The dos and donts of online PR


Hiring a PR professional can be expensive so here are a few 'do's' and 'don't's' to get you started. In the world we live in, technology has a massive part to play in the majority of any business and it is important we manage our online reputation accordingly.
 
Do
  • Use relevant social media and networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest etc. Regular posts, even just once a week, will strengthen your online presence and help you connect with your target audience
  • Include press releases and features on your current website.
  • Add testimonials from clients and suppliers.
  • Contact online magazines and blogs with news and ask them to link it back to your website.
  • Establish if there are opportunities to become a guest blogger on other sites for additional links.
  • Do check out your competitors and try and be a step ahead of what they are doing online.
  • Post your news free on PRFire.co.uk or PRLog.org for other additional exposure.
  • Reply to any messages, reviews or requests good or bad immediately, but always professionally.
  • Write as many releases as you like, but ensure the Headline is eye-catching and not too generic.
  • Brainstorm different ideas related to your business and get inspiration from other (non related) industries.
  • If you are not comfortable writing your own reviews, find a freelance to help you for a more cost effective and professional result.
 
Don't
  • Write any negative reviews about your competitors.
  • Get a friend to write some 'bogus' testimonials, you are just cheating yourself.
  • Just copy competitor's ideas, create your own brand identity.
  • Email Spam messages to everybody, contact the PR contact directly to maximise your opportunity for a feature on their site.
  • Don't hound editors for inclusions, but ensure the information you are sending is relevant to their site.
  • Be afraid to try something new.