Public Relations
Public Relations

PR Without the Fluff

Public relations isn’t just for big companies with press teams—it’s about getting the right kind of attention for your startup. Whether you’re launching a product, sharing a milestone, or telling your story, PR helps build credibility and get your name in front of the right people.

This page breaks down how to approach PR in a way that’s doable, strategic, and actually useful for a growing business.

    PR Without the Fluff

    Public relations isn’t just for big companies with press teams—it’s about getting the right kind of attention for your startup. Whether you’re launching a product, sharing a milestone, or telling your story, PR helps build credibility and get your name in front of the right people.

    This page breaks down how to approach PR in a way that’s doable, strategic, and actually useful for a growing business.

      Tips to get you started creating your startup’s public relations strategy

      (Click linked headings for guidance)
      • Understand Your Business Objectives
        Align your PR efforts with your company’s overarching goals and objectives. Know what you want to achieve, whether it’s increasing brand visibility, managing a crisis, or launching a new product.
      • Identify Key Audiences
        Define the various stakeholders and audiences that your startup’s public relations efforts will target. This may include customers, investors, employees, industry influencers, and the media.
      • Craft Your Unique Story
        Develop a compelling narrative that sets your company apart. Highlight what makes your brand, products, or services unique and appealing to your target audience.
      • Media Relations
        Build and maintain relationships with relevant media outlets and journalists in your industry. Tailor your pitches to suit their interests and preferences.
      • Press Releases and Media Outreach
        Use press releases to announce significant company news, product launches, or achievements. Distribute these releases to your media contacts and on online press release distribution platforms.
      • Content Creation
        Create informative and engaging content that can be used in press releases, blog posts, bylined articles, and social media. Content should resonate with your audience and align with your PR goals.
      • Online Reputation Management
        Monitor and manage your company’s online reputation by addressing negative reviews, comments, and mentions promptly and professionally.
      • Crisis Communication Plan
        Develop a crisis communication plan that outlines how your company will respond to potential PR crises. Be prepared to address issues transparently and proactively.
      • Community Engagement
        Engage with your local community or relevant online communities through sponsorships, events, or social initiatives. Building goodwill within your community can enhance your brand’s reputation.
      • Thought Leadership
        Position yourself or key members of your team as thought leaders in your industry. Publish articles, speak at conferences, and participate in industry forums to establish authority.
      • Social Media Presence
        Utilize social media platforms to share company news, engage with your audience, and share thought leadership content. Maintain an active and consistent presence to boost your startup’s public relations strategy..
      • Measurement and Analytics
        Use metrics like media mentions, sentiment analysis, website traffic, and social media engagement to evaluate the impact of your PR efforts. Adjust your strategy based on the results.
      • Networking
        Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to connect with potential partners, customers, and media representatives.
      • Budget Allocation
        Allocate a budget for PR efforts, including media relations, content creation, and event participation. Effective PR often requires investment.
      • Legal Compliance
        Ensure that your startup’s public relations activities comply with relevant legal regulations, including disclosure requirements and industry-specific regulations.
      • Ethical PR
        Uphold ethical principles in your startup’s public relations practices. Maintain transparency, avoid false claims, and respect privacy and confidentiality.

      Tips to get you started creating your startup’s public relations strategy

      (Click linked headings for guidance)

      Understand Your Business Objectives
      Align your PR efforts with your company’s overarching goals and objectives. Know what you want to achieve, whether it’s increasing brand visibility, managing a crisis, or launching a new product.

      Identify Key Audiences
      Define the various stakeholders and audiences that your startup’s public relations efforts will target. This may include customers, investors, employees, industry influencers, and the media.

      Craft Your Unique Story
      Develop a compelling narrative that sets your company apart. Highlight what makes your brand, products, or services unique and appealing to your target audience.

      Media Relations
      Build and maintain relationships with relevant media outlets and journalists in your industry. Tailor your pitches to suit their interests and preferences.

      Press Releases and Media Outreach
      Use press releases to announce significant company news, product launches, or achievements. Distribute these releases to your media contacts and on online press release distribution platforms.

      Content Creation
      Create informative and engaging content that can be used in press releases, blog posts, bylined articles, and social media. Content should resonate with your audience and align with your PR goals.

      Online Reputation Management
      Monitor and manage your company’s online reputation by addressing negative reviews, comments, and mentions promptly and professionally.

      Crisis Communication Plan
      Develop a crisis communication plan that outlines how your company will respond to potential PR crises. Be prepared to address issues transparently and proactively.

