India has the third largest startup ecosystem. The industry is dynamic and competitive with new startups foraying into the sector. To build a position for themselves in the market and achieve their business goals, emerging businesses need Public Relations (PR). While they get a lot of advice on what not to do, what to do ‘right’ for maximised impact and efforts is rarely spoken about.

Let’s delve into what startups should do to ensure they remain at the top of their communication game:

Share what’s relevant, beneficial, impactful

From a PR lens, only a key milestone or communication that’s important, beneficial and impactful for the stakeholders should be shared. Particularly when it comes to media, journalists receive hundreds of pitches in a day. It’s essential to filter out the information and share that can attract their attention and persuade them to approach it. The right way to analyse this is by stepping into the shoes of audiences and media and viewing developments from their point of view.

Tell the story

Storytelling is a critical element of the PR strategy for startups. Journalists and even target audiences want to know what is unique about the companies’ offerings, how are they driving market growth, innovation, etc. To build credibility and reputation, brands must weave stories around their journey, spokespeople and offerings. This must be done creatively so that the stories pique the interest of stakeholders and drive them organically toward the desired call to action.

The power of a strategic PR plan and the expertise of a PR agency

Public Relations is an important component of the overall marketing mix. For optimal results, it’s essential that PR activities be in tandem with the overall marketing and business goals. However, managing the communications aspect while running a business, building a team, handling operations, etc., can be a daunting task for founders. Hence, startups need the expertise of PR agencies.

PR firms help emerging businesses define the overall communications strategy, key messaging, crisis management, etc. Understanding their future goals and vision, the sector’s challenges, target audiences, etc., PR experts chalk out a plan that supports startups in their growth journey.

Tailor the approach

Today a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t effective in PR. When businesses are building products and innovating services customised to the consumers’ needs, it becomes imperative to tailor the communications strategy as well. For this, it’s integral to have access to information like the target audiences’ preferences, the kind of content they consume, consumers’ preferable touchpoints to communicate with the brand, etc. Answers to these questions will help PR firms tailor their strategy and communicate effectively with the audiences.

To conclude

Every communication represents the company and plays a huge role in influencing public perception. But how do startups communicate, the kind of channels used and the messaging shared with target audiences make a huge difference. To stay ahead of the curve and attain their goals, emerging businesses need a strategic, impactful communications strategy. And for this, partnering with an expert PR agency can be the best bet. With their seasoned talent and robust tech infrastructure, PR firms can develop tailored PR strategies, manage online reputation, navigate crises, craft compelling narratives and do much more. By investing in a skilled firm offering strategic communication solutions, startups can avoid common communication mistakes and build a strong market reputation, ultimately driving sustainable growth and long-term success.