PR for Tech Companies: Paid vs Organic, What Works Best?
Factors to consider when choosing between paid and organic PR.
Factors to consider when choosing between paid and organic PR
We decided to write this blog about the difference between paid PR and organic PR because it’s a topic that so often comes up in discussions with clients and industry peers. Understanding the difference between these two types of PR is important for businesses looking to create an effective PR strategy.
We hoped that by sharing our insights and experiences, we can help tech entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and achieve their PR goals.
The main difference is that paid PR is a guaranteed piece that lands clients where they want for a fixed amount of price, whereas organic PR is not always guaranteed.
Paid PR involves paying a fixed sum of fee to secure a placement in a specific publication, but really with the PR team handling all the writing and publishing.
On the other hand, organic PR refers to any media coverage earned through relationships, thought leadership, and a strong online presence, which can result in more credible and trustworthy coverage, but may require a longer-term approach and focus on building relationships.
1. Better SEO Impact: Paid PR is great for getting your company noticed right away, but it’s not always the best for your company’s SEO.
When an article is published as a paid placement, it only appears in search results for one day. Organic PR, on the other hand, is much more sustainable and can result in a long-term impact for your company’s SEO.
2. Increased Coverage Scope: Paid PR generally involves only getting a fixed number of articles published. But, organic PR aims to get your company noticed in a variety of different ways. This could include getting your clients’ commentaries, TV interviews, podcasts, partnerships, speaking slots, events, and more. This type of PR is much more comprehensive and can result in a much more significant impact for your company.
3. More Credibility: Paid PR lacks credibility because paid PR articles are not typically written by journalists. Instead, they are often written by the PR team themselves. This means that the content of the article may be more promotional in nature, rather than an objective look at the company or product.
Journalists, on the other hand, are trained to provide impartial and objective reporting. They have a duty to their readers to provide accurate and balanced information. When a journalist writes an article, they take the time to research the company, interview relevant sources, and fact-check their information.
One way to determine if a company is using organic PR is to look for the journalist’s name. If an article about a company is written by a journalist, it’s more likely that the company is using organic PR.
If you don’t see a journalist’s name in the article, it’s more likely that it’s a sponsored piece. In this case, the company has paid for the article to be written and published in order to reach a specific audience. This is a common tactic used in paid PR.
One of the best times to use paid PR is when you have an important launch announcement. If you have a new product, service, or event that you want to promote, paid PR can be an effective way to increase its coverage. This is also a common tactic used my some companies.
With paid PR, you have the ability to choose the publication that you want to feature in your announcement, which can help you reach your target audience more effectively.
In conclusion, paid and organic PR both have their unique benefits and drawbacks. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to a company’s goals, budget, and resources.
While paid PR can bring about quick results, organic PR is a long-term investment that builds a stronger and more authentic brand reputation.
The key is to find the right balance between paid and organic PR that works best for your brand. Remember, when it comes to PR, it’s not about choosing one or the other, but about finding the right mix that helps you reach your desired outcomes.
Public Relations
Factors to consider when choosing between paid and organic PR
We decided to write this blog about the difference between paid PR and organic PR because it’s a topic that so often comes up in discussions with clients and industry peers. Understanding the difference between these two types of PR is important for businesses looking to create an effective PR strategy.
We hoped that by sharing our insights and experiences, we can help tech entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and achieve their PR goals.
The main difference is that paid PR is a guaranteed piece that lands clients where they want for a fixed amount of price, whereas organic PR is not always guaranteed.
Paid PR involves paying a fixed sum of fee to secure a placement in a specific publication, but really with the PR team handling all the writing and publishing.
On the other hand, organic PR refers to any media coverage earned through relationships, thought leadership, and a strong online presence, which can result in more credible and trustworthy coverage, but may require a longer-term approach and focus on building relationships.
1. Better SEO Impact: Paid PR is great for getting your company noticed right away, but it’s not always the best for your company’s SEO.
When an article is published as a paid placement, it only appears in search results for one day. Organic PR, on the other hand, is much more sustainable and can result in a long-term impact for your company’s SEO.
2. Increased Coverage Scope: Paid PR generally involves only getting a fixed number of articles published. But, organic PR aims to get your company noticed in a variety of different ways. This could include getting your clients’ commentaries, TV interviews, podcasts, partnerships, speaking slots, events, and more. This type of PR is much more comprehensive and can result in a much more significant impact for your company.
3. More Credibility: Paid PR lacks credibility because paid PR articles are not typically written by journalists. Instead, they are often written by the PR team themselves. This means that the content of the article may be more promotional in nature, rather than an objective look at the company or product.
Journalists, on the other hand, are trained to provide impartial and objective reporting. They have a duty to their readers to provide accurate and balanced information. When a journalist writes an article, they take the time to research the company, interview relevant sources, and fact-check their information.
One way to determine if a company is using organic PR is to look for the journalist’s name. If an article about a company is written by a journalist, it’s more likely that the company is using organic PR.
If you don’t see a journalist’s name in the article, it’s more likely that it’s a sponsored piece. In this case, the company has paid for the article to be written and published in order to reach a specific audience. This is a common tactic used in paid PR.
One of the best times to use paid PR is when you have an important launch announcement. If you have a new product, service, or event that you want to promote, paid PR can be an effective way to increase its coverage. This is also a common tactic used my some companies.
With paid PR, you have the ability to choose the publication that you want to feature in your announcement, which can help you reach your target audience more effectively.
In conclusion, paid and organic PR both have their unique benefits and drawbacks. The decision between the two ultimately comes down to a company’s goals, budget, and resources.
While paid PR can bring about quick results, organic PR is a long-term investment that builds a stronger and more authentic brand reputation.
The key is to find the right balance between paid and organic PR that works best for your brand. Remember, when it comes to PR, it’s not about choosing one or the other, but about finding the right mix that helps you reach your desired outcomes.
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