hello, I just graduated from university of TX arlington w/ a BBA-Management. I want to open my own business, I have PR experience from my fraternity and sales experience, I also promote at local clubs. I really like PR, i have created my own website www.jesustorrespr.com let me know what you think of the site. Please let me know how I can go about creating my own list of clients and how much to charge. Thanks..J Torres
My own public relations firm.seeking advice?
hello, I just graduated from university of TX arlington w/ a BBA-Management. I want to open my own business, I have PR experience from my fraternity and sales experience, I also promote at local clubs. I really like PR, i have created my own website www.jesustorrespr.com let me know what you think of the site. Please let me know how I can go about creating my own list of clients and how much to charge. Thanks..J Torres
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December 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Sir, I believe the best thing U can do is go to work for a PR agency and learn as much as you can before U open your own business. Keep your brain working, your eyes and ears open. Learn, learn, learn. Be sure and pick the best organization you can. Remember it takes from one to three years to develop a really good business. God Bless, a long time P R man. now a business consultant.
December 7th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
First off I think you need to decide what types of companies/events you’re going to promote. What’s your niche? What’s your specialty? Why should companies hire you over the thousands of PR consultants and companies out there?
Secondly, your website is too generic. It looks like a template. It’s lacking that ’special something’ that’s going to make prospects pick up the telephone and say “I gotta hire Jesus Torres!” The reason why it’s lacking that ’special something’ is because you haven’t figured it out yet. (It all goes back to what I first said – choose your niche.)
FabJob publishes a guide titled “Become a Public Relations Consultant,” . Get it, read it, and then you can better figure out what you want to do within the PR field.
StyleCareer publishes a guide titled “Breaking Into and Succeeding as a Fashion Publicist,” .
The US Department of Labor has a decent overview of what public relations specialists do .
Good luck!
December 9th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I tend to agree that if you can find a PR job to do your internship, it’s best.
Having said that, if you really want to pursue PR remember that its a highly personal business.
BUILD YOUR MEDIA CONTACT LIST. It’s gold!
I worked for a couple of California newspaper and had and extensive list of PR pros in my Rolodex. They were helpful as a resource in finding out what the community was up to. They provided me with leads and in turn I gave them a sympathetic ear when they needed to plug a client.
Start small. Find community groups whose activities are close to your heart and represent them pro bono. As you build your portfolio (and your column inch count) you can then go to others and tout your success. They’ll never know it was a freebie.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Jesus, seriously think about working for an agency or business/nonprofit first. Your fraternity and club promo experience will not get you in the door with a client. You’re going to have a tough time landing clients without at least five years of agency and/or business experience under your belt. Join your local PRSA and IABC and start attending workshops and making contacts.
If you are determined to go it on your own, rates for PR services vary widely — for a sole practitioner or small agency, $85 to $200 is not uncommon (if you have experience and credentials). Higher rates for larger agencies. The best way to land clients is through your existing contacts. Network, network, network.
Your site needs lots of work. I would invest in a professionally designed and written site. It’s pretty evident you are the sole person working for your “firm,” so I would not represent yourself as an agency with more than one person. You need a professional photo! Highlight your professional affiliations (not anything connected with your university). Your one client links to a site that is inactive. Not good! Get some testimonials on there! Check out your competition’s websites for ideas.