Let’s get one thing straight: PR isn’t about vanity metrics or hunting down compliments. It’s not about basking in applause when you speak on stage, or chasing dopamine with another “as seen in” logo on your website.
Public Relations is your direct route to showing up in front of thousands (if not millions) of your perfect-fit clients, all at once. It helps you become niche famous, which leads to other opportunities that will increase how much you get paid.
BIG EFFORT, TINY RESULTS
When was the last time a social media post reached 10,000+ people? Probably… never. (And before you try and fight me in the comments, I need you to get honest about how social media works) only a tiny fraction of your followers ever see your content.
You’re relying on algorithms built to keep you small, meanwhile, a single PR hit could land you in front of an audience you’d never reach through your own efforts.
WHAT PR ACTUALLY IS…
It’s not just getting quoted in the press (though that’s brilliant).
➡️ It’s being interviewed on podcasts your clients actually listen to
➡️ It’s running masterclasses for someone else’s audience
➡️ It’s speaking at events where your next customer is sitting in the front row.
➡️ It’s about building relationships and telling your story through platforms with ready-made trust and authority.
If you’re only posting on Instagram and crossing your fingers, you’re cock-blocking yourself (and your business) from the expansion you crave.
Visibility is not vanity. Visibility is the fast ticket to growth and increased income.
YOU’RE BIGGER THAN THIS
Right now, you’re playing small.
If you launched your business because you have a message worth sharing then frankly, you owe it to yourself—and your future clients—to stop hiding. You want people to see you, trust you and be inspired to work with you… so WHY are you ignoring the strategies that will get you there the fastest?
❓Is it because you’ve heard a few scary stories about PR gone wrong?
❓Is it the price tag?
❓Is it fear of being visible in the “wrong” place, like your story becoming clickbait in the Daily Mail?
Here’s the thing: every channel has its risks, but sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing is the biggest risk of all.
I know this blog is going to ruffle a few feathers, especially if you’ve filed PR away as a fluffy extra on your business wish list, somewhere between a new website and that “someday” podcast.
But I need you to hear me out:
If you keep treating PR like a ‘nice to have’ then you’re missing out on opportunities for growth, increased profit and becoming famous in your niche.
If I had £1 for every time a business owner said to me, “PR is a nice to have, I’ll get to it once I’ve done xyz” then I’d be on the beach sipping a raspberry mojito right now (which I’m not, btw!)
THE TRUTH?
When you say that PR is a ‘nice-to-have’, what you’re REALLY telling me is that you don’t understand what Public Relations actually is, what it does and how it works to drive your business forward.
Brutal? Maybe. But necessary.
STOP RELYING ON JUST ONE TACTIC
Social media will never do all the heavy lifting for you. Even the world’s biggest brands, such as John Lewis, Gymshark and Dove, are investing in strategic PR campaigns to drive their message further, share expert-led stories and stay relevant in a noisy market.
Ask yourself: Would you tell those brands PR is just a nice-to-have?
Of course not. Because they know that for every sales campaign, every product launch and every “big moment,” PR is what turns ideas into impact at scale.
PR IS the handbag. The brand label is irrelevant. PR isn’t the Gucci version that’s only obtainable by those with wealth. PR is the bag you use to carry your essentials from A to B.
You can opt for Zara or Gucci, where you choose to invest is up to you, but its function is non-negotiable.
If you want to move through your industry effectively and become Niche Famous, you need PR working for you.
It’s not a treat. It’s the tool you use to get where you want to go faster and with less effort.
Still not convinced? Here’s how to work smarter, not harder….
You could spend an hour agonising over a Facebook post that maybe 2% of your followers see.
OR you could spend that same hour getting interviewed on a podcast with 12,000 listeners, then repurpose that content into blog posts, social media graphics, audio clips and more.
One hour of input = multiple streams of output. THAT is what I mean when I say PR works harder for you.
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
If you’re triggered, good. That means you care, and this is your opportunity to get honest about what’s holding you back.
Look at your industry peers, the ones you secretly admire (or envy). I can guarantee they’re getting featured in the press, getting interviewed on multiple podcasts and putting themselves in the spotlight.
They’re Niche Famous. That could be you, if you choose that playing small isn’t what you’re here for.
Here’s what I want you to take away from this:
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PR is not about vanity, it’s about velocity.
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It’s not a “bonus”, it’s the backbone of your growth strategy.
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Word of mouth is beautiful, but PR is word of mouth on steroids.
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You can’t just rely on one channel and expect everything to change. The real magic happens when PR, social, and digital work together.
Ready to see how PR can drive your business forward?
Firstly, educate yourself on what Public Relations truly means, then decide how you want to leverage it, whether that’s with a specialist, in a group programme, or by DIY-ing your own campaigns.
Just don’t sit on the side lines telling yourself it’s just a ‘nice to have’.
If you’re ready to ditch the excuses, fast-track your results and build real momentum, my DMs are always open.
Find me on Instagram @PRwithPerkes.
Whether you’re fired up, furious, or just finally ready to take action, I want to hear from you.
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.
