All businesses no matter what they are can benefit in a variety of ways from getting PR and featured in the media. And while hiring a publicist is a great way to do this, that’s simply not financially possible for everyone. So taking public relations courses online, such as Pitch Please is a great alternative and far less expensive. 

If you've come across this page, you're probably a smart entrepreneur, so you know that timing is everything. So how do you know if the time is right to take the next steps and get PR for your business? Here are eight signs it’s time to get on it and take an online public relations course.

Side note: The information in this post is perfect for business owners and influencers looking to dip their toe in the water of public relations. If you're ready to skip to the good stuff, click here to learn more about our online public relations course, Pitch, Please!

You’re just about to launch a new business

Getting publicity should be a part of your launch plan. After all, how do learn about the latest trends and brands? You probably read about them somewhere on the Internet. 

This is equally true for the launch of a physical product, a service, a book, or anyone who is beginning to position themselves as an expert. There’s no better way to increase your credibility with a potential customer or audience than being featured in the media.

You’re focusing on increasing brand awareness

Even if you’ve been in business for a while, we all know increased brand awareness drives sales. While social media is a great way to build brand awareness, you are still missing out on a large portion of your audience. 

After all, not everyone uses Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Furthermore, social media always puts you at the mercy of the ever-changing algorithm. There always be a portion of your followers that don’t see your posts.

Getting your brand featured in the media can get you far wider exposure than social media can provide.

You want to improve SEO

SEO is important for every business. There are lots of ways to improve SEO but nothing works faster than having your website linked on a major publication’s website. 

Just one link can move your business's website up pages in Google Search results. This can change the game in terms of website traffic, sales, etc. After all, are you more likely to click on a site you discovered on the first or second page of Google Search results, or on the fifth? Nope! That’s why media coverage can truly work SEO miracles. 

Your season is approaching

Every business has at least one “season.” For example, if you’re a fitness, health coach, or personal trainer, it’s the tail end of the holidays before New Year's Eve and right before the summer (bikini season). If you’re an accountant or financial professional, it’s the months approaching tax season. You get the point!

No matter your industry, there are prime times for media coverage where writers, journalists, and editors will be looking for your expertise and commentary. 

The Pitch Please public relations course will teach you not only how to target the journalists writing these articles but also the best ways to approach them, connect, and even establish long term relationships. 

Seasonal opportunities will provide some of the best press coverage you can get. There will always be a captivated audience. Don’t miss out.

This aspect of PR is covered in depth in our online public relations course, Pitch, Please! 

You need to boost sales

Are sales a little slow these days? Even the best marketing plans don’t always sell your products and services. But taking public relations courses online and getting media placement will. One of the best ways to do this especially for products is through a roundup like 20 Great Gifts For Kids, Ten Best Apps For Productivity, or Seven Kitchen Tools Every Home Chef Needs. Getting in these types of articles is the fast track to connecting with potential customers. Media coverage will allow an entirely new group of people to discover you and your brand. This will drive sales and instantly boost your bank account.

You’re launching new products and services

Even if your brand or company is well-established or has gotten PR in the past, that doesn’t mean that people will instantly know about the new products or services you’re offering. 

Whether it’s an online course, a new moisturizer, or an improved version of a product that you’re already selling— how are people supposed to learn about these things without reading about them online?

Having your newest launch covered in the media boosts awareness not just for that specific product or service, but also for your brand as a whole. You need to get everyone just as excited about your launch as you are.  

You’ve recently hired an assistant, virtual assistant (VA) or intern

If you take a public relations course online such as Pitch Please, that doesn’t mean you need to do it all on your own. Writing pitches, researching the right journalists to target, creating a media kit, and other aspects of public relations can easily be delegated to someone else working for you. This will be one of the best uses of their time, especially if they are not as busy with day-to-day operations. Having an assistant, virtual assistant or intern help you with PR strategy is also far less expensive than hiring a publicist to do it. 

If you are a busy entrepreneur or solopreneur and wondering how you can find time to take a class, know that Pitch Please can easily be taken and implemented by anyone working for you.  

You want to appeal to influencers

Influencers and bloggers get pitched collaborations every day and only want to work with brands that align with theirs. If you’re a newer or less established brand, it might be a challenge to impress these people. But if you are featured in the media, it’s far easier to build creditability with not only influencers but also their followers and your future customers. 

Any time

There isn't a time when your business won't benefit from PR. After all, as they say, "no publicity is bad publicity."

Ready for a PR training that will help you explode your visibility and authority? Free Masterclass: How To Get Major Media Placement With 20 Minutes A Day.