One of the questions that I often get asked, is how do you know when it’s the right time to get publicity for your business.
I know a lot of people worry about starting too early – they’re concerned about things like:
- I’m not enough of an expert yet
- My business isn’t well known enough yet
- My website isn’t ready
- I haven’t got my services/packages in place
- There are other people who are way more experienced than me, how can I compete with them?
These are all valid concerns and I can totally understand why you might be thinking that it’s too early to be getting publicity if your business is fairly new.
But my advice for you if you’re thinking about getting publicity, is start now!
It can take time to build up your reputation and getting publicity can be an important part of that. So don’t put it off. Do it now and it will actually help you to overcome most of those concerns you have.
Being quoted as an expert in the press or writing a guest blog post will help you to be seen as an expert
It will help your business become better known
It will help you stand out against the competition
Ok, it does help to have a website so that you have somewhere to direct people to. But I would never let your website not being perfect hold you back from getting publicity. You can even get a holding page in place and use that to collect the email addresses of people who visit your site if it’s still being built.
Or use your impending media appearance as motivation to finally get your website out there! Building a website does not have to take long if you don’t want it to, and done is better than perfect.
Saying that, one of my mastermind clients doesn’t have a website and she’s had tons of media coverage!
The other thing to bear in mind, is that you don’t have to jump straight in to pitching The Times. Why not start by getting some coverage in your local newspaper? Or start submitting a couple of guest blog posts? Imagine how much more of an expert you’ll feel if you’re getting published on Huffington Post or Mind Body Green?
Now is the time to do it, so that you can build up your profile whilst you start growing your business.
And if you’ve been in business for a while? What are you waiting for?
I strongly believe that every small business owner should be using publicity to grow their business.
In fact, if you’re someone who’s been in business for a while and is looking to make the leap and take your business to the next level, getting media coverage is essential.
Just think about all those entrepreneurs and business owners you admire. Chances are they have been featured in the press. Marie Forleo, Tony Robbins, Lewis Howes, Danielle LaPorte, Natalie MacNeil, Denise Duffield-Thomas – one of the things they all have common, aside from being hugely successful, is that they regularly appear in the press.
If you’re not using publicity to grow your business, you’re missing out on a big opportunity. I know I’ve banged on about it before, but there are just SO many benefits to having your business featured in the press.
So, wherever you are in your business – now is the time to start working on your publicity.
Start by submitting a guest blog post, or by sending out a press release. Don’t let the fear of being new in business hold you back. Take action today so that you can reap the rewards in the future.
Are you using publicity for your business or have you been holding back? Leave a comment below and let me know…
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