Introduction: Do All Startups Really Need PR?

If you think every startup or SMB should blindly invest in PR, think again. Many founders assume that hiring a PR agency guarantees instant growth. The truth? PR isn’t for every stage of your business.

If you’re pre-revenue, struggling to survive or yet to validate your product, PR may not be the best use of your funds. Media coverage takes time to deliver impact, and at this stage, your priority should be building sales and staying afloat.

So, who should consider PR?

  • Seed-funded startups with budgets for sustained campaigns.
  • SMBs and legacy businesses are able to allocate ₹75,000–1,00,000 per month for PR.
  • Organizations with annual revenue of ₹10 crore–200 crore looking to scale visibility and credibility.

If that’s you—read on.

 

5 Business Use Cases of PR for Startups and SMBs

1. Building Credibility and Trust

Most startups and SMBs struggle with credibility. Unlike global giants like Nike or Accenture, your name doesn’t automatically command trust. PR bridges this gap.

When respected media houses like The Times of India or Outlook cover your story, you instantly gain credibility.

Case in Point: Brick&Bolt, a tech-driven construction startup, faced trust issues because home construction is a high-stakes decision. With a PR campaign that secured national and regional coverage, potential customers Googling the brand found multiple positive stories—instilling confidence and boosting conversions.

2. Creating a Category and Educating the Market

Disruptive startups often face the challenge of explaining not just their product, but the need for their product. PR can help you create awareness for an entirely new category.

Case in Point: FlexiBees, a startup offering vetted remote and flexible talent, initially struggled because businesses didn’t even realize this option existed. Through strategic PR placements, including a front-page feature in The Economic Times Entrepreneur print edition, FlexiBees went viral—achieving 5x app downloads, 70,000 reach in 48 hours and 15 corporate leads.

3. Attracting Investors and Better Valuations

Instead of constantly pitching to investors, imagine them approaching you. Strategic PR makes this possible by showcasing your vision, traction and thought leadership.

How PR Helps You Raise Funding:

  • Crafting narratives around your vision and market need.
  • Placing you on top forums like YourStory Techsparks and podcasts.
  • Featuring you in respected investor platforms like Inc42 or VCCircle.

Case in Point: A tech-enabled supply chain startup used PR to secure coverage on leading platforms. The visibility translated into stronger investor interest, eventually helping them raise ₹100 crore in Series A funding within a year.

 

4. Accelerating the Sales Cycle

Sales—especially in B2B—can drag for months. Multiple stakeholders are involved, each needing reassurance. PR becomes your silent sales partner.

How PR Speeds Sales:

  • Sending prospective clients your media coverage as social proof.
  • Sharing authored articles that demonstrate expertise.
  • Positioning your brand as trustworthy without you saying it yourself. 

Example: One of our B2B clients reduced their sales cycle significantly after leveraging consistent PR coverage in regional and trade publications. Prospects walked into meetings already aware of the brand, cutting weeks off the decision-making process.

 

5. Strengthening Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition

Top talent doesn’t just look at your website or social media—they Google your company. If all they see is self-published content, it may not be convincing enough. PR ensures third-party validation of your culture, values and leadership.

Case in Point: Lingaro, a Polish IT company, wanted to strengthen its employer branding in India. We built a PR campaign around “Employee Experience Mapping.” With press releases, authored articles and CEO interviews, the company saw:

  • 500% increase in job applications.
  • 280% rise in offer acceptances.
  • 45% more career page visits—all through organic PR. 

When Should You Invest in PR?

  • ✅ You have a validated product/service with proven market fit.
    ✅ You are ready to allocate consistent budgets (₹75,000+ per month).
    ✅ You are looking to build credibility, attract investors, accelerate sales or strengthen employer branding.

If you’re still in survival mode, focus on sales first. PR will serve you best when you’re ready to scale.

 

Conclusion: PR Is Not for Everyone, but It Can Be Game-Changing

PR isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in credibility, visibility and growth. For startups and SMBs ready to scale, PR can open doors that cold emails and ads can’t.

At Umanshi Marketing, we specialize in helping founder-led startups, SMBs and legacy businesses craft compelling narratives that drive real growth. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, reach out to us—or share this with someone who could benefit.

 

FAQs About PR for Startups and SMBs

Q1. Is PR worth it for early-stage startups?
Only if you have funding or steady revenue. Otherwise, focus on product-market fit first.

Q2. How long does PR take to show results?
Expect 3–6 months of consistent effort before PR delivers measurable impact.

Q3. Can PR really help raise funding?
Yes. Strong PR builds investor confidence, attracts inbound interest and improves valuation.

Q4. How is PR different from advertising?
PR is earned media—coverage you don’t pay for directly—making it more credible than ads.

Q5. How does PR help with hiring?
Candidates trust third-party media more than your website. Positive coverage builds employer credibility.

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