Why your brand needs PR in 2025
You're a startup founder or small business owner with a goal to grow. Chances are social ads are a large part of your marketing spend.
But ads are on the decline in impact, trust and ROI:
Twilio reported last year a staggering 68% of consumers wouldn’t buy from a brand they don’t trust,
Australians are exposed to around 4000 ads daily, and
80% of Australians believe there are too many ads
Forrester also reported last year that only 78% of younger consumers and 88% of older consumers don’t trust social media ads.
Just 37% of consumers pay attention to the messages they receive from advertisers.
On the other hand, Public relations - the strategic practice of building relationships between your brand and the people who buy your products - is uniquely placed to deliver. For example, Forrester research found that while traditional paid media yields conversion rates of 1% or less, companies that replace their paid media with trusted, highly effective earned media see conversion rates of 5% or higher.
And yet, PR is often brushed off as something only big brands do. Let’s clear up the air on what PR can do for brands that are not yet massive.
Why Your Brand Needs PR
Public relations is more than just a press releases. It’s the strategic practice of building trust, visibility, and connection across the platforms and people your audience already trusts.
Ads interrupt, PR integrates.
Ads cost more over time, PR builds value over time.
Here’s what modern PR includes — and why it matters for emerging brands:
Media Coverage & Earned Press
Getting featured by credible outlets builds brand legitimacy and drives discovery through cost-effective reach. When a journalist writes about you, it’s seen as an endorsement — not a pitch. It also fuels SEO, backlinks, and long-term visibility.
Social Media & Community Building
PR-informed social strategy goes beyond “posting” — it fosters connection, gathers feedback, and amplifies your wins. It’s a direct channel to build trust and engagement.
Influencer Partnerships
Today’s most effective influence is rooted in authenticity. Whether it's creators, customers, or team members, influencers humanize your brand, extend reach, and drive conversion — at any budget.
Digital PR & SEO-Driven Content
Great PR also improves search. Content that earns media attention also earns backlinks, builds authority, and drives inbound traffic that compounds over time.
Events & Experiential Marketing
In-person or virtual, events make your brand tangible. Pop-ups, panels, and workshops turn customers into participants — and fuel word-of-mouth, social content, and brand loyalty. And not everything has to be a Met Gala, simple and meaningful can work.
Crisis Communications
Things go wrong. A good PR foundation helps you respond with clarity, protect your reputation, and stay in control of the narrative.
Customer Advocacy & Reputation Management
Happy customers are your strongest PR asset. Encouraging reviews, UGC, and referrals turns satisfaction into growth — and creates the kind of credibility ads can’t buy.
Why PR is Smarter Than Ads (Especially Now)
Higher Conversions: Earned media converts 5x better than traditional ads.
Stronger Trust: 80% of B2B decision-makers prefer articles over ads.
Lasting Value: PR keeps working long after you stop spending.
Final thoughts: PR Isn’t a Luxury — It’s the Growth Engine
In a world where trust is scarce and attention is fragmented, public relations gives you an edge. It doesn’t just make your brand known or featured in a magazine — it makes it a trustworthy, relatable being. Precisely what you need to build it up.
