For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the challenge of standing out in a crowded market can feel overwhelming. Often, these businesses struggle with limited resources. This makes it hard to build brand recognition or navigate public relations. That’s why implementing effective PR Strategies Tips for SMEs is crucial.
Christel Goh, founder of Grow Public Relations, saw this gap. She noticed that SMEs and startups are often left out of traditional PR strategies. With a mission to empower these businesses, Christel shares her journey and offers insights on how PR strategy tips for SMEs can help scale visibility and credibility.
The PR Challenges Faced by SMEs
Q: What motivated you to start Grow Public Relations, and how did your previous experiences shape your vision for the agency?
A: I started my career in public relations and in 2018. Then, I officially registered with a public relations consulting business.
For many years, I’ve executed public relations campaigns for many large public and private organisations. Then, I realized there was a gap in the underserved market- SMEs and startups.
I learnt about this gap when I was running a social enterprise. I was trying to market it and get it off the ground. Through my media pitching efforts, the social enterprise was noticed by many leaders in the healthcare sector in a short period of time.
This led me to start Grow Public Relations. We aim to create the most meaningful growth in reputation for SMEs and startups through our PR Strategies Tips for SMEs.
Q: How did you identify the specific needs of SMEs in public relations, and what led you to focus on this underserved market?
A: After moving to take on a role in in-house communications, I came across a unique dining concept that I felt wasn’t very well-publicized. I thought it would be really exciting to take on a PR project, so I reached out to them.
They responded that they didn’t have the budget to engage external PR support. This made me realize that PR is often perceived as very expensive and is mainly for MNCs. That is why I founded Grow PR to give SMEs and startups a platform to share their story and benefit from PR Strategies Tips for SMEs.
Although we have a diverse portfolio of clients, we treat each one with respect, attention, and efforts.
Q: What are the most critical challenges that SMEs face in building their brand reputation, and how can effective public relations strategies address these challenges?
A: SMEs have a shorter history in brand building as compared to MNCs. It means that their brand may not be as recognized by their audiences. They may also not have huge budgets for advertising campaigns. This is why public relations can help propel their brand forward with a budget that is friendlier than huge brand campaigns. Implementing PR Strategies tips for SMEs can make a significant difference.
Q: Can you discuss the latest trends in public relations that are particularly relevant for SMEs, and how these businesses can capitalize on them?
A: Public relations is changing as the channels we can reach out to are vastly different compared to a decade ago. The essential strategy that SMEs should undertake when it comes to PR is to put their brand out there as much as possible. The channels are ever-evolving. SMEs don’t have to just rely on traditional media articles anymore. They can put their brand out there through the content that they create.
Q: What key elements should SMEs focus on when crafting a PR strategy to ensure they stand out in a crowded marketplace?
A: It is important for SMEs to:
- Be clear about the objectives for PR.
- Match the right communications message with the right channels. Often, what SMEs think can be a PR story should really just be used as material for a brochure/website.
- Understand that brand building is a process that takes many years.
- Have a long-term PR strategy in mind.
Q: How can SMEs measure the success of their PR efforts, and what metrics are most indicative of long-term impact and growth?
A: Brand recall. In fact, SMEs who have embarked on a longer-term PR campaign would see more customers coming to them. Most of them say that they saw their media articles. Therefore, in the longer term, measurements of success could be awareness in the industry
Actionable PR Strategies for SMEs
Christel offers key PR strategy tips for SMEs looking to make an impact through PR. What are they? First is defining clear objectives, then matching the right message with the right channels. She also added that brand-building always takes time.
She advises a long-term approach, consistent media outreach, and measuring success through brand recall. With these steps, SMEs can grow their visibility and reach new audiences, even with limited resources.
