A recent article in PRWeek titled “Client Service Remains a Staple for Smaller Firms” makes a great case for why small PR firms are the best choice for many companies, especially in a down economy. The article points out several reasons why small firms have a competitive edge, including:

Client Service – Small firms can provide senior account executives for every client. These executives are accessible, quick to respond and they forge close relationships with clients.

Budget – Boutique PR firms can do “everything a large firm can with a more reasonable budget,” Scott Phillips of Chicago-based Phillips and Associates. They have less overhead and can therefore charge very reasonable rates. Small firms can also quickly scale the budget up or down depending on a client’s needs.

Dedication – Each client matters a great deal to a smaller firm, and they are willing to go the extra mile to exceed expectations and garner great results.

As companies reassess their PR budgets and strategies and consider hiring a small firm, there are a few important points to consider. We recommend asking the following questions before selecting a PR team:

Is your business complementary with their current portfolio or clients?
What experience does the PR person or firm have in your industry?
Are they passionate about what you’re doing?
Are they asking smart questions throughout the process?
Do they have the capability and bandwidth to do a good job?

We recognize that selecting a new team can be a difficult process and have developed a white paper to help organizations understand the various approaches and options available to them when faced with building and evaluating a high-performance PR team. The paper discusses the different processes for selecting a PR team, the advantages of each process, how to evaluate a potential candidate or agency and tips for building solid relationship with your PR team.

To receive a free copy of the white paper “Selecting a Winning PR Team: A Strategic Approach,” please e-mail info@communiquepr.com.