How to be Your Own Publicist – As an entrepreneur, your priority is to get the word out about who you are and what you’re doing. Traditionally, you would have gone to a publicist for this sort of thing – somebody with the connections and expertise to create a personal brand for you and raise awareness. But as any budding author will tell you, they’re frightfully expensive. And entrepreneurs aren’t always flush with cash!
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune on publicity fees. There are ways you can be your own publicist. And they’re much more straightforward than you might imagine.
1. Make Your Social Media Accounts Unique
Many people yearning for success start their journey on social media, churning out content and attempting to build an audience. But merely having an account and producing material is insufficient for effective public relations. You need to do something original in your niche, however hard that might sound.
The best approach is to allow your personality to shine. Don’t pretend to be anyone else. Don’t put on a front. Allow your innate genius to emerge naturally. If you can be authentic, you’ll soon attract likes, shares and many followers.
2. Research Your Target Audience
If you know who you need to attract with your PR campaigns, you immediately make getting the word out much more manageable.
Nowadays, online marketing tools (including Google and Facebook) are incredibly powerful. They allow you to target specific individuals most likely to want what you’re selling, taking the guesswork out of the process. But to use them effectively, you have to know the characteristics of your audience. Think carefully about what makes them happy, keeps them up at night, and where they go for their information.
Identify your Audience to Gain Publicity – Watch the Video to Find Out Why
3. Develop An Image
Do people buy from brands, or do they buy from entrepreneurs? Sometimes, it’s a bit of both. Just look at the success that Elon Musk has had. Is the stock price of Tesla a result of the actions of the company itself? Or is it because people believe in the man running it? For the most part, it’s the latter!
Developing an image and protecting it is crucial. The more you can cultivate a particular persona, the more memorable you make yourself. Entrepreneurs who do it, like lifestyle coach and guru Tony Robbins, can often see considerable market gains.
4. Keep Your Message Consistent
Even though your audience is interested in you, they don’t have the time to learn every nuance about your character. Thus, you can’t appear to chop and change in your approach from one month to the next. Being consistent is all about building trust and giving your audience the sense that they know who you are and what makes you tick. This seemingly boring familiarity is the essence of long-term brand-building.
5. Write An Amazing Bio
Finally, get your in-house PR team to write a fantastic bio – or do it yourself if you have the skills. Create a story that speaks to your audience and gains their trust. You want to make yourself appear as though you’re “one of them” and doing something profound.
Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!
