Five reasons why you still need PR and Marketing even when you don’t think you can afford it

For many of us, especially business owners, this winter is giving many a great deal of anxiety. With the cost of living at an all-time high and energy bills reaching astronomic heights, it seems prudent to redraft budgets and cut out any unnecessary expenditure. Spending money on PR and Marketing suddenly seems like a luxury. However, there are good reasons why now is not the time to cut your communication strategy.

1. Reach the right audience

Now, more than ever, your business success will rely on reaching the right audience. Put bluntly – if people don’t know you exist, they can’t buy from you. Marketing and PR companies are experts in not only identifying and targeting your key audience but reaching them through a diverse range of channels. From podcasts to social media and trade magazines, we know how to reach potential customers.

2. Good Marketing can save money

Running expensive advertising campaigns on channels that your target audience don’t tune into or that don’t do a good job of communicating your messaging can be a very expensive exercise! Consistency is crucial to success. PR and Marketing tell the same story across advertisements, media placements, branding and more to avoid brand confusion.

3. Help customers understand why they should pick you instead of your competitors

What makes you different? Why should customers choose you as opposed to your competitors? Marketing can help communicate these key messages with clarity and persistence. Make sure you set business goals and create a marketing plan that allows customers to choose your company again and again.

4. A good PR strategy prevents problems and can troubleshoot your business

A key part of PR is to stay on top of what’s being said about your business and make sure that the information that’s being spread is accurate. Bad reviews can happen to anyone, but it is how we deal with them that makes all the difference.

5. Your time is valuable

Investing in professional PR and Marketing means you can focus on what matters the most - growing your business. It can quickly get stressful to handle all marketing and PR activities in-house. Knowing that your company’s reputation and outreach are taken care of brings not just peace of mind but allows you to concentrate on your work and hence create revenue,

So before you decide you cannot afford PR and Marketing, make sure you have analysed the impact this will have on your time, your business and your stress levels. Remember - often perceived cost can add long-term value.