PRSA chapter’s Media Roundtable event where 12 journalists from different outlets and backgrounds gathered to give insight and best practices to public relations professionals. While all journalists have their own preferred way for you to pitch them – and it depends if their outlet is print, online, or broadcast TV – there are some similarities that PR pros should know.

Here's how to approach a PR firm and create a long-lasting, beneficial partnership.

Many companies would benefit from a real-life example of how to properly engage a PR firm. 

Most companies try to approach hiring a PR agency (or any creative or professional services firm) the same way they buy office supplies: in bulk. This technique gets a company a commodity PR agency. And then the company wonders why the relationship is cold, the ideas aren't creative, and the results are flat.

Axia Public Relations uses and highly recommends Google Docs for seamless collaboration among your team members and with anyone you need to work with. Google Docs minimizes frustration and the time your team wastes on back-and-forth emails – each with unique attachments requiring everyone to manage different drafts, editions, and revisions. Our clients all over the globe love how easily and quickly they can work with us, mutually making real-time updates, reviewing revision history, making and approving suggestions, and collaborating instantaneously through the comment and chat features.

Your company’s culture is what defines your organization. It sets the tone for how your employees work and how the public views your company. Your company’s culture can determine whether a potential customer chooses you over your competitors.

Start incorporating video on your company’s social media platforms

Video is the biggest thing in social media right now. Over the last few years, it has become the cornerstone of many top corporations’ social media campaigns. However, even though people are increasingly consuming online videos on a daily basis, many companies still aren’t using digital video as part of their social media strategy.

If you’re looking to grow your book of business, use LinkedIn

Are you looking for new employees, new clients, or simply trying to raise awareness for your brand? No matter the case, prospecting on LinkedIn is easy with a little dedication.