When it comes to public relations, many business owners feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. That’s why it’s important to ask the right questions when hiring a PR agency.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most important questions you should ask any PR agency in Sydney before making a decision. By asking these questions, you will be able to find an agency that is a good fit for your business and that can help you achieve your desired results.
1. What experience does your team have in public relations?
When interviewing PR agencies, it’s important to ask about the team’s experience. How long has the agency been in business? What kind of clients do they typically work with? What is their specialty? The more experienced the team is, the better equipped they will be to help you reach your unique goals.
2. What services do you offer?
Not all PR agencies offer the same services. Some focus on media relations, while others specialise in social media or crisis communications. Make sure you know what services the agency offers so that you can determine if they can efficiently address your needs.
3. Can you provide us with case studies or examples of your work?
It’s important to see examples of an agency’s work before you hire them. This will give you a good idea of the kind of results they have been able to achieve for their clients. Case studies and examples can also help you understand the agency’s approach to public relations.
4. What is your pricing model?
Pricing models can vary from agency to agency. Some charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee for services. Make sure you are aware of the agency’s pricing model so that there are no surprises later on.
5. How much input will we have in the campaign?
Some business owners want a lot of input in their PR campaigns, while others prefer to let the experts handle everything. Make sure you understand how much involvement the agency will expect from you to avoid any confusion down the road.
6. How often are we going to receive updates?
Business owners want to know what’s going on with their campaigns, which is why it’s important to ask about the frequency of updates when interviewing PR agencies. Ask how often they plan to provide progress reports and if those reports will be written or verbal in nature (or both).
7. What metrics do you use to measure success?
Most business owners want results from their public relations efforts, but not all agencies measure success in the same ways. Make sure you understand how the agency is measuring success so that you can determine if their definition matches yours.
8. What are your company’s core values?
It’s important to find a PR agency whose values align with those of your business. Some companies place an emphasis on ethics. Others prioritise diversity and inclusion in everything they do internally and externally when working with clients day-to-day.
If these things don’t matter much to them, it might not be worth investing money into hiring such an agency since there isn’t much overlap between what matters most for both parties.
9. How are we going to communicate?
It’s important to establish how you and the PR agency will communicate before starting any work together. Will you be communicating via email, phone or in person? Establishing your communication plan upfront can help make everything clear from the get-go.
10. What if something goes wrong?
No one is perfect, and sometimes things go wrong during a PR campaign. If that happens, how will the agency handle it? Will they be proactive in fixing the issue or will you have to take the lead? Make sure you are aware of the agency’s plan for dealing with crises, so that you know what to expect if something goes wrong.
These are just some of the questions you should ask when hiring a PR agency. Remember, finding the right one can help you achieve great results for your business!