Marketing/PR Firm?

[pablo]

Has anyone ever hired a marketing/PR/advertising company to promote you & your act locally or nationally?

My business has reached the point where I need full-time professional help to take it to the next level.

I'd like to hear any advice besides the obvious "Get out your wallet."

[Frisbee]

I have not used a pr firm for my own act, but a Performing company I did work for had their own PR.

It was a mixed bag in my opinion. We had the P.R. on a year round retainer so when needed they were there...

I think that if you have specific shows you want to promote, then hire a P.R. agency to get you some additonal publicity. If you have nothing to really advertise and promote you will be paying the agency for P.R. but not getting any press and this will probably frustrate you.

The really good thing about having your own P.R. is that when you are doing a venue or event, a lot of times those venues and events have their own P.R. You can then have double P.R. and a better chance of getting some good press.

The biggest thing you are paying for with a P.R. agency is their client/contact list. Shop around and see who has the connections you want to which publications and media you want to promote to.

The P.R. agent you are working with will send out personal invitations to the media that they need to come and see you becuase you are GREAT! If they have a good relationship or track record with the media...they will come.

[May East]

I don't understand the question... are you asking for advice on "hiring" someone with spending any money?

You'd have to go semi-professional and contact a college nearby (in marketing or publicity or communications or maybe even a merchandising class) for freebies.