PR ON THE GO April 20, 2023

DIY Public Relations: Tips and Tricks for Creators

PR 101

As an entrepreneur and creator, you know the importance of promoting your business and building a strong brand. However, hiring a PR agency can be expensive, and you may not have the budget to outsource your public relations efforts. That's where DIY PR comes in.

In this article, we've gathered some of the best PR tips and tricks from experts in the field to help you grow your business and establish your personal brand. Let's dive in.

DIY PR tips for Creators

1) Build your media list: Create a list of media outlets, journalists, and bloggers that align with your niche and pitch your story or expertise to them. You can use tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to connect with journalists who are actively seeking sources.

2) Create a press kit: A press kit is a collection of materials that showcase your work, including your bio, headshot, product images, and samples of your work. Make sure to keep it up-to-date and easy to access on your website.

3) Pitch yourself as an expert source: Journalists are always on the lookout for experts to interview. Reach out to journalists who are covering topics related to your niche and offer your expertise.

4) Collaborate with other Creators: Collaborating with other Creators is a great way to expand your reach and tap into new audiences. Reach out to Creators whose work you admire and suggest a collaboration.

5) Leverage artificial intelligence: PR is all about producing quality output. Whether you need help finding your unique value proposition or writing a press release, make the most of AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper.

6) Attend events and conferences: Attending events and conferences in your niche is a great way to network with other Creators and connect with journalists and media outlets. Make sure to have your business cards and elevator pitch ready to go.

7) Monitor your online reputation: Keep an eye on what people are saying about you and your work online. Set up Google Alerts for your name and your niche keywords and respond to any feedback or criticism in a professional manner.

These are just a few DIY PR tips, so you can effectively promote your work and build your brand without breaking the bank.

What The Experts Say

See the advise from our PR and growth experts:

Repurpose Your Content for Multiple Platforms and Audiences

First up, Kent Lewis, CMO at Deksia, emphasizes the importance of recycling and reformatting your original content into multiple form factors for different channels and audiences. He advises starting with HD video, which can be a source of images, transcribed text, audio, and video. Images can be syndicated to Instagram and Pinterest, while video can be edited to different lengths for platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Audio can be turned into a podcast and streamed on iTunes or other streaming services. The key is recording for multiple platforms and editing to fit context. Kent reminds us that it's all about thinking through the channels and audiences and customizing for each platform.

Maximize Your Thought Leadership

Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO at Mavens & Moguls, agrees that for a creator to get the most value for your time and energy the key is to repurpose content. Paige recommends repurposing content by turning a series of articles, blog postings, newsletters into a book or e-book, then turning every piece of content or media hit into a tweet and sharing links to the content on all your social media platforms. Turn articles into infographics and video your talks to share over social media. Once you have a piece you are happy with, it makes sense to get as much mileage out of it as possible. Find creative ways to leverage your thought leadership so that your audience finds you easily.

Speak More, Articulate Better, and Network Strategically

Trenice Brinkley, Chief Communications Officer and Publicist at Two Queens Media, encourages creators to speak more, provide clean pictures, be more articulate in terms of speech, network strategically, and leverage awards and recognition. Speaking at events or on podcasts can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field and gain exposure to new audiences. Reach out to event organizers or podcast hosts and pitch yourself as a guest. High-quality visuals can make a big difference in how your brand is perceived. Make sure your website and social media profiles feature clear, well-lit images that showcase your work. If you struggle with public speaking or articulating your thoughts, consider taking a public speaking class or working with a coach to improve your skills. Attend industry events or join online communities where you can connect with other creators, potential customers, and media contacts. Be intentional about building relationships and offering value to others. If you've won any awards or been featured in media outlets, make sure to highlight this on your website and social media profiles. This can help establish your credibility and make your brand more appealing to potential customers or partners.

Develop Your Personal Brand and Share Your Story

Julia Voloshchenko, PR Manager at Usetech, advises creators to be open to communication with the media and be ready to share their experience and expertise. Developing your personal brand by starting a blog or a LinkedIn page allows you to attract attention to your person, as well as your business. Sharing insights and useful tips, and telling your story is a great way to engage your audience.

Prioritize Authenticity and Transparency

Emily Reynolds-Bergh, Owner at R Public Relations, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing authenticity and transparency. Being open and honest with your audience about your creative process, challenges, and successes, as well as any sponsored content or partnerships you engage in, builds trust with your audience and helps to establish your personal brand as one that values authenticity and transparency. Additionally, it's important to leverage social media platforms and engage with your audience regularly to keep them invested in your content and growth. Remember, your audience is your biggest asset, so building and maintaining a strong relationship with them is key to growing your business as a creator.

Let's Summarize

As a creator, you have poured your heart and soul into your project, and it deserves to be seen by the world. DIY PR empowers you to take control of your own narrative and share your unique vision with the world. By learning the skills and techniques of public relations, you can craft compelling messages, build relationships with media outlets and influencers, and generate buzz around your work. With DIY PR, you don't have to wait for someone else to tell your story - you have the power to make it happen yourself. So why not take the reins and start spreading the word about your creation? The world is waiting to hear from you.

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