Building Your Own PR Campaign on a Budget

Turning a hobby into a business can be the best decision you ever make. It also can be the hardest job you have ever had. Determination, thick skin and the willingness to work some 12 hour days is necessary. If you have taken the leap and started your own company, get ready because there is a lot to get done before you start to turn a profit. One of the most important steps to take is building a solid PR campaign.

I know that sounds like something that costs a lot of money, but it doesn't have to. In these times, it is almost impossible to get funding to start a business. With many using their own money to get their start up off the ground, you have to be sure that every dollar spent is stretched as far as possible. Put on your thinking caps and start with these tips:

- Who Are You? The best way to set the tone for your company is to sit down and compile a list of key terms that you see related to your product or service. Get your family and close friends to help you come up with some slogans or phrases that give you an idea of how customers might describe your brand. People want a quick way to know who you are and what you are about, so keep it simple and clear.

- What Is Your Message? It needs to be something similar to the way a customer would perceive you. For example, it should explain how you address a need. You can use customer feedback for this. Send out a quick email survey and perhaps offer a discount or free shipping for filling it out. This will help you and be worth that small price.

- Let the World Know! A Press Release is a great tool and you can find a great list from Mashable here for 20+ FREE Press Release distribution sites. Writing a press release can take some time, but this is something that can be done with a little help. Here is a tutorial on how to write a press release from PR Web. Always be sure to have a "Contact Us" button on your front page of your site. This is a simple and easy to use one with a built in SPAM filter from Free Contact Form.

- Who Is Your Audience? Once you narrow down who your core audiences are, prioritize them. Many companies can target a few different markets, so make your list and put them in order of importance. Ensure that your message pertains to that specific market when distributing your campaign.

- Calling All Bloggers! You know all those fabulous blogs that you read everyday? Find the ones that coincide with your target market and reach out to them. Ask them which blogs, websites and newspapers/magazines they read. If the bloggers are in your market, ask them if they would post your Press Release for you or set up an interview or giveaway. This can cost you as little as 2 products (one for the blog owner to review and one for a giveaway). This is a small price to pay for the return of free market research, a written review and increased traffic to your website.

- Follow Through This is the most important thing to do when you are the newbie. Your audience will not respect you if you do not have your stuff together. Be sure to follow up with those that you sent the press release to. Be sure to include a phone number to be contacted on the release.