As a startup or small business in the UK, you may be eager to improve your online presence and reputation through PR efforts. However, the cost of hiring a PR agency or committing to a full-time PR headcount may not be feasible for your budget. This is where hiring a freelance PR or Digital PR professional could be the other option to go for. 10 Reasons You Should Consider Hiring A Freelance PR Professional for Your BusinessThe rise of freelancing in the UK offers businesses access to top-quality PR expertise without the need to hire a full-time employee. Freelance PR professionals offer a flexible and tailored approach to your PR needs, as well as specialised expertise in a specific sector. If you're looking to launch your brand and build brand awareness, hiring a freelance PR professional could be just what you need. From flexibility to specialised expertise, you'll discover why going down the freelance route could be a game-changer for your business. I may be bias but I can think of at least 10 reasons why this might be a good move for you and I'm going to share. So, grab a cup of coffee and let's get started!
1. Cost-effective One of the main benefits of hiring a freelance PR professional is cost-effectiveness. Unlike traditional agencies that charge on long contractual retainer fees, freelance PR professionals work independently. This means they have lower overheads and can offer their services at a lower cost as and when you need them. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses or startups that may have limited budgets but still need to start somewhere to establish a strong online presence. 2. Flexibility Freelancers are highly flexible and can work around your schedule and requirements. They can offer a range of services, from one-off projects to ongoing campaigns, and can adapt their approach to suit your specific needs. This means that you can get the PR support you need without having to commit to a long-term contract. It also means you can scale your campaigns based on business growth (aka financial status) without having to worry about committing long term. 3. Expertise As someone who's been in the business 15 years I can vouch for this point. When you hire a Freelance PR, you'll get access to a wealth of expertise and knowledge coming from one person. A lot would have worked both client agency side, and will therefore have a well-rounded approach to your PR needs. When working for an agency, PR professionals have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients, each with their own specific needs and challenges. This can help them develop a wide range of skills and strategies that can be applied to different industries and businesses. Working in-house on the other hand allows PR professionals to develop a deep understanding of the company's brand values, culture, and goals. This can be valuable when it comes to creating PR strategies that align with the brand's overall vision and messaging. When you hire a freelance PR, you'll be hiring someone with broad knowledge, who'll be on the pulse with the latest trends in the industry. And you'll be getting all this at a much lower cost. 4. Digital PR Hiring a PR professional who happens to be a digital PR expert is a great strategic move. Not only will you get multiple skillsets from one person, you'll also be getting PR and digital PR services in one hit. PR is a vital component of SEO and can help to improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your website. Having a digital PR expert on board allows you to build awareness and reputation simultaneously while growing organic traffic. Your digital PR expert will be able to align your brand, PR objectives and SEO objectives which essentially means you'll be getting more for your buck. 5. Specialised Knowledge Specialised knowledge will also be one of the key advantages of hiring a freelance PR or digital PR expert. They'll have background information about your specific industry or niche as well as valuable historical knowledge on your target audience and the content they consume. They'll also have insight on the journalists and influencers that cover your industry, who your competitors are, and how to differentiate from them. Working with a sector-specific freelancer also means that your PR efforts will be focused and targeted which can save you time and resources in the long run. 6. Social media management Social media is a vital component of PR and SEO which means that freelance PR professionals can help you create engaging content that resonates with your audience. They can also help you to develop a social media strategy that aligns with your business objectives. 7. Efficient Use of Resources Another advantage of hiring a freelance PR or digital PR expert is the efficient use of resources. Freelancers typically work on a project-by-project basis, meaning they have the flexibility to allocate their time and resources accordingly. This means they can provide a laser focus on priority projects which is particularly advantageous for businesses with smaller marketing budgets . 8. Tailored Approach Hiring a freelance PR offers a tailored approach that can be a valuable asset, especially for startups and small businesses. One of the benefits is that they can project manage your priority projects without being bogged down by the bureaucracy of larger agencies. This allows them to mould their approach that fits with any business shifts or changes that may arise. Freelancers are also known for their agility in their way of working, and are able to pivot quickly to meet any challenges or opportunities that come their way. This is particularly evident when it comes to all things digital, the ever changing news cycle and external events. With a bespoke service, they can provide a more personalised touch to their work to meet your needs. 9. Access to Wider Network When you work with a freelance PR expert, you gain access to a wider network of media, peers, and PR communities than you would with an in-house team or agency. Freelancers are not tied to any particular brand or agency, which means they have a larger pool of contacts and connections in the industry to tap into. This can be especially valuable for startups and small businesses that are just starting out and need to build relationships with journalists in their industry quickly. 10. Results-driven Because freelance PR professionals are hired on a project by project basis, they are more likely to be results-driven. They are typically hired to achieve specific objectives and are focused on delivering measurable outcomes for their clients within a short time frame. This means that they are more likely to work with a sense of urgency, prioritising key tasks that will help to achieve their clients' goals. In actual fact, freelancers will have a vested interest in delivering results that exceed their clients' expectations, as they have a reputation to uphold. They often work on a contract basis and their continued success depends on their ability to deliver results that keeps their clients happy. Happy clients lead to future business opportunities. Finally, wanting to maintain a positive image in their industry motivates freelance PR professionals to work harder and smarter to deliver results. Trust me when I say, I know this too well! In a world where businesses need to be agile and efficient, hiring a freelance PR or digital PR expert could be a smart move. They bring a fresh perspective, targeted expertise, and a results-driven approach. You'll get access to a wide range of skills and a network of media contacts that can give your brand the visibility it needs to succeed. Plus, their tailored approach to your business needs means that they can provide bespoke services that fit your goals and budget. If you're thinking using PR to grow your brand but not quite at the stage to hire someone full time, a hiring a freelance PR could be the ideal scenario for you.
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