An effective PR strategy has a number of various elements to it. The obvious one is pitching story ideas to different publications. Having said that, the following are 5 other elements to a potential PR strategy which you might not have considered.

1) Open Yourself To Social Media:

There's nothing you need to be scared about, since social media is really just another avenue of communication. Any business can use social media to listen, engage, share, and then exchange ideas with customers in various ways that were once not even possible. Perhaps most importantly, it's all free!

In terms of social media, all you have to do is act the same you would in real life at a networking event: listen, respond, offer intriguing conversation, track what folks like, provide what they like, and more important than anything else, be authentic and inject your personality into it.

If you want to truly embrace the potential of social media, then EMR Marketing Recruitment recommends you start with creating a business blog that's supported by a Facebook business page, a Twitter account just for your business, and finally a LinkedIn account. Don't stop just at opening these accounts, since you need to be actively participating with them. If you act like a bad friend who isn't sharing, just being there isn't going to generate a lot of contacts. Be open, so you can give it all the time that you're able to.

2) Network, Network, Network:

How many contacts do you have? It doesn't matter. The number is never too much. From broad business groups to specific association networks, there are a multitude of opportunities where business owners can network. However, just showing up is never enough either. It's also not just about drumming new business. Running a company can be an experience that is isolating and even stressful. However, when networking, you can learn a lot about many different kinds of businesses, all that's happening throughout the business community, and how to share your own experiences.

Keep in mind that good networkers will always follow up with those they've met. It's not so much about collecting all the business cards you can, but instead about connecting with people. Try setting your goal at one event to be getting two business cards along with invitations to contact them so you can arrange a coffee meetup in order to converse in more detail.

3) Write Articles:

Writing and then distributing media releases can be just one way you get media coverage and can also help with ensuring your brand rises above negative press or articles on sites like Ripoff Report. You could also write articles to pitch to publications. A lot of publications are actually stretched for resources and will welcome articles that are written well. You could write an article which positions you as someone who is an industry expert where you offer helpful topical information and insight.

Make sure that your writing is objective and informative but also entertaining. Be sure that your article writing is also free of blatant advertising. Research the publications that your prospects read or just pitch into the major publications of your industry.

4) Get Your Website Updated:

Do you know that most search engines also read articles? Offer intriguing and informative content on your website in order to build up credibility so people keep coming back to read more. It's also a good way of boosting up your Google ranking. When your website's ranking with Google moves higher in organic search results, then more potential clients will find you.

You could write articles which include variants of your primary search phrases and keywords that folks use to find you or your business when looking up your industry and your various products and services. If you're stuck for any ideas you can add to the website to keep content fresh, then just think about what's been going in your industry or business recently. Readers love reading positive things about your company.

5) Gather Up Customer Testimonials:

 It seems simple enough getting customer testimonials, but a lot of folks neglect their inclusion with their PR/marketing techniques. Testimonials are what build up the credibility and trust of your business, and they're very powerful ways you can use to position your company as an expert. The inclusion of customer testimonials somewhere on your website or in your marketing collateral might help you to win new business. Set aside time to either email or call customers to find out if they'd mind writing some brief testimonials. If they're short on time, quickly ask them to explain what it is they liked most about your products and services and then offer to write things up for them.