By Wildfire PR
For startups, growth isn’t just a goal—it’s a lifeline. But in the race to scale, many founders overlook a key driver of success: public relations (PR). Far from being just press releases and media coverage, PR is about crafting your unique narrative, building trust, and positioning your startup in a way that attracts customers, investors, and top talent.
But what is PR, really? And how can it help your startup punch above its weight in crowded markets?
Let’s break it down.
What is PR vs marketing vs advertising?
PR is all about shaping how people see you. It’s about telling your story in a way that gets the media, customers, and investors interested in and talking about you. The fundamental approach is third-party validation through media coverage, thought leadership and word-of-mouth.
Unlike marketing and advertising, which are designed to result in direct actions—like making a purchase or filling out a form—PR generates sustained interest by fostering relationships and sparking organic conversations that extend your reach far beyond your initial audience, while creating a sense of authority and legitimacy around your brand.
What does that actually mean for startups?
Startups often face scepticism, and PR helps to build credibility around what you’re selling and the problem it solves––ultimately opening the door for the capital you need to fund your growth. A feature in trade-specific or national media, for instance, not only puts your product in front of a wider audience but also signals that it’s worth paying attention to. Thought leadership articles and a social media presence position you as a knowledgeable, reliable voice in your field, while word-of-mouth creates buzz that builds trust over time.
Together, these elements provide the weight and authority a young company needs to move from a promising idea to a trusted player in the market.
What can’t PR do for startups?
A positive media mention or a feature story in a top-tier publication can significantly elevate your public profile, but it doesn’t necessarily translate into immediate investment, sign-ups or purchases. PR plants the seeds of reputation that other strategies like advertising and marketing can then nurture into measurable results.
And while PR is a highly effective tactic for punching above your weight without a massive marketing budget, it isn’t a “free” way to build visibility. Successful PR campaigns require resources—whether you’re hiring an agency, working with a freelancer, or dedicating internal team time to craft media pitches and maintain relationships with journalists. Without proper investment, PR efforts risk falling flat, no matter how good the story might be.
What are some success stories of PR for startups?
Some of the most successful startups recognise PR as a powerful tool that takes a business beyond product-market fit to ensure long-term success. Our campaign with Goodlord brought the company’s lettings platform from under the radar to nationally recognised, securing coverage in high-profile media including City AM, ITV, and The Times. Together we combined the Goodlord team’s genuine industry insight with unique data points that got people talking about the need to transform the way we rent––offering up Goodlord as the solution. The company remained number one in online search results for “rent-tech” for 12 months, establishing itself as the trusted resource in the market.
About Wildfire PR
We’re an award-winning PR agency partnering with technology companies worldwide to transform ambition into action. Our ‘Think Bold’ approach blends boundary-pushing creativity with data-driven insights, empowering clients to launch meaningful campaigns that deliver standout results.
If you would like to get in touch with Wildfire PR and Claim your free consultation or PR audit, get in touch today.
By Wildfire PR