      Community Engagement
      Engage with your local community or relevant online communities through sponsorships, events, or social initiatives. Building goodwill within your community can enhance your brand’s reputation.

      Thought Leadership
      Position yourself or key members of your team as thought leaders in your industry. Publish articles, speak at conferences, and participate in industry forums to establish authority.

      Social Media Presence
      Utilize social media platforms to share company news, engage with your audience, and share thought leadership content. Maintain an active and consistent presence to boost your startup’s public relations strategy..

      Measurement and Analytics
      Use metrics like media mentions, sentiment analysis, website traffic, and social media engagement to evaluate the impact of your PR efforts. Adjust your strategy based on the results.

      Networking
      Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to connect with potential partners, customers, and media representatives.

      Budget Allocation
      Allocate a budget for PR efforts, including media relations, content creation, and event participation. Effective PR often requires investment.

      Legal Compliance
      Ensure that your startup’s public relations activities comply with relevant legal regulations, including disclosure requirements and industry-specific regulations.

      Ethical PR
      Uphold ethical principles in your startup’s public relations practices. Maintain transparency, avoid false claims, and respect privacy and confidentiality.

      Good PR takes planning, real relationships, and the ability to pivot. When done right, it boosts your reputation, builds trust, and supports everything else you’re doing in marketing.

      Good PR takes planning, real relationships, and the ability to pivot. When done right, it boosts your reputation, builds trust, and supports everything else you’re doing in marketing.

      Basic Resources

      Go-To PR Resources for Startups

      Basic Resources

      Go-To PR Resources for Startups

      PR Strategy

      5 Steps to Build a Public Relations Strategy [+ KPIs and Tools You Need] - From HubSpot

      Press Kit

      How to Build a Startup Press Kit by an ex-Journalist - From Medium

      May require Medium registration

      How to Write a Press Release

      A Step-By-Step Guide - from SEMRush

      Press Release Distribution

      Top 11 Services + 4 Mistakes to Avoid - From HubSpot

      Communications Plans

      How to Write an Effective Communications Plan [+ Template] - From HubSpot

      Press Pages

      11 Press Page Examples [+ How to Build One] - From HubSpot

      Writing Press Releases

      How to Write a Press Release [Free Press Release Template + Examples] - From HubSpot

      Public Relations Blogs

      10 Must-Read PR Blogs To Follow In 2025 - From Prowly

      Advanced Resources

      Further develop your startup’s public relations strategy

      Advanced Resources

      Further develop your startup’s public relations strategy

      Content Marketing & PR

      How Content Marketing & PR Combined Can Generate Leads - From HubSpot

      PR Amplification

      Effective Ways to Amplify Your PR Campaign

      PR Innovations

      Rethinking the Press Release: Innovations for a New Era of Earned Media - A downloadable guide from Cision

      Valuable tools that can help you create and execute a Public Relations strategy

      Valuable tools that can help you create and execute a Public Relations strategy

      Google Alerts

      Google Alerts allows you to monitor mentions of your brand or relevant keywords across the web. You'll receive email notifications whenever your specified terms appear online.

      HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

      HARO connects journalists with sources and experts. It's a great platform for gaining media exposure by responding to journalists' requests.

      Brandwatch

      Brandwatch offers social listening and analytics tools to monitor social media conversations and track brand mentions.

      Meltwater

      Meltwater offers media monitoring and social listening tools to track mentions, sentiment, and trends related to your brand and industry.

      Hootsuite

      Brandwatch offers social listening and analytics tools to monitor social media conversations and track brand mentions.

      Talkwalker

      Talkwalker offers social listening and analytics tools for tracking brand mentions and analyzing social media sentiment.

      Cision

      Cision provides PR software and services for media monitoring, influencer identification, and media outreach.

      Anewstip

      Anewstip helps you discover and connect with journalists and media outlets interested in your industry or topic.

      Prezly

      Prezly is a PR and communications software that helps you manage media contacts, create newsrooms, and distribute press releases.

      Muck Rack

      Muck Rack helps you find journalists, bloggers, and influencers relevant to your industry. It also offers media monitoring and outreach tools.

      PR Newswire

      PR Newswire offers a range of services, including press release distribution, media monitoring, and content marketing.

      Agility PR Solutions

      Agility PR Solutions provides media database and monitoring tools to help streamline your PR efforts.

      Don’t let marketing slow you down—or drive you nuts. If you’re stuck, swamped, or just tired of Googling everything, Mathlete Marketing has your back.

      Don’t let marketing slow you down—or drive you nuts. If you’re stuck, swamped, or just tired of Googling everything, Mathlete Marketing has your back.