This episode of “What Is Public Relations?” will challenge your perspective on launches, visibility and what it REALLY takes to stand out in today’s online business landscape.
If you’re hoping there’s some shortcut to credibility, or you’re buying into the narrative that online courses and launches are “dead,” you may want to hear what Matt Hall (the undisputed Launch King!) and Laura Perkes are saying…
IS VISIBILITY ENOUGH?
Visibility isn’t purely about being seen. As Matt explains, pandemic-era “visibility” hype led many to believe that success was just a numbers game. But being visible for the sake of visibility isn’t what drives your business forward—it’s what you say, how you say it and who’s witnessing it.
“Stop trading time for money” might be a catchy slogan, but building authority, trust and recurring revenue takes more than just showing up. If your launch flops or your message falls flat, it’s likely not because those tactics don’t work; it’s because the market has changed and surface-level strategies are no longer sufficient.
Ask ourself: Are your free launch events genuinely valuable, or are they thinly veiled sales pitches? Are you caring enough, innovating enough, or simply adding to the noise?
THE LAUNCH MYTHS & MARKET REALITIES
As Matt dives deep, the “trust recession” is real: audiences are more cynical, AI makes everything appear slick (and fake), and too many people have burned out investing in low-grade courses. Success now demands more LIVE support, accountability and over-delivering on promises, NOT just a pre-recorded course and a few Instagram posts.
“I like that the market correction is forcing us to be better and care more.” (Matt)
BUT WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT LAUNCH KING MATERIAL
Both Laura and Matt reflect on playing the long game, the importance of self-trust and trying something before you judge how it will perform and deliver.
Never underestimate the power of patience, perseverance and real mentoring. Anything new will (naturally) feel scary, and sometimes the only metric that matters after your first try is: did you actually do it?
Visibility and audience engagement still matter, you need a real, loyal audience to launch to, but launching itself is often the best way to build that engaged audience. Celebrate your first attempt, then iterate and improve.
WHATS REALLY GOING ON BACKSTAGE?
Happiness doesn’t exist where there is comparison. It’s time to stop side-eyeing everyone else’s highlight reel and start owning your own story, with all its messy, beautiful pivots.
Ask yourself:
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Are you chasing other people’s definitions of success?
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Are you allowing your own “North Star” to evolve as you grow?
Remember: your story is enough. You’re enough.
PR THE MISSING PIECE IN YOUR VISIBILITY ENGINE
PR isn’t elitist anymore. The “as seen in” and media features are potent tools for credibility, but you don’t always need a big agency or budget to get started. As Matt shares, strategic angles and DMing journalists landed him local BBC news and press coverage, long before he paid for support.
Don’t underestimate relationship-building: get in the right rooms, have quality conversations and focus on being memorable for all the right reasons.
Networking isn’t about pitching to everyone you meet—it’s about showing up, serving and becoming a decent human being that others want to support and refer.
Want to learn more or connect with Matt?
Find him on Instagram @matthallofficial (and yes, it’s really him replying!). And Laura Perkes is always open to critique, questions or hellos at @prwithperkes.
If you’re ready to take your launch or visibility to the next level, this episode is one to revisit. Listen in and start building the relationships and credibility that will drive your business forward.
About Laura Perkes:
Laura Perkes is a PR Specialist, Communications Consultant and the Founder of PR with Perkes. She helps creative, diverse and innovative founders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs who are wanting to raise their profile and build authority through effective PR.
Creating an an earned attention eco-system which contributes to the year on year growth of their business.
