If you own a food business in Portsmouth, you’ll know that the competition is fierce. The city has an amazing food scene and getting your brand noticed can be a challenge. That’s where a food PR agency comes in. A food PR agency in Portsmouth‘s job is to help you get the exposure you need to grow your business and make a name for yourself within the city’s vibrant food and hospitality scene. Social media is a great tool to promote your food business, but it’s a hugely saturated market and you need to go a step further in your overall marketing strategy. But how do you choose the right agency for your needs? Here are some questions to ask before you hire a PR agency in Portsmouth.

What are your goals when hiring a food PR agency in Portsmouth?

The first thing you need to think about is what your goals are for your business. What do you want to achieve with your PR campaign? Do you want to increase sales or bookings, improve your brand reputation, or get more media coverage? Once you know what your goals are, you can start looking for a PR agency that can help you achieve them.

What is your budget?

The next thing you need to think about is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your PR campaign? Agencies can vary in price, so it’s important to have a budget in mind before you start your search. It’s important to think of PR as an investment, rather than a cost. An investment into growing a positive reputation is one of the best you can make.

What experience do they have?

When looking for a food PR agency in Portsmouth, you want to choose one that has experience in your industry. Look for an agency that has worked with other food businesses in the past and has a proven track record of success. You can ask for case studies or references to get an idea of their experience and the results they have achieved.

What services do they offer?

Not all food PR agencies in Portsmouth offer the same services. Some may specialize in media relations, while others may focus on social media marketing or influencer outreach. Before you hire an agency, make sure they offer the services you need to achieve your goals.

How do they measure success?

One of the most important questions to ask a food PR agency in Portsmouth is how they measure success. You want to work with an agency that can provide you with clear and measurable results. This will help you track the success of your PR campaign and make adjustments as needed. Some of the ways to measure success could be the number of links you gain from each campaign, the reach of each article that is published, the web traffic that is gained from a campaign and more.

Top tips for gaining the best exposure for your food brand

Now that you’ve chosen a food PR agency in Portsmouth, it’s time to start thinking about how you can work together to get the best exposure for your brand. Here are my top tips to help you get started.

1. Define your target audience

Before you start any PR campaign, you need to define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What are their interests and behaviours? Once you know who your audience is, you can create messaging and content that will resonate with them.

2. Create a strong brand message

Your brand message is the foundation of your PR campaign. It’s what sets you apart from your competitors and communicates your values and personality. Take the time to create a strong brand message that reflects who you are and what you stand for.

3. Leverage social media

Social media is a powerful tool for food businesses in Portsmouth. Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with your audience and share your brand message. I always recommend sharing your best piece of news coverage to maximise the results of your PR coverage.

4. Collaborate with influencers

Influencer marketing is a great way to get your brand in front of a new audience. Look for food influencers in Portsmouth and reach out to them to see if they would be interested in collaborating with your brand. This could include creating sponsored content, hosting events, or even just sharing your products on their social media.

For example, when we worked with Waterlooville-based restaurant, Koop+Kraft, we hosted a blogger’s evening, where we invited along food and lifestyle bloggers from across Hampshire and offered them an evening of free food, drinks and even goodie bags.

5. Get involved in the community

Finally, don’t forget to get involved in the Portsmouth food community. Attend food events, partner with other local businesses, and participate in charity events. This will help you build relationships with other businesses and community members and get your brand in front of a wider audience, as well as provide you with a great opportunity to promote your business in the press.

6. Be newsworthy

In order to get media coverage for your brand, you need to be newsworthy. This means doing something that is worth writing about. This could include launching a new product, hosting an event, or partnering with a local charity. Think about what sets your brand apart and what you can do to make headlines.

7. Build relationships with journalists

To get media coverage, you need to build relationships with journalists. Reach out to local food writers and introduce yourself and your brand. Offer to provide them with samples or information about your business. Building relationships with journalists takes time, but it can pay off in the form of valuable media coverage.

8. Use visuals

Visuals are an important part of any PR campaign. Make sure you have high-quality images of your products and your business that you can use in your social media posts and press releases. Visuals are also important for media coverage, as journalists are more likely to write about a business that has good visuals.

9. Be authentic

Finally, be authentic in your PR efforts. Consumers today are savvy and can tell when a brand is inauthentic. Be true to who you are and what you stand for, and your PR efforts will be much more successful.

Essentially, if you’re looking to get more exposure for your food business in Portsmouth, a food PR agency can help. By asking the right questions and choosing an agency that is experienced and can help you achieve your goals, you can set yourself up for success. And by following these top tips for gaining the best exposure for your brand, you can work with your PR agency to create a successful PR campaign that gets your business the recognition it deserves.