Who are the best PR firms for early-stage startups?

It depends on what you mean by early stage, Firstly you need to focus on the product, customers and then the basics of business, leverage social tools and channels to replace the PR firm.

you will see that PR is not a necessity at that stage .

If you have the budget for a PR firm ($10-$20k/month) then I'd ask why you're thinking about PR? Is it to establish top of mind awareness as a new entrant into an existing market? Or is it to simply feel good about appearing on TechCrunch? PR is not a direct response marketing channel so you can't see an immediate ROI in most cases. PR is GREAT for improving or distributing a perception or position around your brand - this is something we did when we launched BigCommerce. I very deliberately over spent to make sure we were positioned as1) the FEATURE leader in an established market (very important for SMBs) and2) the fastest growing player in the space. After6 months I terminated our PR because I met both of these objectives. I also positioned myself as a thought leader and backed up my position with a YouTube channel educating the space on topics around our vertical (e-commerce). This YouTube channel now has600,000+ views - http://www.youtube.com/bigcommer... You can throw money at PR but unless you know what you're doing, it's very easy to waste. You should run a competitive positioning analysis of your market and figure out how you want to be perceived. And that perception should have a HUGE value add for your prospects. Don't be another "me too" brand. Try educating your space on topics around your product, or at the very least give them a reason to listen. Product promotion isn't one of those reasons. In regards to finding a PR agency if you do decide PR is right for you, you want to ask a few questions:1. Have you worked with other companies in our vertical when they were the same size as us? What did you do for them? What was their budget?2. What are your thoughts on our space? How do you think we should position to get the most traction/views/pick ups3. What can you do for me that no one else can? Look at the PR geniuses in your vertical (for me it's Marc Beneioff, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs) and try to emulate their traits for your vertical. Also read "Behind the Cloud" and realize that PR isn't about an agency understanding the space. It's about you having CLEAR objectives and putting your PR agency to work so they help you accomplish what you need to do. When you accomplish those goals, reassess and either change your strategy, drop PR like we did or find another agency.

It would have been easy for  me dear Nisreen to google out the answer and done a cut and paste job like.............but I'd use my own resources and experience. I'd try to provide you with an answer that is both generic and flexible and can be tweaked to meet such occasions everywhere.

 

A start-up at an early stage needs an integrated communications agency that can handle both its advertising and PR needs. Depending on what the start-up does, while advertising may be essential, PR may not be required at all at this stage.

 

Let's say a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company manufacturing deodorants in Egypt would need a first rate advertising agency can handle its product's USPs, manage a product launch affair annd help in cororate communications (who would know better than you do:). The PR wont be necessary at this stage.

 

My answer would be.........hire an integrated communications company at an early stage to do all communications related work. Have a nice day.

hey, 

Try using publicize.co these guys are amazing. They charge $300 - $400 a month and they really help you design your communication strategy, content planning & Outreach. I think they do amazing for the kind of price they charge. 

 

I used them for one of my app launches and they got me a review in PCadvisor which was something huge for me. They have an amazing list of journalists which makes your outreach a lot more convenient and effective. 

 

BTW, there's a catch. They don't work with everyone, they evaluate you first and see if you are newsworthy or not. 

 

Try them they are awesome. 

 

Cheers,

 

Mohsin

I am sorry I could not catch this earlier.

 

If you mean by "Public Relation" an organization or facility that would support your idea in Jordan (by introducing you to the right advisors and mentors, etc) i highly recommend you to contact oasis500.

 

There is also ZINC, which is a sub-facility of Zain; they are interested in supporting and helping new startups to, well, start :P.

 

I highly recommend you to attend open events, such startup weekend, TTI, AmmanTT, etc; you can meet there a lot of experts that will be very pleased to help and mentor you and maybe do some business together.

 

Anytime :)

Agree with the experts...................thank you for invitation

That's too broad a question. If you could be more specific to the products or services you intend to offer in your start-up, the answer can be focus to what you need to know. Nevertheless, go to PR consultant who have experience in the target market of the product and service you intend to venture. Network around ask for recommendation who is the best in the market vis-a-vis your requirement and budget. If Finance is the issue try go to business school professor who understand your area of interest. Strike a deal with the business school. The Professor perhaps can get a team of final year of MBA students to do the consultancy for you. That could give you the latest strategies and at manageable cost.

 

 

To be honest, I have know idea and will remain curious to know. But thanks for the invitation

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