Martin Powell, founder of South-West based Empica PR, looks at how every business can get themselves noticed.

For months every business has had to compete with coronavirus, Brexit and Donald Trump for space in the media. Sadly, that is likely to continue now we are in 2021.

But at Empica we get information about our South West clients across to the audiences they want to reach, using tried and tested story-telling that works online, in print, on television and radio and even when you are talking to people inside your own organisation.

We are all familiar with the BBC news website. Far more interesting than the stories the BBC journalists have chosen to put at the top of the page are the ones in the “top 10 most read” section.

On the day when Brexit talks reached a crucial point last month the most read was a story about a monolith appearing on a beach in the UK, closely followed by the Royal Mint launching a David Bowie coin into space – both the work of Public Relations practitioners.

In fact, if the headline contains the word “sex” it pretty well always features in the top 10 – which says something about us as readers!

Having an experienced public relations team alongside you enables you to seek out those sexy elements of your business; means you don’t miss a milestone you can celebrate, and can get your message across in some of the most powerful media there is.

Stories can be used to prompt sales, can help to position you in the market-place and most importantly can build your reputation as well as protecting it when something goes wrong.

We have a team of experienced journalists, PR professionals, video and digital specialists that can provide a whole marketing and PR department function for a business or enhance and amplify the work of the in-house team.

Lawyers and accountants (and I know you are reading this because it has sex in the headline) often find that the key to supporting their clients is publicity. Some strategically placed stories can help clinch that deal; a strong defence of a position can protect a brand or prevent litigation.

We are always happy to talk to legal and financial professionals in confidence about ways that we might support their clients through a particular issue.

 There is no doubt that the businesses that get noticed most are the ones that are persistent about getting their name out there and consistent in their messaging. Most, who achieve that, either have a good agency alongside them or a great in-house PR professional.

Empica is based near Bristol. It has a PR team that every day is getting businesses on to the BBC; supporting them through difficult issues; helping them to drive change within their organisation; shaping messages for different audiences and giving sound advice.

We operate across a wide range of sectors and gain coverage throughout the UK and USA media and in to Europe. We are also friendly and approachable if you just want to chat – but don’t mention coronavirus, Trump, Brexit or sex.